Hi All. A grand lively interview,,,,,,,I think its worth sharing that spoken word piece,,, hope its OK ? H
There Are Also Musicians
by Michael Coady
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.
Christy's reply
is’nt this a wonderful poem….I love saying it, the pictures I see are so vivid
Hello Christy. Looking forward to Leeds on Sunday. With me on the night will be my dear old mum, on the eve of her 76th birthday. The last time she approached the steps of Leeds Town Hall with such anticipation was in the 1950s during her courting days. After a difficult year, a song just for her would warm the cockles. She’s called Patsy Hurley – Leeds born and bred, but exiled in Doncaster since those courting days.
Christy's reply
best wishes to Patsy upon returning to her native City
sorry, this is for pavee!
pavee is there any way we can access your song in traveller language? i have traveller pupils who might be very interested to hear.
Dear Christy and Mr. Declan (best guitar player **)
Thanks so very much for the great gig in the INEC on the 16th March .. after a smooth flight with RYANair-and a Nissan Micra ride down to KillArnY.. I had a grat eve with your music and voices and guitars .. all the year sice 1976 whe I first was over to Ireland passed by .. all the informations, feelings,emotions.. next day drove to Dingle via Inch Beach .. back in mind and cd your songs voice and music .. what else does a man need more ?? Thanks a billion … Peter ( 58 years young now) from Mannheim/Germany
Christy's reply
ssound man Peader..myself and Michael walked the length of Inch Beach last month…a wonderful Atlantic experienced until we turned back…twas only then that we realised that there was a very strong wind behind us on the way out…the way back was a very different story but we made it back before dark….keep coming back….
Thanks for your reply Christy, about performing in Canada. Looks like your answer means we are coming across the pond to where you are. Until then, take care and God bless,
Judy & Michael
Christy's reply
if I get there before the snow falls and if everything ‘s alright, you might join me if I send you the fare…..but by then it will be winter and there wont be much to do…. the wind blows cold way up there. Greetings to all our Canadian listeners
Would love to hear you sing “Winter Lady”, an early L. Cohen tune. I think your version would be incredibly beautiful though I love his, too. But you singing it would be a gift to us.
You probably know it but here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYP-fL8ndmI
(they put those awfuls ads first now but you can skip it after 5 seconds lower RH corner.
Christy's reply
cant do that one but your post may have led me to another
I always thought ride on was Traveller-ish, It inspired my own Travellers song “crush the tober with the galya beur” about moving on…The only people to have heard this is Travellers, hence below the, folk who listen to, folk radar. As far as im aware this is the only song that uses our language within it. I could be wrong on that but iv never heard tell of another. Are you playing any place in the south east of england in the near future?
Hope you are well Christy….Well not long now til youre over in the Smoke (and strong whisky) We gonna meet for the tay and cake…..? If youre mad busy etc not to worry….will be in front row with young Con (my son 13) on the Thursday night …Pop your head out and say hello. You sent young Con a happy birthday card when he was 8 years old which he still has on his bedroom wall along with the Tottenham greats! You even shook their hands and gave them a “hello” from the stage at RFH in 2009…..Safe trip over and good luck
Christy's reply
just packing the bag for Blighty, gotta few gigs to do before I hit The Smoke, one day at a time
Been a fan of your stuff for over twenty years since I came to Canada from Glasgow. Any chance you will be playing on this side of the pond any time soon? Would love to see you play as I’ve never had the chance. keep up the great work brother!
Tam
Christy's reply
wont be over there in the immediate Tam..heading for the Broomielaw in November…I’ll sing a song for you In Barrowland
Hi, I am rather excited to be able to speak to you if only via the internet. I have recently discovered your music through Youtube. I really like it, especially those songs of a political nature. I have always liked political music (from “For What Its Worth” to “Masters of War” to KMFDM’s “WWIII”) For lack of anything else to say, I’ll say this: I have had a guitar(my mother and stepfather think its a waste of time and money, though its hardly the only thing we disagree on) for around a year now and a fairly inexpensive Bodhrán (I fell in love with the sound instantly when I stumbled across it one time or another) for around six months now, I have been distracted by college (and admittedly other things as well, computer games, movies, books and whatnot), so I haven’t practiced much. As soon as my last exam is finished and I go home for the summer I plan on learning some of your songs, after getting a touch more competent with the instruments. I saw a video of you at Occupy Dame Street and it made me happy. I myself went to Occupy Toronto (my mother and stepfather were…less than thrilled when they found out) a few times, marching with 2000 people down Bay street was a hell of an experience. Although I’m in the red now as soon as I get back home and get a job I’ll see if I can get a hold of a few of your CD’s; you’ve definitely inspired me to get back to my guitar. And finally, though I might be severely overstepping my bounds, I hope you don’t get too upset at me saying this: I’ll watch the sunrise and smoke a joint for you when the universe comes and takes you (not saying that’ll happen any time soon) , since not being religious I won’t really be able to say a prayer.
