Hi Christy,
The Vicar Street album 2002
is well worth respining
OK Don OK Dec
Continental Ceilli and we’re off …
You’ve shared a story in despatches about giving
Floyd Westerman a bodhran.
Someone somewhere’s banging that drum.
Was it Nicky Kelly made it ?
Him from Kilkenny claiming to be from Wicklow
Allende – that’s some writing …
Me ould pal Billy Bragg used to sing
The revolution is only a tee shirt away
But as we get older and no wiser seems
the television is only a teapot away as we’re
waiting for the hurling down in Munster …
Shane’s Brown Eyes – his best
Cait was on the Tommy T show reminiscing
what it was like to share a stage with him
I shared venues but never a stage
The Hanger Jan 4th 1986 was the first time
Phil Lynott died that day
The whale of a crew is reducing
Not to two just yet but as Ian Dury said
All I want for me next birthday is another one.
I listen to January Man these times.
The first earlies are chitting away
The soils waiting
Let it
The time will come
As Butch said to Sundance in Bolivia
“It’s hard to believe that just fifty years ago,
there was absolutely nothing here”
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
1️⃣ I
Christy's reply
great to read this
brings me right back “OK Do? OK DEC?”
I’m gonna have a listen again soon as
my best time for such a listen is on the way home after a gig
so, prob on the way home from Mullingar
for the past 15 years (or so) we have kicked off in this venue
yes, Nicky Kelly made the drum I gave to Floyd Westerman..
I should add that Nicky never claimed to be from Wicklow…that was entirely my doing when I misplaced him when writing “The Wicklow Boy”
like you, I value Shane’s “A Pair of Brown Eyes”..its a beautiful song to sing…the same faces appear before me every time I sing it…
our spuds were not great last year…I might just stick with onions and garlic this year…but then again..when the weather gets a warmer I might turn a few short ridges..
I saw Cait on the TT show…fair play to her, she has come through it all and kept the show on the road….I loved that young Dub lad,, such a force for good ….the other fellow, Bunny Carr’s name sake….goodnight Luke
thanks for recalling that album…they were good times… we had a grand run of gigs for about two years
‘the immortal voice of Christy Moore’s…said Marbk Radcliffe after ‘Ride On’ andthe clip of the phone interview by Steve Wright a few years ago…
Brilliant to hear the album recording of the wonderful song and appreciate the subtle arrangement.
In the interview you describe gigs as a ‘sharing”…Fair play,no wonder they remain popular gatherings…D
Christy's reply
Steve was always a welcoming host at BBC….used to give a spin when there was something new….it began when he first heard “Welcome to the Cabaret” way back in the mid 80s…I think he was with GLR then….Steve always gave Vince Power’s London Fleadhs a good push….I used to enjoy my chats with him…..RIP Steve Wright
A good mix of acoustic music….BBC radio 2 from 9 til 10.
And a mega bonus….as tribute to Steve Wright on the first anniversary of his death….archive of his interview with you…I’m looking forward to it as I’ve never heard it.
Enjoy….
Dave
Christy's reply
once upon a time BBC Radio was staple diet for many of us over here….as a small boy I recall my Grandfather Power tuning into “What’s my Line” and “The Clitheroe Kid”….my Grand-Uncle Dowling tuning in for big Boxing matches at all hours of the night… Ronnie Delaney won his 1500 metres gold medal on the wireless in 1956…we’d run a mile to hear it
Hi Christy
The version of Allende on Live at Vicar Street
with Declan Sinnott is a bit special.
But it’s a special album. You managed to get
most of the great and the good on to it
The two Johnnies Spillane and Mulhearn.
Ewan, Shane, Wally, Bobby and Floyd.
January Man is there. Your good self.
Jimmy Mac and Noel Brazil.
Even feckin Yeats got in the mix.
What’s an idea that’s not on the shelves
Making a buck or two …
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
fair play to you Bourkey
I’d forgotten about that version, about that album
much prefer it to the previous attempt in 1983
must give that album a whirl..we had a good time getting it down
dont seem like 23 years ago
but the three of us still suckin diesel
our good Companero Tim Martin no longer at the sound desk
he was the best of all..never missed a beat..always ready to roll
still mourned all his cohorts pals and musos
but most of all by his loving family..
