I will be coming through for the Monday night gig. Very excited for the show, always enjoy them!
I’ve been told to go up Falls Road in the morning and check out the James Connolly centre.
Cheers, Charlie
Hi Christy
Really looking forward to tomorrow nights gig.
I don’t suppose ‘Turkey’s Daughter’ is on your set list.
It’s so powerful.
Loved the duet you did with Sinaid.
I’ve spelt that wrong haven’t I.
See you tomorrow
Christy's reply
I’ve not gigged “Lord Baker” since Planxty in 1982…I still sing it occasionally at song sessions …have you ever heard the Planxty version ? or the original from John Reilly on his Topic Album “The Bonny Green Tree”
Looking forward to seeing you for the 1st time in a few weeks when you plat at The Waterfront Hall. Hoping so much that you play “Black is the colour”.
Hello Christy and All,
Ah yes, the tingly feeling. The human voice is a wonderful thing. The pipes can do the same in the hands of a master can’t they. Whisk you straight off to the top of a mountain, full of air and rolling green vistas.
Thank you to Ed for the tip about the harp that’s up for auction. I spent some time this morning looking at the pictures and working out how it works.
It’s great to look at old instruments because you usually find something unusual, especially with harps as there has never been much of a standard size, shape or anything else with them.
So it’s a little gold harp, 2 foot tall and painted with flowers, made in the 1900s.
There are 22 wire strings attached to the tuning pins in a really unusual way, alternate string attached to opposite sides of the neck, so 11 pins per side. One pin is missing on the front.
The condition looks reasonable but it will need lots of work if someone wants to play it.
I’m kind of tempted. Harps are like that. It would be a lot of work to take on, and I’m not sure how easy the strings crossing over each other would be to play.
Getting that wonderful tingly feeling that appears when I realise that the next gig on the gig page is one I’m going to, all being well. It’s been far far too long since my last gig – going to be like a new experience again, but satisfaction guaranteed. Been a crazy few years but great to read the positive reports from all the gigs. Safe travels to you and all the crew.
Christy's reply
Hey John,
Good to hear you are coming back around….been a while since….
I know that “tingly” sensation…..after 56 years of gigs I still gets it myself….its the thought of that precious space created when a song brings us all close together momentarily ….the word “duende” describes it best for me….its undefinable and not everyone has experienced what I’m trying to illustrate ( its the witching hour here and I cant sleep.. I’m taking a wee ramble thru reflection)
as a listener,my earliest memory goes back to hearing my Mother sing….in the old Dominican Church in Newbridge,long since demolished, she sang Solo at Sunday Mass…her voice filled the crowded space and I was mesmerised by the power of Her ” Ave Maria”…..Billy Quinn sang in that same choir..a Master baker (and Sgt) in Óglaigh na hÉireann he was stationed in the Curragh Camp…I still shiver at the memory of Billy’s “Panis Angelicus”
In my early teens I was transfixed by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem..that night in 1962 in the Olympia Theatre the four of them stood around one microphone and I experienced that “tingly” feeling in a new dimension….”Brennan on the Moor”….
as a singer I experienced it singing “Kevin Barry” when I was a Boy Soprano…
I’m starting to drift back into the arms of Morpheus here John ..I’ll zzzzzzz continue come the zzzzzz
Hello Christy and all the other fantastic folks here.
I was going to be venturing over with my dad to the Belfast gig but the auld man can’t hack it. Short but sweet overnight stay, where can I get a good pint before hand? And in the morning what should I go and see?
Cheers, Charlie.
Fonsie ran a gig for me in The Coalmine Bar ,Castlecomer back in 1976….Tom Kinsella from Coon was my agent at the time….
it was a great night…there was a run on the large Bottles and twas dawn when we left the warmth of Coogan’s Bar…
twas way back before Fonsie took up the gavel
While speaking of harps, I came across an auction website this afternoon, one of the lots is a harp. A real live harp. The reserve is several hundred Euros.
