My granddad played the violin
When he got back from the war he didn’t play it again
I’ve no idea why
What was the music like when you first came to Yorkshire?
Rebecca
Christy's reply
all encompassing…..
The Watersons, Derek & Dorothy Elliot, Roger Knowles, Bob Spray, Tony Capstick, Champion Jack Dupree, Jill Pidd, Ian Manuel, Bob & Carol Pegg, Alma Ford, Dave Burland,Richard Collins, The Matthews Brothers,
some of the many practitioners that spring to mind, …..Leeds and Hull were centres of excellence , excitement,fine people, good clubs and best ales…great diversity of clubs… every genre covered….
Gipp is in for treats via Gerry Diver’s work…linked to it,I have regular YouTube forays into the London Irish sessions…some gems there,often found after Googling the likes of Raymond Roland ,Reg Hall…
Raymond,Liam & Roger……
three good friends of mine , Liam still to-the-good
I stayed in that house with Raymond & Rose,
the finest of friendship and hospitality
I had’nt got two pennies to rub together
vamped the “Bull Fiddle”in The White Hart & Quex Road
great post
“Fulham Broadway”! Sweet mother of divine jaysus Christy! I’m in floods of tears just listening to that as I write! “The Speech Project” has been mentioned many times here before but I never bothered me arse looking into it! I finally did after your last post about it! “Youtubed” it and saw a track “Fulham Broadway” Had no idea what is was or that yourself was on it but was straight drawn into to it having lived a stones throw and a spit from it in my days of exile, and the mere mention of it always gets me! The music and songs did take on a different meaning! “Sweet Thames” gets me every time since also having lived in London! However, and I hope Sigerson and yourself forgive me, I always drop the “or” when I sing the line from “Barr na Sraide” “Deep in the heart of London Town over in Broadway” to me it’s always Fulham Broadway!
I’ll be buying hard copy’s of the Speech Project momentarily!
Christy's reply
you bring me back Gipp..
“I was diggin footins
scrapin pots
pullin cable
startin drotts
boilin kettles
makin tae
diggin deep
thrown away…
I was like a disposable Paddy
servin me time to be a co-pilot on a Kango Hammer in Shepherd’s Bush
doin 86mph on a JCB down the Kilburn High Rd
the SPG flagged me down and held me under the PTA
until I got away and went underground with The Green Murphy”……
Hi Christy: I’m only just recovering from your fabulous gig in Belfast at The Waterfront the other day. It was brilliant. I went last year as well (and it was great) but this was next level stuff. Passionate, political, energetic, powerful vocals, a perfect set list and joyous too. Keep ‘em coming and I’ll look forward to your next visit to Linenopolis! All the best, Brian
I’m glad I made it to the play with music about Gideon Klein (1919-1945)…set in Czechoslovakia as the Nazi power gathers momentum into the Holocaust…
Poignant throughout in the converted church of Halle St Michaels ..superb music,via violin,viola,cello and piano…ending with a Klein composition.He was murded in Theresienstadt camp…
Fortunately,many of Klein’s pieces were hidden from destruction and returned to the family…Gideon’s brilliant sister,Lisa ensured that her brother wasn’t forgotten. She died in 1999…
Two performances today at the same venue…well worth a visit for anyone within range…
I scribbled down one line…’creativity is an act of resistance’…
Dave
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing Dave….I wish I could have seen this production…..I cherish that line
Great to hear that you are recording- it’s always good to have a project on the go, and, hopefully, we will hear the results soon. Just preordered the new Luka CD. Hope he is well on the mend. I was hoping to order the “Patsy McCormack, Live album” but apparently there were technicsl difficulties surrounding the April 1st gig, lol.Good to hear positive feedback from the Orchard. Sun shining on the walls today. See you there again soon. Keep well
Christy's reply
Yes John…Luka Bloom is well on the mend, thanks be….
it works surely
and it is a pure wonder
thank you for posting
this brings me right in deep to the heart of it all
the pleasure we receive from the raw bar
Gerry Divers album “The Speech Project” remains a favourite
such a vision he achieved in this creation
the filming and editing beautiful too
those faces young and old swaying to the beat, smiling to the tune,
the organic ecstacy of it all
I hope this sounds over-the-top
for thats what it is
other players featured on Gerry’s album, Joe Cooley, ( as above)Shane, Martin H, Damien , the heartachingly beautiful ūMargaret Barry, Danny Meehan., and mysel….
