Dave, I wanted to go to Bob in Slane, 1984. I had been listening to him on the radio for quite some time, and that the owner if Slane castle brought him over was magic. A bit if rioting in the streets of Slane the night before put me off travelling. It was a mighty gig.
I was lucky to get tickets for his gig in Dusseldorf I’m at Ok October, and more recently his gig in Cologne. So I have been very lucky to have seen him twice.
A wee video from the Slane gig, riots and all
Check out this video, “bob dylan in slane” https://share.google/s1x6AXSljBbKGsjlm
Christy's reply
I remember that day well….
I had a gig in The Mickey Mouse Club in Edgworthstown, Co.Longford…there was a lock in after….Large Bottles were dispensed,and disposed of…. ……
Dear Christy. I hope your short winter break is going well. I’d like to answer Dave concerning Dylan. I’m born in 1958. In the 2nd half of the 60s my elder brother used to present vinyl singles to me as birthday and christmas gifts. At that time he knew them better than I did and I think he intended to buy them anyway 🙂 But they were the begin of my today’s record collection. When the shelves became overloaded I had to set up a seperate space, a passage between two rooms, for all Bob Dylan and Neil Young stuff. Rather complete I suppose. I’ve just finished listening and working through his new 8 CD Bootleg Box. Fantastic.
Best wishes to all
Günter
Christy's reply
1968…a squat in Finsbury Park., London…Tony Small sang “Tribute to Woody”..since then I’ve accrued a lot of out put ,yet to be heard….every single one of his Theme Time Radio Hour shows that I’ve been saving for my retirement …gifted me by Luke the Drifter over 20 years ago….
Something a bit different folks, but a bit beautiful, We are very lucky that Nadia Birkenstock crosses the French border and comes to Rheinbach every Christmas with her Celtic Harp. Singing in German, French, English, a bit of Latin, and of course a Celtic Harp session would not be complete without a bit of Carolan.
Enjoy, and Happy Christmas!
O list to the lay of the poor Irish harper
scorn not the strain of his old withered hands
remember those fingers could once move much sharper
to play merry tunes of his own native land……..Phelim Brady , The Bard of Armagh
Merry Christmas to you and yours all the way from “The Rock!” Just listening to some Ron Hynes, “I’ll be there Christmas Eve.” It’s up there with “Sonny’s Dream!”
Cheers
Michelle and Derek
Listening to The Byrds,I realised it’s 60 years since I had their version of Mr Tambourine Man on repeat…it led to a continuing interest in Bob Dylan.
I know he’s not everyone’s taste here,but I thought it might be festive crack to know how people found out about /got interested in ‘ the song and dance man’…where relevant to people’s lives…
CM, a chara bháin.
Another Christmas is upon us. Guím Nollaig mhór mhaith ort agus do chlann.
I took a ferry ride with the Gladstone band from Skerries to Inis Meáin recently.
I have to say it was a rough enough night there at the mouth of Cuan Chasla where I spotted young Gretta Thunberg of all the people in the world.
I came home the next day and told of this sighting however nobody believed me because apparently without “photographic evidence” it “didn’t happen”. The boy who cried wolf.
I was remembering my school days when we used to get shown videos of herself, a successful young woman, to illustrate our own shortcomings when we would be messing ar chúl an tseomra. But alas, now the two of us were in the same boat, so to speak.
The mother said stick out your teanga and if there would be a black mark I would have to go to confession. A few prayers wouldn’t hurt now over the Christmas I suppose.
Christy
I read with sorrow the news that today an unoccupied creel boat ran aground near Aberdeen, the search continues.
It brings me straight to mind of your soft, haunting song of The Two Conneeleys. It must have shook the islands for months or longer.
A fine song, such a shame it even needed to be written.
Rory
I still make the annual pilgrimage to Miltown Malbay for “Willie Week”. Friel’s always has some of the best sessions in the town. Hopefully I’ll make it again in 2026 and I’ll recount your story in my head whilst listening to some good fiddle playing in Friel’s!
Ive seen Louise Mulcahy in sessions about town, I think she teaches also. Will keep an eye out for Colm Broderick too! Thanks!
Christy's reply
Always a pleasure to reflect back upon the days of Maisie and Thomas….a bit like The Tailor & Ansty…..
