The Kíla gig you went to sounds wonderful. I saw them at the National Stadium during the last two TradFests and they were excellent. The audience dancing was amazing on those occasions too, especially this year. Young children dancing around their parents, and then as the floor got more crowded both adults and kids pogoing like it was a seventies punk gig!
I’m hoping to see them again in January for their 40th anniversary gig at the stadium – I have a ticket but there’s a chance I will need to be at a study weekend.
I’m enjoying reading on here about all your gigs, wishing I could get to more of them (seems like ages since a great early May evening at the NCH!). Very much looking forward to hopefully seeing you at Vicar Street or elsewhere this winter.
In the meantime my next visit to Ireland will be in September when I’m staying in Dublin to go to the Dún Laoghaire Folk Festival. (Sadly not quite possible to get to Leisureland on 11th.) I see that Trump is in Dublin that weekend, laying a brick or something. His unwelcome visit had better not stop me getting the Dart to see Andy Irvine at the Pavilion on the Saturday, or the bus to see Emma Langford in Leixlip on the Sunday! (Seriously though, if there’s a demo will join it I can.)
All the best,
Anne
Christy's reply
last nights fun in Wexford
1. City of Chicago
2.Quinta Brigada…. ( abandoned , unable to follow a demon clapper !!)
3.Nancy Spain
4.Go Move Shift
5.The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
6.Cliffs of Dooneen
7.Smoke and Strong Whiskey
8.Johnny Boy
9. Ride On
10.Tippin it Up to Nancy
11.Matty
12. Magdalen Laundry
13.Delerium Tremens
14.Clack & Amber
15.Lingo Politico
16. Shovel ( 3 verse version)
17.Voyage
18.Quinta Brigada..(revived, with all glorious clappers in unison)
19.Beeswing
20.Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette…..(for Decky Sinnott)
21.Two Island Swans……….(for the Coolnacupogue lovebirds)
22.The Contender………..( for Paul McGrath)
23.Bright Blue Rose
24.Lisdoonvarna
25. Boy in The Wild..(first time accapella…finally a way to perform it)
encore
26.Ordinary Man
27.Black is The Colour
28.Sonnys Dream
1 hour 59 minutes
strong tea, tomato sandwich and a lovely drive home ,up thru East Leinster along the fringes of The Irish Sea
home to watch Eoghan Daltún incredible documentary on RTE 1…I gotta recommend this film ( Part 1) its called:
AN IRISH ATLANTIC RAINFOREST….CATCH IT ON THE RTE PLAYER Please don’t miss it
Hello Christy,
Im thinking this answer may not count because I got it by research, not by just knowing…?
The album goes back to your roots, the trad songs, so that’s why it’s got the kunta kinte nickname from the TV roots series.
I listen to your early years album a lot. I like the rawness of it. And to hear where things were then .
I had a look at the song list for the kunta kinte album. It’s on my shelf, hadn’t realised so many of them migrated to the early years. Its going to the front right now. Getting some spins.
Track listing
The Dalesman’s Litany
Galtee Mountain Boy
Little Musgrave
Wave Up to the Shore
Nancy Spain
Lanigans Ball
Johnny Jump Up
Scriff Martyrs
Limerick Rake
Boys of Mullabawn
Sacco & Vanzetti
Rebecca
Christy's reply
not 100% correct but sufficiently close to warrant a spot prize…I wondered would you be first up with a solution
that 1976 album was simply called by my name…. the cover Black & White shot was very distinctive….one reviewer of the album wrote that it looked like a pic of Kunta Kinta…the Roots TV show was very popular in the early 1970s
If I do decide to offer future spot prizes I’ll need to dig deeper….if only to challenge your finger tip access to albums and info… I’ll catch you yet !!!!
I’ve not heard this album for yonks but I do have fond memories of laying those tracks down
Great to read your thoughts in count down to gig time… And,also (with fond memories of The Beggarmenn) your chat with Terry.
I had a good few 60s nights at Belle Vue speedway,watching The Aces…after the first visit,getting covered in grit as the riders hit the bend,we copped on!
