How lucky we Germans were that you started that love affair in 1972….
Unfortunately I didn t know anything about you in the seventies,and you haven t come often to Freiburg which was really a pity, but later on at the beginning of the new century I saw you I think twice in Hamburg in the wonderful Laeisz hall , which had a very, very special athmosphere and they were fantastic gigs, all the people just being part of it. And on top for me it felt very Irish there, what I just loved.
so I was happy to get wonderful memories from several places you played.
Christy's reply
8 Tours of Germany in 52 years, some Solo, some with Planxty, some with Jimmy Faulkner, some with Declan Sinnott…. many good memories….great audiences…scary autobahns
And Padraig is supposed to have said ” ahh If I had n’t asked for a hot one I ‘ d have had it drank already !!! The annual Festival.in his honour is held every Oct Bank Holiday in Castleisland to great success, huge crowds , headline acts and 100s of sessions. Sliaibh Luachra Music Abu !! H
Christy's reply
I heard that he won a fiddle competition …first prize was a cup, second prize a £5 note… a Nun whispered to me once that Padraig swapped his cup for the fiver… twas thirsty work that competitive fiddling….
Well Christy, the songbook is slowly getting there. I have three songs wrote in now, and i enter them as i learn them so i can recall the first songs i learned, i began with the brown eyes, then spancil hill to Back home in derry.
Of course i gave a listen to Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and i see where bobby got the idea to base the tune on it. I gave it a good few days strumming but i’ve to leave it be for a couple weeks with my mock exams, letting the music keep the spirits high as you said. Any starter songs you have to recommend i’d appreciate it, All the best as always Christy
-Matty
Christy's reply
thinking back…my starters included “Brennan On The Moor” “The Jug Of Punch” “The Bard of Armagh” gradually progresstng on to “Mary from Dungloe” “Curragh Of Kildare” “Leaving Of Liverpool”….when I kicked off I had 2 chords…C & G7…any dischord was blown away by elation, bottles of Macardles and wild abandon
It will only play in Ireland or, for the technically inclined, set your vpn to Ireland, and the recording will play for you.
Christy's reply
Thank You Rebecca….I appreciate your response…quite how such tasks can be achieved is beyond me…I am constantly left lost and confused by any attempts to engage with various devices,by instructions, updates, downloads,firewalls…its all a form of waterboarding of the mind…that you could find this doc so rapidly is a cause for awe and wonder…
I look forward to hearing it again
Pádraig O’Keeffe played beautiful music..RTE released an album of his recordings 25 years ago…for a while it was favourite album…I once sent a copy to Lisa Carty
Christy's reply
Pádraig O’Keeffe played beautiful music..RTE released an album of his recordings 25 years ago…for a while it was my favourite album..
there are some great yarns about Pádraig who ,by all accounts, was a colourful and humorous character…
he once joked about a particularly stingy Publican (landlord)…he described how he dreamt that the publican offered him a Christmas Drink..he asked for a Hot Whisky ..unfortunately Pádraig woke up before the kettle boiled..
his dog went every where with him…he called his dog Prick…
Since first hearing it,soon after release,I’ve always loved ‘True Love Knows No Season’…not only a fine song, but the Planxty mojo is piled in…superb arrangement and nuanced playing…and,not least,your vocal precision.
I’m very curious about how songs were chosen for the band’s repertoire and when Billy Gray arrived in the workroom was he ‘match fit’ or need some knocking into shape?!
Into the city centre for a family catch-up later…meeting at Victoria Station…I never ramble that area without a thought for the MSG and where it led many of us.
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
I heard Noel Shine*** sing about Billy Gray in the old Phoenix bar in Cork circa 1977…he generously shared the song with me and I subsequently presented it at a Planxty rehearsal….Liam took to it straight away…Donal began to create dancing licks , Andy responded with contra lines and we were soon enveloped in the Planxty treatment of Norman Blake’s fine song….
***Noel still singing and playing with Greenshine alongside his Wife Mary Greene and their daughter Ellie…catch then on the tube
Noel also taught guitar and songwriting in Cork Prison for many years….RTE radio presented a beautiful doc about the great work he did ….if anyone can access that doc from the RTE archives, perhaps they could link it here
Hi Christy,
No more than Jimmy Mack’s cannon of songs.
