After a few weeks of mulling things over,today I replaced a long serving,knackered,record deck.
Managed to avoid melting on trams and working out vague set up instructions…hallelujah…the debut LP was ‘Iron behind the velvet’.. chosen for the choice of songs and subtle,intricate arrangements…what a fab album.it contains a song that resonates with imagery and reminds me of seeing you in the 70s…ironic too,on a day that’s as hot as hell…Ian Campbell’s ‘ The sun is burning’…a gem in every way
Hi C Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 is always an interesting mix of music and readings, last Sun there was an piece about the late Tommie Gorman at about 23 mins, followed by a very unusual recording of North and South at about 28 mins, possibly featuring Bono and U2 ?? https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/11802949/
I see they have put up a new Tent in Cork, no doubt the Rebel choir is getting ready for another great gig. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
30 years since I wrote and recorded that song with Bono & The Edge…
40 years since I played before them in Croke Park…
how time has flown since…
Kingdom back on track in Killarney
getting ready for The Big Marquee
Hello Christy,
We’re setting off this weekend from Karlsruhe, Germany, to Cork! We can’t wait to hear you play. No song captures our journey as a couple better than “The Voyage”. Thank you!!!
Cheers,
Manuela & Enrico
Christy's reply
May we all be captured by the late Johnny Duhan’s beautiful song
Greetings from Sunny Spain Christy, although I’ve heard that it’s also sunny on the Island! I’ve gone back to the well on “Spancil Hill” courtesy of Nicholas O’Carolan and a recording of a man from that neighbourhood. I transcribed the original version and have learned it off. It’s not the radio friendly version, being over 5 minutes in length and 10 verses. For years I’ve been singing the well known version including the two verses that are on your Prosperous album. As you know, the song was written and sent back to Ireland by a young Mike Considine who tragically died shortly afterwards. (The name Johnny seems to have crept in to the song for some reason). Anyway I thought I’d share that with you. May I say, in closing that, as a man who will be getting his bus pass next month, yourself, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones continue to inspire me onwards Best regards, Brendan McGrath , formerly of Carlow town.
Christy's reply
to think that young Michael Considine wrote such a beautiful piece at such a young age while living in exile
I was the same age as young Michael when I first heard the song while working in Tulla in East County Clare…8 miles from Spancilhill
did not hear Michael’s story until 40 years later
Well Christy it looks like me might be getting a scouser (& Evertonian) in No10, but Labour need to change their policies. It’s going to be a pointless exercise if it’s just going to be a case of a different singer singing the same song. 2DC
Christy's reply
his City and Club marks a positive start…
we live in hope
Christy, living in England but my heart is still in Derry but like the rest of the diaspora your music takes my soul home. Thank you
Christy's reply
60 years ago,
I too was living in England,
first played in Coventry,
a Folk club run by a musician called Barry Skinner
returned a few years later to play in The Cofas Tree
a club run by a Dublin singer called Billy
those times ,like you, my heart was back in Kildare..
I was very fortunate to get back home
purely by chance and circumstance
came back in 1972 to record some songs and stayed
wish you well
Hi Christy, back home in the heat of Essen with 30+ degrees and more to come 🥵.
I had another great trip to the Emerald isle with the highlight on Thursday night in Armagh. It was again a superb gig of yours and so much fun to attend. Very young and older people sang along to your impressive voice. You, your whole team and Hilary again took care of us all and fulfilled every wish. Thank you all so much!!! I’ll have a smile in my face for quite a while now and hope for another gig to attend, whenever that may be, hopefully in autumn.
There was a little singalong afterwards in the lounge, another example how music connects people from all over the world.
Now it’s back to work for me, but as I said: with a broad smile.
Please keep on with your great work, Christy! You make many people happy with your gigs and your music.
All the best
Birgit
Christy's reply
Some magic moments in Armagh last Thursday night,
Tamlaghtduff…Allende….Boy in The Wild….
5 year old Conal in the 2nd Row singin his wee heart out
as I finally left the stage , he gave me a thumbs up
magic moment
and Maryline in the front row
all the way from Chile…..we sang of Victor Jara and Allende
And just to add to dagrabs post! John Doyle is something special! I sometimes think he has connections to up on high! His bouzouki / guitar playing is special! But where his finds his songs i do not know! With respect, he’s taking whats gone before and adding to it! Himself and Daoiri!