Louise plays the flat set, Colm the concert
Great programme on the BBC last night Christy about ‘Fairytale of New York’ It. went into detail about how it was influenced by the soundtrack of the film Once Upon a Time in America, which the Pogues watched continuously whilst on an early tour of America, and how its title comes from a novel by J. P. Donleavy. Also how Cait O’Riordan originally sang the female part & Kirsty really only got to sing it because Cait had left the band and Kirstys husband, Steve Lillywhite, produced the song. The icing on the cake was a clip of your good self & Donal Lunny performing your version & Shane saying how much he enjoyed it. Phil Chevron also saying how he liked it when people put their own twist on covers of the song and although it was written as a duet you still managed to make it work as a ‘solo’. Makes us mere mortals appreciate that there is more to recording than just turning up and belting it out.
Christy's reply
Shane is missed here…even tho I never saw him, he was living about 10 miles away, I was always aware of his presence in the City…I met Shane maybe half a dozen times in all… we sang together once..( Spancilhill )..but I felt a connection…when I recorded Brown Eyes in 1986 he let it be known that he really liked the version..then Aisling moved back and forth and I had a cut at Fairytale as a solo ….always great songs to sing…..the ongoing love for Shane still erupts ..that old Puckaune rapscallion….met Victoria at the Dylan gig…Bob did a grand version of Rainy Day for her
Chevron was a good pal….they’re all in the heavenly snug with the boys from County hell
Hello Christy,
I love this time of year. Such a time for relection. All internally slowed down while the wild circus towards Christmas goes by.
And the guestbook feels it too.
There were many beautiful pictures from Newgrange yesterday, as the solstice unfolds. It was the perfect day for it with a sky like glass. There will be a livestream on Sunday. Let’s see what that day brings.
There was an aerial shot of the stonehenge alignment at sunrise yesterday. The stillness of it!
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Neither concrete block nor bag of cement
still standing proud, loved and cherished
Thanks for such an in depth reply to Gipp’s great question about Tommie Potts…your post adds details that lead to other areas…always fascinating.
Pink Floyd news…50 years of ‘Wish you were here’…shining on via alternate takes etc…there are gems on YouTube…pick of the bunch for me,Stephanie Grappelli’s violin on the title track..better to hear it late,than never.
Just out of interest Christy, can I ask you where you saw Tommie Potts play live. Always had a great interest in him. My father-in-law was a lifelong friend of Sean Potts, or Pottsy, as he used to call him. Mrs Gipp got whistle lessons from Sean as a young wan!
Christy's reply
1973…Willie Clancy died…on the day of Willie’s Funeral Planxty had a gig in Limerick…Liam Óg and myself drove on to Miltown Malbay to attend Willie’s Funeral….after the burial there was a gathering in Friel’s…the pub was thronged, atmosphere very quiet, everyone talking quietly , mourning Willie’s passing….the door opened and Tommie Potts entered… speaking to no one he opened his fiddle case..a silence fell upon the mourners…he checked his tuning, stood there and began to play… I was standing quite close to him….it was stunning….he might have played for 10 minutes….towards the end Tommie was weeping…he replaced the fiddle in its case and left without speaking… he had come to say farewell to his dear friend and away he went…
Liam and I got back to Limerick for a Planxty concert in The Savoy…. Both Willie Clancy and Seamus Ennis willed their Pipes to Liam Óg…in turn Liam willed both sets to An Piobairí Uileann….now they are being played by two young Pipers…. Colm Broderick and Louise Mulcahy
Great,Christy…I thought Tommie would be firmly on your radar.
The book you mention is a key part of today’s ITMA event…
I’m bound for St Peter’ s Sq,M/cr…in my head,I’m going to Merrion Sq…if only!
D
Christy's reply
its a great book for anyone interested in our Traditional Music
Dave, I wanted to go to Bob in Slane, 1984. I had been listening to him on the radio for quite some time, and that the owner if Slane castle brought him over was magic. A bit if rioting in the streets of Slane the night before put me off travelling. It was a mighty gig.
I was lucky to get tickets for his gig in Dusseldorf I’m at Ok October, and more recently his gig in Cologne. So I have been very lucky to have seen him twice.
A wee video from the Slane gig, riots and all
Check out this video, “bob dylan in slane” https://share.google/s1x6AXSljBbKGsjlm
I remember that day well….