R, are you interested?
Hi Christy,
4711ers i have 2 tickets to belfast mon 3 oct.
Me and son charlie…until i got called as a witness that day !
So charlie is going it alone ( ‘hey ronnie reagan’ please christy) and so there is 1 FREE brief going for the gig, to join my fantastic son, if anyone wants it.
Email me on rory@bannermanburke.co.uk
Wish i could go, sickened but have to do the duty.
Rory
Christy's reply
if Charlie has no joy with his spare, let us know and we’ll sort it out
Hello Christy,
The harp in Trinity College, and the other harps from the same tradition were strung with metal wires, brass, silver, sometimes even gold. Two strings in the middle of the harp were tuned to the same note. Both were g below middle c, the bottom note on a fiddle.
This means when you played the harp, where your hands meet in the middle were these two sister strings tuned to the same note.
There are no recordings by people trying to work out why, but you know what happens when two the same sound together. They ring and feed off each other. I’m intrigued by this. I’d love to hear it. Imagine a wire strung harp with its own drone.
You like to sing many of your songs in g, I think?
Rebecca
On holiday with my mother again and saw you in Westport, the highlight of our trip. Last time we saw you in Sligo (2018), both excellent shows, a true pleasure..
In Westport we were lucky enough to meet Hilary and since have secured tickets to your show on the 22nd in Bundoran!
Don’t suppose you could play “Natives” for an American on his birthday?
Christy's reply
Hey Joe….I’ve not gigged “Natives” for years..maybe its time to get it back out again..good call
Hello Christy,
Here’s something very beautiful that I wandered across this morning. https://youtu.be/qnmtqdE4XDM
Hope it fills your heart.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
always joyful, tinged with sadness, to reflect upon Séamus Ennis…….
“He gazed at the embers in reflection
to call up lost verses again
He smiled in roguish recollection
as His fingers gripped the glass to stem the pain”
Hi Christy….just back from your gig in Westport. This was a gift for my husband’s 50th and we were well impressed. A great performance.
Christy's reply
“In Glenravel’s Glen there lives a man
whom some would call a God
he’d cure your shakes and a bottle of Poitín
would cost you thirty bob” …..( from McIlhatton by Bobby Sands)
Just downed an aperil spritz & caught up with with news Christy…
Best of all to all …I’m missing the dulcet tones of the beaded headed man with the quick wit & good heart
Ship entertainment not quite earnest Irish – think elevator music in the bath & you’re nearly there
(They try their best so good on ya mates.)
Pick & strum & sing & talk & curse & praise Christy – that’s how I see you.
Another drink calls me so I’m off to toast anything that needs toasting
Happy everything to youse
In spirit, Danny Harris
Christy's reply
there be stormy waters around Katchikan,
sailed past there once, on a lump of a paving stone mounted
Hi Christy, great concert on Thursday, twice this year, Cork and Westport, loved both. Amazed by your control of rhe audience and the songs just fit together to the place. Farmer Michael Hayes just brilliant. Also a great vibe up the town after the gig. Hopefully you can make it back ro Scotland soon. 8 need my Barrowlands fix. Thanks again for a wonderful night.
Christy's reply
“out of Blair’s, up the stairs,
to Hell or the heaven we’ll go”
always good to hear from you..
thanks for your support and feedback..
“Hear Mags McIvor
and the sound of The Gay Birds calling”
Hi Christy,
we saw you in Westport on Thursday and it was such an extraordinary concert, we’re more than glad we were there!
We saw you several times in Germany before, now it was the first time in Ireland. It was a very special and intense atmosphere, we just loved it.
