Last night spent in good company and a warm bed,so no complaints about being a day late home!
Your 60s playlist has many overlaps with mine…class is permanent…
YFW…I have a few songs that feel ‘complete’…I’ll go for ‘Jamie Foyers’…ace writing by Ewan MacColl,superbly played by Dick Gaughan…
Fair play,Birgit….I’d also be a fan of standing gigs for Oysterband …’Molly Bond’ is special…links to ‘She moves through the fair’,mentioned here recently.Give the guys a holler from me…
Great chat here…thanks,Christy…
Dave
Christy's reply
I loves the Monday….being still here…got a list of songs to practice….errands to complete…friends to contact…grand daughter birthday to mark and celebtate….
Hi Christy/Dave,
@Dave, I hope you got home safe and sound without too much delay.
First two gigs were brilliant. One standing, one seated. To be honest I prefer standing to their music, but they changed the set list and had a beautiful rendition of Molly Bond yesterday. Your “location” – Put Out the Lights – being their last song in both sets and is printed on their new shirts as well. They said the first gig was a good rehearsal for their German gigs in March which are mostly standing 😉.
Two hours to go til their next gig and then it’s Christy’s turn again in January 😊.
All the best to you
Birgit
Jeepers, have been commenting more in three days than last 5 years, but the brain is sparking… Thought about this a lot last night, and would put up the question for discussion in the clan..
Paul Brady once told me that for some people the only poetry they might hear/read are song lyrics. I was thinking a lot about “January Man” after hearing it on Wednesday. Have always loved it, but really LISTENED. I think that is one of the most complete songs ever–So evocative –I don’t think that there is a wasted word or even syllable.
Hi Christy,
Congratulations on, “a terrible beauty” , I really am enjoying it , it’s a wonderful album. I had picked a favourite and was over the moon and tickled pink when I looked at the credits and saw it was a coupling of yourself and the waldango (God be good to him) , it pinched a-bit because he’s passed over and that was his last , but a fine swan song .! I think he would have buzzed off the video too – Been down a Christy rabbit hole for a while now and it’s been just wonderful …The aul playing and singing had left for a period time , through no choice of my own and I didn’t think it was for coming back but thanks to your work it’s given me a good kick up in the arse , shone the light and brought me back 30 years, to a 13 coming 14 year old hearing Go move shift for the first time ( the time has come album). I remember where I was when I heard it ! and asking my father for a second hand guitar from the local paper for my birthday .. so recently I started at the start , played the same song on the same aul guitar and it’s brought me back on track . The magic of music .. there’s some differing lyrics on different versions of recordings you have done throughout the years i liked , “local people said to me “ because of the P’s and the E’s bouncing off what comes next- some song mccoll wrote, and that’s why I love how Wal wrote , the internal paint strokes.. The gorgeousness of your songs will inspire many a 14 year old I recon , point them in the direction of the tradition , Dylan, Woodie , Wally etc branch them off on a listening journey .. and the overall enjoyment of it all .. but the aul trunk of the tree is Christy Moore for this listener –
thank you Christo and take care . Baz x
Christy's reply
Good man Baz..I’m delighted to read that your are “goin at it agin”…your post stirs some memories….
I wrote to Peggy Seeger in 1967 asking to be considered for a spot in Ewan & Peggy’s Singers club in London…..it happened and at 23 I had the enormous experience of sitting on their stage at The Union Tavern.57 years on I recall the feeling clearly. Ewan was very encouraging and Peggy most welcoming. In 1972 Planxty were rehearsing in The (closed down) Metropole Cinema on O’Connell Street,Dublin… we had use of a room in the bowels of the building…. I brought “Sweet Thames Flow Softly”….Liam Óg brought in the chanter, Andy got Hohner going and a beautiful sound was born…Chanter and Hohner…
in 1975 I recorded two of Ewans songs…the one you mentioned and Ballad of Tim Evans….for some reason I’ve yet to analyse I sent the album to Ewan…I got a lovely response some time later when Peggy wrote “Ewan liked you singing his songs but was less enthusiastic about the accompaniment” ( full on Drums, Bass, Electric Guitars, Fiddle and acoustics…a right auld cacophony…)
later again I covered his “Good Ship Granma”… I wrote to Ewan during the Blanket Protest asking might he consider it…. he responded with good reason….later again Ewan sent me “Green Island” ….I felt honoured to recieve this song… unfortunatly, I dont like the recording I made of this great song…. after Ewan’s passing the family invited me to sing “Green Island” on Ewan’s tribute album. (2015 Joy of Living on Cooking Vinyl)..I opted to sing “The Companeros” (aka Good Ship Granma) another decision I regret….Ewan’s contribution to the Folk Revival, to Contemporary and Traditional Song is unsurpassed and not yet fully recognised….Peggy, forever at his side, still performs beautifully…a beacon of positivity and good vibrations…I look forward to hearing her with sons Neil and Calum when she next visits…
as for our beautiful Waldango….I’ll come back to you on that naote
Heading to the Curragh tomorrow to see some gallops, hopefully. Was lovely hearing “Curragh” Wednesday.. But truly, Ruby was the hit of the night for me! The visuals were brilliant! There are some things you cannot unsee!
