Hello Christy and All,
I’m wondering if there’s anyone here who knows about making drones. I’ve a few songs that are crying out for a drone, but I’ve got this awful habit af putting them in a key thats awkward for the pipes. If I’m in D they’re fine, but often I like the feel of another key better. I guess I’m after a magic box that will make a drone on any note I choose. I have a stylophone but I was hoping for something that I can just set off and then go and do my thing as it gets on with making the drone all by itself.
Hi Christy,
We were at your show at NCH in Dublin on April 1st. Wow!! We really enjoyed it and so appreciated you playing Ron Hynes’ Sonny’s Dream. What a way to end the show. It really made our trip.
You have a beautiful country…thanks for making us feel so welcome!
Cheryl
Hi Christy.. Facebook does throw up the old memories now and again and this morning I was reminded that on this day in 2014 you played at Barrowlands.. it was my first and only time in that room.. to hear the sound of the Barrows humming.. I’ve uploaded a couple of short clips to YouTube (of Back Home in Derry and Scapegoats) – I think I can only post one link at a time so here is the first, and I’ll upload the second in a second.. https://youtu.be/qtbHU5OzbYQ
Kevin
Christy's reply
for me personally, there is no venue like Mag McIvor’s….
Christy, what a great show at the weekend. Loving the energy you have and your singing is getting better, the new Lyra song is special. Hope to see you again later in the year.
Christy's reply
Gotta say…Thank You…I love singing in that Opera House..tis a pure model of a venue….re the “energy”…..its that magical elixir of listeners,venue, crew, songs and goodwill that keeps me going….see you later
Christy tonight on C4 news was a most eloquent interview with Lyra McKee’s partner.
Of course it brought me in mind how you have sometimes dedicated Burning Times to her memory and legacy, and to Matt McGinn’s incredible song written within hours of learning of her murder.
Long may song bring us solace.
Rory
Ps i think this is the link https://youtu.be/A0v4QIfMwPU
Christy's reply
Good man Rory…
That man from The Mountain is a fine chanter
Hey Christy, hope all’s good with you. I was at the Irish Arts Center here in NYC to see a screening of the story of Lyra McKee, hard to believe what’s still happening up there. When I visited Belfast last year I was shocked to see all the walls still in existence. Next Wednesday I’ll get to be with you all in Derry, I’m so looking forward to hearing some songs and I was wondering if you have Rosalita and Jack in the repertoire these days ? See you next week (I love being able to say that)
Christy's reply
I’ll try and have Jack & Rosalita polished up by next wed…..Joe Biden staying here tonight…
While enjoying your corona home recordings our attention was drawn to a small statue in your home. It is a dark statue of a sitting figure playing guitar.
My wife and I are big fans of you but 14 years ago she got a stroke and now we’re unable to attend concerts. We love to play your records and videos and my wife, despite being partly paralysed, likes to sculpt. She would like to create something similar to the statue mentioned above. Would it be possible to get a couple of images of this statue for her to use?
Thanks for your attention, and please keep making music!
Christy's reply
Greetings to you Both….I will try and provide your wife with some pictures….the sculpture is by the late Henry Flanagan…he was an influential artist..also a teacher of Music , English and a choir master….in his spare time he was a Dominican Priest..I was fortunate to have met Henry when I was a schoolboy…we remained friends until his death
Hello Christy,
Here’s something beautiful that I listened to on the way back from Worksop yesterday. I love the whole thing but can’t halp smiling as the ferrari gets a bit of throttle towards the end.
It was great playing and singing with my brother yesterday. He’s a good saxophonist, very musical. It’s a soprano sax, looks like a load of plumbing but blends well with my voice. It was surprising how well the folk songs and jazz stuff worked together. I was expecting lots of butting up against each other, but it didn’t happen. He has a light touch.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
sounds like an early Moving Hearts rehearsal back in 1980….we were all “butting up against each other” until the eventual shape finally emerged
The ending awfully sad. But the whole programme just lovely. So well done. To remember the ‘master craftsman’ and the great music. And how he took that ‘baton’ from another great, Seamus Ennis, and passed it onwards.
Christy's reply
We watched Liam Óg’s film again last night…..O the Music of the man…the eloquence and dignity, the poise and the purpose…..to have had such a friend was one of life’s priviledges….so beautifully remembered by his Wife and companeros
Hi C. Thanks for a great gig in the National Opera House, so many emotional songs celebrating and remembering women, Lyra, Anne Lovett, Joanne Hayes, the Woman at the Well, not to forget the German’s daughter !! I see Channel Four are showing the docu on Lyra on Sat 15th April at 21.25. It would be great if RTE or TG4 showed it also. A coincidence that you play Derry the week of her fourth anniversary ? Here is a short shocking clip https://youtu.be/VdhF6_UaEzY Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
We recorded James Cramer’s song “Lyra McKee” when I sang it at The National Concert Hall…
There’s loads of recordings of L’homme arme. Here’s a one without voice that I like. https://youtu.be/v_lMZD-Q1wA
Christy's reply
I’m nearly bet from Easter Egg..I’ll hardly make weight for Tomorrows Irish Grand National..I was due to ride a rank outsider….but I’ll be in Fairyhouse either way..currently in the sauna
Hello Christy,
I read what you said about starting to record the repertoire that’s singable, for the ITMA. Please, I’d love to hear more about it, if you are able.