When you line up the Wally Page’s cowrites and covers
it’s a body of work for sure.
I doubt a gig goes by without a tune from either in the set list.
Still think Shane’s Broad Majestic Shannon
could do with a trip or two to the workshop
Favorite lines of songs could take time but …
I sat for a while by a gap in the wall
Found a rusty tin can and an old hurley ball
Heard the cards been dealt and the rosary called
And a fiddle playing Sean Dun na nGall
And the next time I see you we’ll be down in the Greeks
There’ll be whiskey on Sunday and tears in our cheeks
For it’s stupid to laugh and it’s useless to bawl
About a rusty tin can and an old hurley ball
That’s a bit special
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
Shane saw ..remembered ….cherished …nurtured … then regenerated those visions and sang them so beautifully …
I’ve thought of this one often but never managed to do it justice…
Dear Christy,
I will coming to see you in the Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire, on Sunday 18 Feb. I am from a place in North Antrim called Glenravel and so would love to hear you play McIlhatton at that gig. I often play this song at full pelt when driving with the children – I love the ‘On the Road’ version. Once they were having an argument in the back of the car and I heard the elder, James (was about 7 at the time) say to Oliver (5), “I am going to tell your friends you like McIlhatton”. Would be amazing to hear it on the 18th.
Your music has brought balm to the troubled souls of many.
Respect and thanks always.
Judy
Christy's reply
“here’s a jig to the man
a reel to the drop
a swing to the girl he loves
may your fiddle play
and poitín cure
the company up above”…. ( from McIlhatton by Bobby Sands M.P.)
I’m very fond of this one.
The rhythm, the passion, the fire
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners.
Christy's reply
this one captured me very early on…
“Rakes of Kildare” covered it gloriously during their short reign
(2 gigs, Neesons Lounge and Town Hall Newbridge 1961)
“Where the rain puts a shine on the chestnut spikes, hear the curlews cry..” – possibly my favourite line from any song.. Wally could churn them out.. lucky are we to have his soul live on through the music.
Carlow or nowhere come 5pm.. here we go for one in a row..
Christy's reply
“they kicked him in the bollocks
just to make him smile”…..(“Hey Paddy”…Wally Page)
Lar thanks for the reminder, it was always great to go to a Wally gig, he was a gifted performer and song writer. His band mate Johnny Mulhern also has some really remarkable songs. I doubt there has even been a CM gig without one or several Page songs, it was great to hear the ode to Dylan feature regularly in Vicar St recently, this is a great favourite of mine too https://youtu.be/WcFV6swrf2U?si=BEHI7_TQyJrrYs3Y Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Wally had such a beautiful smile
you got me thinking…
Co-Writes..
Lily, Zoz&Zim,Johnny Connors,Yellow Furze Woman, Two Conneeleys,Barrowland, Arthur’s day,, Lovely Young One,
Covers
Biko Drum,Smoke & Strong Whiskey,16 Jolly Ravers,So Do I,Hey Paddy, Los Desaperacidos, Duffy’s Cut, Mercy
such a gentle man…always good for a sweet melody…a bit of banter..a cuppa cha
a perfect harmony
Remembering and thinking of Wally today on this day, the first year anniversary of his passing. Hardly a day passes when he doesn’t come to mind either through songs or countless great memories like many of your readers here… I always feel so lucky to have met Wal.
Baby’s in blue, make believe we’re the sweetest song…pony rider go chase the sun, go easy now…x
Hi Christy,
Exciting news about the bog find, Tollund Man becomes Bellaghy Boy , the ‘british’ poet will be smiling down on proceedings , better send out for a couple of hard boiled eggs.