Ride on,
otter
Christy's reply
Here comes P.J. Prendergast and Mrs Charlie Weld
The Halford’s and The Eddery’s,The Brabazon’s and The Bell’s
The Owners and The Trainers, great stallions and brood mares
Fillies, Colts and Yearlings on the gallops of Kildare”
My wife and I had tickets for the cancelled Barrowlands gig in covid year. We have seen you dozens of times over the years, indeed we are on that Barrowlands video singing along. Anyways, you were a pretty much annual calendar fixture in our household for years, but now you have forsaken us. Please will you visit us Scots again in ‘ 25. You are sorely missed.
Christy's reply
David….I can think of no gig that would bring me more pleasure….
How are you Christy.
Not very sure where to start, I got the album 5 vinyl and 5 Disc’s and passed them on to friends and family and they all love the new album.Its a beautiful album full of amazing songs and tunes. It’s an album full of emotions, Lyra, Darkness before the Dawn, Lemon 7’s, Ann She was an Artist all touched me deeply.Sitting here in Boston, I read the lyrics over and over like a movie, kicking off with Wally’s and your song Boy in the Wild World set a tone out the gate , and when I came to the end , it was heart lifting to see Ger mentioned from Australia to “A Terrible Beauty “, she made it home into your hands , truly remarkable journey to say the least. Thank you for all you did for me when I was home, it was very special to spend some time with you afterwards in Sligo and sing a few songs in the back room. Please tell Paddy and all the crew I said hello and I thank you all for helping out the lads in Doolin and Lisdoonvarna it was very generous of you.
The gigs are going great for me, Dooleys is a great music house in Boston with no TVs , it’s my vicar street in a way, just a very comfortable room to perform the songs and I love that .
The songwriting is going well and the pen is always close by, I’ve started recording lyrics into the phone on the way to work and I stick with it till inspiration and content come together.
Wishing you great joy and happiness in Vicar street and a No 1 album it truly is my friend.
Love to Val and yourself Git.
PS “ Fuck Donald Duck”
Love Fin 💚🎶
Christy's reply
Fin mo cara….
always good to hear from Boston Bay…
good to hear that your gigs are going well…
I must send the album to Ger….
Thanks for reminding me
I’ll write longer when the coast is clear
Hi Again Christy…..you would make a great politician ha ha.
I only asked you if you were ever going to come back to Clonmel for a gig and you went all around Clonmel from 1964 on but never got round to answering my question.
Take care a while and mind yourself.
Keep on gigging.
John.
Christy's reply
I nearly forgot…my first time to sing in Clonmel was in the hut of Hillview Pitch & Putt club one Sunday night after leaving Donie Ryan’s pub on The Bridge…myself and Delilah, Patsy Halloran, Johnn Mac, Boc and Michael Egan and a clatter of large bottles…thats the first time I heard The Galtee Mountain Boy..I forgot to mention that I played The Hidden Inn in Kilmanahan in 1976….all the latter day gigs were in The Park Hotel at the end of Irishtown…the man who promotes the gigs tells me that they are gone full time at the weddings since covid ..
I also played in a marquee once at the back of The Minella….it was a wet and windy night and the less said the better….in 1964 I played a few songs one night in The Army Barracks..myself and Conor Dwyer were escorted to the gate by two Military Police and never looked back…Larry Kiely was playing for Tipp at the time and also riding for Ireland… a mighty hurler and a good man in the saddle
Aborted plans to travel home from Cumbria,trains cancelled by snow,floods etc
Sitting in a cafe,admiring Birgit’s passion for good music and hoping that Oysterband gig travels aren’t banjaxed like mine.