I recommend this album;
Speech Project…by Gerry Divers…One Fine Day Records 2011
Would you look!
Just look at the trees!
I have never seen so much blossom.
It is billowing the branches.
It is billowing and bridesmaiding
and filling up and filling out the trees
with so much cream and so much froth
that one good gust of wind
would blitz the skies with such a blizzard
that it would make you dizzy
just to look at it.
Would you look!
Just look at the trees!
All the colours are so fresh and bright and new
that if you tipped them you would wet your finger
with the feel of fresh wet Nature paint.
Splashes of brightest yellow
blinding white
and the deepest richest most intoxicating orange
that I have ever seen.
Even the blackbird’s beak is not as bright
as the orange on the branches.
All the tiny birds hiding in the hedges
are swelling up with the thrill
of their very first Spring song.
Hi C and Moeke also, here is a link to Michael Coady reading his poem https://youtu.be/1-LjviV9pg4?si=mm7NF9HLHKaUFKMM Christy I remember very well the gig in his hometown in Carrick on Suir on 18th June 2016 when you mentioned the poem and read it out, it is a real favourite of mine and it was such a treat to hear you recite it As it turns out Michael’s wife was in the audience that night. In these troubled times it is indeed uplifting. Let the music keep our spirits high. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Dear Christy, i’m so glad your brother is on the road again. We’re going to see him in the Roma on november 15, Why don’t you come with him, that would be cool! Next Saturday I’m going to listen to a group from Aleppo. Israël is bombing there too, as well in Lebanon. He’s making his,”third reich”. Meanwhile babies, children and woman in Palestine remain the worst victims. The images become more gruesome. How long must this continue?
It bothers me that our prime minister announced he would not arrest Netanyahu.
Last week I stayed a few days in Oostende. The weather was excellent. In the late afternoon I was watching the sunset, the sea was calm and the sun sprinkled silver on the waves, so peaceful. I close my eyes and all I hear is the soft sound of the sea and I think of Ireland. And then, I can’t do anything about it , it overwhelms me, I almost feel guilty because I’m happy while so many people are suffering.
Oh Christy, the world is so crooked today, it would be so easy if everyone was good to everyone…. I send you love (that is a good starting, isn’t it)
Christy's reply
The late poet Michael Coady from Carrick-on-Suir wrote these lines..
“Though there are torturers in the world
There are also musicians.
Though, at this moment,
Men are screaming in prisons,
There are jazzmen raising storms
Of sensuous celebration,
And orchestras releasing
Glories of the Spirit.
Though the image of God
Is everywhere defiled,
A man in West Clare
Is playing the concertina,
The Sistine Choir is levitating
Under the dome of St. Peter’s,
And a drunk man on the road
Is singing, for no reason”
Howya Christy
Tonight my favourite daughter ( I only have one ☺️) will be in your audience in the orchard county
A saffron 💛 girl at heart however She does fabulous work in the community of south Armagh ….
Having been born & rared to your music she is currently fascinated by your beautiful song about LYRA Mc KEE. I would greatly appreciate if you could give her a shout out . It would mean the world to her. Her name is Annaliese Hunter. GRMA in advance. Enjoy your night. 🎸
Christy's reply
I loved that gig last in The Orchard County….what a great vibe there was in that welcoming room…
The song “Lyra McKee” was written by the fine Dublin songwriter James Cramer…when I heard him sing it I knew straightway that I wanted to cover it….he wrote everything about Lyra that I wanted to sing….what a beautiful young woman we lost rhat tragic night….we have so many great songwriters in Ireland today…its pure privilege getting to sing their songs….
Well Christy, not a note in my head, singing in the Shower is as good as it gets !!.
