Hiya Christy, any chance of you coming over to Brum again sometime soon? We miss you!
Christy's reply
hope to return to Brum next year…sorry its been a while….its all to do with availability of venues and timing of gigs..such arrangements are made by the backroom team…I sit at home practicing my 13 chords while trying to get a few new songs together..the bag is always packed so when word comes that Brum is on I’ll be out the door like a shot ! If all goes well, next year it will be 46 years since my first gig in that City…Mick Hipkiss’s Folk Club in The Old Contemptible, Livery St. Snowhill It was on a Sunday night March 24th 1968. My Set was….Rocky Road/Verdent Braes/Blackwaterside/Spainish lady/Calton Weaver/Carnloch Bay/Enniskillen Dragoon/Maid from Dungannon/ James Connolly/ Sam Hall/ Paddy on The railway/ All for me grog/ Spancilhill/Take it Down from The Mast/ I’m a Rover and Mary from Dungloe…I was 23 years old and living a life that I had dreamt of….singing songs and travelling, hearing many many great singers and hearing their stories, sharing their lives…that night in Birmingham I heard Mick Hipkiss, Dave Phillips, John Swift, Tommy Dempsey,Bob Cooney and I learned from the experience….the journey continues, I’m still listening and learning…and I’m having a great Father’s Day !
Great night in the Strand Carrick last night Christy.The tickets came to me because of the clocking up of another year,and I had a ringside seat,and saw the energy put in,and the energy returned,which resulted in 12 clear rounds in your favour.I nearly got the pick at the end,but it was gone astray 😉 I wont mention the name of the guitars,because you have the numberplates covered,but they must be on the go a while,but sounding all the better for it.Would it be out of order to ask the make and guage of strings,and the pick guage you prefer?Keep strumming,I hope I have as good a seat the next round 😉
Christy's reply
the strings are medium gauge bronze wound…the plecs are gibson thin…the guitars are two 32 year old taks and a new Maton( I cover the tak number plates because they were unhelpful to deal with and I dont like what they’ve been making for the past 20 years.. but I LOVE the older models) .Cant give the model details, They live in Ballyshannon and I only meet them at gigs.Johnny Meade keeps them serviced and sweet. At home I play a Taylor and a Maton but I have an auld tak under the bed in case of emergencies !
Gutted I couldn’t make it to your show in Carrick last night. I heard it was a fantastic gig!
I was hoping to get a copy of my EP into your hands – someone else said they’d try to get it to you, I was wondering whether you got it?
Wish I’d been able to see the show!
Christy's reply
we’ll be back in no time…love the venue, the town, the people, the dinner, the river, the whole shemozzel
Hi Christy,
About 20 odd years ago I was in Portugal when I first heard someone in a bar singing “Ride On” and I thought what a brilliant song! Fast forward 20 years….I still think it’s a brilliant song. The past couple of years myself and my partner have been getting into your music much more (she quite often plays one of your dvd’s while doing the ironing!). So for her birthday back in April I decided to get tickets for one of your gigs. Sadly the best gig for us is London which would have been a year away and all the up and coming UK gigs we couldn’t make so I thought “Feck it!! I’ll cane the credit card”. We are now very much looking forward to seeing you at The Marquee, Cork on the 6th July! (I don’t know why I put the date down as hopefully you already know when it is Ha, Ha.)
All the best,
Newt (& Lin).
Christy's reply
Newt…you picked a good one…this is the 9th successive year for us to play The Marquee…Cork is a great City to visit, if you dont believe me ask Her Majesty, she got on like a house on fire when she visited a year back, she tucked into a plate of drisheens in the English Market where the Empire Loyalists were wettin themselves when the good lady uttered the CÚPLA FOCAL…make sure you have time to take a donder about, theres The Crawford Gallery, The Coal Quay,The Lee Field, The Glucksman Gallery,The Hill, lots of bridges to cross when you get to them,theres creamy pints and mugs a tae,theres haute cuisine and plain fare,theres music there to bate the band,Rory Gallagher John Spillane,
Hi Christy
Back home after a wonderfull week in Ireland. Thanks again and to your crew also for make my dream come true and have a nice photo with you ! I will send it to Hilary so she can send it to you so you wan’t forget me next time.
On our way we’ve met a Polish bartender and a Dutch couple ( they live already 36 years in Ireland) and they told us how much they’re missing their homecountry, so it’s not only the Hill’s of Donegal that are missed.
Outside a pub in Bantry stood a chalkboard where was written on : ” unattented children will be given an espresso and a kitten here”.I love Irish humour!
