Christy, thank you for continuing to share your musical gift. We are traveling from California to celebrate our wedding anniversary with your October gig at the Waterfront. We last saw you in Salt Hill a few years back and have been fans for decades. My wife’s favorite song is Burning Times, mine is Mclhatton. GRMMA,
John & Sally McNally.
Christy's reply
see you then you Californian McNallys….Fáilte Romhat
Christy, I normally give reality TV a very wide berth but have to admit to having a soft spot for ‘First Dates’. (I dont know if youve ever seen it). Anyway having too much time on my hands I’ve started watching the Irish version and the upsetting thing is the number of young gay Irish people who admit to have either attempted or contemplated suicide. It makes you realise that telling someone it’s OK to be gay is one thing but getting some young people to accept they are gay is a completely different thing. On the outside you would think we have made great progress over the years but when you read about ‘new’ laws in Uganda (with the help of American Evangelicals) and the World Cup being staged in a country where the death penalty still exists for being gay you wonder how far we have actually come? ‘And they wore the Rainbow triangle’ P.S Good luck for tonight, looking forward to my ‘Christy Fix’ at the Waterfront in a couple of weeks..
Christy's reply
everything changing in this old world and the rate of change accelerating…we consume, expect and demand,more and more with every passing year….bigger higher faster comes with more destruction of the very sacred nature that nurtures and provides all the essentials..the power that profit engenders will eventually consume us all..and it seems that we are almost powerless and voiceless as daily we are swamped with fake news and oppressive legislators who behave like puppets in thrall to influencers and lobbyists who are always prepared to sell their souls to the highest bidders
I’ve gone off message here John..I’ll get back to you on First Dates
Just checking in. Well pleased to see that you’re still gigging. I fondly remember back in the day when we used to meet up (Josh’s/Glesga/Melbourne). I’ve had to give up the travelling ( fractured spine in Malta) Keep on singing me friend. Shalom-Jim McGeehan
Christy's reply
“O GLORY HALLELUJAH
THE COD LIVER OIL
AND THE ORANGE JUICE”
We have flew from northern England to see you play tonight for the first time.
I would leave to hear Nancy Spain and beeswing. These are two special songs for me and my husband.
Can’t wait to see you tonight!
Christy's reply
just changing the strings here
pressin the keks
ironing the vest
wondering about the set
heading up into the Curlews
climbing out of Roscommon
bound for Sligo
and beyond
half expecting to see the blessed virgin
well known for dropping into Bundoran
Hello Christy,
I think I might have sold my student harp, unless I’ve jinxed it by telling you. Someone is coming to finalise the deal on Saturday.
So that means I can buy a full set of strings for my hearts delight. I’ve been scratting around for strings since I got it. It’s temperamental, hard to handle and ridiculously beautiful. The strings are expensive (it likes pedal strings) and they break on a whim. The other side of it is that it sounds somewhere between a bell and a piano. So, somehow, it’s all worth it. The one I’m selling is gentle and kind with a sweet, mellow sound. The lady who’s coming is bound to fall in love with it.
So, a full set of strings, and a trip to Ireland, I’m thinking!
This is the Day…. red carpet at the ready.
Great to have the gig to look forward to as the evenings fall in ….. the storms roll In from the Atlantic …. and the swallows leave us for sunnier climes.
Duffys Cut has been mentioned on here a few times recently , would be great to hear it , if it should appear in the set.
Good surfing weather….. are you bringing the board ??
Christy's reply
I’ve committed to a session of bog snorkelling today
“from Ballyshannon and The Glenties
they sailed right into Hell
they suffered like the weeping Christ
down Duffy’s Cut they sweat their blood
into his wishing well”…………( Wally Page)
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night in Bundoran, my daughter Sophia’s first ever concert and sure I offered her to see Taylor Swift or Harry Styles and she said Daddy I’d rather see Christy with you and her big cousin’s. Her song is the “Bright blue rose” not a bad choice for being 9. Tomorrow will be a memory made and stay with me and her for ever, so thanks for that Christy – much love for Derry – John
Christy's reply
Good girl Sophia,
thats the kinda talk we like to hear
see you later
Dear Christy, we are going to ireland to our 25th wedding day- and a dream get realized- we get tickets to your concert in Tullow…so happy about this…see you after so manny years ago in Hamburg! Yesterday we saw SAOIRSE MHÓR in Dresden – he played two songs of yours…that was really special 🥰….perhaps …if it might be possible- and you could play city of chicago …in Tullow?!. Looking forward to sunday- Tanja
Christy's reply
Dear Tanja, my brother Luka Bloom wrote this song 40 years ago… I sing it every night..its a perfect opener..the audience always join in and it sets us all up for a good night..In Tullow I will sing it specially for our German visitors…let me hear you sing !