I’ve seen the band many times since the 90s and once with the majestic June Tabor…superb atmosphere and passionate playing…and devoted fans. I’m reminded of you/4711…
Waiting for a rescue lift and mulling over the buzz of gigs…really special chemistry…and a privilege to play and watch.
YouTube time now….keep safe and warm all
Dave
Christy's reply
good man Dave….
I’ve never encountered Oysterband or June Tabor but I have been hearing their work across the years
I heard so much great music across 1966-1972..much of it still on my playlist here…Watersons, Yetties, Ian Cambell, MacCalmans, Aly &Mike, Humblebums, Martyn W Read, Tim & Maddy, Hamish, Pentangle, Cyril T., Ranters, Rattlers, Fettlers, Doonans, Vin, Taverners, Tommy Dempsey &John Swift, Munstermen,Sara Gray, Mary Asquith, Marie Little, Beggarmen, (contd p92)
Mick has been busking on henry street for more than a decade,
it´s his birthday, a soul of a man, he has been through everything under the sun, a survivor.
if any of you like to send him a short birthday wish I know he would be so happy.
he is the biggest fan of luke kelly, therefore the song.
Hello Christy,
7 songs into the set already, and fitting like a glove.
Did you ever play Van Diemen’s land at the gigs. Love that one. The tune feels very old.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
great song….learned from Mike Waterosn…maybe next time ye are over
Looks a good read for all of us who feel the warmth and need of a protest song.
Rb
Christy's reply
come all you young rebels and list while I sing
the love of one’s country is a terrible thing
it banishes fear with the speed of a flame
and makes us all part of The Patriot Game….( Dominic Behan)
this is hilarious, martin leahy thursday: ´ Week 131 outside the Dáil today. I got on the 9 o clock bus.There was a bit of snow around and twas cold enough but I was nice and toastie on the bus. I had the double seat to myself. I was dozing away and at some point I checked my phone and I had a missed call. I rang it back and it was Red fm and they wanted me to go on straight away and talk to Neil Prendeville about my protest so I did and we had a good chat. He played the track too which is a rare occurrence for radio stations to do that really. Anyway, I carried on with the journey and I was messaging Sarah from ZDF which is a German national broadcaster TV station. They were in contact a few weeks ago about covering the protest so today was the day that it was happening. She was messaging me to tell me that they would be waiting with their camera at the bus stop to film me getting off the bus. She said that I was supposed to ignore them and walk along as normal and they would film me. Anyway when the bus was pulling up I had a look out the window and sure enough there they were. I got off the bus and concentrated on completely ignoring them. I kept walking afraid to look around to see how they were getting on in case I blew the whole thing. By the time I got to Grafton street I thought the whole thing was going on a bit long so I had a quick look around and there was no sign of any ZDF behind me. So I rang Sarah and they were still down by the bus stop. Apparently I missed the part in the message where she said I was only supposed to walk a few yards up the footpath so they were very bewildered when I marched off out of sight through the streets of Dublin. So I walked all the way back down to meet them and we got some more footage and they interviewed me a bit down by the river. Then we made our way to the Dáil with ZDF staying very near and seemed to be keeping a close eye on me in case I took off again. When we got to the Dáil there was NOS waiting for me which had also been prearranged. They are the Dutch national TV broadcaster. It just so happened that both fell on the same day. So I did interviews with both of them and they took lots of footage of me singing my song. In the middle of it I was delighted that Carol Quinn dropped by to say hello. Then we finished up and NOS headed off but ZDF wanted to keep getting footage of me heading back down to the bus. I went into a cafe at one point to go for a slash and when I was in the jacks I noticed that I was still wearing the mic that they had put on me during my protest. Quickly realising that I was in what they call a ‘hot mic’ situation I was very careful not to start talking to myself or bursting into some recent song by Morrissey or something embarrassing like that. We went down then to the river again by O’Connell bridge for a final bit of an interview and footage. ZDF and NOS were very nice and twas a pleasure to meet them. They both seemed passionate about highlighting the issue. Well that was week 131. On the bus now and nearly back in Cork.´
i like the part when he kept walking and they expected him to stay at the bus area, oh boy, haha.
