I had the wonderful’Galway to Graceland ‘ in mind on New Year’s Day…on a long car ride with friends and a BBC Radio 2,Elvis epic…a joyous mix of songs,styles and pure class…I was struck by the clarity of diction and production of brilliantly arranged songs in a tragically short career.
I also remembered a Martin Cathy gig and his wonderfully slinky version of ‘ Heartbreak Hotel’… D
Hi Christy
I’ve dug out some albums that I’ve overlooked for awhile…great to revisit them. Starting with Pauline Scanlon’s ‘red colour sun’…
A great mix of songs and arrangements.. ‘Barr na Sraide’ is beautifully sung,but I’ve found myself drawn into ‘The Springhill Mining Disaster’…superbly written by Peggy Seeger and mighty singing,especially when Damien Dempsey kicks in with Pauline…so evocative.
Listening to such a great song,it’s a shame that neither Fred or I ever thought of it for our gigs.But,some have to slip through the net…any similar ones for you?
All the best for Winter gigs…venues will be cooking on the mojo…safe travels all.
Dave
Christy's reply
One in a Million ( Chris Wood)
Galway to Graceland (Richard Thompson)
Hard Rain ( Dylan)
When a Man Loves a Woman ( Percy Sledge)
The Joy of Living ( Ewan MacColl)
Five I’ve tried but failed to master….five of hundreds…but never a waste of time
Dags eh CM?
Hmm..hoping you’re not referring to Aussie shearing shed vernacular variety.?.
Anyway..There seems to be a boom in Irish film popularity recently – looking forward to to a few coming this way soon
Jolly January to ye
Danny Harris
Christy's reply
“That They May Face The Rising Sun”
“The Quiet Girl”
“Small Things Like These”
“Banshees of Inisheeran”
are four recent Irish Films that spring to mind….
I grew up in sheep country…when I first landed in Australia I was taken by the lingo …been rattlin my dags evere since
Hi Christy
Very best wishes for the new year from us all !! We wish you, your family, the crew and all 4711-ers a healthy and beautiful 2025 !
It’s inw 20 years since we first attended a gig in Ireland (after of course our first meeting in Dranouter 30 years ago). We went to Gleneagle hotel, Dundalk, Galway, Pettigo, Bundoran, Knocknagoshel and many other nice places in your country. But we never were in Vicar Street. On Sunday that will change, Lars and I will be there for the first time. We are looking forward to it.
See you on Sunday
Lars and Piet
Christy's reply
greetings to you both….Lars & Piet , my loyal,long-haul listeners…. 30 years since Dranouter…..thank you for all your support across those years….this Vicar Street run of gigs has been very good…tomorrow marks night 10 of 12…..the audiences have been magnificent…many first time listeners mingling with the long time songsters….good to have you back at a gig again…let me know if there is a particular one you’d like to hear and I’ll try and slip it in to the set…..(but no guarantees !!!…) safe travels
Dear Christy
one of my resolutions for the year is to get to more music (the other is boringly less sugar)
So me and younger son Charlie start off the year by coming to Vicar street in a week or so,then booked up so far…..
Joshua Burnside (twice)
Lyle Lovett
Matt McGinn
John Smith
The Blockheads
Damien Dempsey
The Cowboy Mouth (not ‘cowboy mouth’)
the Tent by the Lee
The Hawick Live festival (inc david keenan and declan mclaughlin)
a year to look forward to
rory
Christy's reply
We’re going to hear Paula Meehan & Mary Coughlan next week……
Your gig schedule for the coming months is indeed varied and awesome…I’ll be spinning many of them myself along the blue tar road…
I wish you and Charlie happy travels…I’m hoping to sing a few songs with my Son Andy if it all pans out as planned
Dear Christy,
A very happy and healthy new year for you and the beloved ones around..and also for your wonderful crew who all work together that we can enjoy this great music at your gigs. I was so happy last year to be able to join several gigs and it was so unforgettable and made my year. Hopefully this year I ll have opportunities as well. I d be delighted. Your music makes an important part of my life..and now for decades. And with this new album again we got the gift of new wonderful songs…your source seems to be inexhaustible which really is a miracle when you look over those long, long years and you still do it….and as great as ever………
And I love this so very special guestbook which seems to be like the chat of a big family and it keeps me near to you all and helps very much to surmount the distance.
So I m blessed you re still there to make us all happy. Thanks for rollin on and good luck for this new year. I hope I m able to come over again soon.