It made me laugh when you said, “papers and ephemera that may be od interest”. To me it’s All of interest.
When I was in Manchester my thesis was about a sixteenth century mass written by a guy called Forestier. He was a spy as well as a musician. He based his mass on a popular tune of the day called L’Homme Arme. The armed man.
Wishing you all love and mercy (as Brian Wilson) coined…
Music everywhere, guitar strings & heartstrings, instruments of feelings
A smile in your eyes & sadness flies
In my neck of the woods the football reigns o’er all
I still have most of the Easter egg left -a rocky road confection – yum!
Bestest regards
Danny “Hazzo” Harris
From here…
Hi Christy, would like to share with you and your guest book the lyrics of the song 25 Years Growing. You might remember it, I wrote it 25 years after the civil rights movement in the North and now 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement, seems appropriate. 25 Years Growing.
25 Years Growing
25 years on
Many wheels are turning
Many trains have gone.
25 years reaching out
Reaching to the sky
Many autumns come and gone
Many leaves have died.
Many mothers grieving still
Thoughts as black as coal
Many children dreaming still
Thoughts as pure as snow.
25 years calling out
Sighing to the wind
Many tides have come and gone
Many boats come in.
Many mothers grieving still
Thoughts as black as coal
Many children dreaming still
Thoughts as pure as snow.
25 Years Growing
25 years on
Many wheels are turning
Many trains have gone.
Hello Christy and All,
I’m wondering if there’s anyone here who knows about making drones. I’ve a few songs that are crying out for a drone, but I’ve got this awful habit af putting them in a key thats awkward for the pipes. If I’m in D they’re fine, but often I like the feel of another key better. I guess I’m after a magic box that will make a drone on any note I choose. I have a stylophone but I was hoping for something that I can just set off and then go and do my thing as it gets on with making the drone all by itself.
Rebecca
nothing to offer here..happy drone hunting
Hi Christy,
We were at your show at NCH in Dublin on April 1st. Wow!! We really enjoyed it and so appreciated you playing Ron Hynes’ Sonny’s Dream. What a way to end the show. It really made our trip.
You have a beautiful country…thanks for making us feel so welcome!
Cheryl
thanks for you feedback…keep coming back
Here is the second (Scapegoats): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPIttlyuTO4
Hi Christy.. Facebook does throw up the old memories now and again and this morning I was reminded that on this day in 2014 you played at Barrowlands.. it was my first and only time in that room.. to hear the sound of the Barrows humming.. I’ve uploaded a couple of short clips to YouTube (of Back Home in Derry and Scapegoats) – I think I can only post one link at a time so here is the first, and I’ll upload the second in a second.. https://youtu.be/qtbHU5OzbYQ
Kevin
for me personally, there is no venue like Mag McIvor’s….
Hello Christy,
Here is something I wandered across this morning. I’m struggling to find words….
https://youtu.be/INpaE_fYhjM
Rebecca
great style
Christy, what a great show at the weekend. Loving the energy you have and your singing is getting better, the new Lyra song is special. Hope to see you again later in the year.
Gotta say…Thank You…I love singing in that Opera House..tis a pure model of a venue….re the “energy”…..its that magical elixir of listeners,venue, crew, songs and goodwill that keeps me going….see you later
Christy tonight on C4 news was a most eloquent interview with Lyra McKee’s partner.
Of course it brought me in mind how you have sometimes dedicated Burning Times to her memory and legacy, and to Matt McGinn’s incredible song written within hours of learning of her murder.
Long may song bring us solace.
Rory
Ps i think this is the link
https://youtu.be/A0v4QIfMwPU
Good man Rory…
That man from The Mountain is a fine chanter
Hey Christy, hope all’s good with you. I was at the Irish Arts Center here in NYC to see a screening of the story of Lyra McKee, hard to believe what’s still happening up there. When I visited Belfast last year I was shocked to see all the walls still in existence. Next Wednesday I’ll get to be with you all in Derry, I’m so looking forward to hearing some songs and I was wondering if you have Rosalita and Jack in the repertoire these days ? See you next week (I love being able to say that)
I’ll try and have Jack & Rosalita polished up by next wed…..Joe Biden staying here tonight…
While enjoying your corona home recordings our attention was drawn to a small statue in your home. It is a dark statue of a sitting figure playing guitar.