Hi Christy, for a change I went to England instead of Ireland following the Oysterband for a few gigs on their “long, long goodbye tour”. I think Dave and Ed mentioned them here a while ago. I don’t like oysters, but the Oysters all the more 😉 – great musicians with impressive voices and beautiful songs. I’m really glad that they come to Germany for a few gigs next year. But knowing them for 30 years I wanted to see them at least once on their home turf.
Great insights and background information in your interview with Leagues – and a good opportunity for me to copy the chords for Lyra ;-). Unfortunately I’m not good at finding out chords to a song. Now I only had to watch and can start practicing that beautiful song!
Birgit
Hi Carsten! Hilary is quite a force of nature! I was sitting at the same table as you on Wednesday evening. Hilary was the one who gave me the info to get a ticket to the gig when I found out I would be coming over from the US. It was clear you were enjoying the gig very much. Hope you had safe travels back to Germany with lots of music playing in your head. Ironically, I was going past Smithfield today and thinking would I go to the Cobblestone…..
I had just arrived from US Wednesday morning, so was a bit jet lagged, but the gig snapped me right out of it. I’ve been to a fair few CM gigs in my day, but that one was memorable!!! Just sayin, CM–you were in rare form. Great energy, great mix of songs old and new and many acapella—the voice is as good as ever, the energy strong and the night was magical. The years melted away that night…. magic. The songs are still spinning through the head, and am grateful. Thanks!!!
Hi Carsten! Great Story! Whereabouts in Germany are you? Are you interested in our little Christy fan club over here, then drop me an email!.
Well Christy, amazing how this site works. A poster called Boxtsi asked you something about Clonmel, which led you to commenting about a 1964 gig in Clonmel, and you mentioned Frank Patterson. That brought back great memories for me about Frank and my
daddy, which I shared. And you
responded by telling more about the
welcome home gig for Frank. Is it the Irish in us where one story leads on to another?
Keep em comin’
Hi Christy
Last night spent in good company and a warm bed,so no complaints about being a day late home!
Your 60s playlist has many overlaps with mine…class is permanent…
YFW…I have a few songs that feel ‘complete’…I’ll go for ‘Jamie Foyers’…ace writing by Ewan MacColl,superbly played by Dick Gaughan…
Fair play,Birgit….I’d also be a fan of standing gigs for Oysterband …’Molly Bond’ is special…links to ‘She moves through the fair’,mentioned here recently.Give the guys a holler from me…
Great chat here…thanks,Christy…
Dave
I loves the Monday….being still here…got a list of songs to practice….errands to complete…friends to contact…grand daughter birthday to mark and celebtate….
Hi Christy/Dave,
@Dave, I hope you got home safe and sound without too much delay.
First two gigs were brilliant. One standing, one seated. To be honest I prefer standing to their music, but they changed the set list and had a beautiful rendition of Molly Bond yesterday. Your “location” – Put Out the Lights – being their last song in both sets and is printed on their new shirts as well. They said the first gig was a good rehearsal for their German gigs in March which are mostly standing 😉.
Two hours to go til their next gig and then it’s Christy’s turn again in January 😊.
All the best to you
Birgit
hard to beat stand-ups….better mingles….
Jeepers, have been commenting more in three days than last 5 years, but the brain is sparking… Thought about this a lot last night, and would put up the question for discussion in the clan..
Paul Brady once told me that for some people the only poetry they might hear/read are song lyrics. I was thinking a lot about “January Man” after hearing it on Wednesday. Have always loved it, but really LISTENED. I think that is one of the most complete songs ever–So evocative –I don’t think that there is a wasted word or even syllable.
What song lyrics do that for the rest of you?
along the road forever
Always love the shaggy dog stories.