All the best and go raibh maith agat
Take care and see you soon
Ursula
Christy's reply
Ursula….many happy returns….
it is indeed a great privilige…that the work continues and so many come to hear the songs…in 1966 the tour had a humble beginning….my first real proper gig was a Folk Club in Manchester…it was run by Mike & Pat Harding ( Still good friends, Mike wrote “Sunflowers” on the recent album)….that night I had no other gig in my diary…I was living hand to mouth, trying to gain foothold as a singer, still doing odd-jobs to pay rent…my repertoire was limited… I had yet to hear of Ewan MacColl, Woody Guthrie and so many others yet to come….I had a modest nylon strung guitar, I’d not yet discovered plectrum or capo…..But I wanted to sing, to learn, to listen, to travel, to discover, I was foot loose and fancy free….all my worldly goods easily carried in guitar case and small rucksack… I was at the start , 21 years old with a thirst for songs ( and Ale)…. I look back in wonder and gratitude
I got a chance this morning, after the madness has ended, baby back in the crèche and the boss lady off out, to actually listen properly to the new album.
Wow , wow wow and wow again, its outstanding.
One of my favourites instantly.
See you in Vicar St on Sunday, I can’t wait !!
I’m.starting as I mean to go on, 2025 will be a musical year.
We’re back with a run of gigs in the new year in the 4 Provinces, I’ll keep you posted.
Jason.
Christy's reply
delighted to hear that your gigs at The 4 Provinces will continue… its a good room ….keep us posted
Hello Christy,
Here I am looking at the sea on a smooth crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast. You were right, it’s a beautiful journey up from Yorkshire to the ferry.
We passed a scene straight out of Dalesman’s Litany
“That roared like’ wind oert fell”
Then a new moon set sail across a pink grey and yellow sky.
These days we take travelling easy, so we stayed in a b&b 2 minutes from the ferry last night.
This afternoon it’s a drive down to Clare for a week or so at The OldGround in Ennis. Two gigs in that time. You on 5th and You on 12th. Sooooo looking forward to it!!!
We’re going to know the road up and down to Dublin very well. We get to spend a couple of odd nights in Dublin too (easy travel…)
Wishing you and everyone here a good new year, and thanks to Bourkey.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
The Old Ground is a good halting spot..used to stay there a lot in earlier years… worked in Ennis back in the 60’s….
Hoping you will have a gig somewhere near Doolin the last week in October – probably wishful thinking.
Christy's reply
Lisdoon or Ennistimon, Kilfenora or Mullagh, Quilty or Lahinch,Spainish Point or Craggaknock,….anything could happen, Connolly or Corofin,KIlkee or Kilrush
its all a mystery…..may all our dreams come through
christy, may i sed yous oem slonglyrcis in a few days when i am more sober, please, i been doing thisfor 37 or 38 years i would lve you to give it a shot no money ever just an offer.
Dear Christ, i’m slowly recovering from our trip to Dublin. It was an incredible gig on Monday. I watched and listened to you with great admiration. What an energy which immediately spread to the audience. How do you do it? I went with the flow and I realized that Palestine did not fit in Vicar st. However I would have liked to hear it live. I even brought my keffiyeh. So be it, it was a great night.
It was lovely that you sang for your brother. Do you want to tell him that he is much loved by his Belgians fans , special by ilke, Anke and their moeke. We will welcome him with open arms when he returns.
Tuesday heaven rained tears because we were leaving. At the airport it was self service! But at the checkpoint I was thoroughly searched. On the way to Brussels I was thinking that it might be the last time I was in Ireland, it made me sad. Brussels airport was empty and lonely, luckily my son in law and my youngest grandson were there to take us home, where my husband did what you suggested and also provided diner. So it turned out to be a nice ending to a sad day.
Christy, I wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year. Ride on!
Christy's reply
Dear Moeke….I had every intention of singing “Palestine” last Monday night…alas, it never happened …in the heat of the night I got sidetracked….also forgot to do “Snowflakes” and “The Big Marquee”……but a few old songs turned up unexpectedly…..28 songs in all…
I can relate to those sad feelings you share….I try to see them as good memories….as my map shrinks I reflect upon all the magic nights encountered along the road
G’day Christy & mob:
I YouTubed some Planxty
Seems to me to be spontaneous heart & soul gear..
Right place, right time..