Hello Christy,
I have a teapot in my kitchen that, when it was made, I asked the maker to put some words on the side of it as a tribute to Don Lange’s beautiful song Allende.
It says, Make Tea Not War.
Wanted to let you know that your song, Victor Jara, is a song I listened to regularly. The lyrics, “His hands were gentle and his hands were strong,” hit my soul every time.
Thank you for keeping Victor Jara’s legacy alive.
Christy's reply
as far as I know, this great song was written by Adrian Mitchell, I think I heard somewhere that Arlo Guthrie wrote the tune…. another great song is “Allende” written by Don Lange..it also references Victor Jara
last verse
” The Nighthawk flies,the Owl cries
as we’re driving down the road
the full Moon reveals the houses and fields
where good people do what there told
Victo Jara he lies with coins on his eyes
there’s no one around him to mourn
who needs a poet who wont take commands
who’d rather make love than war”…..( From “Allende” by Don Lange))
ps…Bourkey just reminded me: there’s a version on 2002 album “Live at Vicar Street”…different to the Moving Hearts 1983 version on “Dark End of The Street”
Hello Christy, I hope, you’re alright. I was listening to ‘Unfinished Revolution” today, beginning with Wally Page’s ‘Biko Drum’. The early radio news brought the information to me that it was another February 11th when Nelson Mandela was freed, between 2 and 3 years after publishing the song on this great album. @Rory for sure a happier reason to think about today. All the Best to all, Günter
My soundtrack includes Martin Carthy ,’Company Policy’ and Robert Wyatt’s version of ‘Shilbuilding’ by Elvis Costello…just remembered ‘Oliver’s Army’s as well.
I’m thawing out after a cold,catch up chat with a friend running a market vinyl stall…I’ve bought mint copies of vinyl ‘live in Dublin’ and ‘King Puck’. It led to an interesting chat about your releases and that recently,there have been several stall visitors asking/ chatting about your music…onwards and upwards!
Hello Christy,
Rory has taken me straight back to the roaring hot summer of 1976. Stood in our back garden by the swing, doing an impression of Margaret Thatcher’s strangely overemphasised voice. I would have been 5.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
some of us dreamt of making an impression on her…I was 31
Hi christy
A sad 50 years ago thatcher was elected tory leader.
So i sit here gulping down a mug of red label Barry’s , while listening to Taking Tea with Pinochet.
I shall then delve into Tyrone Boys….the blue bitch sent squaddies on the water.
50 years of hurt.
Rory
Christy's reply
that verse has amended itself across the intervening years
“Our neighbours sent young squaddies on the water
hey Geordie, don’t be afraid to die
in camouflage he dreamt of his darlin bairns and hinny
on the watchtower overlookin Augnnacloy”
May the best team win Christy, and they did in a hack canter.
Looks like the Hawick lad Darcy, and Finn the genius will both be ok but your lads were clinical and comprehensive.
Sadly Townsend would not let me come off the bench, says he is keeping me for Twickenham…..all that embrocation gone to waste.
Fair play
Rory
Christy's reply
Finn reminds me of Messi, Best, Cantona…certain players always draw attention, even when away from the ball…sorry he had to leave the park today, my sorrow tinged with relief…I look forward to his return…great to see my young townie get man of the match
Christy what sporting devastating news for the 32 counties this week.
John Cooney’s death must remind us what price can be ‘paid’ everytime a matador steps inside a ring. I think of ‘The Contender’ and am playing it as i write….you can count me out to 10 in clear defeat.
In the sport of ‘kings’ we await trembling for further news from Cork Hospital of the awful situation of Michael O’Sullivan. As Jayo said to me ‘Us every day jockeys were always undervalued taking our lives into our hands every day ‘….am now listening to Derby Day….dry old men with cloth and silk.