Would you believe , even though it was 1st April, some people rang the Theatre looking for tickets……..including somebody from Galway who knows me and was anxious to hear me perform……..In order to save face , he refused to give his name. I will hunt him down yet !
Christy's reply
well I’ve gotta put my hands up Patsy…you caught me out too !! I even looked up the venue and contemplated heading for the broad street…
I think old age increases gullibility..I also fell for the “Bob Dylan assault on Elton John ” story
Morning Christy,
Newbridge or nowhere next Saturday evening as the Lake County and the Lillies go for one in a row……. We live in hope.
Enjoy Armagh.🎶🎶.
Ride on.
Patsy.
Christy's reply
How did the gig go ? please share set-list…are you planning to go on the road ? any feed back in the fold back ?
Brilliant news about Prosperous times…I often play the 70s LP,especially recently,when immersed in the exhibition linked to Bill Leader.Im sure you’ll enjoy the process…
Other news this week,comes from small theatres in the US…Dylan and band on top form with Bob playing guitar on a few songs…the first time in aeons…
Enjoy tonight’s gig….music much needed to keep spirits high.
Dave
Christy's reply
fair play to Bob…still standing and blasting it out
Not sure if you’ll lay eyes on this in time- 13 week old Lughán will likely be your youngest listener at tomorrow night’s show in Armagh. He’d love a spin of ‘Boy in the Wild’ in his honour!
Looking forward to the show,
Marcás
Christy's reply
twas like a creche in The City last night…the wonder of it all….wee Leanbhs, youngsters, rapscallions, courting couples, settled parents, lone wolves, rusty rifles, spoiled priests, undercover sisters of psychological warfare, a GAA referee, and some as old as myself…what a glorious roomful of songsters and listeners
Hi Dave, I’m recording at the moment….each day rehearsing , getting to and from Prosperous where a friend has a recording facility….getting some licks and verses down, looking over the fields to where the Prosperous album was recorded 54 years ago, taking a dip in the Grand Canal and getting home ..no time for rabbit holes at the moment but I’ll try and get back to some of the tasty bait you constantly dangle…
playing Armagh tomorrow night…always a lively gig town….the gig lies between Armagh Cathedral and the Peeler Barracks…..
I’m really enjoying the Little Musgrave chat and YFW input…such a brilliant ballad and so well played by Planxty/you.
Very likely that Bucklesfordberry is in the Durham area of Northern England…a magic quality that there’s always a timeless quality to epic tales. Jean Ritchie is responsible for great folk studies…and,real quality reading about many related topics can be found via…
You pulled the absolute best lyrics from Musgrave for sure….. I never tire of it. Lords, ladies, horses, hounds, hawks, betrayal, revenge…
Some interesting notes I found exploring around…
Jean Ritchie sang Little Musgrave for Alan Lomax on 2 June 1949. The Roud Folk Song Index features 300 entries of this ballad, with most variants being collected in North America with 113 versions from the USA, 18 versions from Nova Scotia, Canada, 9 versions from Scotland and 2 from England.
Said to be a border ballad likely originating in the North of England, Matty Groves has been recorded by several artists worldwide. The ballad was printed on broadsides as early as the 1660’s, with three copies at the Bodleian Library Broadsides collection. One version, from the collection of Anthony Wood, has a handwritten note stating that “the protagonists were alive in 1543”. A lamentable ballad of the little Musgrove and the lady Barnet was printed in London between 1663 and 1674. The ballad features in Volume 3 of Percy’s Reliques of Ancient English Poetry in 1845.
Hello Christy,
This is the one that’s really getting me at the moment
https://youtu.be/vwkkqwJQ_T8?si=QAiSPuTNwcnavtou
I’ve learnt so much from it
The thoughts
The rise and fall of the voice
My granddad played the violin
When he got back from the war he didn’t play it again
I’ve no idea why
What was the music like when you first came to Yorkshire?
Rebecca
all encompassing…..