In January we folllowed your online concert. Just to let you know we were deeply impressed by your song to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
Hope to see you again soon, thanks a million
Thomas and Katinka
Christy's reply
I always enjoyed my German gigs..many outstanding memories from 8 German Tours between 1972 and 2006…thank you for your support and feedback…next time you come I will try and sing “December 1942” for you…its a difficult song in Concert setting
Hi Christy I have ticket for your gig in Belfast. I have been to most of your gigs in Belfast. All your gigs in Newcastle Co. Down and even a few in Dublin. My first gig was in Newry 1995. I was with my Mum and Dad. Dad and I went to all the other gigs together. Daddy passed away on 4th January 2022 (yes also the Great Phil Lynotts anniversary)This will be my first Christy gig without Daddy. I very nearly was not going to get a ticket but I know Daddy would want me to go. It will be very emotional. Is there any chance I could maybe meet you before or after the gig or maybe you cpuld sing a song for Daddy.? I would really appreciate a reply from you either way. Thank you so much
Claire O’Kane
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing Claire…..I agree with you…gigs can be very emotional affairs…I never attended a gig with my own Father, he died when I was 11…but 66 years later I still feel his presence when I sing certain songs….my Brother Luka Bloom sings a song “The Man is Alive (in me)”
These times I am unable to meet listeners before or after… once there was a time, but years pass and times change…
if you wish to share your Dad’s name, what night you’ll be there (and a favoured song)…..I’ll do my best
Hello Christy and All,
Well, its been a bit of a week. We found out on Monday that my Mum has pancreatic cancer and I’ve had no idea what to do with this till this morning when I could get to see her. I’ve been so worried about it. Out of my Mum, my Dad, Steve and me, Steve is the only one of us with any sense.
They’re both doing ok . It was so lovely to see them both. My Mum isn’t eating but the rest of us had coffee and cake. We had a good talk.
I’m so glad I feel able to talk about this now. I’ve been carrying it round like a burning rock.
Rebecca
Hello Christy,
I will be coming through for the Monday night gig. Very excited for the show, always enjoy them!
I’ve been told to go up Falls Road in the morning and check out the James Connolly centre.
Cheers, Charlie
Hi Christy
Really looking forward to tomorrow nights gig.
I don’t suppose ‘Turkey’s Daughter’ is on your set list.
It’s so powerful.
Loved the duet you did with Sinaid.
I’ve spelt that wrong haven’t I.
See you tomorrow
I’ve not gigged “Lord Baker” since Planxty in 1982…I still sing it occasionally at song sessions …have you ever heard the Planxty version ? or the original from John Reilly on his Topic Album “The Bonny Green Tree”
Looking forward to seeing you for the 1st time in a few weeks when you plat at The Waterfront Hall. Hoping so much that you play “Black is the colour”.
From Charlie’s location it looks like they’ve declared a Republic in Dennistoun. Good idea!
Hello Christy and All,
Ah yes, the tingly feeling. The human voice is a wonderful thing. The pipes can do the same in the hands of a master can’t they. Whisk you straight off to the top of a mountain, full of air and rolling green vistas.
Thank you to Ed for the tip about the harp that’s up for auction. I spent some time this morning looking at the pictures and working out how it works.
It’s great to look at old instruments because you usually find something unusual, especially with harps as there has never been much of a standard size, shape or anything else with them.
So it’s a little gold harp, 2 foot tall and painted with flowers, made in the 1900s.
There are 22 wire strings attached to the tuning pins in a really unusual way, alternate string attached to opposite sides of the neck, so 11 pins per side. One pin is missing on the front.
The condition looks reasonable but it will need lots of work if someone wants to play it.
I’m kind of tempted. Harps are like that. It would be a lot of work to take on, and I’m not sure how easy the strings crossing over each other would be to play.
Here’s the pics if you’ve managed to read this far.
https://www.fonsiemealy.ie/catalogue/lot/79fd6f1e76ea0db14d1cecee721ab84d/bd96274c72c9a29dd716683412367761/chatsworth-autumn-antique-sale-lot-846/
Talking of instruments, Christy, how’s that lovely Gibson of yours doing?
