Hello Christy,
It’s a good day here strumming away. The chords are still stilted and the F is still a bastard, but I keep wanting to pick the thing up and play it. Love it. My sister in law Helen says I can get together with my nephew to compare notes. He’s into Metallica. I’m not sure my little acoustic is up to it, but I’m willing to take on the challenge…
Rebecca
Christy's reply
The Metallica bucks can do a tasty acoustic when the meter runs out….they’ve asked me to play Bodhrán on their next album
Good man Rory! A grand we family we have here altogether, with the bould Christy as a benign, caring, sympathetic yea and especially humourous big daddy watching over us all. And the clucking hen is tied to the bedpost, ‘cos new life is on the way/recording desk!
Christy's reply
getting there day by day….I think its nearly done… tunneling towards an Autumn escape
Sorry i meant to say i am enjoying some repeat plays of the recent arrival Declan McLaughlin’s heartfelt My Northern Soul album.
A fine son of Free Derry.
Rory
Christy you are right about the contributions here, largely wonderful.
Dave and Hilary today with spot on posts, Pat and many more with regular gems.
Feels like a family.
Rory
Hi C. What a mighty gig in Glor, such a great venue with musical people !! You sang some rare vintage songs, flawlessly, real gems, GRMMA. Blending well with the newly established songs, Snowflakes is such an important song for our times as is Lyra in a different way, the rendition last night felt very emotional after only been on The Walls recently, as were the other ‘Troubles’ songs, some of the injustices are still so raw, and the stereo call out for They Never Came Home was equally poignant. These along with Palestine will surely feature in the upcoming Album, artists and now students are to the fore in calling out current injustices and evil, lets hope some sense will prevail. Tom Robinson tonight but first some Football, the Banner beat us in 1992 so who knows ? a lovely day for it. Go maire tú an céad, le cunamh Dé. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Glór in Ennis has always shone….good to have a good woman back at the helm…it seemed to be off course for a while but was surely on tack last Sat night..I enjoyed having Family and Friends in the room..we had a grand ballad session in the green room afterwards….
Morning Christy,
Both of our Counties featured on ” Songs of Ireland” RTE1 last night.
The Curragh of Kildare featuring your good self.
Mike and Pat also made it to Mullingar to feature a Mullingar song.
About 40 Minutes in they make it to Kildare. https://www.rte.ie/player/series/songs-of-ireland/10001595-00-0000?epguid=IP10001596-01-0002
Some atmosphere in Crocker yesterday for the Rugby…..even the Seagulls cleared out !!!
Ride on.
Patsy
Christy's reply
I’ve heard some quare versions of the old song across the years…this one bates all….whoever wrote it remains a mystery…most poets,songwriters, musicians and creators beg, borrow or steal from what has gone before, Yeats,Dylan,Joyce to mention three…if Rabbie Burns had anything to do with the “Curragh”I’d say fair play to him….Pete Seeger would advise young songwriters to learn the “art of plagiarism” The current popular version of “The Curragh” began in Lunny’s house, Back-of-the-Barracks, Newbridge, County Kildare, circa 1962/3…I happened upon it in a borrowed library book, “The P.W.Joyce Collection”. Highly excited I ran to Lunny’s house where Donal picked out the Melody and I borrowed two lines from a verse to make a chorus…I later extracted “The Enniskillen Dragoon” and “The Rambler From Clare” from the same collection.I think the late Mick Moloney went on to record the latter.He also popularised the “Curragh” with the great version he did in “The Johnstons” with Adrienne,Lucy and Paul…their sound remains unique…heard them sing MacColl’s “Tunnel Tigers” on Radio Eireann last week…R.I.P. Mick & Adrienne.
Sorry Christy, I hadn’t noticed the words I used. I just wrote.
On a lighter note, a library in North Yorkshire has waived all fines for chewed books if they are returned with a picture of the culprit.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I liked your “awash with grief”…it stood out and lingers…as does the note about “chewed books in North Yorkshire”
“I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world. May God have mercy on my soul”. Bobby Sands , the brave man, the author, the leader, the poet, the revolutionary, the songwriter, the inspiration, and so the list goes on.
Rory
In my gig going times,the early 70s,one day,Platt Fields,folk festivals were treasures…reading a great book about The Free Trade Hall,there’s info about an event based there in November,65.not sure if you were here then,but I’m boggled as to how all ‘ the turns’ were rammed into one day…the bill included,Phil Ochs,Doc Watson,The Campbells,Cyril Tawney etc etc…i tried to find a review,but no luck,so far.