I was thinking of those times recently,reading about Oldham’s Clem Beckett…lots of info online…an action packed,short life in factory,forge and Wall of Death..he joined The International Brigade. Dead at 31,in Spain heroically manning a machine gun point,saving the lives of others…
Time for ‘Jamie Foyers’ to start the day…
Dave
Christy's reply
I love that Ewan MacColl song…Dick Gaughan covered it beautifully..
You were the bees 🐝 knees. Loved it. Super venue. The American walnut gave us a velvety quality and we were glad the bodhran made an appearance with you tonight. Hope you liked our singing too. 😂 nice to see all your young fans out there enjoying themselves.
You aced playing both Matty and Beeswax some of our favourites. Good old Michael Hayes nice additions to that one. Safe home 🏡
Christy's reply
Sure was a cracker
hard to beat a Sunday night in The National Opera House…
from the starting gate to the winning post the audience were neck & neck with me all the way
almost a thousand listeners in last night…yet it had an intimacy about it
“Tippin it up to Nancy” has appeared back in the set out of nowhere….
first time I ever sang “Boy in The Wild’ unaccompanied….Michsel Devine suggested it on trhe way to the stage last night…try it without the guitar sez Mick…after 2,000 gigs together he knows the score…
“Two Island Swans” has not been in the set for 20 years ….a request rang out from Coolnacupogue …I recognised the voice…Noeleen and Seán been coming to gigs for 40 years…took a chance and found the verses and chords..
great to hear the applause when I mentioned Decky Sinnott….we gigged together for 20 years , Wexford is his home Town
my good Buddy Paul McGrath was in the hall last night ( Aston Villa coulda done with him yesterday !!! )
Fin Doyle was in too…home from Boston , himself and Sean Sands are doing a few gigs at the moment…
I was home by 11.30 last night..such a change from 60 years ago when it often took days to get home from a gig….lock ins were LOCK INS back in the day…no half measures…every feckin village had illegal drinkin dens if you knew which back window to tap….
reminds me of a night 50 years ago….myself and Barney McKenna played a gig together in The Embankment in Tallaght…afterwards we got stuck into a rake of pints…falling out the door the following morning Barney , blinded by the early morning Sun sez….”jasus Moore,is’nt there a great stretch in the evenings “…that same week in 1976 we recorded “Johnny Jump Up” together for the (nick-named) Kunta Kinta album
( first one to explain the nick name might gain a spot prize)
Enjoying a few tunes before the real McCoy later and found one l haven’t heard in a while – 2002 live from Vicar St with yourself, Declan and Donal – great session with a few classics – pondering on “Johnnie don’t go” 🧐 where did that one come outa?.
Looking forward with great excitement for the gig this fine summer evening in town. X
Christy's reply
19.10……due on in 20 minutes…..done my stretches, my vocal warm up, sound check, the listeners are pouring in, I hear the sound from the auditorium, I’m feeling a bit nervous now with 15 minutes to go…just need to get into my stage clothes now…all black, travels well, does’nt show sweat stains, helps hide moobs (almost), have a new song to try tonight.. a few others with amended arrangements…10 mins now…Michael has given me a 10 min call….gotta get my gig hearing aids on, my cheek-microphone in place…I hope you enjoy this Wexford Opera House…its a class venue..I like it a lot…
“Johnny Dont Go” came from John Spillane..the first of his to cover….I’ve not gigged it for 25 years….
“Johnny don’t go to the big televison
Johnn don’t go to the hole in the wall”
Its Show Time
another gig done on this ongoing caravan…21.28…..great audience, good room…I had a good gig..hope you did too….
mug of tea now and then hit the blue tar road
Hi Christy
Just finished reading One Voice (For the second time) and re-living my time in Manchester and my meetings of the Grehan Sisters. They lived for a time in Hyde and I would visit there. ( I had a crush on Francie )
They were responsible for The Beggarmen getting our LP made.