Thank you so very much for your time and for your music.
Sergei
Christy's reply
we sometimes pray without realising it……I spent many decades inhaling he weed…then I found a different path….I wish you well upon your journey
Songs living through (and being enriched with) each generation is really a great and necessary thing. The true original recording instrument is the mind anyway. If the ancestors had been depending on cd’s, mp3’s, and even vinyl, the facility for recording through recollection most likley might hae been diminished. Yet thankfully folks have been writing it down too, for good measure (pun intended). I read music ploddingly, thanks to Sister Gertrude. She’d sleep through my playing the lesson and waken when I was done, thinking I hadn’t started yet. Then she’d rap my fingers with a ruler. So my mother took me out of piano class when I played the pieces perfectly at recital, never once looking at the music. But my she, my granddad, and the great grands all had a musical ear. Speaking of maths, I took a piano class again just to see how I’d do. The minute I started “thinking” about beats and measures I would stumble. I would get the rhthym perfectly as long as I was just “feeling” it. Thinking does me in (and it’s not a blonde thing). I have to let it flow and do the critical stuff later, for editing. But it would be amazing to be able to read/write music as easly as writing stories….
Christy's reply
easy come easy go….my fellow musician Steve Cooney has created a new script for writing music..he is currently spending two years developing his concept…this is very exciting work
Hi Christy, on reading your recommendation, I took my daughters to Leeds Grand to see Gerry Diver’s Speech Project. Such a profoundly moving experience for us all. It was wonderful to see how my girls (16 & 20 ) felt such a personal connection with the music & imagery despite having been born and raised in England and would usually be listening to contemporary rock and pop. so thanks for the recommendation, my girls have now experienced how to feel music rather than merely hear it.
Christy's reply
sounds good Paddyjohn, I look forward to seeing it myself….greetings to all Halifax listeners, from Mixenden to Causeway Foot and surrounding boroughs
Am wondering how well you read music. Are most of the traditional tunes are learned by ear?
Christy's reply
I cannot read music….I have never seen written music at a Trad music session….I do know a good number of trad players who read and write music and probably do so in the privacy of their work rooms…I suspect that most trad music is learned by ear and by repitition…..thankfully there have always been those who have carefully written the music for posterity…all those collectors and folklorists who recognised the importance and fragilty of folk music and realised that it should be saved..here in Ireland I think of Seamus Ennis, Tom Munnelly, Frank Harte, Ciarán MacMathúna, Paddy O’Brien, Cathal McConnell to name but a few..I think of The Irish Traditional Music Archive, The RTE Archive…..in earlier times the work of PW Joyce and Colm Ó Lochlainn safeguarded the survival of hundreds of songs…for every name mentioned there are numerous others equally noteworthy
Christy. Have you ever gigged with Travellers? There are a few writing songs form a Traveller perspective. They preform below the folk radar most times. I know some listen to your work.
Christy's reply
indeed and I have horse,…..I played with Felix Doran,Davy Johnson,Maggie Barry, The Keenan Family, Pecker Dunne,Jimmy McBeath over the years…in sessions, not gigs…I am curious about the concept of folk radar….I have heard of folk police, folk facists and folk nazis but folk radar is a new one..I kinda like the concept
Hi Christy, it was great seeing you in Enniscorthy on Wednesday night, particularly giving us all the bonus of “Fairytale of New York” at the end. I am glad that I called out “New York” from the second row! Meeting you at breakfast the next morning was an added thrill. I will never forget Christmas Eve of 2003 and the song that has become my anthem, one day at a time! I know that you are no fan of airplanes, but they do have pretty nice ships that could take you to America—I could see some Boston and New York (and maybe Chicago) shows in your future… There is an entire generation of American-Irish who would absolutely fall in love with you! All the best, until next time. Kevin
Christy's reply
greetings to you and your brother…sorry we did not get longer time to share…hope ye hit some long balls up in Kildare….
@ Hilary: Love that poem. Thanks for sharing it and I will do the same!