Rory
Christy's reply
its a hard call……its enthralling to watch the speed, excitement, the very danger of Steeplechase racing..so many criticise even denounce it as a sport ..our NH Jockeys are a breed apart from all sporting heroes…they ride out to the very end…re animal cruelty, most horses continue to race and jump when they lose their jockeys, in fact they appear at times to have big smiles on their faces…
RIP John Cooney….
its impossible to justify what befalls so many participants and followers of the “fight game”….yet most of us get caught up when the likes of Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor, Michael Carruth,Barry McGuigan or Steve Collins carry the laurels home and raise the spirit of the nation….then when a tragedy occurs like befell young Cooney we have to reappraise our positions….the positivity around amateur boxing gets tarnished when boxers turn pro and fall foul of the hoods and gangsters who often run the pro game…RIP John Cooney
togging off here before running out in Murrayfield in a few hours …a number of fellow Kildare players around me today as we seek to trim the Flowers of Scotland ….. got a late call-up last night to bring my boots… got into CairRyan at 6 am and caught 11o’c Mass in Auld Reekie
Catching up on newsletters…a corker from Woody Publications Inc. Amongst many gems,there’s lots of info about the brilliant ‘Deportees’ research and memorials by
For me,the song is amongst the most poignant ever. Until recently,,I hadn’t realised that the ‘Deportees’ had been working in the US on an official agricultural programme. Intended to boost the US economy,post WW2…no justice,but Tim’s determination has ensured some dignity to those who lost their lives…
Hello Christy,
Trying to keep up with you all here. Ian Dury, another area to explore.. it’s going to have to wait till after the guitar though…
Hope it’s a great rugby weekend for everyone. Tomorrow looks tasty!
Hi all, great news from the Folk Awards with the recognition of Donal Lunny, always a great night. https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0214/1496449-lifetime-achievement-prize-for-donal-lunny-at-rte-folk-awards/ Good luck Christy with your own nomination. Only 6 more sleeps before the tour recommences in Mullingar, beir bua agus beannacht. H
new tyres on the van, new strings on the Tak,
two bumps Josie
Hello Christy,
Something sweet that appeared this morning.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18mJZH9HoG/
Rebecca
A Lilywhite & a Biffo up on a Honda 50
Hi Christy,
The Vicar Street album 2002
is well worth respining
OK Don OK Dec
Continental Ceilli and we’re off …
You’ve shared a story in despatches about giving
Floyd Westerman a bodhran.
Someone somewhere’s banging that drum.
Was it Nicky Kelly made it ?
Him from Kilkenny claiming to be from Wicklow
Allende – that’s some writing …
Me ould pal Billy Bragg used to sing
The revolution is only a tee shirt away
But as we get older and no wiser seems
the television is only a teapot away as we’re
waiting for the hurling down in Munster …
Shane’s Brown Eyes – his best
Cait was on the Tommy T show reminiscing
what it was like to share a stage with him
I shared venues but never a stage
The Hanger Jan 4th 1986 was the first time
Phil Lynott died that day
The whale of a crew is reducing
Not to two just yet but as Ian Dury said
All I want for me next birthday is another one.
I listen to January Man these times.
The first earlies are chitting away
The soils waiting
Let it
The time will come
As Butch said to Sundance in Bolivia
“It’s hard to believe that just fifty years ago,
there was absolutely nothing here”
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
1️⃣ I
great to read this
brings me right back “OK Do? OK DEC?”
I’m gonna have a listen again soon as
my best time for such a listen is on the way home after a gig
so, prob on the way home from Mullingar
for the past 15 years (or so) we have kicked off in this venue
yes, Nicky Kelly made the drum I gave to Floyd Westerman..
I should add that Nicky never claimed to be from Wicklow…that was entirely my doing when I misplaced him when writing “The Wicklow Boy”
like you, I value Shane’s “A Pair of Brown Eyes”..its a beautiful song to sing…the same faces appear before me every time I sing it…
our spuds were not great last year…I might just stick with onions and garlic this year…but then again..when the weather gets a warmer I might turn a few short ridges..
I saw Cait on the TT show…fair play to her, she has come through it all and kept the show on the road….I loved that young Dub lad,, such a force for good ….the other fellow, Bunny Carr’s name sake….goodnight Luke
thanks for recalling that album…they were good times… we had a grand run of gigs for about two years
‘the immortal voice of Christy Moore’s…said Marbk Radcliffe after ‘Ride On’ andthe clip of the phone interview by Steve Wright a few years ago…
Brilliant to hear the album recording of the wonderful song and appreciate the subtle arrangement.