They were booked in Manchester and the venue was solled out but Marie had a sore throat and she persuaded John Kennedy to give us the spot.
We did well and he asked us for our LP.
When we said we hadn’t one he offered to get us the money and, if it sold well,, return it and if it didn’t it didn’t matef.
He got his money back.
Also Packy Manus Birn was a great help to me showing different ways the whistle could be played.
Joan and I met him in Ardera a couple of years before he passed and we had some lovely remonicences.
66 to 70 was a magical time in and arround Manchester.
We were born in the right time
Hopefully see you soon.
Terry
Almost forgot
I have at least 10 of your songs in my song list
Crow on the Cradle was by Sydeny Carter ( Lord of the dance)
My favourite is The Old Man’s Song and it realy does show that things aren’tchanging at all.
Sorry about the rant.
Christy's reply
Hey Terry,
This aint no rant..just an old pal sharing memories from a time we both cherished…..Manchester was a magical place for me across the years I spent there… so many Folk clubs to visit… I recall the daily Folk Club section in the Evening news…the array of venues with gigs 7 nights a week to choose from…your own club on Thu nights had competition from The Pennines out in Hyde…great to read the background of your album..what a great band ye had…the excitement in that club every thursday..no matter who the booked guest it was The Beggarmen the audience came to hear..
lovely too to read about The Grehan Sisters…you were not the only one to have a crush on Francie !!..Packie Byrne was a good friend ..I stayed with him a few nights out in Ardwick..also stayed with The Grehans a few times …Marie used to put out a great dinner ,
so many great artists in the Town then.. Your band, Mike Harding, Tom & Smiley, Marie Little, Mary Asquith, Rosie Hardman, Toni & Arthur, Tony Downes,Pete Ryder, Frank Duffy, Harry Boardman, Des English,just a few of the players all trying their best….it was there that I served my apprenticeship..gotta go and do a sound check here in Wexford…
later, after soundcheck…should also mention that spare time well occupied by visits to Old Trafford, Maine Rd ,Gigg Lane….had a bit of a soft spot for Stock Car Racing at Belle Vue and the odd libation in Yates or The Shambles…then I discovered the joy of hashish after a gig in Bradford…O the joys of Suffragette City
Hmm, forgot to mention, it’s the same with tunes. I’m learning Madam im a darling. Every singer has their own version, ive not found two the same. Love this being able to see how it sits with me.
Hello Christy,
I think “cadgilations” has you written all over it. Feels like it’s from the same stable as blacksmithereens and chadults…
John Doyle has a thing on his Path of Stones album called “elevenses”. Spent ages counting those damned beats.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Blacksmithereens I believe to be an AndyIrvinism
that John Doyle is a quare hawk on the bull fiddle
Thanks a million Christy for mentioning Dad during yer trip to O’Connors in 1962/3 and coming up on stage. He would gave got a great buzz being mentioned and as he told me later in life, he was extremely proud of his former rugby comrade making it big.
Thanks for the art info,Christy.
A sad story for sure. It’s good that 4711ers now know that Rai Uhlemann was responsible for the stunning cover of ‘The well below the valley’
Enjoy the wonderful Planxty tunes in the gig band wagon.
He comes around in the evening
with his creepy little tune
Half the neighbourhoodlums
are hanging from his spoon
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
I could be wrong Bourkey
but I suspect that the word “cadgilation”may have been introduced in a cover version of Johnny’s original classic….
it happens betimes…its part of the folk process….
one that some of the fanatic trad purists abhor….
( methinks they should go and shight )
Great when an old LP is dusted off and the back story is immediately in mind…’The well below the valley’ is sounding brilliant this morning. It landed with me,shortly after release…not available here,but safely delivered via a friend’s suit case,fresh from a Dublin trip.
Jim Fitzpatrick’s cover art,perfect for an LP cover…superb music and sleeve notes…and,many years later,two names mentioned in the LP credits mean so much
more…Tom Munnelly and John Reilly of Boyle
Sweet music roll on.