The Watersons, Derek & Dorothy Elliot, Roger Knowles, Bob Spray, Tony Capstick, Champion Jack Dupree, Jill Pidd, Ian Manuel, Bob & Carol Pegg, Alma Ford, Dave Burland,Richard Collins, The Matthews Brothers,
some of the many practitioners that spring to mind, …..Leeds and Hull were centres of excellence , excitement,fine people, good clubs and best ales…great diversity of clubs… every genre covered….
Hi Christy
Gipp is in for treats via Gerry Diver’s work…linked to it,I have regular YouTube forays into the London Irish sessions…some gems there,often found after Googling the likes of Raymond Roland ,Reg Hall…
Enjoy the day
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WKnueQouMaY&si=4mOgvKZTajlXzsOr
Dave
Raymond,Liam & Roger……
three good friends of mine , Liam still to-the-good
I stayed in that house with Raymond & Rose,
the finest of friendship and hospitality
I had’nt got two pennies to rub together
vamped the “Bull Fiddle”in The White Hart & Quex Road
great post
“Fulham Broadway”! Sweet mother of divine jaysus Christy! I’m in floods of tears just listening to that as I write! “The Speech Project” has been mentioned many times here before but I never bothered me arse looking into it! I finally did after your last post about it! “Youtubed” it and saw a track “Fulham Broadway” Had no idea what is was or that yourself was on it but was straight drawn into to it having lived a stones throw and a spit from it in my days of exile, and the mere mention of it always gets me! The music and songs did take on a different meaning! “Sweet Thames” gets me every time since also having lived in London! However, and I hope Sigerson and yourself forgive me, I always drop the “or” when I sing the line from “Barr na Sraide” “Deep in the heart of London Town over in Broadway” to me it’s always Fulham Broadway!
I’ll be buying hard copy’s of the Speech Project momentarily!
you bring me back Gipp..
“I was diggin footins
scrapin pots
pullin cable
startin drotts
boilin kettles
makin tae
diggin deep
thrown away…
I was like a disposable Paddy
servin me time to be a co-pilot on a Kango Hammer in Shepherd’s Bush
doin 86mph on a JCB down the Kilburn High Rd
the SPG flagged me down and held me under the PTA
until I got away and went underground with The Green Murphy”……
“Me & The Rose”…. “King Puck”
Hi Christy: I’m only just recovering from your fabulous gig in Belfast at The Waterfront the other day. It was brilliant. I went last year as well (and it was great) but this was next level stuff. Passionate, political, energetic, powerful vocals, a perfect set list and joyous too. Keep ‘em coming and I’ll look forward to your next visit to Linenopolis! All the best, Brian
Thanks for sharing…….
Hi Christy
I’m glad I made it to the play with music about Gideon Klein (1919-1945)…set in Czechoslovakia as the Nazi power gathers momentum into the Holocaust…
Poignant throughout in the converted church of Halle St Michaels ..superb music,via violin,viola,cello and piano…ending with a Klein composition.He was murded in Theresienstadt camp…
Fortunately,many of Klein’s pieces were hidden from destruction and returned to the family…Gideon’s brilliant sister,Lisa ensured that her brother wasn’t forgotten. She died in 1999…
Two performances today at the same venue…well worth a visit for anyone within range…
I scribbled down one line…’creativity is an act of resistance’…
Dave
Thanks for sharing Dave….I wish I could have seen this production…..I cherish that line
Great to hear that you are recording- it’s always good to have a project on the go, and, hopefully, we will hear the results soon. Just preordered the new Luka CD. Hope he is well on the mend. I was hoping to order the “Patsy McCormack, Live album” but apparently there were technicsl difficulties surrounding the April 1st gig, lol.Good to hear positive feedback from the Orchard. Sun shining on the walls today. See you there again soon. Keep well
Yes John…Luka Bloom is well on the mend, thanks be….
