I have heard you reference a book of ballads in the past and cant for the life of me remember on what I heard you mention these books or remember the title of the books! Can you recall the books in question… and if you knew where a man might pick up a copy. Looking forward to your gig online in May. Hopefully see you in the flesh again soon.
Dear Christy,
I appreciate that it may be many moons since you last played ‘joe mccann’ but at the start of the trial today, as resolution is sought, your fine rendition may be being played around the world today.
I ended up whistling the tune around Lidl tonight, shopping list of yogurt, muesli, mozzarella, hummus and justice.
Cheers
Rory
Thanks Christy. Was it verse 2 you missed out? Sorry, so many questions. I hope you get chance to sing with your own grandchildren soon.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I missed;
“But the bravest fell and the sullen bell rang mournfully and clear,
for those who died that Eastertide in the Springtime of the year
And the World did gaze in deep amaze at those fearless men but few
who bore the fight that Freedom’s might shine through The Foggy Dew…
Canon Charles O’Neill must not have been aware of The Women of Cumann na mBan but forgiveness might be forthcoming in these more enlightened times
All this talk of Steeleye Span has me in even more rambling mode than usual… made even better by another youtube discovery,,,
Hopefully, there’s a place in heaven for tech savvy geniuses who improve sound/vision and stick their hard work on youtube for us to find. Today saw me re connected with a favourite/ thought to be long lost gem. Courtesy of TimVickerstaff, youtube contains Steeleye Span on ‘Music Room’ from ATV,1970.It’s gold…perfectly in synch with the era and featuring majestic playing from my favourite Steeleye line up.This was the catalyst for me to buy/start to play the dulcimer – and Tim Hart (RIP- featured here) was a brilliant help… so good to see young Martin Carthy too – and,like yourself, many featured are in fine fettle in their 70s. This was also a time when my late Dad showed an interest in ‘my’ music and we declared a brief amnesty on disputes about hair length etc.
In June, 1971 I saw Tim and Maddy play a duo gig at a city centre folk club – sadly, not the MSG. They kindly tipped us off that the following day Granada TV would be recording Steeleye and Fairport on Ainsdale Beach, nr Southhport. So, as ‘invited’, we hotfooted through the dunes …in time for football with Fairport, sound check/rehearsals by both bands and Steeleye’s recorded set…we missed Fairport’s second as we had to trek for the last train home… thankfully, decent chunks of the gigs are also preserved on youtube – accessed by searches such as FC SS on Ainsdale Beach – Granada TV ‘ Out Front’ etc…worth the searches- and amazing to see Dave Swarbrick (RIP) on electric fiddle with FC as Martin Carthy is playing such clever electric guitar with SS. A few years earlier they were top billing as a trad acoustic duo – as you can testify.
Wonderful times and great to recall. As Paul Simon wrote ‘ preserve the memories…’
Over and out – away for a cuppa…
Dave
Christy's reply
Thank you for sharing this Dave…it really captures the mood of the time….the lad interviewing reminds me of the lad who cried Judas at Free Trade Hall…the Elvis Costello lookalike was well turned out for the filming….when the interviewer was asking those loaded questions abouty “going electric” I was hoping that Ashley ‘utchings might give him a “ringsend uppercut”
The ‘Fanfare’ stories are getting even better! What an era…
I’ve just revisited an excellent site about Steeleye – the history section mentions Planxty and Derek Brimstone at ‘Fanfare’, with a cracking photo of SS meeting Heath. There’s also an ace section on Tim and Maddy as a duo – fondly recalled in these columns – Tim RIP. Great reading at http://www.steeleyespanfan.co.uk
Hi C. Forgive my impertinence was there not a ” false tooth story ” also involved in that Fanfare for Europe gig ?? Only 6 more sleeps, with every good wish for the week ahead and, of course ,the much anticipated gig. Beir bua agus beannacht.. H
Christy's reply
true for you…my plate hopped out the same night…long before I got the bridge..I lost my front teeth in the hand ball alley in 1959…ouch…
Not the same drama, but one of mine is of you and Maddy Prior dancing on the Free Trade Hall stage, after an epic Planxty/ Steeleye night…
I’ve just read that Maddy is one of the guests at a folk ‘dawn dance’ on May Day…you’ll be busy that day, otherwise, your involvement would surely be a best seller !
Gotta love the history and your recall is exceptional – thankfully.