Rebecca
Getting that wonderful tingly feeling that appears when I realise that the next gig on the gig page is one I’m going to, all being well. It’s been far far too long since my last gig – going to be like a new experience again, but satisfaction guaranteed. Been a crazy few years but great to read the positive reports from all the gigs. Safe travels to you and all the crew.
Hey John,
Good to hear you are coming back around….been a while since….
I know that “tingly” sensation…..after 56 years of gigs I still gets it myself….its the thought of that precious space created when a song brings us all close together momentarily ….the word “duende” describes it best for me….its undefinable and not everyone has experienced what I’m trying to illustrate ( its the witching hour here and I cant sleep.. I’m taking a wee ramble thru reflection)
as a listener,my earliest memory goes back to hearing my Mother sing….in the old Dominican Church in Newbridge,long since demolished, she sang Solo at Sunday Mass…her voice filled the crowded space and I was mesmerised by the power of Her ” Ave Maria”…..Billy Quinn sang in that same choir..a Master baker (and Sgt) in Óglaigh na hÉireann he was stationed in the Curragh Camp…I still shiver at the memory of Billy’s “Panis Angelicus”
In my early teens I was transfixed by The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem..that night in 1962 in the Olympia Theatre the four of them stood around one microphone and I experienced that “tingly” feeling in a new dimension….”Brennan on the Moor”….
as a singer I experienced it singing “Kevin Barry” when I was a Boy Soprano…
I’m starting to drift back into the arms of Morpheus here John ..I’ll zzzzzzz continue come the zzzzzz
Hello Christy and all the other fantastic folks here.
I was going to be venturing over with my dad to the Belfast gig but the auld man can’t hack it. Short but sweet overnight stay, where can I get a good pint before hand? And in the morning what should I go and see?
Cheers, Charlie.
which night you comin over Charlie ?
R.
Google: Fonsie Mealy.
Fonsie ran a gig for me in The Coalmine Bar ,Castlecomer back in 1976….Tom Kinsella from Coon was my agent at the time….
it was a great night…there was a run on the large Bottles and twas dawn when we left the warmth of Coogan’s Bar…
twas way back before Fonsie took up the gavel
Yes please Ed, I’d love to have a look. You never know…
While speaking of harps, I came across an auction website this afternoon, one of the lots is a harp. A real live harp. The reserve is several hundred Euros.
R, are you interested?
going going gone
Hi Christy,
4711ers i have 2 tickets to belfast mon 3 oct.
Me and son charlie…until i got called as a witness that day !
So charlie is going it alone ( ‘hey ronnie reagan’ please christy) and so there is 1 FREE brief going for the gig, to join my fantastic son, if anyone wants it.
Email me on rory@bannermanburke.co.uk
Wish i could go, sickened but have to do the duty.
Rory
if Charlie has no joy with his spare, let us know and we’ll sort it out
Hello Christy,
The harp in Trinity College, and the other harps from the same tradition were strung with metal wires, brass, silver, sometimes even gold. Two strings in the middle of the harp were tuned to the same note. Both were g below middle c, the bottom note on a fiddle.
This means when you played the harp, where your hands meet in the middle were these two sister strings tuned to the same note.
There are no recordings by people trying to work out why, but you know what happens when two the same sound together. They ring and feed off each other. I’m intrigued by this. I’d love to hear it. Imagine a wire strung harp with its own drone.
You like to sing many of your songs in g, I think?
Rebecca
I does often linger around the G
Christy,
On holiday with my mother again and saw you in Westport, the highlight of our trip. Last time we saw you in Sligo (2018), both excellent shows, a true pleasure..
In Westport we were lucky enough to meet Hilary and since have secured tickets to your show on the 22nd in Bundoran!
Don’t suppose you could play “Natives” for an American on his birthday?
Hey Joe….I’ve not gigged “Natives” for years..maybe its time to get it back out again..good call
Hello Christy,
Here’s something very beautiful that I wandered across this morning.
https://youtu.be/qnmtqdE4XDM
Hope it fills your heart.