See you Christy and the rest of your wonderfull crew!
Christy's reply
greetings to all Belgian Songsters, maybe get back there some day,dont be shy
Christy did n’t you famously stop the Deluge at some open air gig ?? Well I think you may be needed in Doolin ? but I bet the gig in Carrick will be great,,, home of Sean Kelly.,
…. Ride On !!. its some line up in Doolin,,, I’m sure it will be good,,, so maybe a small detour by Mick on the way home, ??? Beir bua. H
Christy's reply
A few Festival Deluges come to mind…a gig in Millstreet had to be shifted indoors as the outdoor arena was flooded…played with Jackson Browne and Steve Earle that day… at the Trip to Tipp one year as I started the skies opened..as the gig continued people were so wet that they decided to celebrate the rain and it became great fun..I recall very high human pyramids swaying in the rain as I sang in Semple Stadium…the gig you refer was The London Fleadh around 20 years ago…It rained persistantly all day…as the announcer ( Ambrose O Donoghue of your parish) called me out the rain stopped. I strummed a few chords and the sun came out. It shone brightly for my set and the audience held me entirely responsible. I said mass afterwards in the artists bar. Wont make it to Doolin, sounds like a great festival..hope everyone has a great weekend
Christy, your music is magic & your opinion’s are honest. Not so long ago, you said that we seem to have become ‘a nation of obedient shit takers’…you were right…but there is always hope… check out these fella’s – Attackthetax.com – they are trying to wake us up…could do with your help!!!
This is another song I wrote, which, should you want you can have or adapt.
Come on in
(Refugees are here to stay)
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in and sit you down
Come on in and welcome to my home
Come on in and welcome to your story
Come on in and share it all with mine
Chorus
And you know you’re more than welcome
And we know you’re here to stay
We’ll have to fight, together, for acceptance
‘Cos nothing less, nothing less will do, we say
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in and join us workers
Come on in if it’s education that you need
Come on in, we need your contribution
Come on in with hope and dignity
Chorus
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in, now you have a refuge
Come on in, you’ve suffered too much pain
Come on in, no time for fear and hatred
Come on in why don’t you stay?
I was coming home from a great open mic evening at The Reform Inn in Pilton, Barnstaple when I saw a rabbit in my headlights. I was listening to Richard Thompson on the BBC Radio 4 Master tapes programme talking about how he writes songs. It inspired me. Here it is:
A Rabbit in My Headlights
A rabbit in my headlights late tonight
Twitching, flailing dying in the light
Me, I’m kind of scared, upset
Witness to the gruesome sight I met
I should have driven over it I thought
As its last frenzied battle was fought
Be merciful to it in its tragic state
I hadn’t realised though until too late
It was just a small, sentient thing
On the edge of the abyss and giving in
And one living, conscious being
Could smell the fear that death will bring
Dave Clinch
I also have another song, which I wrote several years ago which you might like to have. I met this guy, Chris, in Barnstaple, begging on the High Street. He said he’d been a soldier for 22 years. He showed me a shrapnel scar. Her kept saying ‘My pension will be here soon. I wondered if he’d make it. I’ve not seen him again.
The Beggar
He lies in a doorway
With the feet passing by
A crushed can beside him
Could tell of his trials
He hears all those voices
In the crisp autumn light
And the coins are like shrapnel
Lying close by his side
Chorus
The pension’s getting closer
As the memory fades
And the wind strikes like a bullet
Through the beer and the haze
He talks of the Army
He did twenty-two years
Of his terrible wounds
And of fighting his fears
An old soldier is dying
He’s now fifty-three
In a North Devon High Street
With the booze on the breeze
Chorus
The pension’s getting closer
As the memory fades
And the wind strikes like a bullet
Through the beer and the haze
Now he lies in a doorway
With the feet passing by
And the coins are like bullets
Lying close by his side
Ah Christy, we’d love to have you play at The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington!! Who would we have to contact to see if you could come?
Thanks also for your comments. I’ve been playing Richie Havens’s method now for three years and a bit now. It’s given me the opening to so many songs. I’ve had such a great time learning guitar and singing songs I’ve known (several of yours) for many years. I was thrilled when you paid your own touching tribute to him at Hay.
My great regret is that I didn’t take up the guitar after seeing him in the Woodstock film back in 1970 and secondly not seeing him live. Like yourself he was a real gentle man who sang his songs with deep feeling, just like another of my inspirations the great Victor Jara.
CM 68
You know the gaelgoirí ar allmost as bad as magpies, they flock outside the house chattering like snag breac in a frenzy.