Dave
Christy's reply
Thanks Dave,
Regretfully I must intervene,
Jim Fitzpatrick put his name to the beautiful Artwork created by Rai Uhlemann
The band were very embarrassed by this ..back then the artwork was a matter for the Record Company
subsequent to the release we heard from Rai ….
50 years on I still dont know how or why Mr Fitzpatrick added his name to Rai’s beautiful creation
Tell you the truth I’d almost let go of it
but seeing him credited again this morning did trigger slight angst… no blame to you attached
its an understandable commment when that name stiil sits there beneath another artist’s work
as a (very) token gesture we asked Rai to work the next album sleeve…
that said…I still sometimes listen to those early Planxty recordings..particularly the music….
the songs have received much attention..
its the music I like to hear, (usually on the road home after gigs , I have a wee Planxty session)…
I marvel at Liam Óg’s playing, at the accompaniments weaved by Donal & Andy,
I really enjoyed my time playing with those friends
Hi Christy,
Came across some treasure today,
a vinyl copy of Mary Couglan’s Sentimental Killers.
Like Ordinary Man it has three Johnny Mulhearn songs.
A man near the top of the first division of songwriters.
Longside yoursel, Wally Page and Jimmy Mac …
The rest of us would have put the pen down after Matty.
But thanks be Johnny picked it back up and gave us
Continental Ceilí, Dellaney, Hard Cases, Ice Cream Man,
Magdalen Laundry, Francis of Assisi and Sentimental Killers.
To round up my Galway three in a row after Johnny and Mary
I leave you with The Docs … All The Way From Tuam
“They’d be calling us smokies,
the lads from the city
But I didn’t care what they called me
Just plank it in lively across for the noodle
His jills with the KD’s a gomey”
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
Johnny is up there with the very best of them
he has written Killer Lines
“tryin to figure out who’s carryin”
” Singin for the Swedes in their tweeds doin all he can to please”
“could’nt stand such a crooked man sober”
any auld balladeer ‘id be priviliged to sing such poetic lines
I remember the night my light got switched on
twas in O’Connor’s of Salthill circa 19622/3
the Late Christy O’Connor was fear-an-tí
he called me up on stage and I sang “Rosin The Bow” and “Brennan on The Moor”
enraptured by the response of tha race-week crowd I sez to myself
“I want a bit more of this ”
I finally got my ducks in a row in 1966
running out of Ballyhaunis I set sail for London
I never wore a collar and tie since
Well Bourkey, The Hanger is coming into view
I’m gettin ready to land the Spitfire in Salthill
gonna strafe Shop st and try for Bed & Lunch out in Flannery’s for 32/6
first hit The Hanger in 1972 with Plangcity
we were on 60% of the door
but the feckin promoter had a second door goin on the sly
our clicker only covered one door so we ended up with 60% of 50%
did’nt matter a shite…we had a blinder
I ended up out in Alec Finn’s out in Spiddal
went into The Poitín Still the followin mornin and heard Gerry Joyce singin “The Trip To Jerusalem”
recorded that on an album called “The Iron Behind The Velvet” in 1976
Christy, Ian Prowse runs an open mic night in Liverpool every Monday night. It’s free entry and anyone can get up and ‘give it a go’ the only stipulation is original songs only, no covers. Any way who rolls up last Monday night but Damien Dempsey (in town after supporting the Saw Doctors on Saturday night). Ian Prowse and Damien Dempsey on the same bill for free, not a bad night.
Christy's reply
Prowsie & Damo of a Monday night in The ‘Pool
theres a phenomen I’d like to have witnessed
two of my fave rapscallions crooning together in one of my fave cities
I’m weak at the knees at the very thought that they might be
ag déanamh ceol le ceile anseo i mBaile Átha Clíath
a fellow might be tempted to attend just in case like
Hello Christy,
The Kíla gig you went to sounds wonderful. I saw them at the National Stadium during the last two TradFests and they were excellent. The audience dancing was amazing on those occasions too, especially this year. Young children dancing around their parents, and then as the floor got more crowded both adults and kids pogoing like it was a seventies punk gig!