Rebecca
always joyful, tinged with sadness, to reflect upon Séamus Ennis…….
“He gazed at the embers in reflection
to call up lost verses again
He smiled in roguish recollection
as His fingers gripped the glass to stem the pain”
Hi Christy….just back from your gig in Westport. This was a gift for my husband’s 50th and we were well impressed. A great performance.
“In Glenravel’s Glen there lives a man
whom some would call a God
he’d cure your shakes and a bottle of Poitín
would cost you thirty bob” …..( from McIlhatton by Bobby Sands)
Just downed an aperil spritz & caught up with with news Christy…
Best of all to all …I’m missing the dulcet tones of the beaded headed man with the quick wit & good heart
Ship entertainment not quite earnest Irish – think elevator music in the bath & you’re nearly there
(They try their best so good on ya mates.)
Pick & strum & sing & talk & curse & praise Christy – that’s how I see you.
Another drink calls me so I’m off to toast anything that needs toasting
Happy everything to youse
In spirit, Danny Harris
there be stormy waters around Katchikan,
sailed past there once, on a lump of a paving stone mounted
Hi Christy, great concert on Thursday, twice this year, Cork and Westport, loved both. Amazed by your control of rhe audience and the songs just fit together to the place. Farmer Michael Hayes just brilliant. Also a great vibe up the town after the gig. Hopefully you can make it back ro Scotland soon. 8 need my Barrowlands fix. Thanks again for a wonderful night.
“out of Blair’s, up the stairs,
to Hell or the heaven we’ll go”
always good to hear from you..
thanks for your support and feedback..
“Hear Mags McIvor
and the sound of The Gay Birds calling”
Hi Christy,
we saw you in Westport on Thursday and it was such an extraordinary concert, we’re more than glad we were there!
We saw you several times in Germany before, now it was the first time in Ireland. It was a very special and intense atmosphere, we just loved it.
In January we folllowed your online concert. Just to let you know we were deeply impressed by your song to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
Hope to see you again soon, thanks a million
Thomas and Katinka
I always enjoyed my German gigs..many outstanding memories from 8 German Tours between 1972 and 2006…thank you for your support and feedback…next time you come I will try and sing “December 1942” for you…its a difficult song in Concert setting
Hi Christy I have ticket for your gig in Belfast. I have been to most of your gigs in Belfast. All your gigs in Newcastle Co. Down and even a few in Dublin. My first gig was in Newry 1995. I was with my Mum and Dad. Dad and I went to all the other gigs together. Daddy passed away on 4th January 2022 (yes also the Great Phil Lynotts anniversary)This will be my first Christy gig without Daddy. I very nearly was not going to get a ticket but I know Daddy would want me to go. It will be very emotional. Is there any chance I could maybe meet you before or after the gig or maybe you cpuld sing a song for Daddy.? I would really appreciate a reply from you either way. Thank you so much
Claire O’Kane
Thanks for sharing Claire…..I agree with you…gigs can be very emotional affairs…I never attended a gig with my own Father, he died when I was 11…but 66 years later I still feel his presence when I sing certain songs….my Brother Luka Bloom sings a song “The Man is Alive (in me)”
These times I am unable to meet listeners before or after… once there was a time, but years pass and times change…
if you wish to share your Dad’s name, what night you’ll be there (and a favoured song)…..I’ll do my best
Hello Christy and All,
Well, its been a bit of a week. We found out on Monday that my Mum has pancreatic cancer and I’ve had no idea what to do with this till this morning when I could get to see her. I’ve been so worried about it. Out of my Mum, my Dad, Steve and me, Steve is the only one of us with any sense.
They’re both doing ok . It was so lovely to see them both. My Mum isn’t eating but the rest of us had coffee and cake. We had a good talk.
I’m so glad I feel able to talk about this now. I’ve been carrying it round like a burning rock.
Rebecca
We wish you well Rebecca….