Hello Christy,
Another beauty that’s new to me
The banks of the Lee
The melody is glorious
And the words are nestled in the lyrics section
I was away with it
Steeleye Span has a place in my heart, especially for their early innovations and the electric dulcimer at the root of the sound. One of my least favourite songs is their version of ‘All around my hat’, so what a treat to hear your 1969 version. Subtle and poignant – perfect… and I’ve finally heard what a lovely song it is. Any idea where/when you found it? Might it be due a recall?
As ever – thanks.
Dave
Christy's reply
a long standing and amusing memory…Fanfare for Europe concert at Albert Hall early 70s…Steeleye Span were headliners supported by Planxty..we played a 20 minute set which was well recieved..there were calls for an encore which we were willing and excited to take BUT Steeleye’s manager was having none of it… Joe Lustig was the Col Parker of the English Folk scene…he took hold of Liam’s Pipes and refused to allow us take the encore ….Steeleye went out in due course and played a stormer..Maddy danced and sung her way into their hearts…twas no wonder that England joined the Common Market….after the gig P.M. Ted Heath came to congratulate Steeleye but was mistakenly taken to the Planxty dressing room which by then was smelling like a coffee joint in Marrakesh…personally I feel he would like to have lingered but his minders were having none of it ..when we returned to our Lodgings at The Irish Club in Eaton Square we broke out the instruments and played well into the night…at the Bar were, among others, Lord Longford, Christine Keeler and Gerry Fitt…a night to remember
Well played, Helen – what a find! The recording flew me back to The Golden Lion FC, where I first heard you.in 1971 Your sound is so similar, but I don’t recall any of the 1969 songs. I presume you changed the repertoire over time. Maybe, as you travelled and soaked up the experiences? Several from the 1971 set are on ‘Prosperous’ and it makes sense that your set list was heading that way by then.
It’s fantastic that such recordings have been kept and are available.A fine start to another sunny day…
Enjoy the day.
Dave
Christy's reply
I sing two songs on that tape that I’ve never heard before….
A sticky back silverback? Sounds good to me but won’t taste better.
Liam Og earworms: Newfoundland, on a good day. Limerick’s Lamentation on bad days. Pick’n’mix in between. I’d forgotten, or maybe never realised, what a great tin whistler he was as well.
Only saw him live on two occasions: first, at a performance of Granuaile, in St Ethelreda’s Church in Greenwich; to and from Westminster Pier on The Elizabethan paddle steamer, free Beamish all the way. The highlight piece was preceded by Shaun Davey’s Uillean Pipes Concerto, which seems to have vanished without trace but I think some of the tunes were repurposed on possibly The Relief of Derry symphony. Magical day, never forgotten.
On the second occasion, it was a solo gig at a pub in possibly Finsbury Park. Only about 12 people there, and it was wonderful. No, it was considerably better than that.
That’s not why I popped in! I found this, for anyone who doesn’t realise they need a Christy fix:
Your GPO visit sounds brilliant – greatly looking forward to haring the songs.
I’ve often wandered into the GPO, gazing at the awesome setting and picked up souvenir stamps. An Post does a terrific job of marking events and people. http://www.gpowitnesshistory.ie gives a lot of info about the building’s significance.
You’re being very modest about the upcoming stamp. One of my visits to the GPO was to buy a Planxty first day cover. There can’t be many people who feature on two stamps a few years apart- looks like you got an encore…
Enjoy the lead up to the NCH gig… the nearest we’ll all be to the roar of the grease paint, the smell of the crowd!
Dave
Christy's reply
I sang 3:
The Foggy Dew
Where is our James Connolly
Nancy Spain.
Hi Christy,
I hope you had a good gig in the impressive atmosphere of the GPO. Only a week to go til your live stream concert and I’m really looking forward to it!!!
As many concerts and festivals here had to be cancelled again for this year these live stream events are the only chance for live music we all have currently. I guess it will be strange for you to be more or less alone in the NCH. We all can only imagine to be there. You can’t hear our cheers, applause, comments, shouts.We miss the live atmosphere, singing along, playing the “juke box” with you 😏. But we can’t change it and I’m sure this will be a great evening for all of us nevertheless. Curious which songs you choose, eager to hear your stories and comments, looking forward to new songs. Beware of paper during the next days 😉. Meanwhile I take a look at the falcons. Take good care!
Birgit
“astride a Honda 50, on the deck of the SS Kangaroo, steaming right or left for Gibraltar with Joxer riding pillion after 14 pints of stout…”
Is 5 songs in 25 words a world record?
