Anyway, I meant to tell you about The Panther Folk Club before I got distracted by portative organs and creole maidens…
So I was there last night. It’s in an old 17th century pub in Cleckheaton, a low, wood panelled room, quite small for singing, but good. The club’s made up of lots of folksingers and some instruments too, a couple of good guitarists, a very rhythmical woman on viola and fiddle, a guy on concertina, me with the harp. There were about 20 of us. An informal singers club where we all get a go at singing.
I had a ball.
They were doing some new songs, plenty of solid Yorkshire fare and a good sprinkling of old dark ones. The Unquiet Grave, one about a witch called Alice, so I sang Little Musgrave. I’d read the room well, it went down well. Such a great set of listeners, you could hear a pin drop. I lost myself at one point but the song carried on, kind of without me…?
Second circle round I sang The Contender. Equally good reception. The landlord took a picture, pretty sure it was of the harp, not me….
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Thank You…
listening to Hank sing this makes me think that this is the version of the song I heard all those years ago….what a beautiful distinctive recording…the fiddles so uplifting…..
I sometimes marvel at how these recordings were made….despite very basic recording facilities many of these early recordings remain unsurpassed….
great Rick Rubin interview with Rick Beato to be heard out there wherever it is
Just one last question M’lord.
Was It Phil Coulter who played on it
or was the lad who ended up in the horrors ?
Heard Andy kicked his car once
A big shiney BMW no less …
Christy's reply
Pipped at the post by the Gippmeister….
twas Phil Coulter that stepped up to the mark
Hi C. I think you stepped up to the plate and got the job done yourself !! Mike Waterson gifted you some great songs, Stitch and Lakes ! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Mike also gave me “Van Dieman’s Land”…..
I missed out on keyboard duty that Sunday morning in 1974..
I went AWOL with Joe Burke…..Phil Coulter produced the first three Planxty albums and played the organ part on “The Lakes of Pontchartrain”
there is another great song called “The Banks of the old Pontchartrain” by the Louvin Brothers….used to have a great cassette filled with goodies that included 2 Louvin Brothers tracks….the one mentioned and “Cash on The Barrel Head”…great duo, they make a lovely sound….if anyone stumbles across “The Banks of the old Pontchartrain” by the Louvin Brothers I’d love to hear it again….
Now that you mention it Christy, you’ve jogged my memory! I think it may have been Phil Coulter? Sounds like a wild time was had by all in London town!
It’s regularly mentioned here Christy and you only discussed it a few days ago. However I actually only listened to it for the first time in many years this evening, the version from “Cold Blow” , “The Lakes of Pontchartrain” and never realised how complex it was! Mother of God! It’s some orchestration! There’s so much going on! Your vocal, Johnny’s backing vocal, Andys Hurdy Gurdy and Dulcimer, Liams whistle, and a Portative Organ from Donal?
Christy's reply
just had a listen to that Gipp….certainly it was all hands on deck for The Lakes…the appointed (porterfilled )organ player called in sick that Sunday to Sarm Studio,London…rumour had it that the poor lad was in the horrors after an all nighter at The Balloon in Chelsea…he ended up vampin the bull fiddle with Joe Burke in Slough..by the time he got hackneyed back to Sarm the session was done and The Band were back The Irish Club Eaton Square with Lord Longford, Gerry Fitt and Christine Keeler….we used to hang out there in the 70s…The Dubliners hung there too…good nights rough mornings…..possible spot prize to the first one to name the organ player ( judges decision final, no objections considered )
Yes, it was a bit of a surprise for me too. The narrative of the song is so strong in my mind’s eye, very different from this video. Love and war and death and longing and regret.
Sorting books today
Poems
Folk tales
Folklore
Songs
Hello Christy,
I didn’t know Well had wandered off the set. I’m very glad to hear it’s back. I might be naive and sentimental, but I think it’s too important a song to be allowed to wander off.
Thinking about school. When I was a kid we had swimming lessons with school. One of the things this included was
Someone chucked a heavy brick shaped thing into the deep end. Then we had t dive in and get it out while wearing pyjamas. You know, to prepare us for when we’d have to do that…..