Brilliant to hear mention of a possible new collection- always something to look forward to. Unfortunately not going to make Bundoran due to unfortunate circumstances. Best wishes to everyone for the gig. Sweet music roll on.
Christy's reply
let us know if you have an unused ticket and we’ll try and sort it for you..hope all works out for you
I don’t know if this has been mentioned here, but couple of weeks ago we lost a much loved Sligo man who I know you would have been acquaiinted with down the years.
A man of many facets, Kevin ‘Lofty’ Flynn, who left us at the start of the month, will be remembered mostly for his role (along with his brother Philip) in setting up and running the Ballisodare Folk Festival, which brought the great and the good of folk, trad and beyond to the banks of the Owenmore between 1977 and 1982.
Christy's reply
Thanks Joe…
I’m pretty sure twas Planxty that first called Dear Kevin “Lofty”….its getting on for 50 years since we first encountered our “Baron Von Risin-Shine”.Kevin was the creator of countless memories. In the mid 70s he began to run gigs in The National on Kilburn High Road…He single handedly coaxed Planxty back together for our second run…one night in The Gaumont State Theatre in London he put on Doc Watson with the 4 Planxties playing separately…afterwards in the bar he uttered “why dont ye feckers get back together and I’ll manage ye” We did and He did… Then came the great years of Ballisodare when Kevin, (and his loyal comrades) ran those wonderful Festivals….there was a European Tour which took us to 9 countries and 57 gigs with Kevin at the Helm steering The Good Ship Kangaroo…..
I last saw Kevin in Boyle when we had a memorial gig for John “Jacko” Reilly…in the latter years we lost touch….
To Mary his Wife, to his Brother Philip, to his extended Family and Friends , we send our condolences…
Hi Christy,
Can’t wait for your gig in the Moat in Naas on 6th Oct. as part of the Feile Liam O’Flynn.
What a great intimate venue, I feel so lucky to have a ticket.
Dec
Christy's reply
thár nais go dtí Nás na Rí….
we used to cycle over there in the 50s early 60s
on the old roads with so few cars,
school GAA matches
later tennis tournaments and hops
later still to Mrs.Lawlor’s Ballroom
Brendan Bowyer & The Royal
sneaky bottles of stout in Eddie Marum’s and Tom Fleitcher’s
half a century on its the Band Wagon to Kilashee
and now
this welcome return to The Moat Theatre to celebrate my old Butty
Liam Óg O’Flynn
Just spent 2 weeks in scotland celebating my 70th last month and Rick’s 78th next week. Flew to IE for a few days to attend your concert in Bundoran Tues. Looking forward to it! See you Tues.
Kathleen and Rick
Christy's reply
Welcome Kathleen and Rick
The Great Northern awaits you
always a great night
beware of potential apparitions and moving statues
Great reading that you’re working on new songs- and that you ask the original writers for their blessing to put your own stamp on it. Always found that you’ve introduced us to so many different artists that I would never have found by myself. Opened a whole new world in many instances, others I sometimes found that the song only worked in your version. Love those gigs where you bring out a song we haven’t heard before- those few seconds of wondering and listening and that magic second at the end of pure silence when you know the audience is in awe, before the rousing applause. Looking forward to Tuesday in Bundoran, all being well, and that beautiful blend of old and new songs. Best wishes to all of the crew who make it all happen. Stay safe, and thank you for what you do. Let the music keep our spirits high.
Christy's reply
Good Man John…
Its one of the great joys of my working life, discovering new songs,befriending songwriters hitherto unknown to me….shaping their work that I might wear it ,that it might fit me….I’ve never been a constant songwriter , I’ve relied upon other writers to replenish the set list….happy to relate that I’ve encountered some new (to me) writers for the next collection…always good to hear from you John..thanks for listening and for your feedback
Hi Christy ,
This week I received wallys live album in the post , via gentleman Lar- it made my week . I had a tear in my eye and a smile on my lips at same time listening.. My son Jack who is 5 was in the car for the spin of duffys cut , he said Daddy who’s that ?
That’s Wally page son, he was a friend of mine and a great song writer,….
Play it again Daddy , I like it ! What more can a fella ask for ….. thanks Christy , the site , and of course gentleman Lar
Baz x
Christy's reply
I miss Wally….used to love our wee song chats..our over and back collaborations,sometimes bearing fruit,other times being parked up some cul-de-sac…we’d always have a chuckle and a laugh…Wally remains a beautiful man, a dear friend, his songs resound here daily…..the last song he sent me perhaps the most beautiful of all…….