I’m hoping to see them again in January for their 40th anniversary gig at the stadium – I have a ticket but there’s a chance I will need to be at a study weekend.
I’m enjoying reading on here about all your gigs, wishing I could get to more of them (seems like ages since a great early May evening at the NCH!). Very much looking forward to hopefully seeing you at Vicar Street or elsewhere this winter.
In the meantime my next visit to Ireland will be in September when I’m staying in Dublin to go to the Dún Laoghaire Folk Festival. (Sadly not quite possible to get to Leisureland on 11th.) I see that Trump is in Dublin that weekend, laying a brick or something. His unwelcome visit had better not stop me getting the Dart to see Andy Irvine at the Pavilion on the Saturday, or the bus to see Emma Langford in Leixlip on the Sunday! (Seriously though, if there’s a demo will join it I can.)
All the best,
Anne
last nights fun in Wexford
1. City of Chicago
2.Quinta Brigada…. ( abandoned , unable to follow a demon clapper !!)
3.Nancy Spain
4.Go Move Shift
5.The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes
6.Cliffs of Dooneen
7.Smoke and Strong Whiskey
8.Johnny Boy
9. Ride On
10.Tippin it Up to Nancy
11.Matty
12. Magdalen Laundry
13.Delerium Tremens
14.Clack & Amber
15.Lingo Politico
16. Shovel ( 3 verse version)
17.Voyage
18.Quinta Brigada..(revived, with all glorious clappers in unison)
19.Beeswing
20.Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette…..(for Decky Sinnott)
21.Two Island Swans……….(for the Coolnacupogue lovebirds)
22.The Contender………..( for Paul McGrath)
23.Bright Blue Rose
24.Lisdoonvarna
25. Boy in The Wild..(first time accapella…finally a way to perform it)
encore
26.Ordinary Man
27.Black is The Colour
28.Sonnys Dream
1 hour 59 minutes
strong tea, tomato sandwich and a lovely drive home ,up thru East Leinster along the fringes of The Irish Sea
home to watch Eoghan Daltún incredible documentary on RTE 1…I gotta recommend this film ( Part 1) its called:
AN IRISH ATLANTIC RAINFOREST….CATCH IT ON THE RTE PLAYER Please don’t miss it
Nickname linked to the monochrome cover photo?
Spot on about ‘Jamie Foyers’…Ewan’s finest song craft,Dick Gaughan’s interpretation…pure class…
D
see below
Hello Christy,
Im thinking this answer may not count because I got it by research, not by just knowing…?
The album goes back to your roots, the trad songs, so that’s why it’s got the kunta kinte nickname from the TV roots series.
I listen to your early years album a lot. I like the rawness of it. And to hear where things were then .
I had a look at the song list for the kunta kinte album. It’s on my shelf, hadn’t realised so many of them migrated to the early years. Its going to the front right now. Getting some spins.
Track listing
The Dalesman’s Litany
Galtee Mountain Boy
Little Musgrave
Wave Up to the Shore
Nancy Spain
Lanigans Ball
Johnny Jump Up
Scriff Martyrs
Limerick Rake
Boys of Mullabawn
Sacco & Vanzetti
Rebecca
not 100% correct but sufficiently close to warrant a spot prize…I wondered would you be first up with a solution
that 1976 album was simply called by my name…. the cover Black & White shot was very distinctive….one reviewer of the album wrote that it looked like a pic of Kunta Kinta…the Roots TV show was very popular in the early 1970s
If I do decide to offer future spot prizes I’ll need to dig deeper….if only to challenge your finger tip access to albums and info… I’ll catch you yet !!!!
I’ve not heard this album for yonks but I do have fond memories of laying those tracks down
Hi Christy
Great to read your thoughts in count down to gig time… And,also (with fond memories of The Beggarmenn) your chat with Terry.
I had a good few 60s nights at Belle Vue speedway,watching The Aces…after the first visit,getting covered in grit as the riders hit the bend,we copped on!