In the interview you describe gigs as a ‘sharing”…Fair play,no wonder they remain popular gatherings…D
Steve was always a welcoming host at BBC….used to give a spin when there was something new….it began when he first heard “Welcome to the Cabaret” way back in the mid 80s…I think he was with GLR then….Steve always gave Vince Power’s London Fleadhs a good push….I used to enjoy my chats with him…..RIP Steve Wright
Hi Christy/all
A good mix of acoustic music….BBC radio 2 from 9 til 10.
And a mega bonus….as tribute to Steve Wright on the first anniversary of his death….archive of his interview with you…I’m looking forward to it as I’ve never heard it.
Enjoy….
Dave
once upon a time BBC Radio was staple diet for many of us over here….as a small boy I recall my Grandfather Power tuning into “What’s my Line” and “The Clitheroe Kid”….my Grand-Uncle Dowling tuning in for big Boxing matches at all hours of the night… Ronnie Delaney won his 1500 metres gold medal on the wireless in 1956…we’d run a mile to hear it
Hi Christy
Always good to see Allende and Jara mentioned here…
By coincidence,I read Bourkey ‘s post whilst mooching in a bookshop. A few minutes later,I saw a photo book that’s remarkable ..
Chili,September 1973 by Koen Wessing…amazing photos,taken as Pinochet’s soldiers rounded up the opposition…
Lots of online info about the book and several relevant websites….good for going down the rabbit holes of history!
Victor Jara’s widow,Joan,was also an amazing activist…Great to have a song as catalyst for information awareness ..
Dave
Thatcher sent the ammo
Hi Christy
The version of Allende on Live at Vicar Street
with Declan Sinnott is a bit special.
But it’s a special album. You managed to get
most of the great and the good on to it
The two Johnnies Spillane and Mulhearn.
Ewan, Shane, Wally, Bobby and Floyd.
January Man is there. Your good self.
Jimmy Mac and Noel Brazil.
Even feckin Yeats got in the mix.
What’s an idea that’s not on the shelves
Making a buck or two …
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
fair play to you Bourkey
I’d forgotten about that version, about that album
much prefer it to the previous attempt in 1983
must give that album a whirl..we had a good time getting it down
dont seem like 23 years ago
but the three of us still suckin diesel
our good Companero Tim Martin no longer at the sound desk
he was the best of all..never missed a beat..always ready to roll
still mourned all his cohorts pals and musos
but most of all by his loving family..
“They do though, don’t they, in anyways but”
Hello Christy,
I have a teapot in my kitchen that, when it was made, I asked the maker to put some words on the side of it as a tribute to Don Lange’s beautiful song Allende.
It says, Make Tea Not War.
Rebecca
milk in first and a spoon of demarera
Christy,
Wanted to let you know that your song, Victor Jara, is a song I listened to regularly. The lyrics, “His hands were gentle and his hands were strong,” hit my soul every time.
Thank you for keeping Victor Jara’s legacy alive.
as far as I know, this great song was written by Adrian Mitchell, I think I heard somewhere that Arlo Guthrie wrote the tune…. another great song is “Allende” written by Don Lange..it also references Victor Jara
last verse
” The Nighthawk flies,the Owl cries
as we’re driving down the road
the full Moon reveals the houses and fields
where good people do what there told
Victo Jara he lies with coins on his eyes
there’s no one around him to mourn
who needs a poet who wont take commands
who’d rather make love than war”…..( From “Allende” by Don Lange))
ps…Bourkey just reminded me: there’s a version on 2002 album “Live at Vicar Street”…different to the Moving Hearts 1983 version on “Dark End of The Street”
Hello Christy, I hope, you’re alright. I was listening to ‘Unfinished Revolution” today, beginning with Wally Page’s ‘Biko Drum’. The early radio news brought the information to me that it was another February 11th when Nelson Mandela was freed, between 2 and 3 years after publishing the song on this great album. @Rory for sure a happier reason to think about today. All the Best to all, Günter
from the Ghetto in Capetown to dig the gold
Great call,John!
D
Dave, ‘Tramp the dirt down’ is another fine Thatcher/Costello song to add to your play list. John
Hi Christy
The That*her era has dark history…
My soundtrack includes Martin Carthy ,’Company Policy’ and Robert Wyatt’s version of ‘Shilbuilding’ by Elvis Costello…just remembered ‘Oliver’s Army’s as well.