Lovely to hear about your Jack and “Duffy’s Cut”..thanks for sharing Baz…..and fair play to Larball
Hi Christy,
The big match tonight, two giants, world cup finalist to come from this one, go on Ireland, deep heat and dubbin.
Listening to Blaze Foley a fair bit, couple of great albums his only recorded legacy, did not give a f…alkirk, hated pretenciousness, wore duck tape on his shoes to parody the city ‘cowboys’, as a send off his friends ( townes van zant etc) wrapped his coffin in duck tape after he was shot.
Belfast’s Joshua Burnside does a great versionof Blaze’s ” if i could only fly”.
Come on ye boys in green.
Rory
Christy's reply
they went at it
no holdin back
no inch given
for eighty minutes
grunted groaned bled
leapt tackled swerved
then the men shook hands
embraced and went their ways
to face the music
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for being so kind. The relationship between singer and song is their’s alone, so don’t go listening to my idle dreams. Any help needed with pacifying pesky modes, you know what I’m going to say.
Talking of butterflies of the non-football variety, there’s a couple of beautiful red admirals fluttering round the garden. It seems late in the year. We have an old stone shed where butterflies hibernate. I hope they find it. There’s a hole high up in the wall they use as a door.
Went down to Kerry for a pint
Came back with three – How Bad ?
Galway United back in the top flight
and a Semi-Final against Bohs to come
The West awake and all that …
Christy's reply
great to see Irish Soccer gaining traction as Engerland’s premiership heads towards an oily plughole…Galway v Bohs…. a tempting prospect
Hi Christy – love your music. On your album Live at the Point (2006), during Butterfly (So Much Wine) you talk about “the last time I saw him was at old trafford floating down the wing…” Who are you referencing there, and was that as a result of an experience from a game you attended? Peace, Eddie D.
Christy's reply
I witnessed him at Old Trafford in its hay day…Matt in the dug out…himself Bobby and Denis ruling the roost….back when the likes of Pogba would not get thru the turnstlle
Christy, thank you for continuing to share your musical gift. We are traveling from California to celebrate our wedding anniversary with your October gig at the Waterfront. We last saw you in Salt Hill a few years back and have been fans for decades. My wife’s favorite song is Burning Times, mine is Mclhatton. GRMMA,
John & Sally McNally.
see you then you Californian McNallys….Fáilte Romhat
Christy, I normally give reality TV a very wide berth but have to admit to having a soft spot for ‘First Dates’. (I dont know if youve ever seen it). Anyway having too much time on my hands I’ve started watching the Irish version and the upsetting thing is the number of young gay Irish people who admit to have either attempted or contemplated suicide. It makes you realise that telling someone it’s OK to be gay is one thing but getting some young people to accept they are gay is a completely different thing. On the outside you would think we have made great progress over the years but when you read about ‘new’ laws in Uganda (with the help of American Evangelicals) and the World Cup being staged in a country where the death penalty still exists for being gay you wonder how far we have actually come? ‘And they wore the Rainbow triangle’ P.S Good luck for tonight, looking forward to my ‘Christy Fix’ at the Waterfront in a couple of weeks..
everything changing in this old world and the rate of change accelerating…we consume, expect and demand,more and more with every passing year….bigger higher faster comes with more destruction of the very sacred nature that nurtures and provides all the essentials..the power that profit engenders will eventually consume us all..and it seems that we are almost powerless and voiceless as daily we are swamped with fake news and oppressive legislators who behave like puppets in thrall to influencers and lobbyists who are always prepared to sell their souls to the highest bidders
I’ve gone off message here John..I’ll get back to you on First Dates
Just checking in. Well pleased to see that you’re still gigging. I fondly remember back in the day when we used to meet up (Josh’s/Glesga/Melbourne). I’ve had to give up the travelling ( fractured spine in Malta) Keep on singing me friend. Shalom-Jim McGeehan
“O GLORY HALLELUJAH
THE COD LIVER OIL
AND THE ORANGE JUICE”
We have flew from northern England to see you play tonight for the first time.
I would leave to hear Nancy Spain and beeswing. These are two special songs for me and my husband.
Can’t wait to see you tonight!
just changing the strings here
pressin the keks
ironing the vest
wondering about the set
heading up into the Curlews
climbing out of Roscommon
bound for Sligo
and beyond
half expecting to see the blessed virgin
well known for dropping into Bundoran
Hello Christy,
I think I might have sold my student harp, unless I’ve jinxed it by telling you. Someone is coming to finalise the deal on Saturday.
