1980s
I’m confused about the year 1980. My diary is blank until the 11th of April when I played in Liberty Hall, Dublin. I think that I was being booked by a man called Brian Molloy at this time. I was starting to play more dates in the Occupied Territory.
I went to Italy with Planxty in July finishing up at Nyon festival in Switzerland. I recall playing ‘No Time For Love’ with Planxty around this time and always felt it was the best version. Carnsore Point was a highlight of the year. I also played a week in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre with Planxty.
’81 was busy, lots of gigs as ‘Moving Hearts’ came together. We started our first national tour at The Seven Oaks, Carlow on February 16th 1981. Mad year. Throat surgery, dental problems, managing and singing with The Hearts and also keeping Planxty meetings and solo stuff together. Seems like Mayhem.
carlton moving hearts ’82
ballinasloe
Across ’82 I was playing with Moving Hearts, Planxty, and doing solo gigs. I’d also begun working with Mattie Fox who became my manager later. I feel exhausted just leafing through my diary. I was spending a lot of time in recording studios. Went to see ‘Fitzcaraldo’ at I.F.T on November 11th, a night off!!
The ‘80’s were mad, very productive but stone mad. Mad productivity. Producing madness.
Maybe I got a bit carried away there, nevertheless I’m finishing my essay on the 1980’s here.
I’ll continue through for I feel that down the road I’d like to be a bit more connected to those who want to hear the songs but live in places that I’ll never get to. Its unlikely I’ll make it back to Warnambool or Sausalito so I’ll forge on with my foyer notes.