I had a gig in The Mickey Mouse Club in Edgworthstown, Co.Longford…there was a lock in after….Large Bottles were dispensed,and disposed of…. ……
Dear Christy. I hope your short winter break is going well. I’d like to answer Dave concerning Dylan. I’m born in 1958. In the 2nd half of the 60s my elder brother used to present vinyl singles to me as birthday and christmas gifts. At that time he knew them better than I did and I think he intended to buy them anyway 🙂 But they were the begin of my today’s record collection. When the shelves became overloaded I had to set up a seperate space, a passage between two rooms, for all Bob Dylan and Neil Young stuff. Rather complete I suppose. I’ve just finished listening and working through his new 8 CD Bootleg Box. Fantastic.
Best wishes to all
Günter
1968…a squat in Finsbury Park., London…Tony Small sang “Tribute to Woody”..since then I’ve accrued a lot of out put ,yet to be heard….every single one of his Theme Time Radio Hour shows that I’ve been saving for my retirement …gifted me by Luke the Drifter over 20 years ago….
Something a bit different folks, but a bit beautiful, We are very lucky that Nadia Birkenstock crosses the French border and comes to Rheinbach every Christmas with her Celtic Harp. Singing in German, French, English, a bit of Latin, and of course a Celtic Harp session would not be complete without a bit of Carolan.
Enjoy, and Happy Christmas!
https://youtu.be/OKojM-ngpxE?feature=shared
O list to the lay of the poor Irish harper
scorn not the strain of his old withered hands
remember those fingers could once move much sharper
to play merry tunes of his own native land……..Phelim Brady , The Bard of Armagh
Hi, apologies Dave, my encounter with Dylan is limited to an album of his songs in French by the great Francis Cabrel. Rb
Merry Christmas to you and yours all the way from “The Rock!” Just listening to some Ron Hynes, “I’ll be there Christmas Eve.” It’s up there with “Sonny’s Dream!”
Cheers
Michelle and Derek
Hi Christy
Listening to The Byrds,I realised it’s 60 years since I had their version of Mr Tambourine Man on repeat…it led to a continuing interest in Bob Dylan.
I know he’s not everyone’s taste here,but I thought it might be festive crack to know how people found out about /got interested in ‘ the song and dance man’…where relevant to people’s lives…
Dave
CM, a chara bháin.
Another Christmas is upon us. Guím Nollaig mhór mhaith ort agus do chlann.
I took a ferry ride with the Gladstone band from Skerries to Inis Meáin recently.
I have to say it was a rough enough night there at the mouth of Cuan Chasla where I spotted young Gretta Thunberg of all the people in the world.
I came home the next day and told of this sighting however nobody believed me because apparently without “photographic evidence” it “didn’t happen”. The boy who cried wolf.
I was remembering my school days when we used to get shown videos of herself, a successful young woman, to illustrate our own shortcomings when we would be messing ar chúl an tseomra. But alas, now the two of us were in the same boat, so to speak.
The mother said stick out your teanga and if there would be a black mark I would have to go to confession. A few prayers wouldn’t hurt now over the Christmas I suppose.
CS
Hi Christy
For anyone interested…loads of online links to the Newgrange Solstice…I’m watching Irish Central ..great commentary too…
Enjoy,all
Dave
Christy
I read with sorrow the news that today an unoccupied creel boat ran aground near Aberdeen, the search continues.
It brings me straight to mind of your soft, haunting song of The Two Conneeleys. It must have shook the islands for months or longer.
A fine song, such a shame it even needed to be written.
Rory
Thanks for that Christy, much appreciated!
I still make the annual pilgrimage to Miltown Malbay for “Willie Week”. Friel’s always has some of the best sessions in the town. Hopefully I’ll make it again in 2026 and I’ll recount your story in my head whilst listening to some good fiddle playing in Friel’s!
Ive seen Louise Mulcahy in sessions about town, I think she teaches also. Will keep an eye out for Colm Broderick too! Thanks!
Always a pleasure to reflect back upon the days of Maisie and Thomas….a bit like The Tailor & Ansty…..