Hi All. A grand lively interview,,,,,,,I think its worth sharing that spoken word piece,,, hope its OK ? H
There Are Also Musicians
by Michael Coady
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.
is’nt this a wonderful poem….I love saying it, the pictures I see are so vivid
Christy, I’m looking forward to hearing your ‘spoken word session’ on Janice Long’s Radio 2 programme in about 10 minutes time!
Hello Christy. Looking forward to Leeds on Sunday. With me on the night will be my dear old mum, on the eve of her 76th birthday. The last time she approached the steps of Leeds Town Hall with such anticipation was in the 1950s during her courting days. After a difficult year, a song just for her would warm the cockles. She’s called Patsy Hurley – Leeds born and bred, but exiled in Doncaster since those courting days.
best wishes to Patsy upon returning to her native City
sorry, this is for pavee!
pavee is there any way we can access your song in traveller language? i have traveller pupils who might be very interested to hear.
níl fhios agam mo cara
Dear Christy and Mr. Declan (best guitar player **)
Thanks so very much for the great gig in the INEC on the 16th March .. after a smooth flight with RYANair-and a Nissan Micra ride down to KillArnY.. I had a grat eve with your music and voices and guitars .. all the year sice 1976 whe I first was over to Ireland passed by .. all the informations, feelings,emotions.. next day drove to Dingle via Inch Beach .. back in mind and cd your songs voice and music .. what else does a man need more ?? Thanks a billion … Peter ( 58 years young now) from Mannheim/Germany
ssound man Peader..myself and Michael walked the length of Inch Beach last month…a wonderful Atlantic experienced until we turned back…twas only then that we realised that there was a very strong wind behind us on the way out…the way back was a very different story but we made it back before dark….keep coming back….
Thanks for your reply Christy, about performing in Canada. Looks like your answer means we are coming across the pond to where you are. Until then, take care and God bless,
Judy & Michael
if I get there before the snow falls and if everything ‘s alright, you might join me if I send you the fare…..but by then it will be winter and there wont be much to do…. the wind blows cold way up there. Greetings to all our Canadian listeners
Would love to hear you sing “Winter Lady”, an early L. Cohen tune. I think your version would be incredibly beautiful though I love his, too. But you singing it would be a gift to us.
You probably know it but here’s a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYP-fL8ndmI
(they put those awfuls ads first now but you can skip it after 5 seconds lower RH corner.
cant do that one but your post may have led me to another
I always thought ride on was Traveller-ish, It inspired my own Travellers song “crush the tober with the galya beur” about moving on…The only people to have heard this is Travellers, hence below the, folk who listen to, folk radar. As far as im aware this is the only song that uses our language within it. I could be wrong on that but iv never heard tell of another. Are you playing any place in the south east of england in the near future?
what about the sham buffers in Johnny Conners
Hope you are well Christy….Well not long now til youre over in the Smoke (and strong whisky) We gonna meet for the tay and cake…..? If youre mad busy etc not to worry….will be in front row with young Con (my son 13) on the Thursday night …Pop your head out and say hello. You sent young Con a happy birthday card when he was 8 years old which he still has on his bedroom wall along with the Tottenham greats! You even shook their hands and gave them a “hello” from the stage at RFH in 2009…..Safe trip over and good luck
just packing the bag for Blighty, gotta few gigs to do before I hit The Smoke, one day at a time
it seems I hadn’t heard Weekend in Amsterdam when I made then end part of my comment, I just didn’t want to offend.
Sergei
Ride On Sergei
Hi Christy
Been a fan of your stuff for over twenty years since I came to Canada from Glasgow. Any chance you will be playing on this side of the pond any time soon? Would love to see you play as I’ve never had the chance. keep up the great work brother!
Tam
wont be over there in the immediate Tam..heading for the Broomielaw in November…I’ll sing a song for you In Barrowland
Hi, I am rather excited to be able to speak to you if only via the internet. I have recently discovered your music through Youtube. I really like it, especially those songs of a political nature. I have always liked political music (from “For What Its Worth” to “Masters of War” to KMFDM’s “WWIII”) For lack of anything else to say, I’ll say this: I have had a guitar(my mother and stepfather think its a waste of time and money, though its hardly the only thing we disagree on) for around a year now and a fairly inexpensive Bodhrán (I fell in love with the sound instantly when I stumbled across it one time or another) for around six months now, I have been distracted by college (and admittedly other things as well, computer games, movies, books and whatnot), so I haven’t practiced much. As soon as my last exam is finished and I go home for the summer I plan on learning some of your songs, after getting a touch more competent with the instruments. I saw a video of you at Occupy Dame Street and it made me happy. I myself went to Occupy Toronto (my mother and stepfather were…less than thrilled when they found out) a few times, marching with 2000 people down Bay street was a hell of an experience. Although I’m in the red now as soon as I get back home and get a job I’ll see if I can get a hold of a few of your CD’s; you’ve definitely inspired me to get back to my guitar. And finally, though I might be severely overstepping my bounds, I hope you don’t get too upset at me saying this: I’ll watch the sunrise and smoke a joint for you when the universe comes and takes you (not saying that’ll happen any time soon) , since not being religious I won’t really be able to say a prayer.