Dear Christy,
Stamps…now i was listening to the Box Set today ( still am) and right at the end of the Pink disc, between Lawless and Pity the Poor Immigrant is DTs and i came across the line…
‘I dreamt that Paddy Connelly’s profile was on a thruppeny stamp’
So will i now dream of other profiles on the stamp after a night on the lash?
And will they put you on something more expensive than the auld thruppeny bit ?
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
we’re working on it here Rory,
lickin arses at an awful rate
brown envelopes flying around the city like snuff at a wake
my dial has been put forward to emblazon the new 500 Euro note
but Paddy Power has Bono & Flatley as joint favourites
Bertie is a rank outsider
Michael O’Leary and Johnny Ronan linger with other snowballs at 100/1 The Field
Years ago our pushtoffice opened voting to choose which Elvis would appear on his stamp; Young Elvis (’57) or old Elvis (Vegas). Of course the poor man never grew old. ’57 Elvis won in a landslide. I imagine a young person or two will be curious about the man on the stamp, and have a listen. They’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Looking forward to Concert Hall gig.
Just listened to Mick Blake’s ‘Lonely Lanes of Leitrim’. I can definitely hear you singing it. Never knew about Jimmy Gralton. Every day is a school day.
Christy's reply
Thanks for posting Odhran…….Mick Blake continues to produce great songs….he is a Ballad maker in the true tradition….Jim Gralton’s treatment by the colluding forces of Church and State was appalling…. I first heard of Jim thru Declan Bree in Sligo. He has championed the memory of Gralton, helped keep the flame alive….to undo some of Dev’s dirty work
Hi Christy
Hope you are well? Looking forward to your May 1 gig at the Concert Hall!
You might recognise your name once or twice in this collection!
Thanks for the music thanks 🙏
Baron
Hi Christy
I have heard you reference a book of ballads in the past and cant for the life of me remember on what I heard you mention these books or remember the title of the books! Can you recall the books in question… and if you knew where a man might pick up a copy. Looking forward to your gig online in May. Hopefully see you in the flesh again soon.
Many Thanks
David
Dear Christy,
I appreciate that it may be many moons since you last played ‘joe mccann’ but at the start of the trial today, as resolution is sought, your fine rendition may be being played around the world today.
I ended up whistling the tune around Lidl tonight, shopping list of yogurt, muesli, mozzarella, hummus and justice.
Cheers
Rory
Thanks Christy. Was it verse 2 you missed out? Sorry, so many questions. I hope you get chance to sing with your own grandchildren soon.
Rebecca
I missed;
“But the bravest fell and the sullen bell rang mournfully and clear,
for those who died that Eastertide in the Springtime of the year
And the World did gaze in deep amaze at those fearless men but few
who bore the fight that Freedom’s might shine through The Foggy Dew…
Canon Charles O’Neill must not have been aware of The Women of Cumann na mBan but forgiveness might be forthcoming in these more enlightened times
Hi Christy
All this talk of Steeleye Span has me in even more rambling mode than usual… made even better by another youtube discovery,,,
Hopefully, there’s a place in heaven for tech savvy geniuses who improve sound/vision and stick their hard work on youtube for us to find. Today saw me re connected with a favourite/ thought to be long lost gem. Courtesy of TimVickerstaff, youtube contains Steeleye Span on ‘Music Room’ from ATV,1970.It’s gold…perfectly in synch with the era and featuring majestic playing from my favourite Steeleye line up.This was the catalyst for me to buy/start to play the dulcimer – and Tim Hart (RIP- featured here) was a brilliant help… so good to see young Martin Carthy too – and,like yourself, many featured are in fine fettle in their 70s. This was also a time when my late Dad showed an interest in ‘my’ music and we declared a brief amnesty on disputes about hair length etc.
In June, 1971 I saw Tim and Maddy play a duo gig at a city centre folk club – sadly, not the MSG. They kindly tipped us off that the following day Granada TV would be recording Steeleye and Fairport on Ainsdale Beach, nr Southhport. So, as ‘invited’, we hotfooted through the dunes …in time for football with Fairport, sound check/rehearsals by both bands and Steeleye’s recorded set…we missed Fairport’s second as we had to trek for the last train home… thankfully, decent chunks of the gigs are also preserved on youtube – accessed by searches such as FC SS on Ainsdale Beach – Granada TV ‘ Out Front’ etc…worth the searches- and amazing to see Dave Swarbrick (RIP) on electric fiddle with FC as Martin Carthy is playing such clever electric guitar with SS. A few years earlier they were top billing as a trad acoustic duo – as you can testify.