Christy's reply
John is a pure “ciotóg”
he fairly knocks spots off the frets when he settles in behind whatever songs and tunes that come his way
heard him play once at The Bantry Masters
Flying back home to the Bay tonight… thank you and the Armagh chorus for the sweet sounds. Deadly gig, see you as soon as posible (last time 9 years ago was Waterford by the way !)
Maryline
Interesting news from singer/ guitarist ,John Doyle….as an Irish guy,long time resident in the US,he’s launching a well timed album….250 years of American independence….’Free by Nature’- songs of the Irish in the American Revolution
Full details of the project and how to order…www.johndoylemusic.com. It’s out soon and will be absorbing for sure …
Hi, dear Christy,
It is my great joy to write to you today, because it is only a week from now, that I will be able to see you again at the Marquee. Some excitement until I finally could get some tickets,( house full ;- )) ,but all is ok now.
I listen to your songs, watch all the many videos about you and your great work..and..I found, by chance, your wonderful book ” ONE VOICE ” wich has been my bedtime lecture for the last weeks..What a great story, I love to see all the photos,read the songtexts and your comments, full of suspense and wisdom..
Thank you for all of this..
When I am in Cork, I will write once more..
Until then: Stay well and happy..
Love,
Trudy
Christy's reply
busy here preparing for The Big Marquee
my 21st year to climb the ramp and face The Rebel once again..
have a safe journey to The Banks of The River Lee
Hi Christy, just wanted to thank you for dedicating a song to Conal last Thursday night and talking to him before you left the stage.
We had a brilliant night and he hadn’t stopped talking about it since. Everyone in school heard about it on Friday. He said ” I wish Christy was part of our family 🤣”
Looking forward to seeing you again next time.
Thank you again for giving us some very precious memories as a family
Paula, Ronan and Conal
Christy's reply
Seeing Conal at the Armagh gig was a pure pleasure….his enthusiasm was inspiring for me up there on the stage…as I exited at the end he gave me a great thumbs up sign….its not every day I get the nod from a five year old , better than any gold disc on a wall
Thank you also for your leadership and generosity over the years as well!
Which end of the bog and how distant am I?? About five thousand miles away from you. Born four years before the Summer of Love. Croatian and Dane on my Father’s side. English and Irish on my Mum’s side with some Flaherty and Nocton blood out of Oughterard appears to be in my veins.
The art/music you’ve recorded is “lightning in a bottle” for listeners everywhere. Even your recitation style is always so soothing (e.g., your COVID Sessions and Mike Harding’s Sunflowers).
Sincerely,
Frank
Downhill from the prison, downhill from the mall
Downhill from the factory farm and the hospital
Downhill from the border wall
Downhill from the high school, downhill from the gym
Downhill from the church and the stadium
Downhill from the baby’s room
Downhill from the office, downhill from the bar
Downhill from the theme park and the family car
Downhill from happy hour
Downhill from everywhere, downhill from all you see
The ocean is downhill from gravity
Downhill from here, downhill from everywhere
Downhill from all of humanity
Downhill from the silver screen
Downhill from the Anthropocene
Downhill from the vineyard, downhill from the mine
Downhill from the fruited plain and the bottom line
Downhill from Columbine
Downhill from the racetrack, downhill from the news
Downhill from the sponsors and the camera crews
Downhill from the born to lose
Downhill from God’s golden shore
Downhill from the grocery store
Downhill from the Senate floor
K street, and the never ending war
Downhill from everywhere, downhill from all you see
The ocean is the last stop for gravity
Downhill from here, downhill from everywhere
And all mankind’s ambition and vanity
Do you think of the ocean as yours?
Because you need the ocean to breathe
Every second breath you take is coming from the sea
And we don’t really know, because we don’t really see
Do you think of the ocean as yours?
Do you think about it at all?
Downhill from the campus, downhill from the loan
Downhill from the funeral home
Downhill from the laptop, downhill from the trolls
Downhill from the Russian doll
Downhill from the NRA
Downhill from the GOP
Downhill from the ICE,
And your huddled masses yearning to be free
Hi Christy
After a few weeks of mulling things over,today I replaced a long serving,knackered,record deck.