whallup
Hi Christy,
Congratulations on, “a terrible beauty” , I really am enjoying it , it’s a wonderful album. I had picked a favourite and was over the moon and tickled pink when I looked at the credits and saw it was a coupling of yourself and the waldango (God be good to him) , it pinched a-bit because he’s passed over and that was his last , but a fine swan song .! I think he would have buzzed off the video too – Been down a Christy rabbit hole for a while now and it’s been just wonderful …The aul playing and singing had left for a period time , through no choice of my own and I didn’t think it was for coming back but thanks to your work it’s given me a good kick up in the arse , shone the light and brought me back 30 years, to a 13 coming 14 year old hearing Go move shift for the first time ( the time has come album). I remember where I was when I heard it ! and asking my father for a second hand guitar from the local paper for my birthday .. so recently I started at the start , played the same song on the same aul guitar and it’s brought me back on track . The magic of music .. there’s some differing lyrics on different versions of recordings you have done throughout the years i liked , “local people said to me “ because of the P’s and the E’s bouncing off what comes next- some song mccoll wrote, and that’s why I love how Wal wrote , the internal paint strokes.. The gorgeousness of your songs will inspire many a 14 year old I recon , point them in the direction of the tradition , Dylan, Woodie , Wally etc branch them off on a listening journey .. and the overall enjoyment of it all .. but the aul trunk of the tree is Christy Moore for this listener –
thank you Christo and take care . Baz x
Good man Baz..I’m delighted to read that your are “goin at it agin”…your post stirs some memories….
I wrote to Peggy Seeger in 1967 asking to be considered for a spot in Ewan & Peggy’s Singers club in London…..it happened and at 23 I had the enormous experience of sitting on their stage at The Union Tavern.57 years on I recall the feeling clearly. Ewan was very encouraging and Peggy most welcoming. In 1972 Planxty were rehearsing in The (closed down) Metropole Cinema on O’Connell Street,Dublin… we had use of a room in the bowels of the building…. I brought “Sweet Thames Flow Softly”….Liam Óg brought in the chanter, Andy got Hohner going and a beautiful sound was born…Chanter and Hohner…
in 1975 I recorded two of Ewans songs…the one you mentioned and Ballad of Tim Evans….for some reason I’ve yet to analyse I sent the album to Ewan…I got a lovely response some time later when Peggy wrote “Ewan liked you singing his songs but was less enthusiastic about the accompaniment” ( full on Drums, Bass, Electric Guitars, Fiddle and acoustics…a right auld cacophony…)
later again I covered his “Good Ship Granma”… I wrote to Ewan during the Blanket Protest asking might he consider it…. he responded with good reason….later again Ewan sent me “Green Island” ….I felt honoured to recieve this song… unfortunatly, I dont like the recording I made of this great song…. after Ewan’s passing the family invited me to sing “Green Island” on Ewan’s tribute album. (2015 Joy of Living on Cooking Vinyl)..I opted to sing “The Companeros” (aka Good Ship Granma) another decision I regret….Ewan’s contribution to the Folk Revival, to Contemporary and Traditional Song is unsurpassed and not yet fully recognised….Peggy, forever at his side, still performs beautifully…a beacon of positivity and good vibrations…I look forward to hearing her with sons Neil and Calum when she next visits…
as for our beautiful Waldango….I’ll come back to you on that naote
“Come All You Dreamers”
Heading to the Curragh tomorrow to see some gallops, hopefully. Was lovely hearing “Curragh” Wednesday.. But truly, Ruby was the hit of the night for me! The visuals were brilliant! There are some things you cannot unsee!
Ride on,
otter
Here comes P.J. Prendergast and Mrs Charlie Weld
The Halford’s and The Eddery’s,The Brabazon’s and The Bell’s
The Owners and The Trainers, great stallions and brood mares
Fillies, Colts and Yearlings on the gallops of Kildare”
Mr Moore,
My wife and I had tickets for the cancelled Barrowlands gig in covid year. We have seen you dozens of times over the years, indeed we are on that Barrowlands video singing along. Anyways, you were a pretty much annual calendar fixture in our household for years, but now you have forsaken us. Please will you visit us Scots again in ‘ 25. You are sorely missed.
David….I can think of no gig that would bring me more pleasure….
How are you Christy.
Not very sure where to start, I got the album 5 vinyl and 5 Disc’s and passed them on to friends and family and they all love the new album.Its a beautiful album full of amazing songs and tunes. It’s an album full of emotions, Lyra, Darkness before the Dawn, Lemon 7’s, Ann She was an Artist all touched me deeply.Sitting here in Boston, I read the lyrics over and over like a movie, kicking off with Wally’s and your song Boy in the Wild World set a tone out the gate , and when I came to the end , it was heart lifting to see Ger mentioned from Australia to “A Terrible Beauty “, she made it home into your hands , truly remarkable journey to say the least. Thank you for all you did for me when I was home, it was very special to spend some time with you afterwards in Sligo and sing a few songs in the back room. Please tell Paddy and all the crew I said hello and I thank you all for helping out the lads in Doolin and Lisdoonvarna it was very generous of you.