I was thinking of those times recently,reading about Oldham’s Clem Beckett…lots of info online…an action packed,short life in factory,forge and Wall of Death..he joined The International Brigade. Dead at 31,in Spain heroically manning a machine gun point,saving the lives of others…
Time for ‘Jamie Foyers’ to start the day…
Dave
I love that Ewan MacColl song…Dick Gaughan covered it beautifully..
“No Paseran”
“This Machine Kills Fascists” wrote Woody
Well Christy,
You were the bees 🐝 knees. Loved it. Super venue. The American walnut gave us a velvety quality and we were glad the bodhran made an appearance with you tonight. Hope you liked our singing too. 😂 nice to see all your young fans out there enjoying themselves.
You aced playing both Matty and Beeswax some of our favourites. Good old Michael Hayes nice additions to that one. Safe home 🏡
Sure was a cracker
hard to beat a Sunday night in The National Opera House…
from the starting gate to the winning post the audience were neck & neck with me all the way
almost a thousand listeners in last night…yet it had an intimacy about it
“Tippin it up to Nancy” has appeared back in the set out of nowhere….
first time I ever sang “Boy in The Wild’ unaccompanied….Michsel Devine suggested it on trhe way to the stage last night…try it without the guitar sez Mick…after 2,000 gigs together he knows the score…
“Two Island Swans” has not been in the set for 20 years ….a request rang out from Coolnacupogue …I recognised the voice…Noeleen and Seán been coming to gigs for 40 years…took a chance and found the verses and chords..
great to hear the applause when I mentioned Decky Sinnott….we gigged together for 20 years , Wexford is his home Town
my good Buddy Paul McGrath was in the hall last night ( Aston Villa coulda done with him yesterday !!! )
Fin Doyle was in too…home from Boston , himself and Sean Sands are doing a few gigs at the moment…
I was home by 11.30 last night..such a change from 60 years ago when it often took days to get home from a gig….lock ins were LOCK INS back in the day…no half measures…every feckin village had illegal drinkin dens if you knew which back window to tap….
reminds me of a night 50 years ago….myself and Barney McKenna played a gig together in The Embankment in Tallaght…afterwards we got stuck into a rake of pints…falling out the door the following morning Barney , blinded by the early morning Sun sez….”jasus Moore,is’nt there a great stretch in the evenings “…that same week in 1976 we recorded “Johnny Jump Up” together for the (nick-named) Kunta Kinta album
( first one to explain the nick name might gain a spot prize)
Hiya Christy,
Enjoying a few tunes before the real McCoy later and found one l haven’t heard in a while – 2002 live from Vicar St with yourself, Declan and Donal – great session with a few classics – pondering on “Johnnie don’t go” 🧐 where did that one come outa?.
Looking forward with great excitement for the gig this fine summer evening in town. X
19.10……due on in 20 minutes…..done my stretches, my vocal warm up, sound check, the listeners are pouring in, I hear the sound from the auditorium, I’m feeling a bit nervous now with 15 minutes to go…just need to get into my stage clothes now…all black, travels well, does’nt show sweat stains, helps hide moobs (almost), have a new song to try tonight.. a few others with amended arrangements…10 mins now…Michael has given me a 10 min call….gotta get my gig hearing aids on, my cheek-microphone in place…I hope you enjoy this Wexford Opera House…its a class venue..I like it a lot…
“Johnny Dont Go” came from John Spillane..the first of his to cover….I’ve not gigged it for 25 years….
“Johnny don’t go to the big televison
Johnn don’t go to the hole in the wall”
Its Show Time
another gig done on this ongoing caravan…21.28…..great audience, good room…I had a good gig..hope you did too….
mug of tea now and then hit the blue tar road
Hi Christy
Just finished reading One Voice (For the second time) and re-living my time in Manchester and my meetings of the Grehan Sisters. They lived for a time in Hyde and I would visit there. ( I had a crush on Francie )
They were responsible for The Beggarmen getting our LP made.