A man clan with a way to water & grow tradition in contemporary times..
You’ve graced the boards with some fine company & songs Christy..
Keep paddling/pedalling/peddling
Best forts,
Danny Harris
We’re alive in ‘25
Hi Christy,
Well a chara, made it through another one.
Paddy Joe Hill did not. May he rest in Peace.
May we never know what he, the families and all the
victims of those bombings suffered. Minded of your
Scapegoats and Shane’s Birmingham Six …
“A curse on the judges, the coppers and screws
Who tortured the innocent wrongly accused
For the price of promotion and justice to sell
May the judged be their judges when they rot down in hell.”
The Patrick Kavanagh album got a spin over the Christmas.
Didn’t Rachel Blackmore do a fine job reading Pegasus?
Came across a clip of Liam Clancy reciting the same.
(Rebecca, if you please) Thinking the man from
Carrick-on-Suir by the hair of a horse’s nostril.
Follows it up with Ewan Mac Coll’s The Travelling People.
And there’s a little glimpse of Thelma at the very end.
See you in one for part two of live at three …
Nicey McNiece asked for some Christy for Christmas.
She was very happy with The On The Road/Magic Nights cds.
And is hoping to come along with us if you play The Hanger next year.
That’s up to the powers that be didn’t impress as an answer.
Well I’ll just have to manifest it sez she.
Be seeing you in The Hanger next year Christy.
This one manifested a feckin house for herself and her Ma.
Enjoy the rest of The Vicar Street Run.
Thanks for A Terrible Beauty, gigs past , present and future
and having the patience of a saint.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
They tell me that the Hanger is on the cards….they leaves me at the ballads, I leaves them at the logistics…..
Rebecca scored Pegasus for you rapid…..
Liam Clancy resounding yet again….a new generation have taken up the Clancy’s sound….they set the whole process in motion in the early 1960s…
we were stuck into Elvis and Buddy until Liam,Tommy,Paddy & Tom arrived on the air waves…we started going to the Fleadhs, hearing reels,jigs,slow airs and lorrying into loose porter…we went to Galway seeking recreation in 1964…a two man tent adout in Salthill was the nearest we got to Ballybrit
Hi Christy, I wish you, your whole crew and all 4711ers here in this great guestbook a happy, peaceful and healthy year 2025 with lots of good music to keep our spirits high.
I’m very grateful that I could enjoy a few of your gigs in Ireland, the Oysters in England and quite a few gigs here in Germany in 2024. Apart from that one of my highlights was our first own little “gig” with Irish/Scottish songs in February here in Essen. We were so nervous but luckily it worked out rather well. So hopefully we can repeat it this year😇.
Now I’m counting the days for the last Vicar St gig, looking forward to your beautiful songs and meeting some 4711ers personally in the HQ. Reading about your gigs, exploring new links etc shortens the waiting time in a very pleasant way. Thanks to all of you
Birgit
Christy's reply
May all your hopes and plans come through….
…safe travels
Vicar St never disappoints… incredible gig as always. Spancilhill, sung so beautifully, together with gems like Hattie Carroll, Zozimus and Zimmerman and ofc both Lemon Sevens and Black and Amber.
The Slieve Russell can’t come soon enough
Until then!
Oscar
Christy's reply
I first heard “Spancilhill” in 1964…a wintry Sunday night, the windswept hill of Tulla in the Eastern Region of County Clare….the back room of John Minogue’s “Hotel” …..hush descended as a woman began to sing Michael Considine’s beautiful song…..many decades later I heard the story of the song and how it was written by young Michael…that always adds extra poignancy ….I omitted a couple of verses from the version I first heard, I felt they detracted from the flow….its a song that drifts in and out of my set list…we had two Californian listeners in the room last Monday night….
I simply love singing this song…
“to amuse a passing fancy” “I stepped on board a vision” “we danced with right good will”
It was also a favorite of Shane McGowan’s ….we sang it together once
Thanks,Christy
Exploring songs certainly never wasted time…
I had the wonderful’Galway to Graceland ‘ in mind on New Year’s Day…on a long car ride with friends and a BBC Radio 2,Elvis epic…a joyous mix of songs,styles and pure class…I was struck by the clarity of diction and production of brilliantly arranged songs in a tragically short career.