So that means I can buy a full set of strings for my hearts delight. I’ve been scratting around for strings since I got it. It’s temperamental, hard to handle and ridiculously beautiful. The strings are expensive (it likes pedal strings) and they break on a whim. The other side of it is that it sounds somewhere between a bell and a piano. So, somehow, it’s all worth it. The one I’m selling is gentle and kind with a sweet, mellow sound. The lady who’s coming is bound to fall in love with it.
So, a full set of strings, and a trip to Ireland, I’m thinking!
I heard you guys have broken the welly wanging world record that was held by us from across the water. 995 souls all wanging wellies at the same time. Wish I’d been there to see it.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/welly-throwing-guinness-world-record-30987930
Rebecca
just what we need
This is the Day…. red carpet at the ready.
Great to have the gig to look forward to as the evenings fall in ….. the storms roll In from the Atlantic …. and the swallows leave us for sunnier climes.
Duffys Cut has been mentioned on here a few times recently , would be great to hear it , if it should appear in the set.
Good surfing weather….. are you bringing the board ??
I’ve committed to a session of bog snorkelling today
“from Ballyshannon and The Glenties
they sailed right into Hell
they suffered like the weeping Christ
down Duffy’s Cut they sweat their blood
into his wishing well”…………( Wally Page)
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night in Bundoran, my daughter Sophia’s first ever concert and sure I offered her to see Taylor Swift or Harry Styles and she said Daddy I’d rather see Christy with you and her big cousin’s. Her song is the “Bright blue rose” not a bad choice for being 9. Tomorrow will be a memory made and stay with me and her for ever, so thanks for that Christy – much love for Derry – John
Good girl Sophia,
thats the kinda talk we like to hear
see you later
Dear Christy, we are going to ireland to our 25th wedding day- and a dream get realized- we get tickets to your concert in Tullow…so happy about this…see you after so manny years ago in Hamburg! Yesterday we saw SAOIRSE MHÓR in Dresden – he played two songs of yours…that was really special 🥰….perhaps …if it might be possible- and you could play city of chicago …in Tullow?!. Looking forward to sunday- Tanja
Dear Tanja, my brother Luka Bloom wrote this song 40 years ago… I sing it every night..its a perfect opener..the audience always join in and it sets us all up for a good night..In Tullow I will sing it specially for our German visitors…let me hear you sing !
Hi Christy,
Will Declan be playing with you again or has that ship sailed
Can’t wait to see you on the 12th at the waterfront , I have spread the word of Christy everywhere I go. Never change
been solo since return
Hello Christy,
Here’s something I wandered across
https://youtube.com/watch?v=34mYlYkzPVU&si=x4nWyYUlpXGKSvqO
I didn’t know about the Estonian singing revolution. Bad media coverage or hazy student days…
Rebecca
That’ll do ..I’m off to Estonia….gotta get some Estonian B/Vs
this is beautiful..good start to the week
Brilliant to hear mention of a possible new collection- always something to look forward to. Unfortunately not going to make Bundoran due to unfortunate circumstances. Best wishes to everyone for the gig. Sweet music roll on.
let us know if you have an unused ticket and we’ll try and sort it for you..hope all works out for you
Hello Christy
I don’t know if this has been mentioned here, but couple of weeks ago we lost a much loved Sligo man who I know you would have been acquaiinted with down the years.
A man of many facets, Kevin ‘Lofty’ Flynn, who left us at the start of the month, will be remembered mostly for his role (along with his brother Philip) in setting up and running the Ballisodare Folk Festival, which brought the great and the good of folk, trad and beyond to the banks of the Owenmore between 1977 and 1982.
Thanks Joe…
I’m pretty sure twas Planxty that first called Dear Kevin “Lofty”….its getting on for 50 years since we first encountered our “Baron Von Risin-Shine”.Kevin was the creator of countless memories. In the mid 70s he began to run gigs in The National on Kilburn High Road…He single handedly coaxed Planxty back together for our second run…one night in The Gaumont State Theatre in London he put on Doc Watson with the 4 Planxties playing separately…afterwards in the bar he uttered “why dont ye feckers get back together and I’ll manage ye” We did and He did… Then came the great years of Ballisodare when Kevin, (and his loyal comrades) ran those wonderful Festivals….there was a European Tour which took us to 9 countries and 57 gigs with Kevin at the Helm steering The Good Ship Kangaroo…..
I last saw Kevin in Boyle when we had a memorial gig for John “Jacko” Reilly…in the latter years we lost touch….
To Mary his Wife, to his Brother Philip, to his extended Family and Friends , we send our condolences…
…….and he could sing a ballad himself
Hi Christy,
Can’t wait for your gig in the Moat in Naas on 6th Oct. as part of the Feile Liam O’Flynn.