They were booked in Manchester and the venue was solled out but Marie had a sore throat and she persuaded John Kennedy to give us the spot.
We did well and he asked us for our LP.
When we said we hadn’t one he offered to get us the money and, if it sold well,, return it and if it didn’t it didn’t matef.
He got his money back.
Also Packy Manus Birn was a great help to me showing different ways the whistle could be played.
Joan and I met him in Ardera a couple of years before he passed and we had some lovely remonicences.
66 to 70 was a magical time in and arround Manchester.
We were born in the right time
Hopefully see you soon.
Terry
Almost forgot
I have at least 10 of your songs in my song list
Crow on the Cradle was by Sydeny Carter ( Lord of the dance)
My favourite is The Old Man’s Song and it realy does show that things aren’tchanging at all.
Sorry about the rant.
Hey Terry,
This aint no rant..just an old pal sharing memories from a time we both cherished…..Manchester was a magical place for me across the years I spent there… so many Folk clubs to visit… I recall the daily Folk Club section in the Evening news…the array of venues with gigs 7 nights a week to choose from…your own club on Thu nights had competition from The Pennines out in Hyde…great to read the background of your album..what a great band ye had…the excitement in that club every thursday..no matter who the booked guest it was The Beggarmen the audience came to hear..
lovely too to read about The Grehan Sisters…you were not the only one to have a crush on Francie !!..Packie Byrne was a good friend ..I stayed with him a few nights out in Ardwick..also stayed with The Grehans a few times …Marie used to put out a great dinner ,
so many great artists in the Town then.. Your band, Mike Harding, Tom & Smiley, Marie Little, Mary Asquith, Rosie Hardman, Toni & Arthur, Tony Downes,Pete Ryder, Frank Duffy, Harry Boardman, Des English,just a few of the players all trying their best….it was there that I served my apprenticeship..gotta go and do a sound check here in Wexford…
later, after soundcheck…should also mention that spare time well occupied by visits to Old Trafford, Maine Rd ,Gigg Lane….had a bit of a soft spot for Stock Car Racing at Belle Vue and the odd libation in Yates or The Shambles…then I discovered the joy of hashish after a gig in Bradford…O the joys of Suffragette City
Hmm, forgot to mention, it’s the same with tunes. I’m learning Madam im a darling. Every singer has their own version, ive not found two the same. Love this being able to see how it sits with me.
a dye rum diddle O
Hello Christy,
I think “cadgilations” has you written all over it. Feels like it’s from the same stable as blacksmithereens and chadults…
John Doyle has a thing on his Path of Stones album called “elevenses”. Spent ages counting those damned beats.
Rebecca
Blacksmithereens I believe to be an AndyIrvinism
that John Doyle is a quare hawk on the bull fiddle
Thanks a million Christy for mentioning Dad during yer trip to O’Connors in 1962/3 and coming up on stage. He would gave got a great buzz being mentioned and as he told me later in life, he was extremely proud of his former rugby comrade making it big.
God bless
Kenny
we trained hard back then…..in the Skeff
Thanks for the art info,Christy.
A sad story for sure. It’s good that 4711ers now know that Rai Uhlemann was responsible for the stunning cover of ‘The well below the valley’
Enjoy the wonderful Planxty tunes in the gig band wagon.
Dave
Hi Christy,
Johnny had a way with the words …
beads of perspiration stand upon your cadgilation
He comes around in the evening
with his creepy little tune
Half the neighbourhoodlums
are hanging from his spoon
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
I could be wrong Bourkey
but I suspect that the word “cadgilation”may have been introduced in a cover version of Johnny’s original classic….
it happens betimes…its part of the folk process….
one that some of the fanatic trad purists abhor….
( methinks they should go and shight )
Hi Christy
Great when an old LP is dusted off and the back story is immediately in mind…’The well below the valley’ is sounding brilliant this morning. It landed with me,shortly after release…not available here,but safely delivered via a friend’s suit case,fresh from a Dublin trip.