A little spideog fell out of an nead and the mom was going nuts.He was bold and not old enough to leave home , when the mom came he flipped his legs back into the nead pronto.
Do you believe there was a deluge ? I think maybe in some of the world there could have been a deluge but do not believe there were unicorns for real thats Seafóid,
CS 8
Hey christy,i was working in venlo for a few day and i went to an amazing record shop in the city center,i found declan sinnott new album and i have to say that is really good music he is playing!,i have played the album at the hotel in zaandam near amsterdam where i’m now staying and everybody at the bar listen and enjoyed, he his really a good musician ,and i hope he will bring more of his music in the future,take care and i hope to get a nice summer at home in ireland this year.
Good evening christy how are things,Just been listening to Luke Kelly sing scorn not his simplicity studio version,not that I would tell you you had to give it a go just thought I might suggest it,The Lions are getting stronger North is building up getting ready for the first test,Ride on.
Hello again Chisty. Forget to tell you this in my earlier comment. Tony was telling while filming Les Miseables up in the Pyrnees with Hugh Jackman. Jackman asked Tonybif he knew Christy Moore. Tony told him he was a friend of yours. He then asked Tony if he knew the song Don’t forget you shovel. Tony said he did then Jackman and Tony sang the song and got a standing ovation from the film crew. It’s a pity Jean Valjean didn’t sing it in the film HA HA
Hello Christy , delighted you are playing in Carrick on Friday 14th. Have my tickets locked away safely. Your friend Tony Rohr is my first cousin. He was very excited when I told him about your upcoming visit to Carrick. He was sorry he couldn’t be here for it. He said he would try and give you a ring. My son James would love to meet you in Carrick. You are welcome to call for tea if you want. Tony said you were almost family.
Hello Christy hope all is well with you. A long time since i was on the guestbook. I am over the moon to see your gig in Portlaoise in October going to get my tickets today. their will be some welcome down here for you christy…..you’r one of my heroes love your music i’ll write again before gig slan agus beannacht Mary
Christy's reply
good to hear from you Mary….hope you have a great Summer beneath the Slieve Blooms
Hiya Christy, any chance of you coming over to Brum again sometime soon? We miss you!
hope to return to Brum next year…sorry its been a while….its all to do with availability of venues and timing of gigs..such arrangements are made by the backroom team…I sit at home practicing my 13 chords while trying to get a few new songs together..the bag is always packed so when word comes that Brum is on I’ll be out the door like a shot ! If all goes well, next year it will be 46 years since my first gig in that City…Mick Hipkiss’s Folk Club in The Old Contemptible, Livery St. Snowhill It was on a Sunday night March 24th 1968. My Set was….Rocky Road/Verdent Braes/Blackwaterside/Spainish lady/Calton Weaver/Carnloch Bay/Enniskillen Dragoon/Maid from Dungannon/ James Connolly/ Sam Hall/ Paddy on The railway/ All for me grog/ Spancilhill/Take it Down from The Mast/ I’m a Rover and Mary from Dungloe…I was 23 years old and living a life that I had dreamt of….singing songs and travelling, hearing many many great singers and hearing their stories, sharing their lives…that night in Birmingham I heard Mick Hipkiss, Dave Phillips, John Swift, Tommy Dempsey,Bob Cooney and I learned from the experience….the journey continues, I’m still listening and learning…and I’m having a great Father’s Day !
Great night in the Strand Carrick last night Christy.The tickets came to me because of the clocking up of another year,and I had a ringside seat,and saw the energy put in,and the energy returned,which resulted in 12 clear rounds in your favour.I nearly got the pick at the end,but it was gone astray 😉 I wont mention the name of the guitars,because you have the numberplates covered,but they must be on the go a while,but sounding all the better for it.Would it be out of order to ask the make and guage of strings,and the pick guage you prefer?Keep strumming,I hope I have as good a seat the next round 😉
the strings are medium gauge bronze wound…the plecs are gibson thin…the guitars are two 32 year old taks and a new Maton( I cover the tak number plates because they were unhelpful to deal with and I dont like what they’ve been making for the past 20 years.. but I LOVE the older models) .Cant give the model details, They live in Ballyshannon and I only meet them at gigs.Johnny Meade keeps them serviced and sweet. At home I play a Taylor and a Maton but I have an auld tak under the bed in case of emergencies !
Gutted I couldn’t make it to your show in Carrick last night. I heard it was a fantastic gig!
I was hoping to get a copy of my EP into your hands – someone else said they’d try to get it to you, I was wondering whether you got it?