Louise plays the flat set, Colm the concert
Great programme on the BBC last night Christy about ‘Fairytale of New York’ It. went into detail about how it was influenced by the soundtrack of the film Once Upon a Time in America, which the Pogues watched continuously whilst on an early tour of America, and how its title comes from a novel by J. P. Donleavy. Also how Cait O’Riordan originally sang the female part & Kirsty really only got to sing it because Cait had left the band and Kirstys husband, Steve Lillywhite, produced the song. The icing on the cake was a clip of your good self & Donal Lunny performing your version & Shane saying how much he enjoyed it. Phil Chevron also saying how he liked it when people put their own twist on covers of the song and although it was written as a duet you still managed to make it work as a ‘solo’. Makes us mere mortals appreciate that there is more to recording than just turning up and belting it out.
Shane is missed here…even tho I never saw him, he was living about 10 miles away, I was always aware of his presence in the City…I met Shane maybe half a dozen times in all… we sang together once..( Spancilhill )..but I felt a connection…when I recorded Brown Eyes in 1986 he let it be known that he really liked the version..then Aisling moved back and forth and I had a cut at Fairytale as a solo ….always great songs to sing…..the ongoing love for Shane still erupts ..that old Puckaune rapscallion….met Victoria at the Dylan gig…Bob did a grand version of Rainy Day for her
Chevron was a good pal….they’re all in the heavenly snug with the boys from County hell
“All the pub mourned while Eugene played Taps”
Pete St John?
Yes….
I just love that song…
Pete wrote some great songs..
His “Fields of Athenry” resounds around the world
“Ructions Murray was weeping
the Tar Barrel was keening”
Hello Christy,
I love this time of year. Such a time for relection. All internally slowed down while the wild circus towards Christmas goes by.
And the guestbook feels it too.
There were many beautiful pictures from Newgrange yesterday, as the solstice unfolds. It was the perfect day for it with a sky like glass. There will be a livestream on Sunday. Let’s see what that day brings.
There was an aerial shot of the stonehenge alignment at sunrise yesterday. The stillness of it!
Rebecca
Neither concrete block nor bag of cement
still standing proud, loved and cherished
Hi Christy
Thanks for such an in depth reply to Gipp’s great question about Tommie Potts…your post adds details that lead to other areas…always fascinating.
Pink Floyd news…50 years of ‘Wish you were here’…shining on via alternate takes etc…there are gems on YouTube…pick of the bunch for me,Stephanie Grappelli’s violin on the title track..better to hear it late,than never.
Enjoy the day
Dave
Just out of interest Christy, can I ask you where you saw Tommie Potts play live. Always had a great interest in him. My father-in-law was a lifelong friend of Sean Potts, or Pottsy, as he used to call him. Mrs Gipp got whistle lessons from Sean as a young wan!
1973…Willie Clancy died…on the day of Willie’s Funeral Planxty had a gig in Limerick…Liam Óg and myself drove on to Miltown Malbay to attend Willie’s Funeral….after the burial there was a gathering in Friel’s…the pub was thronged, atmosphere very quiet, everyone talking quietly , mourning Willie’s passing….the door opened and Tommie Potts entered… speaking to no one he opened his fiddle case..a silence fell upon the mourners…he checked his tuning, stood there and began to play… I was standing quite close to him….it was stunning….he might have played for 10 minutes….towards the end Tommie was weeping…he replaced the fiddle in its case and left without speaking… he had come to say farewell to his dear friend and away he went…
Liam and I got back to Limerick for a Planxty concert in The Savoy…. Both Willie Clancy and Seamus Ennis willed their Pipes to Liam Óg…in turn Liam willed both sets to An Piobairí Uileann….now they are being played by two young Pipers…. Colm Broderick and Louise Mulcahy
Great,Christy…I thought Tommie would be firmly on your radar.
The book you mention is a key part of today’s ITMA event…
I’m bound for St Peter’ s Sq,M/cr…in my head,I’m going to Merrion Sq…if only!
D
its a great book for anyone interested in our Traditional Music
Hi Christy
YouTube rabbit holes at Yuletide…
First time in ages,watched the official video for ‘Faitytale….’,so good and poignant,with the passing of key characters…
The surreal anarchy of Dylan and chums,’Must be Santa’…
I googled ‘NYPD…Galway Bay…a great,recent video,showing a choir recording the song…a new venture by the EPIC museum…well worth seeing.
Have a good festive season,all
Dave
Ar Feabhas