Wonderful times and great to recall. As Paul Simon wrote ‘ preserve the memories…’
Over and out – away for a cuppa…
Dave
Thank you for sharing this Dave…it really captures the mood of the time….the lad interviewing reminds me of the lad who cried Judas at Free Trade Hall…the Elvis Costello lookalike was well turned out for the filming….when the interviewer was asking those loaded questions abouty “going electric” I was hoping that Ashley ‘utchings might give him a “ringsend uppercut”
Hello Christy and All,
It will be great to hear you sing the foggy dew. I can’t find a recording of you singing it.
Rebecca
I dont think I’ve ever gigged “The Foggy Dew”….
I learned it from my Grandfather Jack Power…….
I sang four verses
Mornin’ Christy/ all
The ‘Fanfare’ stories are getting even better! What an era…
I’ve just revisited an excellent site about Steeleye – the history section mentions Planxty and Derek Brimstone at ‘Fanfare’, with a cracking photo of SS meeting Heath. There’s also an ace section on Tim and Maddy as a duo – fondly recalled in these columns – Tim RIP. Great reading at http://www.steeleyespanfan.co.uk
Have a great day.
Dave
Hi C. Forgive my impertinence was there not a ” false tooth story ” also involved in that Fanfare for Europe gig ?? Only 6 more sleeps, with every good wish for the week ahead and, of course ,the much anticipated gig. Beir bua agus beannacht.. H
true for you…my plate hopped out the same night…long before I got the bridge..I lost my front teeth in the hand ball alley in 1959…ouch…
Brilliant memories, Christy
Not the same drama, but one of mine is of you and Maddy Prior dancing on the Free Trade Hall stage, after an epic Planxty/ Steeleye night…
I’ve just read that Maddy is one of the guests at a folk ‘dawn dance’ on May Day…you’ll be busy that day, otherwise, your involvement would surely be a best seller !
Gotta love the history and your recall is exceptional – thankfully.
Dave
Flatley
Hello Christy,
Another beauty that’s new to me
The banks of the Lee
The melody is glorious
And the words are nestled in the lyrics section
I was away with it
Rebecca
Hi Christy
Steeleye Span has a place in my heart, especially for their early innovations and the electric dulcimer at the root of the sound. One of my least favourite songs is their version of ‘All around my hat’, so what a treat to hear your 1969 version. Subtle and poignant – perfect… and I’ve finally heard what a lovely song it is. Any idea where/when you found it? Might it be due a recall?
As ever – thanks.
Dave
a long standing and amusing memory…Fanfare for Europe concert at Albert Hall early 70s…Steeleye Span were headliners supported by Planxty..we played a 20 minute set which was well recieved..there were calls for an encore which we were willing and excited to take BUT Steeleye’s manager was having none of it… Joe Lustig was the Col Parker of the English Folk scene…he took hold of Liam’s Pipes and refused to allow us take the encore ….Steeleye went out in due course and played a stormer..Maddy danced and sung her way into their hearts…twas no wonder that England joined the Common Market….after the gig P.M. Ted Heath came to congratulate Steeleye but was mistakenly taken to the Planxty dressing room which by then was smelling like a coffee joint in Marrakesh…personally I feel he would like to have lingered but his minders were having none of it ..when we returned to our Lodgings at The Irish Club in Eaton Square we broke out the instruments and played well into the night…at the Bar were, among others, Lord Longford, Christine Keeler and Gerry Fitt…a night to remember
Mornin’ Christy/ all
Well played, Helen – what a find! The recording flew me back to The Golden Lion FC, where I first heard you.in 1971 Your sound is so similar, but I don’t recall any of the 1969 songs. I presume you changed the repertoire over time. Maybe, as you travelled and soaked up the experiences? Several from the 1971 set are on ‘Prosperous’ and it makes sense that your set list was heading that way by then.
It’s fantastic that such recordings have been kept and are available.A fine start to another sunny day…
Enjoy the day.
Dave
I sing two songs on that tape that I’ve never heard before….
A sticky back silverback? Sounds good to me but won’t taste better.
Liam Og earworms: Newfoundland, on a good day. Limerick’s Lamentation on bad days. Pick’n’mix in between. I’d forgotten, or maybe never realised, what a great tin whistler he was as well.