Managed to avoid melting on trams and working out vague set up instructions…hallelujah…the debut LP was ‘Iron behind the velvet’.. chosen for the choice of songs and subtle,intricate arrangements…what a fab album.it contains a song that resonates with imagery and reminds me of seeing you in the 70s…ironic too,on a day that’s as hot as hell…Ian Campbell’s ‘ The sun is burning’…a gem in every way
Thanks
Dave
Hi C Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 is always an interesting mix of music and readings, last Sun there was an piece about the late Tommie Gorman at about 23 mins, followed by a very unusual recording of North and South at about 28 mins, possibly featuring Bono and U2 ?? https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/11802949/
I see they have put up a new Tent in Cork, no doubt the Rebel choir is getting ready for another great gig. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
30 years since I wrote and recorded that song with Bono & The Edge…
40 years since I played before them in Croke Park…
how time has flown since…
Kingdom back on track in Killarney
getting ready for The Big Marquee
Hello Christy,
Thanks to you, Dave and Gipp for the info on John Doyle. I’ve ordered his Path of Stones album. Looking forward to listening.
Rebecca
two of our finest correspondents
Hello Christy,
We’re setting off this weekend from Karlsruhe, Germany, to Cork! We can’t wait to hear you play. No song captures our journey as a couple better than “The Voyage”. Thank you!!!
Cheers,
Manuela & Enrico
May we all be captured by the late Johnny Duhan’s beautiful song
Greetings from Sunny Spain Christy, although I’ve heard that it’s also sunny on the Island! I’ve gone back to the well on “Spancil Hill” courtesy of Nicholas O’Carolan and a recording of a man from that neighbourhood. I transcribed the original version and have learned it off. It’s not the radio friendly version, being over 5 minutes in length and 10 verses. For years I’ve been singing the well known version including the two verses that are on your Prosperous album. As you know, the song was written and sent back to Ireland by a young Mike Considine who tragically died shortly afterwards. (The name Johnny seems to have crept in to the song for some reason). Anyway I thought I’d share that with you. May I say, in closing that, as a man who will be getting his bus pass next month, yourself, Andy Irvine, Donal Lunny, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones continue to inspire me onwards Best regards, Brendan McGrath , formerly of Carlow town.
to think that young Michael Considine wrote such a beautiful piece at such a young age while living in exile
I was the same age as young Michael when I first heard the song while working in Tulla in East County Clare…8 miles from Spancilhill
did not hear Michael’s story until 40 years later
Well Christy it looks like me might be getting a scouser (& Evertonian) in No10, but Labour need to change their policies. It’s going to be a pointless exercise if it’s just going to be a case of a different singer singing the same song. 2DC
his City and Club marks a positive start…
we live in hope
Christy, living in England but my heart is still in Derry but like the rest of the diaspora your music takes my soul home. Thank you
60 years ago,
I too was living in England,
first played in Coventry,
a Folk club run by a musician called Barry Skinner
returned a few years later to play in The Cofas Tree
a club run by a Dublin singer called Billy
those times ,like you, my heart was back in Kildare..
I was very fortunate to get back home
purely by chance and circumstance
came back in 1972 to record some songs and stayed
wish you well
and ye back in the First Division !!
Hi Christy, back home in the heat of Essen with 30+ degrees and more to come 🥵.
I had another great trip to the Emerald isle with the highlight on Thursday night in Armagh. It was again a superb gig of yours and so much fun to attend. Very young and older people sang along to your impressive voice. You, your whole team and Hilary again took care of us all and fulfilled every wish. Thank you all so much!!! I’ll have a smile in my face for quite a while now and hope for another gig to attend, whenever that may be, hopefully in autumn.
There was a little singalong afterwards in the lounge, another example how music connects people from all over the world.
Now it’s back to work for me, but as I said: with a broad smile.
Please keep on with your great work, Christy! You make many people happy with your gigs and your music.
All the best
Birgit
Some magic moments in Armagh last Thursday night,
Tamlaghtduff…Allende….Boy in The Wild….
5 year old Conal in the 2nd Row singin his wee heart out
as I finally left the stage , he gave me a thumbs up
magic moment
and Maryline in the front row
all the way from Chile…..we sang of Victor Jara and Allende
And just to add to dagrabs post! John Doyle is something special! I sometimes think he has connections to up on high! His bouzouki / guitar playing is special! But where his finds his songs i do not know! With respect, he’s taking whats gone before and adding to it! Himself and Daoiri!