The gigs are going great for me, Dooleys is a great music house in Boston with no TVs , it’s my vicar street in a way, just a very comfortable room to perform the songs and I love that .
The songwriting is going well and the pen is always close by, I’ve started recording lyrics into the phone on the way to work and I stick with it till inspiration and content come together.
Wishing you great joy and happiness in Vicar street and a No 1 album it truly is my friend.
Love to Val and yourself Git.
PS “ Fuck Donald Duck”
Love Fin 💚🎶
Fin mo cara….
always good to hear from Boston Bay…
good to hear that your gigs are going well…
I must send the album to Ger….
Thanks for reminding me
I’ll write longer when the coast is clear
Hi Again Christy…..you would make a great politician ha ha.
I only asked you if you were ever going to come back to Clonmel for a gig and you went all around Clonmel from 1964 on but never got round to answering my question.
Take care a while and mind yourself.
Keep on gigging.
John.
I nearly forgot…my first time to sing in Clonmel was in the hut of Hillview Pitch & Putt club one Sunday night after leaving Donie Ryan’s pub on The Bridge…myself and Delilah, Patsy Halloran, Johnn Mac, Boc and Michael Egan and a clatter of large bottles…thats the first time I heard The Galtee Mountain Boy..I forgot to mention that I played The Hidden Inn in Kilmanahan in 1976….all the latter day gigs were in The Park Hotel at the end of Irishtown…the man who promotes the gigs tells me that they are gone full time at the weddings since covid ..
I also played in a marquee once at the back of The Minella….it was a wet and windy night and the less said the better….in 1964 I played a few songs one night in The Army Barracks..myself and Conor Dwyer were escorted to the gate by two Military Police and never looked back…Larry Kiely was playing for Tipp at the time and also riding for Ireland… a mighty hurler and a good man in the saddle
Hi Christy/all
Aborted plans to travel home from Cumbria,trains cancelled by snow,floods etc
Sitting in a cafe,admiring Birgit’s passion for good music and hoping that Oysterband gig travels aren’t banjaxed like mine.
I’ve seen the band many times since the 90s and once with the majestic June Tabor…superb atmosphere and passionate playing…and devoted fans. I’m reminded of you/4711…
Waiting for a rescue lift and mulling over the buzz of gigs…really special chemistry…and a privilege to play and watch.
YouTube time now….keep safe and warm all
Dave
good man Dave….
I’ve never encountered Oysterband or June Tabor but I have been hearing their work across the years
I heard so much great music across 1966-1972..much of it still on my playlist here…Watersons, Yetties, Ian Cambell, MacCalmans, Aly &Mike, Humblebums, Martyn W Read, Tim & Maddy, Hamish, Pentangle, Cyril T., Ranters, Rattlers, Fettlers, Doonans, Vin, Taverners, Tommy Dempsey &John Swift, Munstermen,Sara Gray, Mary Asquith, Marie Little, Beggarmen, (contd p92)
Mick has been busking on henry street for more than a decade,
it´s his birthday, a soul of a man, he has been through everything under the sun, a survivor.
if any of you like to send him a short birthday wish I know he would be so happy.
he is the biggest fan of luke kelly, therefore the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhKmDNlkaXY
whallup
Hello Christy,
7 songs into the set already, and fitting like a glove.
Did you ever play Van Diemen’s land at the gigs. Love that one. The tune feels very old.
Rebecca
great song….learned from Mike Waterosn…maybe next time ye are over
https://guardianbookshop.com/rebel-sounds-9781804441169/
Looks a good read for all of us who feel the warmth and need of a protest song.
Rb
come all you young rebels and list while I sing
the love of one’s country is a terrible thing
it banishes fear with the speed of a flame
and makes us all part of The Patriot Game….( Dominic Behan)
here´s martin´s new song called: to bob dylan.