Thank you so very much for your time and for your music.
Sergei
we sometimes pray without realising it……I spent many decades inhaling he weed…then I found a different path….I wish you well upon your journey
Songs living through (and being enriched with) each generation is really a great and necessary thing. The true original recording instrument is the mind anyway. If the ancestors had been depending on cd’s, mp3’s, and even vinyl, the facility for recording through recollection most likley might hae been diminished. Yet thankfully folks have been writing it down too, for good measure (pun intended). I read music ploddingly, thanks to Sister Gertrude. She’d sleep through my playing the lesson and waken when I was done, thinking I hadn’t started yet. Then she’d rap my fingers with a ruler. So my mother took me out of piano class when I played the pieces perfectly at recital, never once looking at the music. But my she, my granddad, and the great grands all had a musical ear. Speaking of maths, I took a piano class again just to see how I’d do. The minute I started “thinking” about beats and measures I would stumble. I would get the rhthym perfectly as long as I was just “feeling” it. Thinking does me in (and it’s not a blonde thing). I have to let it flow and do the critical stuff later, for editing. But it would be amazing to be able to read/write music as easly as writing stories….
easy come easy go….my fellow musician Steve Cooney has created a new script for writing music..he is currently spending two years developing his concept…this is very exciting work
Hi Christy, on reading your recommendation, I took my daughters to Leeds Grand to see Gerry Diver’s Speech Project. Such a profoundly moving experience for us all. It was wonderful to see how my girls (16 & 20 ) felt such a personal connection with the music & imagery despite having been born and raised in England and would usually be listening to contemporary rock and pop. so thanks for the recommendation, my girls have now experienced how to feel music rather than merely hear it.
sounds good Paddyjohn, I look forward to seeing it myself….greetings to all Halifax listeners, from Mixenden to Causeway Foot and surrounding boroughs
Music helps children learn maths
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/music-helps-children-learn-maths-3058907.html
always loved music and hated maths
Am wondering how well you read music. Are most of the traditional tunes are learned by ear?
I cannot read music….I have never seen written music at a Trad music session….I do know a good number of trad players who read and write music and probably do so in the privacy of their work rooms…I suspect that most trad music is learned by ear and by repitition…..thankfully there have always been those who have carefully written the music for posterity…all those collectors and folklorists who recognised the importance and fragilty of folk music and realised that it should be saved..here in Ireland I think of Seamus Ennis, Tom Munnelly, Frank Harte, Ciarán MacMathúna, Paddy O’Brien, Cathal McConnell to name but a few..I think of The Irish Traditional Music Archive, The RTE Archive…..in earlier times the work of PW Joyce and Colm Ó Lochlainn safeguarded the survival of hundreds of songs…for every name mentioned there are numerous others equally noteworthy
I have been looking for a copy of the Rose in digital format. One of my favorite songs, if you can please help.
I suspect such a thing exists…is a cd not in digital format
Christy. Have you ever gigged with Travellers? There are a few writing songs form a Traveller perspective. They preform below the folk radar most times. I know some listen to your work.
indeed and I have horse,…..I played with Felix Doran,Davy Johnson,Maggie Barry, The Keenan Family, Pecker Dunne,Jimmy McBeath over the years…in sessions, not gigs…I am curious about the concept of folk radar….I have heard of folk police, folk facists and folk nazis but folk radar is a new one..I kinda like the concept
Hi Christy, it was great seeing you in Enniscorthy on Wednesday night, particularly giving us all the bonus of “Fairytale of New York” at the end. I am glad that I called out “New York” from the second row! Meeting you at breakfast the next morning was an added thrill. I will never forget Christmas Eve of 2003 and the song that has become my anthem, one day at a time! I know that you are no fan of airplanes, but they do have pretty nice ships that could take you to America—I could see some Boston and New York (and maybe Chicago) shows in your future… There is an entire generation of American-Irish who would absolutely fall in love with you! All the best, until next time. Kevin
greetings to you and your brother…sorry we did not get longer time to share…hope ye hit some long balls up in Kildare….