I never saw that video before
its a piece of work no doubt
but it does nothing for the song
it interferes with this listener’s imagination
a film runs in my head every time I hear (or sing) Shane & Jem Finer’s classic song
I wrote a brilliant story and pressed the wrong button there.
Ah God but it was funny. Sort of Roddy Doyle ya know?
Anyway home was never like this Christy.
Here I was askin before about you recording TRAMPS AND HAWKERS.
That would be more of a prayer than a song Christy.
you’ve some good ones in you yet lad.
There’s no medicine like Nancy Spain or the galtee mountain boy. I was born in 1900 and 86 and I’m a chippy too. I love that one. Used a pick too. Even stacked an odd brick Christy, no money in either one.
I was wanting to ask how to write a tune. My life is the narrative. It’s all true. The oul therapist says I should write a book. But I’ve too short a concentration span for a book.
So a song then. But I can’t sing. Kris kristofferson is an awful big loss. Seen him once. A woman fell over my suitcase on the way on the streets of Belfast. She wanted a doctor. There was fuck all wrong with her. I asked if she wanted to swap insurance details but she took a glass of water instead.
I didn’t think it prudent to show her the dent in my suitcase on wheels. Bit of a crease in my shirt too and the mother up all night ironing it. Kris didn’t seem to notice. He said nothing anyway. No glasses I suppose. Ah I’ll let it go now
Waylon Jennings is singin here..
Oh aye the book will be called the gate maker, the lapdancer and the porn star. Or just the hoor and the porn star
There’s a song in that
Christy's reply
Morra Brockie,
Brickies and Chippies are coining it these days
and not before their time either
a Sparky, Plasterer or Plumber ?
all flat out these building times
I celebrate their final recognition
How to write a tune ?
I wish I knew
I’ve only hummed a few
dont know where they came out of
I’ve relied on Wally Page, Donal Lunny, Paul Doran to give me tunes
otherwise I keep strummin and hummin til a melody begins to emerge
Kris had the hang of it, Willie & Waylon too
John Spillane , Jimmy MacCarthy, two fine rebel tunesmiths
Hi Christy,
The debate as to which side of the border Johnston Estate is on was well and truly answered tonight…. I think the Lillies won out.
Brilliant night in a beautiful venue, with a really receptive audience. What more could one ask for on a Sunday night.
Thanks for everything Christy… it means a lot and is really appreciated.
Ride on.
Patsy.
Christy's reply
Thank you Patsy for the beautiful wooden bowl
it has already found its place in the work room
beautifully turned on your loving lathe
Hi Christy, what a gig! You were on fire tonight – ending the concert and the encore with an alarm 😉 Burning Times we are in… luckily obviously only a false alarms.
New location, vibrant audience, great new songs in this home match for you. It was again such a great pleasure to be there! Thanks to you, all your nice team members, and to Hilary, who takes very good care of us listeners. Good to meet other 4711ers again as well. Your music connects people, builds bridges and keeps us going. The best medication we all can get as Patsy put it, and with only positive side effects.
Ride on!
Birgit
Christy's reply
they tell me it was the first gig in their new room
a few wires still crossed… but a beautiful gig room
I hope I get to play there again
safe travels
Great to be amongst the Kildare Royalty tonight …. the concensus seemed to be that we were in Kildare….. the songs hit the mark for sure.
The new new one….. from Wallys pen , “Boy in the Wild ” I think …. I found it very special, I know it’s on the new album…. hope to hear it much more at the gigs.
Christy's reply
that was second outing of “Boy in The Wild”
I’m hoping it will gell and become a constant
I feel like Wally is sitting beside me
I welled up singin it last night
Looks like a 149 check out to me Christy! T20, T19, D16?
Christy's reply
no flys on you Gyp
on the money
treble twenty treble nineteen double sixteen
The Meeting Place Dublin
of a Sunday afternoon
a mighty lock-in and
a gansey of loose porter
I think you’re right Gipp, hope I’m remembering right…
Christy's reply
right sez he and she left
right sez she and he wrote
just finished here in Johnstownbridge…great Sunday Night audience…and The Well reappeared after a few months in respite…the Bodhrán sang like a goat skin that was happy to be back on the Goat’s Path….
Didn’t the “Trip to Roscoff” follow “One Last Cold Kiss” Christy just before we boarded the Speedwell? “All around us one Black Ocean above us one Blue Sky”!