Rory
Christy's reply
we always knew that Seamus knew what he was talking about
Hello Christy,
today is a kind of very special anniversary for me. Exactly 32 years ago I saw you the first time live at a gig. In Freiburg in the Paulus Saal and it was so great and impressing. And as a big surprise a friend of us from Ballinrobe had asked you and so you shouted out for us. It was just awesome…even when I write this I get goose bumps. In the following years I joined your gigs lots of times whereever in Germany they took place and I enjoyed it always that much. You on your own on the stage is just such an experience. It is really seldom that someone is able to be so charismatic and filling the stage and the halls with his personality just being there and making his music. I m afraid I m not really able to bring it in English words propperly what I want to say. But who knows you will understand it in his heart. And now after long years without any opportunity I was so happy to be able to join two gigs in Ireland last year and they made my year. Now I hope there will be some more this year and I m so looking forward to it. And as you always say…..hope we all stay healthy and keep on running. So all the best for you and all the people around you who make this happen. Your music is a very important point in my life. Thanks for this and hope to see you soon. Lots of love Ursula
Christy's reply
Hamburg 1972…Planxty disembarked in Hamburg….straight into the appelkorn and schnitzel….that night we performed with Champion Jack Dupree, Majic Cimbati and Leinemann …the love affair with Germany began….Karsten Jahnke was the man who laid it on…..
Hi Christy,
the photograph from Gaza yesterday of ‘an innocent civilian, shot dead by armed soilders’ whilst holding a white flag comes almost 52 years to the day after an all to similar photograph appeared of Father Edward Daly waving a blood stained white flag whilst ‘an innocent civilian was shot dead by armed soilders’ Neither incident was condemned by the British Government. time might pass but some things never change. 2DC John
How lucky we Germans were that you started that love affair in 1972….
Unfortunately I didn t know anything about you in the seventies,and you haven t come often to Freiburg which was really a pity, but later on at the beginning of the new century I saw you I think twice in Hamburg in the wonderful Laeisz hall , which had a very, very special athmosphere and they were fantastic gigs, all the people just being part of it. And on top for me it felt very Irish there, what I just loved.
so I was happy to get wonderful memories from several places you played.
8 Tours of Germany in 52 years, some Solo, some with Planxty, some with Jimmy Faulkner, some with Declan Sinnott…. many good memories….great audiences…scary autobahns
I once worked with two men. They were not related to each other. One day we discovered they both called their cats Knobhead…
And Padraig is supposed to have said ” ahh If I had n’t asked for a hot one I ‘ d have had it drank already !!! The annual Festival.in his honour is held every Oct Bank Holiday in Castleisland to great success, huge crowds , headline acts and 100s of sessions. Sliaibh Luachra Music Abu !! H
I heard that he won a fiddle competition …first prize was a cup, second prize a £5 note… a Nun whispered to me once that Padraig swapped his cup for the fiver… twas thirsty work that competitive fiddling….
Well Christy, the songbook is slowly getting there. I have three songs wrote in now, and i enter them as i learn them so i can recall the first songs i learned, i began with the brown eyes, then spancil hill to Back home in derry.
Of course i gave a listen to Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and i see where bobby got the idea to base the tune on it. I gave it a good few days strumming but i’ve to leave it be for a couple weeks with my mock exams, letting the music keep the spirits high as you said. Any starter songs you have to recommend i’d appreciate it, All the best as always Christy
-Matty
thinking back…my starters included “Brennan On The Moor” “The Jug Of Punch” “The Bard of Armagh” gradually progresstng on to “Mary from Dungloe” “Curragh Of Kildare” “Leaving Of Liverpool”….when I kicked off I had 2 chords…C & G7…any dischord was blown away by elation, bottles of Macardles and wild abandon
Is this the one you meant Christy?
https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/646171-songsinside
It will only play in Ireland or, for the technically inclined, set your vpn to Ireland, and the recording will play for you.