What a great intimate venue, I feel so lucky to have a ticket.
Dec
thár nais go dtí Nás na Rí….
we used to cycle over there in the 50s early 60s
on the old roads with so few cars,
school GAA matches
later tennis tournaments and hops
later still to Mrs.Lawlor’s Ballroom
Brendan Bowyer & The Royal
sneaky bottles of stout in Eddie Marum’s and Tom Fleitcher’s
half a century on its the Band Wagon to Kilashee
and now
this welcome return to The Moat Theatre to celebrate my old Butty
Liam Óg O’Flynn
Just spent 2 weeks in scotland celebating my 70th last month and Rick’s 78th next week. Flew to IE for a few days to attend your concert in Bundoran Tues. Looking forward to it! See you Tues.
Kathleen and Rick
Welcome Kathleen and Rick
The Great Northern awaits you
always a great night
beware of potential apparitions and moving statues
Great reading that you’re working on new songs- and that you ask the original writers for their blessing to put your own stamp on it. Always found that you’ve introduced us to so many different artists that I would never have found by myself. Opened a whole new world in many instances, others I sometimes found that the song only worked in your version. Love those gigs where you bring out a song we haven’t heard before- those few seconds of wondering and listening and that magic second at the end of pure silence when you know the audience is in awe, before the rousing applause. Looking forward to Tuesday in Bundoran, all being well, and that beautiful blend of old and new songs. Best wishes to all of the crew who make it all happen. Stay safe, and thank you for what you do. Let the music keep our spirits high.
Good Man John…
Its one of the great joys of my working life, discovering new songs,befriending songwriters hitherto unknown to me….shaping their work that I might wear it ,that it might fit me….I’ve never been a constant songwriter , I’ve relied upon other writers to replenish the set list….happy to relate that I’ve encountered some new (to me) writers for the next collection…always good to hear from you John..thanks for listening and for your feedback
Hi Christy ,
This week I received wallys live album in the post , via gentleman Lar- it made my week . I had a tear in my eye and a smile on my lips at same time listening.. My son Jack who is 5 was in the car for the spin of duffys cut , he said Daddy who’s that ?
That’s Wally page son, he was a friend of mine and a great song writer,….
Play it again Daddy , I like it ! What more can a fella ask for ….. thanks Christy , the site , and of course gentleman Lar
Baz x
I miss Wally….used to love our wee song chats..our over and back collaborations,sometimes bearing fruit,other times being parked up some cul-de-sac…we’d always have a chuckle and a laugh…Wally remains a beautiful man, a dear friend, his songs resound here daily…..the last song he sent me perhaps the most beautiful of all…….
Lovely to hear about your Jack and “Duffy’s Cut”..thanks for sharing Baz…..and fair play to Larball
Hi Christy,
The big match tonight, two giants, world cup finalist to come from this one, go on Ireland, deep heat and dubbin.
Listening to Blaze Foley a fair bit, couple of great albums his only recorded legacy, did not give a f…alkirk, hated pretenciousness, wore duck tape on his shoes to parody the city ‘cowboys’, as a send off his friends ( townes van zant etc) wrapped his coffin in duck tape after he was shot.
Belfast’s Joshua Burnside does a great versionof Blaze’s ” if i could only fly”.
Come on ye boys in green.
Rory
they went at it
no holdin back
no inch given
for eighty minutes
grunted groaned bled
leapt tackled swerved
then the men shook hands
embraced and went their ways
to face the music
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for being so kind. The relationship between singer and song is their’s alone, so don’t go listening to my idle dreams. Any help needed with pacifying pesky modes, you know what I’m going to say.
Talking of butterflies of the non-football variety, there’s a couple of beautiful red admirals fluttering round the garden. It seems late in the year. We have an old stone shed where butterflies hibernate. I hope they find it. There’s a hole high up in the wall they use as a door.
Rebecca
song singer listener
three peas in a pod
Went down to Kerry for a pint
Came back with three – How Bad ?
Galway United back in the top flight
and a Semi-Final against Bohs to come
The West awake and all that …
great to see Irish Soccer gaining traction as Engerland’s premiership heads towards an oily plughole…Galway v Bohs…. a tempting prospect
Hi Christy – love your music. On your album Live at the Point (2006), during Butterfly (So Much Wine) you talk about “the last time I saw him was at old trafford floating down the wing…” Who are you referencing there, and was that as a result of an experience from a game you attended? Peace, Eddie D.
I witnessed him at Old Trafford in its hay day…Matt in the dug out…himself Bobby and Denis ruling the roost….back when the likes of Pogba would not get thru the turnstlle