I also remembered a Martin Cathy gig and his wonderfully slinky version of ‘ Heartbreak Hotel’… D
Dave
Hi Christy
I’ve dug out some albums that I’ve overlooked for awhile…great to revisit them. Starting with Pauline Scanlon’s ‘red colour sun’…
A great mix of songs and arrangements.. ‘Barr na Sraide’ is beautifully sung,but I’ve found myself drawn into ‘The Springhill Mining Disaster’…superbly written by Peggy Seeger and mighty singing,especially when Damien Dempsey kicks in with Pauline…so evocative.
Listening to such a great song,it’s a shame that neither Fred or I ever thought of it for our gigs.But,some have to slip through the net…any similar ones for you?
All the best for Winter gigs…venues will be cooking on the mojo…safe travels all.
Dave
One in a Million ( Chris Wood)
Galway to Graceland (Richard Thompson)
Hard Rain ( Dylan)
When a Man Loves a Woman ( Percy Sledge)
The Joy of Living ( Ewan MacColl)
Five I’ve tried but failed to master….five of hundreds…but never a waste of time
Dags eh CM?
Hmm..hoping you’re not referring to Aussie shearing shed vernacular variety.?.
Anyway..There seems to be a boom in Irish film popularity recently – looking forward to to a few coming this way soon
Jolly January to ye
Danny Harris
“That They May Face The Rising Sun”
“The Quiet Girl”
“Small Things Like These”
“Banshees of Inisheeran”
are four recent Irish Films that spring to mind….
I grew up in sheep country…when I first landed in Australia I was taken by the lingo …been rattlin my dags evere since
Hi Christy
Very best wishes for the new year from us all !! We wish you, your family, the crew and all 4711-ers a healthy and beautiful 2025 !
It’s inw 20 years since we first attended a gig in Ireland (after of course our first meeting in Dranouter 30 years ago). We went to Gleneagle hotel, Dundalk, Galway, Pettigo, Bundoran, Knocknagoshel and many other nice places in your country. But we never were in Vicar Street. On Sunday that will change, Lars and I will be there for the first time. We are looking forward to it.
See you on Sunday
Lars and Piet
greetings to you both….Lars & Piet , my loyal,long-haul listeners…. 30 years since Dranouter…..thank you for all your support across those years….this Vicar Street run of gigs has been very good…tomorrow marks night 10 of 12…..the audiences have been magnificent…many first time listeners mingling with the long time songsters….good to have you back at a gig again…let me know if there is a particular one you’d like to hear and I’ll try and slip it in to the set…..(but no guarantees !!!…) safe travels
Dear Christy
one of my resolutions for the year is to get to more music (the other is boringly less sugar)
So me and younger son Charlie start off the year by coming to Vicar street in a week or so,then booked up so far…..
Joshua Burnside (twice)
Lyle Lovett
Matt McGinn
John Smith
The Blockheads
Damien Dempsey
The Cowboy Mouth (not ‘cowboy mouth’)
the Tent by the Lee
The Hawick Live festival (inc david keenan and declan mclaughlin)
a year to look forward to
rory
We’re going to hear Paula Meehan & Mary Coughlan next week……
Your gig schedule for the coming months is indeed varied and awesome…I’ll be spinning many of them myself along the blue tar road…
I wish you and Charlie happy travels…I’m hoping to sing a few songs with my Son Andy if it all pans out as planned
Dear Christy,
A very happy and healthy new year for you and the beloved ones around..and also for your wonderful crew who all work together that we can enjoy this great music at your gigs. I was so happy last year to be able to join several gigs and it was so unforgettable and made my year. Hopefully this year I ll have opportunities as well. I d be delighted. Your music makes an important part of my life..and now for decades. And with this new album again we got the gift of new wonderful songs…your source seems to be inexhaustible which really is a miracle when you look over those long, long years and you still do it….and as great as ever………
And I love this so very special guestbook which seems to be like the chat of a big family and it keeps me near to you all and helps very much to surmount the distance.
So I m blessed you re still there to make us all happy. Thanks for rollin on and good luck for this new year. I hope I m able to come over again soon.