Wish I’d been able to see the show!
we’ll be back in no time…love the venue, the town, the people, the dinner, the river, the whole shemozzel
Hi Christy,
About 20 odd years ago I was in Portugal when I first heard someone in a bar singing “Ride On” and I thought what a brilliant song! Fast forward 20 years….I still think it’s a brilliant song. The past couple of years myself and my partner have been getting into your music much more (she quite often plays one of your dvd’s while doing the ironing!). So for her birthday back in April I decided to get tickets for one of your gigs. Sadly the best gig for us is London which would have been a year away and all the up and coming UK gigs we couldn’t make so I thought “Feck it!! I’ll cane the credit card”. We are now very much looking forward to seeing you at The Marquee, Cork on the 6th July! (I don’t know why I put the date down as hopefully you already know when it is Ha, Ha.)
All the best,
Newt (& Lin).
Newt…you picked a good one…this is the 9th successive year for us to play The Marquee…Cork is a great City to visit, if you dont believe me ask Her Majesty, she got on like a house on fire when she visited a year back, she tucked into a plate of drisheens in the English Market where the Empire Loyalists were wettin themselves when the good lady uttered the CÚPLA FOCAL…make sure you have time to take a donder about, theres The Crawford Gallery, The Coal Quay,The Lee Field, The Glucksman Gallery,The Hill, lots of bridges to cross when you get to them,theres creamy pints and mugs a tae,theres haute cuisine and plain fare,theres music there to bate the band,Rory Gallagher John Spillane,
Hi Christy
Back home after a wonderfull week in Ireland. Thanks again and to your crew also for make my dream come true and have a nice photo with you ! I will send it to Hilary so she can send it to you so you wan’t forget me next time.
On our way we’ve met a Polish bartender and a Dutch couple ( they live already 36 years in Ireland) and they told us how much they’re missing their homecountry, so it’s not only the Hill’s of Donegal that are missed.
Outside a pub in Bantry stood a chalkboard where was written on : ” unattented children will be given an espresso and a kitten here”.I love Irish humour!
See you Christy and the rest of your wonderfull crew!
greetings to all Belgian Songsters, maybe get back there some day,dont be shy
Christy did n’t you famously stop the Deluge at some open air gig ?? Well I think you may be needed in Doolin ? but I bet the gig in Carrick will be great,,, home of Sean Kelly.,
…. Ride On !!. its some line up in Doolin,,, I’m sure it will be good,,, so maybe a small detour by Mick on the way home, ??? Beir bua. H
A few Festival Deluges come to mind…a gig in Millstreet had to be shifted indoors as the outdoor arena was flooded…played with Jackson Browne and Steve Earle that day… at the Trip to Tipp one year as I started the skies opened..as the gig continued people were so wet that they decided to celebrate the rain and it became great fun..I recall very high human pyramids swaying in the rain as I sang in Semple Stadium…the gig you refer was The London Fleadh around 20 years ago…It rained persistantly all day…as the announcer ( Ambrose O Donoghue of your parish) called me out the rain stopped. I strummed a few chords and the sun came out. It shone brightly for my set and the audience held me entirely responsible. I said mass afterwards in the artists bar. Wont make it to Doolin, sounds like a great festival..hope everyone has a great weekend
Best of luck with the show tonight, Christy. I’ve been looking forward to it for ages. I would love to hear you play Lisdoonvarna. James.
ceart go leor
Christy, your music is magic & your opinion’s are honest. Not so long ago, you said that we seem to have become ‘a nation of obedient shit takers’…you were right…but there is always hope… check out these fella’s – Attackthetax.com – they are trying to wake us up…could do with your help!!!
Howye Christy wrote a trad song called Marriage of one link below : )
Inspired by yourself of course!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD8L31GI9EI
Last one for now Christy
This is another song I wrote, which, should you want you can have or adapt.
Come on in
(Refugees are here to stay)
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in and sit you down
Come on in and welcome to my home
Come on in and welcome to your story
Come on in and share it all with mine
Chorus
And you know you’re more than welcome
And we know you’re here to stay
We’ll have to fight, together, for acceptance
‘Cos nothing less, nothing less will do, we say
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in and join us workers
Come on in if it’s education that you need
Come on in, we need your contribution
Come on in with hope and dignity
Chorus
Come on in
Come on in
Come on in, now you have a refuge
Come on in, you’ve suffered too much pain
Come on in, no time for fear and hatred
Come on in why don’t you stay?
Chorus
Rpt Come on in why don’t you stay?