John is a pure “ciotóg”
he fairly knocks spots off the frets when he settles in behind whatever songs and tunes that come his way
heard him play once at The Bantry Masters
Flying back home to the Bay tonight… thank you and the Armagh chorus for the sweet sounds. Deadly gig, see you as soon as posible (last time 9 years ago was Waterford by the way !)
Maryline
Hope you are settled back home in Santiago
Hi Christy
Interesting news from singer/ guitarist ,John Doyle….as an Irish guy,long time resident in the US,he’s launching a well timed album….250 years of American independence….’Free by Nature’- songs of the Irish in the American Revolution
Full details of the project and how to order…www.johndoylemusic.com. It’s out soon and will be absorbing for sure …
Have a great day
Dave
lookin forward to hearing this
Hi, dear Christy,
It is my great joy to write to you today, because it is only a week from now, that I will be able to see you again at the Marquee. Some excitement until I finally could get some tickets,( house full ;- )) ,but all is ok now.
I listen to your songs, watch all the many videos about you and your great work..and..I found, by chance, your wonderful book ” ONE VOICE ” wich has been my bedtime lecture for the last weeks..What a great story, I love to see all the photos,read the songtexts and your comments, full of suspense and wisdom..
Thank you for all of this..
When I am in Cork, I will write once more..
Until then: Stay well and happy..
Love,
Trudy
busy here preparing for The Big Marquee
my 21st year to climb the ramp and face The Rebel once again..
have a safe journey to The Banks of The River Lee
Hi Christy, just wanted to thank you for dedicating a song to Conal last Thursday night and talking to him before you left the stage.
We had a brilliant night and he hadn’t stopped talking about it since. Everyone in school heard about it on Friday. He said ” I wish Christy was part of our family 🤣”
Looking forward to seeing you again next time.
Thank you again for giving us some very precious memories as a family
Paula, Ronan and Conal
Seeing Conal at the Armagh gig was a pure pleasure….his enthusiasm was inspiring for me up there on the stage…as I exited at the end he gave me a great thumbs up sign….its not every day I get the nod from a five year old , better than any gold disc on a wall
Peace Christy,
Thank you also for your leadership and generosity over the years as well!
Which end of the bog and how distant am I?? About five thousand miles away from you. Born four years before the Summer of Love. Croatian and Dane on my Father’s side. English and Irish on my Mum’s side with some Flaherty and Nocton blood out of Oughterard appears to be in my veins.
The art/music you’ve recorded is “lightning in a bottle” for listeners everywhere. Even your recitation style is always so soothing (e.g., your COVID Sessions and Mike Harding’s Sunflowers).
Sincerely,
Frank
Downhill from the prison, downhill from the mall
Downhill from the factory farm and the hospital
Downhill from the border wall
Downhill from the high school, downhill from the gym
Downhill from the church and the stadium
Downhill from the baby’s room
Downhill from the office, downhill from the bar
Downhill from the theme park and the family car
Downhill from happy hour
Downhill from everywhere, downhill from all you see
The ocean is downhill from gravity
Downhill from here, downhill from everywhere
Downhill from all of humanity
Downhill from the silver screen
Downhill from the Anthropocene
Downhill from the vineyard, downhill from the mine
Downhill from the fruited plain and the bottom line
Downhill from Columbine
Downhill from the racetrack, downhill from the news
Downhill from the sponsors and the camera crews
Downhill from the born to lose
Downhill from God’s golden shore
Downhill from the grocery store
Downhill from the Senate floor
K street, and the never ending war
Downhill from everywhere, downhill from all you see
The ocean is the last stop for gravity
Downhill from here, downhill from everywhere
And all mankind’s ambition and vanity
Do you think of the ocean as yours?
Because you need the ocean to breathe
Every second breath you take is coming from the sea
And we don’t really know, because we don’t really see
Do you think of the ocean as yours?
Do you think about it at all?
Downhill from the campus, downhill from the loan
Downhill from the funeral home
Downhill from the laptop, downhill from the trolls
Downhill from the Russian doll
Downhill from the NRA
Downhill from the GOP
Downhill from the ICE,
And your huddled masses yearning to be free
https://www.jacksonbrowne.com/discography/downhill-from-everywhere/
great song Frank….are you Nocton or Naughton out of Oughterard…..a great spot for the high cream