Only saw him live on two occasions: first, at a performance of Granuaile, in St Ethelreda’s Church in Greenwich; to and from Westminster Pier on The Elizabethan paddle steamer, free Beamish all the way. The highlight piece was preceded by Shaun Davey’s Uillean Pipes Concerto, which seems to have vanished without trace but I think some of the tunes were repurposed on possibly The Relief of Derry symphony. Magical day, never forgotten.
On the second occasion, it was a solo gig at a pub in possibly Finsbury Park. Only about 12 people there, and it was wonderful. No, it was considerably better than that.
That’s not why I popped in! I found this, for anyone who doesn’t realise they need a Christy fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3EPWlyrehQ
Thanks to Rebeccah for the fun theory bin, I’m still smilin’ – Newfoundland here we come xx
St Andrew’s Folk Club,Fife, Scotland….. The Mucky Byre, 1967
Hi Christy
Your GPO visit sounds brilliant – greatly looking forward to haring the songs.
I’ve often wandered into the GPO, gazing at the awesome setting and picked up souvenir stamps. An Post does a terrific job of marking events and people. http://www.gpowitnesshistory.ie gives a lot of info about the building’s significance.
You’re being very modest about the upcoming stamp. One of my visits to the GPO was to buy a Planxty first day cover. There can’t be many people who feature on two stamps a few years apart- looks like you got an encore…
Enjoy the lead up to the NCH gig… the nearest we’ll all be to the roar of the grease paint, the smell of the crowd!
Dave
I sang 3:
The Foggy Dew
Where is our James Connolly
Nancy Spain.
Hi Christy,
I hope you had a good gig in the impressive atmosphere of the GPO. Only a week to go til your live stream concert and I’m really looking forward to it!!!
As many concerts and festivals here had to be cancelled again for this year these live stream events are the only chance for live music we all have currently. I guess it will be strange for you to be more or less alone in the NCH. We all can only imagine to be there. You can’t hear our cheers, applause, comments, shouts.We miss the live atmosphere, singing along, playing the “juke box” with you 😏. But we can’t change it and I’m sure this will be a great evening for all of us nevertheless. Curious which songs you choose, eager to hear your stories and comments, looking forward to new songs. Beware of paper during the next days 😉. Meanwhile I take a look at the falcons. Take good care!
Birgit
“All roads lead to the NCH”
“anyone for the last few choc ices”
“astride a Honda 50, on the deck of the SS Kangaroo, steaming right or left for Gibraltar with Joxer riding pillion after 14 pints of stout…”
Is 5 songs in 25 words a world record?
Dear Christy,
Stamps…now i was listening to the Box Set today ( still am) and right at the end of the Pink disc, between Lawless and Pity the Poor Immigrant is DTs and i came across the line…
‘I dreamt that Paddy Connelly’s profile was on a thruppeny stamp’
So will i now dream of other profiles on the stamp after a night on the lash?
And will they put you on something more expensive than the auld thruppeny bit ?
Cheers
Rory
we’re working on it here Rory,
lickin arses at an awful rate
brown envelopes flying around the city like snuff at a wake
my dial has been put forward to emblazon the new 500 Euro note
but Paddy Power has Bono & Flatley as joint favourites
Bertie is a rank outsider
Michael O’Leary and Johnny Ronan linger with other snowballs at 100/1 The Field
He got a faceful of multicoloured feathers and a walloping from the lady in waiting, in very tiny writing…
Years ago our pushtoffice opened voting to choose which Elvis would appear on his stamp; Young Elvis (’57) or old Elvis (Vegas). Of course the poor man never grew old. ’57 Elvis won in a landslide. I imagine a young person or two will be curious about the man on the stamp, and have a listen. They’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Looking forward to Concert Hall gig.
Just listened to Mick Blake’s ‘Lonely Lanes of Leitrim’. I can definitely hear you singing it. Never knew about Jimmy Gralton. Every day is a school day.
Thanks for posting Odhran…….Mick Blake continues to produce great songs….he is a Ballad maker in the true tradition….Jim Gralton’s treatment by the colluding forces of Church and State was appalling…. I first heard of Jim thru Declan Bree in Sligo. He has championed the memory of Gralton, helped keep the flame alive….to undo some of Dev’s dirty work
Hi Christy
Hope you are well? Looking forward to your May 1 gig at the Concert Hall!
You might recognise your name once or twice in this collection!
Thanks for the music thanks 🙏
Baron
https://www.thehubcast.co.uk/post/irish-music-for-st-patrick-s-day
Thank you too Baron