My wife and I are big fans of you but 14 years ago she got a stroke and now we’re unable to attend concerts. We love to play your records and videos and my wife, despite being partly paralysed, likes to sculpt. She would like to create something similar to the statue mentioned above. Would it be possible to get a couple of images of this statue for her to use?
Thanks for your attention, and please keep making music!
Greetings to you Both….I will try and provide your wife with some pictures….the sculpture is by the late Henry Flanagan…he was an influential artist..also a teacher of Music , English and a choir master….in his spare time he was a Dominican Priest..I was fortunate to have met Henry when I was a schoolboy…we remained friends until his death
Oh dear, here is the link, I hope, that should have been there
https://youtu.be/Jtc4nCO7cn4
Hello Christy,
Here’s something beautiful that I listened to on the way back from Worksop yesterday. I love the whole thing but can’t halp smiling as the ferrari gets a bit of throttle towards the end.
It was great playing and singing with my brother yesterday. He’s a good saxophonist, very musical. It’s a soprano sax, looks like a load of plumbing but blends well with my voice. It was surprising how well the folk songs and jazz stuff worked together. I was expecting lots of butting up against each other, but it didn’t happen. He has a light touch.
Rebecca
sounds like an early Moving Hearts rehearsal back in 1980….we were all “butting up against each other” until the eventual shape finally emerged
The ending awfully sad. But the whole programme just lovely. So well done. To remember the ‘master craftsman’ and the great music. And how he took that ‘baton’ from another great, Seamus Ennis, and passed it onwards.
We watched Liam Óg’s film again last night…..O the Music of the man…the eloquence and dignity, the poise and the purpose…..to have had such a friend was one of life’s priviledges….so beautifully remembered by his Wife and companeros
Documentary on. Nearly over.
Magnificent.
Hi All. TG4 will broadcast a docu on Liam Og O Flynn tonight at 9.30, it should be available globally. Apologies for the typos in my previous post. H
no prolmeb
Hi C. Thanks for a great gig in the National Opera House, so many emotional songs celebrating and remembering women, Lyra, Anne Lovett, Joanne Hayes, the Woman at the Well, not to forget the German’s daughter !! I see Channel Four are showing the docu on Lyra on Sat 15th April at 21.25. It would be great if RTE or TG4 showed it also. A coincidence that you play Derry the week of her fourth anniversary ? Here is a short shocking clip https://youtu.be/VdhF6_UaEzY Beir bua agus beannacht. H
We recorded James Cramer’s song “Lyra McKee” when I sang it at The National Concert Hall…
Excellent concert on 7th of April in Wexford!
One of my dreams came true 🙂
Thanks McKeever
There’s loads of recordings of L’homme arme. Here’s a one without voice that I like.
https://youtu.be/v_lMZD-Q1wA
I’m nearly bet from Easter Egg..I’ll hardly make weight for Tomorrows Irish Grand National..I was due to ride a rank outsider….but I’ll be in Fairyhouse either way..currently in the sauna
Hello Christy,
I read what you said about starting to record the repertoire that’s singable, for the ITMA. Please, I’d love to hear more about it, if you are able.
It made me laugh when you said, “papers and ephemera that may be od interest”. To me it’s All of interest.
When I was in Manchester my thesis was about a sixteenth century mass written by a guy called Forestier. He was a spy as well as a musician. He based his mass on a popular tune of the day called L’Homme Arme. The armed man.
Rebecca
all will be revealed in due course
Happy Easter to all.
Wishing you all love and mercy (as Brian Wilson) coined…
Music everywhere, guitar strings & heartstrings, instruments of feelings
A smile in your eyes & sadness flies
In my neck of the woods the football reigns o’er all
I still have most of the Easter egg left -a rocky road confection – yum!
Bestest regards
Danny “Hazzo” Harris
From here…
whallup Hazzo…Gitser
Hi Christy, would like to share with you and your guest book the lyrics of the song 25 Years Growing. You might remember it, I wrote it 25 years after the civil rights movement in the North and now 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement, seems appropriate. 25 Years Growing.
25 Years Growing
25 years on
Many wheels are turning
Many trains have gone.
25 years reaching out
Reaching to the sky
Many autumns come and gone
Many leaves have died.
Many mothers grieving still
Thoughts as black as coal
Many children dreaming still
Thoughts as pure as snow.
25 years calling out
Sighing to the wind
Many tides have come and gone
Many boats come in.
Many mothers grieving still
Thoughts as black as coal
Many children dreaming still
Thoughts as pure as snow.
25 Years Growing
25 years on
Many wheels are turning
Many trains have gone.
Thanks John….the gates are slowly opening up