Danny…enjoy your trip. For the first time in years,I visited Dublin,last Autumn.Loved the buzz of revisiting old haunts and was mightily impressed by The Epic museum,central and Liffey side…I know you’ll be pushed for time,but consider it,in case it fits in with your shore leave…
Have a good day all
Dave
Christy's reply
great having you back
regular correspodance from Suffragette City
Dear christy,
My wife nursed a baby crow back to health and saved it last year in our garden , now its at the door thrice daily for its 3 square meals, bringing with it a host of various types of corvid pals.
Meeting the talented Niamh Dunne and Sean Og recently i was even more delighted when i found Niamh’s song ‘the raven’ so her LP is winging its way over the water to my Sheila to enjoy. Lovely voice, great heritage.
Rory
Christy's reply
I’ve grown fonder of crows of late
I watch their shenanigans regularly
such strong personalities
cute hoors too
Christy, – wifey & grandson & me will be cruisin’…
We hit Cork 17 May, Dublin 18th & Belfast 19th…docked 7am to 8pm those days so will get to shuffle around the diggings but no o/night stay…
Have earmarked some pubs from advice from good people on this site where an ale or several will likely be quaffed
It would be a miracle if you were ambling along in the area so no high hopes here…
I’ll stay tuned for your gig developments just in case
Many thanks for The Christy Corps (including your good self) for welcoming me to this outfit
Close your eyes and watch it happen
Lotsa good things,
Danny Harris
Hello Christy,
Bank Holiday weekend here. I hope everyone has a good weekend, however long or short.
Me, I’ll be playing and singing my heart out, thenwatching a bit of rugby. A few hours singing along to Christy’s fine baritone later helps me work on the bottom end. There’s method in the madness.
I hope I don’t sound too dramatic here but I think that Taylor guitar might have saved me. I was awash with grief and having awful dreams. A couple of weeks on that guitar and I’m so much better. I guess this is what being a musician is. We need it more than it needs us.
I’ll stop warbling on now.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
“awash with grief”
be the lord jasus
I never heard the like
Hi Christy
Music can strike us in unpredicted ways.
My wee sister just messaged to say she recalls coming back with us from Granny’s funeral nearly 35 years ago and on the radio was Johnny Logan’s ‘hold me now’.
When it came on the radio today she burst into tears.
Love the song, love the memory.
Rory
Ps johnny was class
Christy's reply
Patsy Cline gets me every time
I does be falling to pieces
Gounod’s Ave Maria gets me too
Ella’s Swingin Shepherd Blues
John McCormack’s I hear you calling me
…they’re under starters orders, gotta go
Ah, the madness of racism & bigotry…when will we ever learn?
A solace to me is Eric Idle’s story of Python’s trip to Dachau where they were refused entry.
Said Graham Chapman: “Tell them we’re Jewish…”
I’m lucky to live in a town (city, y’know) of strong migrant history & it is a pleasure not to encounter racist attitudes against migrants.
Now, indigenous Australians? Well, sadly, that’s another matter…
Where would we be if not for the song, story & poem writers and the singers & players who opened our eyes and minds and hearts?
Rosin up the bow, Christy.
Pity I won’t see a gig of yourn when I’m on yer soil soon
But compared to the horror of Ghaza it’s a small inconvenience
Kindest regards to youse all
Danny Harris
Christy's reply
when you gonna be here ? where will you be hangin ?
Thinking back to surreal 2020 lockdown….working through your ace sessions,now on YouTube.Great to see how many views have mounted up…and the buzz at the time when a new gig appeared…thanks to you and Andy for keeping spirits high.
Dave
Christy's reply
we had a grand time recording those sessions….its a great buzz to hear that so many took solace from our simple efforts..Father & Son in the workroom with a guitar, a phone and a basket of songs….
I’m en route to Salford Quays and IWM N/ war museum
I’ll pause for quiet reflection in front of the exhibition case,holding artefacts,clothing and yellow triangle from Polish holocaust victims…on my last visit,there was a sparky bunch of young school kids enjoying their day out of school.Their silence at The Holocaust section was powerful….