Christy's reply
On the money there Gippmeister….I enjoyed making that album….that was me trying to go Electric in 1974 but the plug was pulled andnwe went back towards the roots in 1976 with the Kunte Kinta Roots album…anyone notice the dart board on the Tickle Your Fancy sleeve..what a finish ..and after 12 pints of loose porter
Hi christy,
Spoke to matt mcginn yesterday, he has been the entertainment on a ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg in recent weeks. Ahoy there matt……not sure if he sang ‘i am a sailor and you’re my first mate’.
However next saturday he is playing the Millenium with Paul Brady and is aiming to hook up with a South Derry man who you know, who especially likes his song ”Bubblegum’.
Sail on Deckhand Matt, maybe the 2 of them can sing a duet of ‘in 1803 we sailed out to sea’.
Rory
Christy's reply
Hope Matt enjoys his Derry gig….(between Derry & The Ferry)
back in the day we had some great sessions on the Roscoff to Rosslare ferry…. at 23 hours there was time to get a good session rolling..then catch a few hours kipp and go at it again….back then it could take two days to get from Rosslare to Dublin…thirsty travelling
Hi Christy: a little something to show how much you’re appreciated – Salut! Live’s Artist of the Week. The award may or may not change your life! And if you’re still quite fond of Leeds United , please pass on my thanks to the keeper for last night’s unlikely equaliser … https://www.facebook.com/groups/2902595146676633/
Hello Christy,
Well, something amazing happened yesterday. I’ve love Christie McNamara’s photographs since I first was stopped in my tracks by one of them on the wall of The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis. Two old women dancing in the kitchen while a dog looks on. It was the feel of it that grabbed me. I just stood and was absorbed by it.
Anyway, yesterday a parcel arrived from Ennis. There it was! The same picture. I was so anxious to get it into the wall I was straight down to brighouse with it and into the frame shop. Love his photographs!
I loved my brief time playing with Arty McGlynn…..we did the “Ordinary Man” album together..Arty and Donal Lunny joined me in Nicky Ryan’s studio…..Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine, Noel Bridgeman, Enya, Anto Drennan, Tony Molloy also featured…..Arty really delivered on this album….40 years on I recall the good time we had on those sessions
A new album eh?
Better sniff this one out…
– now that this old dog has learned some new tricks I can play oh just about anything on air…
Christy, have you heard John Williamson’s Raining on the Rock song,
I’d reckon you’d like it…
I follow these posts -there remains an air of camaraderie here which soothes & inspires me , as we turn the corner post Bozo & hopefully post the Orange Hitler…
Keep it up all – it’s a real delight to pop in & savour the goings on
Stay as you are,
Danny Harris – Terra Australis
Hi Christy ,
I hope you’re keeping well .
I went down a Christy rabbit hole on Monday, it’s Friday now and I haven’t came up for a carrot yet ! It’s been wonderful to reconnect with the songs .. It was a bit trippy to come
onto your website for a nosy to see what’s cracking , scroll down the first page and see a picture of you pointing at me at an auld gig years ago.! .( it baits the creation of Adam painting to tell you the truth). So I’m taking it as a Devine sign to listen to planxty next week! Great to see there is a new album on the cards and wonderful to see your still kickin like a fish . Love Baz x
Christy's reply
“trippy” was it ….. I hope you’re not out gathering the mushrooms Baz….I still takes a listen to those Planxty sets of tunes…..when Liam was leading the brigade there were some magic moments…. himself filling the pipes, pumping air with both arems, wristing the regulators, fingering the notes , tripping up and down the chanter.. Andy and Donal entering with riveting riffs and the drum waiting for a chance to batter the beat…at other times Matt joined crew and earlier still there were tunes with Noel Hill and Tony. Linnane… Bill Whelan and Nollaig Casey joined us in1981 for “Words and Music” and later again for “Timedance”..Happy listening
Hello Christy,
I think it might be lost but I found this, if it’s any use
https://youtu.be/ItlqfdVeEic?si=-78-RhVNj11YtxwR
The tune has some similarities with Lawless?