(melody sounds familiar?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVgqOxiTwm4
keep it comin Martin
this is hilarious, martin leahy thursday: ´ Week 131 outside the Dáil today. I got on the 9 o clock bus.There was a bit of snow around and twas cold enough but I was nice and toastie on the bus. I had the double seat to myself. I was dozing away and at some point I checked my phone and I had a missed call. I rang it back and it was Red fm and they wanted me to go on straight away and talk to Neil Prendeville about my protest so I did and we had a good chat. He played the track too which is a rare occurrence for radio stations to do that really. Anyway, I carried on with the journey and I was messaging Sarah from ZDF which is a German national broadcaster TV station. They were in contact a few weeks ago about covering the protest so today was the day that it was happening. She was messaging me to tell me that they would be waiting with their camera at the bus stop to film me getting off the bus. She said that I was supposed to ignore them and walk along as normal and they would film me. Anyway when the bus was pulling up I had a look out the window and sure enough there they were. I got off the bus and concentrated on completely ignoring them. I kept walking afraid to look around to see how they were getting on in case I blew the whole thing. By the time I got to Grafton street I thought the whole thing was going on a bit long so I had a quick look around and there was no sign of any ZDF behind me. So I rang Sarah and they were still down by the bus stop. Apparently I missed the part in the message where she said I was only supposed to walk a few yards up the footpath so they were very bewildered when I marched off out of sight through the streets of Dublin. So I walked all the way back down to meet them and we got some more footage and they interviewed me a bit down by the river. Then we made our way to the Dáil with ZDF staying very near and seemed to be keeping a close eye on me in case I took off again. When we got to the Dáil there was NOS waiting for me which had also been prearranged. They are the Dutch national TV broadcaster. It just so happened that both fell on the same day. So I did interviews with both of them and they took lots of footage of me singing my song. In the middle of it I was delighted that Carol Quinn dropped by to say hello. Then we finished up and NOS headed off but ZDF wanted to keep getting footage of me heading back down to the bus. I went into a cafe at one point to go for a slash and when I was in the jacks I noticed that I was still wearing the mic that they had put on me during my protest. Quickly realising that I was in what they call a ‘hot mic’ situation I was very careful not to start talking to myself or bursting into some recent song by Morrissey or something embarrassing like that. We went down then to the river again by O’Connell bridge for a final bit of an interview and footage. ZDF and NOS were very nice and twas a pleasure to meet them. They both seemed passionate about highlighting the issue. Well that was week 131. On the bus now and nearly back in Cork.´
i like the part when he kept walking and they expected him to stay at the bus area, oh boy, haha.
Hi Christy, for a change I went to England instead of Ireland following the Oysterband for a few gigs on their “long, long goodbye tour”. I think Dave and Ed mentioned them here a while ago. I don’t like oysters, but the Oysters all the more 😉 – great musicians with impressive voices and beautiful songs. I’m really glad that they come to Germany for a few gigs next year. But knowing them for 30 years I wanted to see them at least once on their home turf.
Great insights and background information in your interview with Leagues – and a good opportunity for me to copy the chords for Lyra ;-). Unfortunately I’m not good at finding out chords to a song. Now I only had to watch and can start practicing that beautiful song!
Birgit
last year a female buddy of mine said
´why does he wear glasses he always has his eyes closed?´
and I said ´that´s a good question.´
I do the same and now I need reading glass myself and I go between
reading of the paper and singing with my eye closed on and off all the time.
I just loved that she really paid attention to the details.
I love when your Ma said to gay there: ´
I´m a frustrated singer myself.´
dead serious. haha.
Hi Carsten! Hilary is quite a force of nature! I was sitting at the same table as you on Wednesday evening. Hilary was the one who gave me the info to get a ticket to the gig when I found out I would be coming over from the US. It was clear you were enjoying the gig very much. Hope you had safe travels back to Germany with lots of music playing in your head. Ironically, I was going past Smithfield today and thinking would I go to the Cobblestone…..
I had just arrived from US Wednesday morning, so was a bit jet lagged, but the gig snapped me right out of it. I’ve been to a fair few CM gigs in my day, but that one was memorable!!! Just sayin, CM–you were in rare form. Great energy, great mix of songs old and new and many acapella—the voice is as good as ever, the energy strong and the night was magical. The years melted away that night…. magic. The songs are still spinning through the head, and am grateful. Thanks!!!
Hi Carsten! Great Story! Whereabouts in Germany are you? Are you interested in our little Christy fan club over here, then drop me an email!.
Well Christy, amazing how this site works. A poster called Boxtsi asked you something about Clonmel, which led you to commenting about a 1964 gig in Clonmel, and you mentioned Frank Patterson. That brought back great memories for me about Frank and my
daddy, which I shared. And you
responded by telling more about the
welcome home gig for Frank. Is it the Irish in us where one story leads on to another?
Keep em comin’