Thank You Rebecca….I appreciate your response…quite how such tasks can be achieved is beyond me…I am constantly left lost and confused by any attempts to engage with various devices,by instructions, updates, downloads,firewalls…its all a form of waterboarding of the mind…that you could find this doc so rapidly is a cause for awe and wonder…
I look forward to hearing it again
Hello Christy,
Here’s something that I hope you will enjoy.
https://www.richiepiggott.com/padraig–norah-orsquokeeffe–glountane-near-castleisland-co-kerry-1958.html
Rebecca
Pádraig O’Keeffe played beautiful music..RTE released an album of his recordings 25 years ago…for a while it was favourite album…I once sent a copy to Lisa Carty
Pádraig O’Keeffe played beautiful music..RTE released an album of his recordings 25 years ago…for a while it was my favourite album..
there are some great yarns about Pádraig who ,by all accounts, was a colourful and humorous character…
he once joked about a particularly stingy Publican (landlord)…he described how he dreamt that the publican offered him a Christmas Drink..he asked for a Hot Whisky ..unfortunately Pádraig woke up before the kettle boiled..
his dog went every where with him…he called his dog Prick…
Hi Christy
Since first hearing it,soon after release,I’ve always loved ‘True Love Knows No Season’…not only a fine song, but the Planxty mojo is piled in…superb arrangement and nuanced playing…and,not least,your vocal precision.
I’m very curious about how songs were chosen for the band’s repertoire and when Billy Gray arrived in the workroom was he ‘match fit’ or need some knocking into shape?!
Into the city centre for a family catch-up later…meeting at Victoria Station…I never ramble that area without a thought for the MSG and where it led many of us.
Have a good day
Dave
I heard Noel Shine*** sing about Billy Gray in the old Phoenix bar in Cork circa 1977…he generously shared the song with me and I subsequently presented it at a Planxty rehearsal….Liam took to it straight away…Donal began to create dancing licks , Andy responded with contra lines and we were soon enveloped in the Planxty treatment of Norman Blake’s fine song….
***Noel still singing and playing with Greenshine alongside his Wife Mary Greene and their daughter Ellie…catch then on the tube
Noel also taught guitar and songwriting in Cork Prison for many years….RTE radio presented a beautiful doc about the great work he did ….if anyone can access that doc from the RTE archives, perhaps they could link it here
Hi Christy,
No more than Jimmy Mack’s cannon of songs.
When you line up the Wally Page’s cowrites and covers
it’s a body of work for sure.
I doubt a gig goes by without a tune from either in the set list.
Still think Shane’s Broad Majestic Shannon
could do with a trip or two to the workshop
Favorite lines of songs could take time but …
I sat for a while by a gap in the wall
Found a rusty tin can and an old hurley ball
Heard the cards been dealt and the rosary called
And a fiddle playing Sean Dun na nGall
And the next time I see you we’ll be down in the Greeks
There’ll be whiskey on Sunday and tears in our cheeks
For it’s stupid to laugh and it’s useless to bawl
About a rusty tin can and an old hurley ball
That’s a bit special
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Shane saw ..remembered ….cherished …nurtured … then regenerated those visions and sang them so beautifully …
I’ve thought of this one often but never managed to do it justice…
Dear Christy,
I will coming to see you in the Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire, on Sunday 18 Feb. I am from a place in North Antrim called Glenravel and so would love to hear you play McIlhatton at that gig. I often play this song at full pelt when driving with the children – I love the ‘On the Road’ version. Once they were having an argument in the back of the car and I heard the elder, James (was about 7 at the time) say to Oliver (5), “I am going to tell your friends you like McIlhatton”. Would be amazing to hear it on the 18th.
Your music has brought balm to the troubled souls of many.
Respect and thanks always.
Judy
“here’s a jig to the man
a reel to the drop
a swing to the girl he loves
may your fiddle play
and poitín cure
the company up above”…. ( from McIlhatton by Bobby Sands M.P.)
We used to sit and watch the kids go belly flop diving in the river….
Hey Wally.
some quirky lines in that one,
“beside a row of walkie talkies on the mantlepiece”
I’m very fond of this one.
The rhythm, the passion, the fire
Rooster of a fighting stock, would you let a Saxon cock
Crow out upon an Irish rock, fly up and teach him manners.
this one captured me very early on…
“Rakes of Kildare” covered it gloriously during their short reign
(2 gigs, Neesons Lounge and Town Hall Newbridge 1961)
Favourite lines from songs.
So hard to choose.
First to appear.