All the best and go raibh maith agat
Take care and see you soon
Ursula
Ursula….many happy returns….
it is indeed a great privilige…that the work continues and so many come to hear the songs…in 1966 the tour had a humble beginning….my first real proper gig was a Folk Club in Manchester…it was run by Mike & Pat Harding ( Still good friends, Mike wrote “Sunflowers” on the recent album)….that night I had no other gig in my diary…I was living hand to mouth, trying to gain foothold as a singer, still doing odd-jobs to pay rent…my repertoire was limited… I had yet to hear of Ewan MacColl, Woody Guthrie and so many others yet to come….I had a modest nylon strung guitar, I’d not yet discovered plectrum or capo…..But I wanted to sing, to learn, to listen, to travel, to discover, I was foot loose and fancy free….all my worldly goods easily carried in guitar case and small rucksack… I was at the start , 21 years old with a thirst for songs ( and Ale)…. I look back in wonder and gratitude
I got a chance this morning, after the madness has ended, baby back in the crèche and the boss lady off out, to actually listen properly to the new album.
Wow , wow wow and wow again, its outstanding.
One of my favourites instantly.
See you in Vicar St on Sunday, I can’t wait !!
I’m.starting as I mean to go on, 2025 will be a musical year.
We’re back with a run of gigs in the new year in the 4 Provinces, I’ll keep you posted.
Jason.
delighted to hear that your gigs at The 4 Provinces will continue… its a good room ….keep us posted
Hello Christy,
Here I am looking at the sea on a smooth crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast. You were right, it’s a beautiful journey up from Yorkshire to the ferry.
We passed a scene straight out of Dalesman’s Litany
“That roared like’ wind oert fell”
Then a new moon set sail across a pink grey and yellow sky.
These days we take travelling easy, so we stayed in a b&b 2 minutes from the ferry last night.
This afternoon it’s a drive down to Clare for a week or so at The OldGround in Ennis. Two gigs in that time. You on 5th and You on 12th. Sooooo looking forward to it!!!
We’re going to know the road up and down to Dublin very well. We get to spend a couple of odd nights in Dublin too (easy travel…)
Wishing you and everyone here a good new year, and thanks to Bourkey.
Rebecca
The Old Ground is a good halting spot..used to stay there a lot in earlier years… worked in Ennis back in the 60’s….
Thanks Rebecca,
Keep on posting, picking and plucking.
Happy New Year to you and Steve
Hoping you will have a gig somewhere near Doolin the last week in October – probably wishful thinking.
Lisdoon or Ennistimon, Kilfenora or Mullagh, Quilty or Lahinch,Spainish Point or Craggaknock,….anything could happen, Connolly or Corofin,KIlkee or Kilrush
its all a mystery…..may all our dreams come through
christy, may i sed yous oem slonglyrcis in a few days when i am more sober, please, i been doing thisfor 37 or 38 years i would lve you to give it a shot no money ever just an offer.
I wish you a soft landing Darragh
Dear Christ, i’m slowly recovering from our trip to Dublin. It was an incredible gig on Monday. I watched and listened to you with great admiration. What an energy which immediately spread to the audience. How do you do it? I went with the flow and I realized that Palestine did not fit in Vicar st. However I would have liked to hear it live. I even brought my keffiyeh. So be it, it was a great night.
It was lovely that you sang for your brother. Do you want to tell him that he is much loved by his Belgians fans , special by ilke, Anke and their moeke. We will welcome him with open arms when he returns.
Tuesday heaven rained tears because we were leaving. At the airport it was self service! But at the checkpoint I was thoroughly searched. On the way to Brussels I was thinking that it might be the last time I was in Ireland, it made me sad. Brussels airport was empty and lonely, luckily my son in law and my youngest grandson were there to take us home, where my husband did what you suggested and also provided diner. So it turned out to be a nice ending to a sad day.
Christy, I wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year. Ride on!
Dear Moeke….I had every intention of singing “Palestine” last Monday night…alas, it never happened …in the heat of the night I got sidetracked….also forgot to do “Snowflakes” and “The Big Marquee”……but a few old songs turned up unexpectedly…..28 songs in all…
I can relate to those sad feelings you share….I try to see them as good memories….as my map shrinks I reflect upon all the magic nights encountered along the road
G’day Christy & mob:
I YouTubed some Planxty
Seems to me to be spontaneous heart & soul gear..
Right place, right time..
A man clan with a way to water & grow tradition in contemporary times..
You’ve graced the boards with some fine company & songs Christy..
Keep paddling/pedalling/peddling
Best forts,
Danny Harris
We’re alive in ‘25
keep rattlin dem dags Danny….
Hello Christy,
I hope this is the link Bourkey asked for.
https://youtu.be/zypPoM4Nyew?si=bQbCRJv3fQX97k_P
If not, it’s great anyway. What a voice he’s got.