It does. And it really doesn’t! 😀
I wonder if this will work
https://youtube.com/watch?v=NfcmugvDd-c&si=n6YBIvSD2O7nV4Fv
Rebecca
it works surely
and it is a pure wonder
thank you for posting
this brings me right in deep to the heart of it all
the pleasure we receive from the raw bar
Gerry Divers album “The Speech Project” remains a favourite
such a vision he achieved in this creation
the filming and editing beautiful too
those faces young and old swaying to the beat, smiling to the tune,
the organic ecstacy of it all
I hope this sounds over-the-top
for thats what it is
other players featured on Gerry’s album, Joe Cooley, ( as above)Shane, Martin H, Damien , the heartachingly beautiful ūMargaret Barry, Danny Meehan., and mysel….
I recommend this album;
Speech Project…by Gerry Divers…One Fine Day Records 2011
Something to bring joy this Spring morning
SURPRISED BY THE SPRING
Pat Ingoldsby
Would you look!
Just look at the trees!
I have never seen so much blossom.
It is billowing the branches.
It is billowing and bridesmaiding
and filling up and filling out the trees
with so much cream and so much froth
that one good gust of wind
would blitz the skies with such a blizzard
that it would make you dizzy
just to look at it.
Would you look!
Just look at the trees!
All the colours are so fresh and bright and new
that if you tipped them you would wet your finger
with the feel of fresh wet Nature paint.
Splashes of brightest yellow
blinding white
and the deepest richest most intoxicating orange
that I have ever seen.
Even the blackbird’s beak is not as bright
as the orange on the branches.
All the tiny birds hiding in the hedges
are swelling up with the thrill
of their very first Spring song.
Hi C and Moeke also, here is a link to Michael Coady reading his poem https://youtu.be/1-LjviV9pg4?si=mm7NF9HLHKaUFKMM Christy I remember very well the gig in his hometown in Carrick on Suir on 18th June 2016 when you mentioned the poem and read it out, it is a real favourite of mine and it was such a treat to hear you recite it As it turns out Michael’s wife was in the audience that night. In these troubled times it is indeed uplifting. Let the music keep our spirits high. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Dear Christy, i’m so glad your brother is on the road again. We’re going to see him in the Roma on november 15, Why don’t you come with him, that would be cool! Next Saturday I’m going to listen to a group from Aleppo. Israël is bombing there too, as well in Lebanon. He’s making his,”third reich”. Meanwhile babies, children and woman in Palestine remain the worst victims. The images become more gruesome. How long must this continue?
It bothers me that our prime minister announced he would not arrest Netanyahu.
Last week I stayed a few days in Oostende. The weather was excellent. In the late afternoon I was watching the sunset, the sea was calm and the sun sprinkled silver on the waves, so peaceful. I close my eyes and all I hear is the soft sound of the sea and I think of Ireland. And then, I can’t do anything about it , it overwhelms me, I almost feel guilty because I’m happy while so many people are suffering.
Oh Christy, the world is so crooked today, it would be so easy if everyone was good to everyone…. I send you love (that is a good starting, isn’t it)
The late poet Michael Coady from Carrick-on-Suir wrote these lines..
“Though there are torturers in the world
There are also musicians.
Though, at this moment,
Men are screaming in prisons,
There are jazzmen raising storms
Of sensuous celebration,
And orchestras releasing
Glories of the Spirit.
Though the image of God
Is everywhere defiled,
A man in West Clare
Is playing the concertina,
The Sistine Choir is levitating
Under the dome of St. Peter’s,
And a drunk man on the road
Is singing, for no reason”
Howya Christy
Tonight my favourite daughter ( I only have one ☺️) will be in your audience in the orchard county
A saffron 💛 girl at heart however She does fabulous work in the community of south Armagh ….
Having been born & rared to your music she is currently fascinated by your beautiful song about LYRA Mc KEE. I would greatly appreciate if you could give her a shout out . It would mean the world to her. Her name is Annaliese Hunter. GRMA in advance. Enjoy your night. 🎸
I loved that gig last in The Orchard County….what a great vibe there was in that welcoming room…
The song “Lyra McKee” was written by the fine Dublin songwriter James Cramer…when I heard him sing it I knew straightway that I wanted to cover it….he wrote everything about Lyra that I wanted to sing….what a beautiful young woman we lost rhat tragic night….we have so many great songwriters in Ireland today…its pure privilege getting to sing their songs….