The rats and the worms were still as mice…
“Does she come from another planet
has she got a bee in her bonnet”
“Where the rain puts a shine on the chestnut spikes, hear the curlews cry..” – possibly my favourite line from any song.. Wally could churn them out.. lucky are we to have his soul live on through the music.
Carlow or nowhere come 5pm.. here we go for one in a row..
“they kicked him in the bollocks
just to make him smile”…..(“Hey Paddy”…Wally Page)
Hello Christy,
Oh yes, time to honour the great Wally Page. A love of life. Here’s one of my favourites
https://youtu.be/U2Cnw7v0NL8?si=49lsg3AIVMoIYfmv
Rebecca
gizzup Wal….gizza nauld song….
I’d ate the fry off the backa yur neck
Lar thanks for the reminder, it was always great to go to a Wally gig, he was a gifted performer and song writer. His band mate Johnny Mulhern also has some really remarkable songs. I doubt there has even been a CM gig without one or several Page songs, it was great to hear the ode to Dylan feature regularly in Vicar St recently, this is a great favourite of mine too https://youtu.be/WcFV6swrf2U?si=BEHI7_TQyJrrYs3Y Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Wally had such a beautiful smile
you got me thinking…
Co-Writes..
Lily, Zoz&Zim,Johnny Connors,Yellow Furze Woman, Two Conneeleys,Barrowland, Arthur’s day,, Lovely Young One,
Covers
Biko Drum,Smoke & Strong Whiskey,16 Jolly Ravers,So Do I,Hey Paddy, Los Desaperacidos, Duffy’s Cut, Mercy
such a gentle man…always good for a sweet melody…a bit of banter..a cuppa cha
a perfect harmony
Remembering and thinking of Wally today on this day, the first year anniversary of his passing. Hardly a day passes when he doesn’t come to mind either through songs or countless great memories like many of your readers here… I always feel so lucky to have met Wal.
Baby’s in blue, make believe we’re the sweetest song…pony rider go chase the sun, go easy now…x
I miss Wally…….
John Liverpool: that’s one for a future ‘Any Questions’ programme next time it’s in your area.
it was only a matter of time…I always knew that Fiona would turn up here eventually…
Hi Christy,
Exciting news about the bog find, Tollund Man becomes Bellaghy Boy , the ‘british’ poet will be smiling down on proceedings , better send out for a couple of hard boiled eggs.
Rory
we always knew that Seamus knew what he was talking about
Hello Christy,
today is a kind of very special anniversary for me. Exactly 32 years ago I saw you the first time live at a gig. In Freiburg in the Paulus Saal and it was so great and impressing. And as a big surprise a friend of us from Ballinrobe had asked you and so you shouted out for us. It was just awesome…even when I write this I get goose bumps. In the following years I joined your gigs lots of times whereever in Germany they took place and I enjoyed it always that much. You on your own on the stage is just such an experience. It is really seldom that someone is able to be so charismatic and filling the stage and the halls with his personality just being there and making his music. I m afraid I m not really able to bring it in English words propperly what I want to say. But who knows you will understand it in his heart. And now after long years without any opportunity I was so happy to be able to join two gigs in Ireland last year and they made my year. Now I hope there will be some more this year and I m so looking forward to it. And as you always say…..hope we all stay healthy and keep on running. So all the best for you and all the people around you who make this happen. Your music is a very important point in my life. Thanks for this and hope to see you soon. Lots of love Ursula
Hamburg 1972…Planxty disembarked in Hamburg….straight into the appelkorn and schnitzel….that night we performed with Champion Jack Dupree, Majic Cimbati and Leinemann …the love affair with Germany began….Karsten Jahnke was the man who laid it on…..
Hi Christy,
the photograph from Gaza yesterday of ‘an innocent civilian, shot dead by armed soilders’ whilst holding a white flag comes almost 52 years to the day after an all to similar photograph appeared of Father Edward Daly waving a blood stained white flag whilst ‘an innocent civilian was shot dead by armed soilders’ Neither incident was condemned by the British Government. time might pass but some things never change. 2DC John
in the shadow of the jackboot