Anyway, I meant to tell you about The Panther Folk Club before I got distracted by portative organs and creole maidens…
So I was there last night. It’s in an old 17th century pub in Cleckheaton, a low, wood panelled room, quite small for singing, but good. The club’s made up of lots of folksingers and some instruments too, a couple of good guitarists, a very rhythmical woman on viola and fiddle, a guy on concertina, me with the harp. There were about 20 of us. An informal singers club where we all get a go at singing.
I had a ball.
They were doing some new songs, plenty of solid Yorkshire fare and a good sprinkling of old dark ones. The Unquiet Grave, one about a witch called Alice, so I sang Little Musgrave. I’d read the room well, it went down well. Such a great set of listeners, you could hear a pin drop. I lost myself at one point but the song carried on, kind of without me…?
Second circle round I sang The Contender. Equally good reception. The landlord took a picture, pretty sure it was of the harp, not me….
Rebecca
Thank You…
listening to Hank sing this makes me think that this is the version of the song I heard all those years ago….what a beautiful distinctive recording…the fiddles so uplifting…..
I sometimes marvel at how these recordings were made….despite very basic recording facilities many of these early recordings remain unsurpassed….
great Rick Rubin interview with Rick Beato to be heard out there wherever it is
Just one last question M’lord.
Was It Phil Coulter who played on it
or was the lad who ended up in the horrors ?
Heard Andy kicked his car once
A big shiney BMW no less …
Pipped at the post by the Gippmeister….
twas Phil Coulter that stepped up to the mark
Hi C. I think you stepped up to the plate and got the job done yourself !! Mike Waterson gifted you some great songs, Stitch and Lakes ! Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Mike also gave me “Van Dieman’s Land”…..
I missed out on keyboard duty that Sunday morning in 1974..
I went AWOL with Joe Burke…..Phil Coulter produced the first three Planxty albums and played the organ part on “The Lakes of Pontchartrain”
there is another great song called “The Banks of the old Pontchartrain” by the Louvin Brothers….used to have a great cassette filled with goodies that included 2 Louvin Brothers tracks….the one mentioned and “Cash on The Barrel Head”…great duo, they make a lovely sound….if anyone stumbles across “The Banks of the old Pontchartrain” by the Louvin Brothers I’d love to hear it again….
Now that you mention it Christy, you’ve jogged my memory! I think it may have been Phil Coulter? Sounds like a wild time was had by all in London town!
the job is oxo…rapid response, correct solution….
Hmm… it’s kind of a guess, but it’s got loads of thinking and stuff behind it.
I think the organ player could have been Donal Lunny.
I was going to go for you, I know you tickle the ivories on occasion, but I think it’s Donal…
good effort
It’s regularly mentioned here Christy and you only discussed it a few days ago. However I actually only listened to it for the first time in many years this evening, the version from “Cold Blow” , “The Lakes of Pontchartrain” and never realised how complex it was! Mother of God! It’s some orchestration! There’s so much going on! Your vocal, Johnny’s backing vocal, Andys Hurdy Gurdy and Dulcimer, Liams whistle, and a Portative Organ from Donal?
just had a listen to that Gipp….certainly it was all hands on deck for The Lakes…the appointed (porterfilled )organ player called in sick that Sunday to Sarm Studio,London…rumour had it that the poor lad was in the horrors after an all nighter at The Balloon in Chelsea…he ended up vampin the bull fiddle with Joe Burke in Slough..by the time he got hackneyed back to Sarm the session was done and The Band were back The Irish Club Eaton Square with Lord Longford, Gerry Fitt and Christine Keeler….we used to hang out there in the 70s…The Dubliners hung there too…good nights rough mornings…..possible spot prize to the first one to name the organ player ( judges decision final, no objections considered )
Yes, it was a bit of a surprise for me too. The narrative of the song is so strong in my mind’s eye, very different from this video. Love and war and death and longing and regret.
Sorting books today
Poems
Folk tales
Folklore
Songs
Rebecca
Ray & Philomena
Hello Christy,
I didn’t know Well had wandered off the set. I’m very glad to hear it’s back. I might be naive and sentimental, but I think it’s too important a song to be allowed to wander off.
Thinking about school. When I was a kid we had swimming lessons with school. One of the things this included was
Someone chucked a heavy brick shaped thing into the deep end. Then we had t dive in and get it out while wearing pyjamas. You know, to prepare us for when we’d have to do that…..
https://youtu.be/zNtQ5AnRlz8?si=Y3Qa-rXqcNqucE4I
Love your version of this.