Rebecca
Thanks for sharing the fruits of your dexterity…a grand blast from Carrick-on-Suir’s very best
Hi Christy,
Well a chara, made it through another one.
Paddy Joe Hill did not. May he rest in Peace.
May we never know what he, the families and all the
victims of those bombings suffered. Minded of your
Scapegoats and Shane’s Birmingham Six …
“A curse on the judges, the coppers and screws
Who tortured the innocent wrongly accused
For the price of promotion and justice to sell
May the judged be their judges when they rot down in hell.”
The Patrick Kavanagh album got a spin over the Christmas.
Didn’t Rachel Blackmore do a fine job reading Pegasus?
Came across a clip of Liam Clancy reciting the same.
(Rebecca, if you please) Thinking the man from
Carrick-on-Suir by the hair of a horse’s nostril.
Follows it up with Ewan Mac Coll’s The Travelling People.
And there’s a little glimpse of Thelma at the very end.
See you in one for part two of live at three …
Nicey McNiece asked for some Christy for Christmas.
She was very happy with The On The Road/Magic Nights cds.
And is hoping to come along with us if you play The Hanger next year.
That’s up to the powers that be didn’t impress as an answer.
Well I’ll just have to manifest it sez she.
Be seeing you in The Hanger next year Christy.
This one manifested a feckin house for herself and her Ma.
Enjoy the rest of The Vicar Street Run.
Thanks for A Terrible Beauty, gigs past , present and future
and having the patience of a saint.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy new year.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
They tell me that the Hanger is on the cards….they leaves me at the ballads, I leaves them at the logistics…..
Rebecca scored Pegasus for you rapid…..
Liam Clancy resounding yet again….a new generation have taken up the Clancy’s sound….they set the whole process in motion in the early 1960s…
we were stuck into Elvis and Buddy until Liam,Tommy,Paddy & Tom arrived on the air waves…we started going to the Fleadhs, hearing reels,jigs,slow airs and lorrying into loose porter…we went to Galway seeking recreation in 1964…a two man tent adout in Salthill was the nearest we got to Ballybrit
Hi Christy, I wish you, your whole crew and all 4711ers here in this great guestbook a happy, peaceful and healthy year 2025 with lots of good music to keep our spirits high.
I’m very grateful that I could enjoy a few of your gigs in Ireland, the Oysters in England and quite a few gigs here in Germany in 2024. Apart from that one of my highlights was our first own little “gig” with Irish/Scottish songs in February here in Essen. We were so nervous but luckily it worked out rather well. So hopefully we can repeat it this year😇.
Now I’m counting the days for the last Vicar St gig, looking forward to your beautiful songs and meeting some 4711ers personally in the HQ. Reading about your gigs, exploring new links etc shortens the waiting time in a very pleasant way. Thanks to all of you
Birgit
May all your hopes and plans come through….
…safe travels
We were in on Monday night continuing a tradition (for the last 4 years) of Christmas pints in Dublin 🍻 followed by Christy at Vicar St. 🎶
Roll on Christy at Vicar St. 2025 🙏
Happy New Year and good luck with your big birthday preparations.
I’m curious Odhran…
Your name….is it pronounced R AN or OAR AN
I’m reflecting upon an Amhrán for Odhran
I’m hoping for a very small, very quiet marking….
I wish you all a peaceful and happy new year.
Thank you so much for the magic moments in 2024.
Thank You Astrid.
The magic begins as listeners gather.
Happy 2025!
Vicar St never disappoints… incredible gig as always. Spancilhill, sung so beautifully, together with gems like Hattie Carroll, Zozimus and Zimmerman and ofc both Lemon Sevens and Black and Amber.
The Slieve Russell can’t come soon enough
Until then!
Oscar
I first heard “Spancilhill” in 1964…a wintry Sunday night, the windswept hill of Tulla in the Eastern Region of County Clare….the back room of John Minogue’s “Hotel” …..hush descended as a woman began to sing Michael Considine’s beautiful song…..many decades later I heard the story of the song and how it was written by young Michael…that always adds extra poignancy ….I omitted a couple of verses from the version I first heard, I felt they detracted from the flow….its a song that drifts in and out of my set list…we had two Californian listeners in the room last Monday night….
I simply love singing this song…
“to amuse a passing fancy” “I stepped on board a vision” “we danced with right good will”
It was also a favorite of Shane McGowan’s ….we sang it together once