Well Christy, not a note in my head, singing in the Shower is as good as it gets !!.
Would you believe , even though it was 1st April, some people rang the Theatre looking for tickets……..including somebody from Galway who knows me and was anxious to hear me perform……..In order to save face , he refused to give his name. I will hunt him down yet !
well I’ve gotta put my hands up Patsy…you caught me out too !! I even looked up the venue and contemplated heading for the broad street…
I think old age increases gullibility..I also fell for the “Bob Dylan assault on Elton John ” story
Morning Christy,
Newbridge or nowhere next Saturday evening as the Lake County and the Lillies go for one in a row……. We live in hope.
Enjoy Armagh.🎶🎶.
Ride on.
Patsy.
How did the gig go ? please share set-list…are you planning to go on the road ? any feed back in the fold back ?
Mornin’ Christy
Brilliant news about Prosperous times…I often play the 70s LP,especially recently,when immersed in the exhibition linked to Bill Leader.Im sure you’ll enjoy the process…
Other news this week,comes from small theatres in the US…Dylan and band on top form with Bob playing guitar on a few songs…the first time in aeons…
Enjoy tonight’s gig….music much needed to keep spirits high.
Dave
fair play to Bob…still standing and blasting it out
Hi Christy,
Not sure if you’ll lay eyes on this in time- 13 week old Lughán will likely be your youngest listener at tomorrow night’s show in Armagh. He’d love a spin of ‘Boy in the Wild’ in his honour!
Looking forward to the show,
Marcás
twas like a creche in The City last night…the wonder of it all….wee Leanbhs, youngsters, rapscallions, courting couples, settled parents, lone wolves, rusty rifles, spoiled priests, undercover sisters of psychological warfare, a GAA referee, and some as old as myself…what a glorious roomful of songsters and listeners
Hi Christy
Not certain if I’ll see this…found out a bit late,but it’s a powerful play,I’m sure…
http://www.gideonplay.co.uk
So important that voices are heard.
Dave
Hi Dave, I’m recording at the moment….each day rehearsing , getting to and from Prosperous where a friend has a recording facility….getting some licks and verses down, looking over the fields to where the Prosperous album was recorded 54 years ago, taking a dip in the Grand Canal and getting home ..no time for rabbit holes at the moment but I’ll try and get back to some of the tasty bait you constantly dangle…
playing Armagh tomorrow night…always a lively gig town….the gig lies between Armagh Cathedral and the Peeler Barracks…..
Just remembered the riches in…
http://www.singout.org
D
Hi Christy
I’m really enjoying the Little Musgrave chat and YFW input…such a brilliant ballad and so well played by Planxty/you.
Very likely that Bucklesfordberry is in the Durham area of Northern England…a magic quality that there’s always a timeless quality to epic tales. Jean Ritchie is responsible for great folk studies…and,real quality reading about many related topics can be found via…
http://www.folkways.org
This guestbook is so good!
Dave
You pulled the absolute best lyrics from Musgrave for sure….. I never tire of it. Lords, ladies, horses, hounds, hawks, betrayal, revenge…
Some interesting notes I found exploring around…
Jean Ritchie sang Little Musgrave for Alan Lomax on 2 June 1949. The Roud Folk Song Index features 300 entries of this ballad, with most variants being collected in North America with 113 versions from the USA, 18 versions from Nova Scotia, Canada, 9 versions from Scotland and 2 from England.
Said to be a border ballad likely originating in the North of England, Matty Groves has been recorded by several artists worldwide. The ballad was printed on broadsides as early as the 1660’s, with three copies at the Bodleian Library Broadsides collection. One version, from the collection of Anthony Wood, has a handwritten note stating that “the protagonists were alive in 1543”. A lamentable ballad of the little Musgrove and the lady Barnet was printed in London between 1663 and 1674. The ballad features in Volume 3 of Percy’s Reliques of Ancient English Poetry in 1845.