Rebecca
I never saw that video before
its a piece of work no doubt
but it does nothing for the song
it interferes with this listener’s imagination
a film runs in my head every time I hear (or sing) Shane & Jem Finer’s classic song
I wrote a brilliant story and pressed the wrong button there.
Ah God but it was funny. Sort of Roddy Doyle ya know?
Anyway home was never like this Christy.
Here I was askin before about you recording TRAMPS AND HAWKERS.
That would be more of a prayer than a song Christy.
you’ve some good ones in you yet lad.
There’s no medicine like Nancy Spain or the galtee mountain boy. I was born in 1900 and 86 and I’m a chippy too. I love that one. Used a pick too. Even stacked an odd brick Christy, no money in either one.
I was wanting to ask how to write a tune. My life is the narrative. It’s all true. The oul therapist says I should write a book. But I’ve too short a concentration span for a book.
So a song then. But I can’t sing. Kris kristofferson is an awful big loss. Seen him once. A woman fell over my suitcase on the way on the streets of Belfast. She wanted a doctor. There was fuck all wrong with her. I asked if she wanted to swap insurance details but she took a glass of water instead.
I didn’t think it prudent to show her the dent in my suitcase on wheels. Bit of a crease in my shirt too and the mother up all night ironing it. Kris didn’t seem to notice. He said nothing anyway. No glasses I suppose. Ah I’ll let it go now
Waylon Jennings is singin here..
Oh aye the book will be called the gate maker, the lapdancer and the porn star. Or just the hoor and the porn star
There’s a song in that
Morra Brockie,
Brickies and Chippies are coining it these days
and not before their time either
a Sparky, Plasterer or Plumber ?
all flat out these building times
I celebrate their final recognition
How to write a tune ?
I wish I knew
I’ve only hummed a few
dont know where they came out of
I’ve relied on Wally Page, Donal Lunny, Paul Doran to give me tunes
otherwise I keep strummin and hummin til a melody begins to emerge
Kris had the hang of it, Willie & Waylon too
John Spillane , Jimmy MacCarthy, two fine rebel tunesmiths
Hi Christy,
The debate as to which side of the border Johnston Estate is on was well and truly answered tonight…. I think the Lillies won out.
Brilliant night in a beautiful venue, with a really receptive audience. What more could one ask for on a Sunday night.
Thanks for everything Christy… it means a lot and is really appreciated.
Ride on.
Patsy.
Thank you Patsy for the beautiful wooden bowl
it has already found its place in the work room
beautifully turned on your loving lathe
Hi Christy, what a gig! You were on fire tonight – ending the concert and the encore with an alarm 😉 Burning Times we are in… luckily obviously only a false alarms.
New location, vibrant audience, great new songs in this home match for you. It was again such a great pleasure to be there! Thanks to you, all your nice team members, and to Hilary, who takes very good care of us listeners. Good to meet other 4711ers again as well. Your music connects people, builds bridges and keeps us going. The best medication we all can get as Patsy put it, and with only positive side effects.
Ride on!
Birgit
they tell me it was the first gig in their new room
a few wires still crossed… but a beautiful gig room
I hope I get to play there again
safe travels
Great to be amongst the Kildare Royalty tonight …. the concensus seemed to be that we were in Kildare….. the songs hit the mark for sure.
The new new one….. from Wallys pen , “Boy in the Wild ” I think …. I found it very special, I know it’s on the new album…. hope to hear it much more at the gigs.
that was second outing of “Boy in The Wild”
I’m hoping it will gell and become a constant
I feel like Wally is sitting beside me
I welled up singin it last night
Looks like a 149 check out to me Christy! T20, T19, D16?
no flys on you Gyp
on the money
treble twenty treble nineteen double sixteen
The Meeting Place Dublin
of a Sunday afternoon
a mighty lock-in and
a gansey of loose porter
I think you’re right Gipp, hope I’m remembering right…
right sez he and she left
right sez she and he wrote
just finished here in Johnstownbridge…great Sunday Night audience…and The Well reappeared after a few months in respite…the Bodhrán sang like a goat skin that was happy to be back on the Goat’s Path….