I’m thawing out after a cold,catch up chat with a friend running a market vinyl stall…I’ve bought mint copies of vinyl ‘live in Dublin’ and ‘King Puck’. It led to an interesting chat about your releases and that recently,there have been several stall visitors asking/ chatting about your music…onwards and upwards!
Dave
Hello Christy,
Rory has taken me straight back to the roaring hot summer of 1976. Stood in our back garden by the swing, doing an impression of Margaret Thatcher’s strangely overemphasised voice. I would have been 5.
Rebecca
some of us dreamt of making an impression on her…I was 31
Hi christy
A sad 50 years ago thatcher was elected tory leader.
So i sit here gulping down a mug of red label Barry’s , while listening to Taking Tea with Pinochet.
I shall then delve into Tyrone Boys….the blue bitch sent squaddies on the water.
50 years of hurt.
Rory
that verse has amended itself across the intervening years
“Our neighbours sent young squaddies on the water
hey Geordie, don’t be afraid to die
in camouflage he dreamt of his darlin bairns and hinny
on the watchtower overlookin Augnnacloy”
May the best team win Christy, and they did in a hack canter.
Looks like the Hawick lad Darcy, and Finn the genius will both be ok but your lads were clinical and comprehensive.
Sadly Townsend would not let me come off the bench, says he is keeping me for Twickenham…..all that embrocation gone to waste.
Fair play
Rory
Finn reminds me of Messi, Best, Cantona…certain players always draw attention, even when away from the ball…sorry he had to leave the park today, my sorrow tinged with relief…I look forward to his return…great to see my young townie get man of the match
Hello Christy, sorry for asking. Have you already planned a concert for July 31, 2025? Best regards and all the best from Germany, Enrico.
regrets Enrico…no concerts at that time
Christy what sporting devastating news for the 32 counties this week.
John Cooney’s death must remind us what price can be ‘paid’ everytime a matador steps inside a ring. I think of ‘The Contender’ and am playing it as i write….you can count me out to 10 in clear defeat.
In the sport of ‘kings’ we await trembling for further news from Cork Hospital of the awful situation of Michael O’Sullivan. As Jayo said to me ‘Us every day jockeys were always undervalued taking our lives into our hands every day ‘….am now listening to Derby Day….dry old men with cloth and silk.
Rory
its a hard call……its enthralling to watch the speed, excitement, the very danger of Steeplechase racing..so many criticise even denounce it as a sport ..our NH Jockeys are a breed apart from all sporting heroes…they ride out to the very end…re animal cruelty, most horses continue to race and jump when they lose their jockeys, in fact they appear at times to have big smiles on their faces…
RIP John Cooney….
its impossible to justify what befalls so many participants and followers of the “fight game”….yet most of us get caught up when the likes of Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor, Michael Carruth,Barry McGuigan or Steve Collins carry the laurels home and raise the spirit of the nation….then when a tragedy occurs like befell young Cooney we have to reappraise our positions….the positivity around amateur boxing gets tarnished when boxers turn pro and fall foul of the hoods and gangsters who often run the pro game…RIP John Cooney
togging off here before running out in Murrayfield in a few hours …a number of fellow Kildare players around me today as we seek to trim the Flowers of Scotland ….. got a late call-up last night to bring my boots… got into CairRyan at 6 am and caught 11o’c Mass in Auld Reekie
Hi Christy
Catching up on newsletters…a corker from Woody Publications Inc. Amongst many gems,there’s lots of info about the brilliant ‘Deportees’ research and memorials by
http://www.timzhernandez.com …what an inspiration he is…talk about being in the spirit of Woody…
For me,the song is amongst the most poignant ever. Until recently,,I hadn’t realised that the ‘Deportees’ had been working in the US on an official agricultural programme. Intended to boost the US economy,post WW2…no justice,but Tim’s determination has ensured some dignity to those who lost their lives…
Dave
Hello Christy,
Trying to keep up with you all here. Ian Dury, another area to explore.. it’s going to have to wait till after the guitar though…
Hope it’s a great rugby weekend for everyone. Tomorrow looks tasty!
Rebecca