David Clinch
I was coming home from a great open mic evening at The Reform Inn in Pilton, Barnstaple when I saw a rabbit in my headlights. I was listening to Richard Thompson on the BBC Radio 4 Master tapes programme talking about how he writes songs. It inspired me. Here it is:
A Rabbit in My Headlights
A rabbit in my headlights late tonight
Twitching, flailing dying in the light
Me, I’m kind of scared, upset
Witness to the gruesome sight I met
I should have driven over it I thought
As its last frenzied battle was fought
Be merciful to it in its tragic state
I hadn’t realised though until too late
It was just a small, sentient thing
On the edge of the abyss and giving in
And one living, conscious being
Could smell the fear that death will bring
Dave Clinch
I also have another song, which I wrote several years ago which you might like to have. I met this guy, Chris, in Barnstaple, begging on the High Street. He said he’d been a soldier for 22 years. He showed me a shrapnel scar. Her kept saying ‘My pension will be here soon. I wondered if he’d make it. I’ve not seen him again.
The Beggar
He lies in a doorway
With the feet passing by
A crushed can beside him
Could tell of his trials
He hears all those voices
In the crisp autumn light
And the coins are like shrapnel
Lying close by his side
Chorus
The pension’s getting closer
As the memory fades
And the wind strikes like a bullet
Through the beer and the haze
He talks of the Army
He did twenty-two years
Of his terrible wounds
And of fighting his fears
An old soldier is dying
He’s now fifty-three
In a North Devon High Street
With the booze on the breeze
Chorus
The pension’s getting closer
As the memory fades
And the wind strikes like a bullet
Through the beer and the haze
Now he lies in a doorway
With the feet passing by
And the coins are like bullets
Lying close by his side
David Clinch
Ah Christy, we’d love to have you play at The Plough Arts Centre in Torrington!! Who would we have to contact to see if you could come?
Thanks also for your comments. I’ve been playing Richie Havens’s method now for three years and a bit now. It’s given me the opening to so many songs. I’ve had such a great time learning guitar and singing songs I’ve known (several of yours) for many years. I was thrilled when you paid your own touching tribute to him at Hay.
My great regret is that I didn’t take up the guitar after seeing him in the Woodstock film back in 1970 and secondly not seeing him live. Like yourself he was a real gentle man who sang his songs with deep feeling, just like another of my inspirations the great Victor Jara.
Look after yourself now
Dave
CM 68
You know the gaelgoirí ar allmost as bad as magpies, they flock outside the house chattering like snag breac in a frenzy.
A little spideog fell out of an nead and the mom was going nuts.He was bold and not old enough to leave home , when the mom came he flipped his legs back into the nead pronto.
Do you believe there was a deluge ? I think maybe in some of the world there could have been a deluge but do not believe there were unicorns for real thats Seafóid,
CS 8
Hey christy,i was working in venlo for a few day and i went to an amazing record shop in the city center,i found declan sinnott new album and i have to say that is really good music he is playing!,i have played the album at the hotel in zaandam near amsterdam where i’m now staying and everybody at the bar listen and enjoyed, he his really a good musician ,and i hope he will bring more of his music in the future,take care and i hope to get a nice summer at home in ireland this year.
Good evening christy how are things,Just been listening to Luke Kelly sing scorn not his simplicity studio version,not that I would tell you you had to give it a go just thought I might suggest it,The Lions are getting stronger North is building up getting ready for the first test,Ride on.
Back home. We had a beautiful week in Ireland and a fantastic evening in Wexford. Thanks.
And the 70’s
Hello again Chisty. Forget to tell you this in my earlier comment. Tony was telling while filming Les Miseables up in the Pyrnees with Hugh Jackman. Jackman asked Tonybif he knew Christy Moore. Tony told him he was a friend of yours. He then asked Tony if he knew the song Don’t forget you shovel. Tony said he did then Jackman and Tony sang the song and got a standing ovation from the film crew. It’s a pity Jean Valjean didn’t sing it in the film HA HA
Hello Christy , delighted you are playing in Carrick on Friday 14th. Have my tickets locked away safely. Your friend Tony Rohr is my first cousin. He was very excited when I told him about your upcoming visit to Carrick. He was sorry he couldn’t be here for it. He said he would try and give you a ring. My son James would love to meet you in Carrick. You are welcome to call for tea if you want. Tony said you were almost family.
See you on Friday
Hello Christy hope all is well with you. A long time since i was on the guestbook. I am over the moon to see your gig in Portlaoise in October going to get my tickets today. their will be some welcome down here for you christy…..you’r one of my heroes love your music i’ll write again before gig slan agus beannacht Mary
good to hear from you Mary….hope you have a great Summer beneath the Slieve Blooms