Didn’t the “Trip to Roscoff” follow “One Last Cold Kiss” Christy just before we boarded the Speedwell? “All around us one Black Ocean above us one Blue Sky”!
On the money there Gippmeister….I enjoyed making that album….that was me trying to go Electric in 1974 but the plug was pulled andnwe went back towards the roots in 1976 with the Kunte Kinta Roots album…anyone notice the dart board on the Tickle Your Fancy sleeve..what a finish ..and after 12 pints of loose porter
Hi christy,
Spoke to matt mcginn yesterday, he has been the entertainment on a ferry from Rosslare to Cherbourg in recent weeks. Ahoy there matt……not sure if he sang ‘i am a sailor and you’re my first mate’.
However next saturday he is playing the Millenium with Paul Brady and is aiming to hook up with a South Derry man who you know, who especially likes his song ”Bubblegum’.
Sail on Deckhand Matt, maybe the 2 of them can sing a duet of ‘in 1803 we sailed out to sea’.
Rory
Hope Matt enjoys his Derry gig….(between Derry & The Ferry)
back in the day we had some great sessions on the Roscoff to Rosslare ferry…. at 23 hours there was time to get a good session rolling..then catch a few hours kipp and go at it again….back then it could take two days to get from Rosslare to Dublin…thirsty travelling
Hi Christy: a little something to show how much you’re appreciated – Salut! Live’s Artist of the Week. The award may or may not change your life! And if you’re still quite fond of Leeds United , please pass on my thanks to the keeper for last night’s unlikely equaliser … https://www.facebook.com/groups/2902595146676633/
first out of the traps there…..
Hello Christy,
Well, something amazing happened yesterday. I’ve love Christie McNamara’s photographs since I first was stopped in my tracks by one of them on the wall of The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis. Two old women dancing in the kitchen while a dog looks on. It was the feel of it that grabbed me. I just stood and was absorbed by it.
Anyway, yesterday a parcel arrived from Ennis. There it was! The same picture. I was so anxious to get it into the wall I was straight down to brighouse with it and into the frame shop. Love his photographs!
I’ve been listening to this album recently.
https://youtu.be/Wxlyi-jP0t8?si=8L9zAAM_QtL66yro
Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Rebecca
I loved my brief time playing with Arty McGlynn…..we did the “Ordinary Man” album together..Arty and Donal Lunny joined me in Nicky Ryan’s studio…..Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine, Noel Bridgeman, Enya, Anto Drennan, Tony Molloy also featured…..Arty really delivered on this album….40 years on I recall the good time we had on those sessions
A new album eh?
Better sniff this one out…
– now that this old dog has learned some new tricks I can play oh just about anything on air…
Christy, have you heard John Williamson’s Raining on the Rock song,
I’d reckon you’d like it…
I follow these posts -there remains an air of camaraderie here which soothes & inspires me , as we turn the corner post Bozo & hopefully post the Orange Hitler…
Keep it up all – it’s a real delight to pop in & savour the goings on
Stay as you are,
Danny Harris – Terra Australis
thats a fine song Danny…thank you
Hi Christy ,
I hope you’re keeping well .
I went down a Christy rabbit hole on Monday, it’s Friday now and I haven’t came up for a carrot yet ! It’s been wonderful to reconnect with the songs .. It was a bit trippy to come
onto your website for a nosy to see what’s cracking , scroll down the first page and see a picture of you pointing at me at an auld gig years ago.! .( it baits the creation of Adam painting to tell you the truth). So I’m taking it as a Devine sign to listen to planxty next week! Great to see there is a new album on the cards and wonderful to see your still kickin like a fish . Love Baz x
“trippy” was it ….. I hope you’re not out gathering the mushrooms Baz….I still takes a listen to those Planxty sets of tunes…..when Liam was leading the brigade there were some magic moments…. himself filling the pipes, pumping air with both arems, wristing the regulators, fingering the notes , tripping up and down the chanter.. Andy and Donal entering with riveting riffs and the drum waiting for a chance to batter the beat…at other times Matt joined crew and earlier still there were tunes with Noel Hill and Tony. Linnane… Bill Whelan and Nollaig Casey joined us in1981 for “Words and Music” and later again for “Timedance”..Happy listening