Jim Fitzpatrick’s cover art,perfect for an LP cover…superb music and sleeve notes…and,many years later,two names mentioned in the LP credits mean so much
more…Tom Munnelly and John Reilly of Boyle
Sweet music roll on.
Dave
Thanks Dave,
Regretfully I must intervene,
Jim Fitzpatrick put his name to the beautiful Artwork created by Rai Uhlemann
The band were very embarrassed by this ..back then the artwork was a matter for the Record Company
subsequent to the release we heard from Rai ….
50 years on I still dont know how or why Mr Fitzpatrick added his name to Rai’s beautiful creation
Tell you the truth I’d almost let go of it
but seeing him credited again this morning did trigger slight angst… no blame to you attached
its an understandable commment when that name stiil sits there beneath another artist’s work
as a (very) token gesture we asked Rai to work the next album sleeve…
that said…I still sometimes listen to those early Planxty recordings..particularly the music….
the songs have received much attention..
its the music I like to hear, (usually on the road home after gigs , I have a wee Planxty session)…
I marvel at Liam Óg’s playing, at the accompaniments weaved by Donal & Andy,
I really enjoyed my time playing with those friends
Hi Christy,
Came across some treasure today,
a vinyl copy of Mary Couglan’s Sentimental Killers.
Like Ordinary Man it has three Johnny Mulhearn songs.
A man near the top of the first division of songwriters.
Longside yoursel, Wally Page and Jimmy Mac …
The rest of us would have put the pen down after Matty.
But thanks be Johnny picked it back up and gave us
Continental Ceilí, Dellaney, Hard Cases, Ice Cream Man,
Magdalen Laundry, Francis of Assisi and Sentimental Killers.
To round up my Galway three in a row after Johnny and Mary
I leave you with The Docs … All The Way From Tuam
“They’d be calling us smokies,
the lads from the city
But I didn’t care what they called me
Just plank it in lively across for the noodle
His jills with the KD’s a gomey”
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Johnny is up there with the very best of them
he has written Killer Lines
“tryin to figure out who’s carryin”
” Singin for the Swedes in their tweeds doin all he can to please”
“could’nt stand such a crooked man sober”
any auld balladeer ‘id be priviliged to sing such poetic lines
I remember the night my light got switched on
twas in O’Connor’s of Salthill circa 19622/3
the Late Christy O’Connor was fear-an-tí
he called me up on stage and I sang “Rosin The Bow” and “Brennan on The Moor”
enraptured by the response of tha race-week crowd I sez to myself
“I want a bit more of this ”
I finally got my ducks in a row in 1966
running out of Ballyhaunis I set sail for London
I never wore a collar and tie since
Well Bourkey, The Hanger is coming into view
I’m gettin ready to land the Spitfire in Salthill
gonna strafe Shop st and try for Bed & Lunch out in Flannery’s for 32/6
first hit The Hanger in 1972 with Plangcity
we were on 60% of the door
but the feckin promoter had a second door goin on the sly
our clicker only covered one door so we ended up with 60% of 50%
did’nt matter a shite…we had a blinder
I ended up out in Alec Finn’s out in Spiddal
went into The Poitín Still the followin mornin and heard Gerry Joyce singin “The Trip To Jerusalem”
recorded that on an album called “The Iron Behind The Velvet” in 1976
Christy, Ian Prowse runs an open mic night in Liverpool every Monday night. It’s free entry and anyone can get up and ‘give it a go’ the only stipulation is original songs only, no covers. Any way who rolls up last Monday night but Damien Dempsey (in town after supporting the Saw Doctors on Saturday night). Ian Prowse and Damien Dempsey on the same bill for free, not a bad night.
Prowsie & Damo of a Monday night in The ‘Pool
theres a phenomen I’d like to have witnessed
two of my fave rapscallions crooning together in one of my fave cities
I’m weak at the knees at the very thought that they might be
ag déanamh ceol le ceile anseo i mBaile Átha Clíath
a fellow might be tempted to attend just in case like
“O that Pyramid nr Maryland ”
……”Ceol, Feoil, Dole agus Hole”