Hello Christy,
It’s a good day here strumming away. The chords are still stilted and the F is still a bastard, but I keep wanting to pick the thing up and play it. Love it. My sister in law Helen says I can get together with my nephew to compare notes. He’s into Metallica. I’m not sure my little acoustic is up to it, but I’m willing to take on the challenge…
Rebecca
The Metallica bucks can do a tasty acoustic when the meter runs out….they’ve asked me to play Bodhrán on their next album
Good man Rory! A grand we family we have here altogether, with the bould Christy as a benign, caring, sympathetic yea and especially humourous big daddy watching over us all. And the clucking hen is tied to the bedpost, ‘cos new life is on the way/recording desk!
getting there day by day….I think its nearly done… tunneling towards an Autumn escape
Sorry i meant to say i am enjoying some repeat plays of the recent arrival Declan McLaughlin’s heartfelt My Northern Soul album.
A fine son of Free Derry.
Rory
must get a listen
Christy you are right about the contributions here, largely wonderful.
Dave and Hilary today with spot on posts, Pat and many more with regular gems.
Feels like a family.
Rory
surely does Rory
Hi Christy
On 22nd May,it’s the 7th anniversary of the bomb in the nearby arena. 22 people killed,thousands scarred with physical and mental wounds.
The city mourned and remembers….sitting in the memorial garden,The Glade of Light on a sunny day is a genuine blessing…
Dave
Thanks for reminding us Dave
Hi C. What a mighty gig in Glor, such a great venue with musical people !! You sang some rare vintage songs, flawlessly, real gems, GRMMA. Blending well with the newly established songs, Snowflakes is such an important song for our times as is Lyra in a different way, the rendition last night felt very emotional after only been on The Walls recently, as were the other ‘Troubles’ songs, some of the injustices are still so raw, and the stereo call out for They Never Came Home was equally poignant. These along with Palestine will surely feature in the upcoming Album, artists and now students are to the fore in calling out current injustices and evil, lets hope some sense will prevail. Tom Robinson tonight but first some Football, the Banner beat us in 1992 so who knows ? a lovely day for it. Go maire tú an céad, le cunamh Dé. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Glór in Ennis has always shone….good to have a good woman back at the helm…it seemed to be off course for a while but was surely on tack last Sat night..I enjoyed having Family and Friends in the room..we had a grand ballad session in the green room afterwards….
Morning Christy,
Both of our Counties featured on ” Songs of Ireland” RTE1 last night.
The Curragh of Kildare featuring your good self.
Mike and Pat also made it to Mullingar to feature a Mullingar song.
About 40 Minutes in they make it to Kildare.
https://www.rte.ie/player/series/songs-of-ireland/10001595-00-0000?epguid=IP10001596-01-0002
Some atmosphere in Crocker yesterday for the Rugby…..even the Seagulls cleared out !!!
Ride on.
Patsy
I’ve heard some quare versions of the old song across the years…this one bates all….whoever wrote it remains a mystery…most poets,songwriters, musicians and creators beg, borrow or steal from what has gone before, Yeats,Dylan,Joyce to mention three…if Rabbie Burns had anything to do with the “Curragh”I’d say fair play to him….Pete Seeger would advise young songwriters to learn the “art of plagiarism” The current popular version of “The Curragh” began in Lunny’s house, Back-of-the-Barracks, Newbridge, County Kildare, circa 1962/3…I happened upon it in a borrowed library book, “The P.W.Joyce Collection”. Highly excited I ran to Lunny’s house where Donal picked out the Melody and I borrowed two lines from a verse to make a chorus…I later extracted “The Enniskillen Dragoon” and “The Rambler From Clare” from the same collection.I think the late Mick Moloney went on to record the latter.He also popularised the “Curragh” with the great version he did in “The Johnstons” with Adrienne,Lucy and Paul…their sound remains unique…heard them sing MacColl’s “Tunnel Tigers” on Radio Eireann last week…R.I.P. Mick & Adrienne.
Sorry Christy, I hadn’t noticed the words I used. I just wrote.
On a lighter note, a library in North Yorkshire has waived all fines for chewed books if they are returned with a picture of the culprit.
Rebecca
I liked your “awash with grief”…it stood out and lingers…as does the note about “chewed books in North Yorkshire”
Thanks Dave (DAGRAB)
My 3rd visit & I feel I’m home when I arrive
Enjoying & learning from all the posts here
Best wishes
Danny Harris
“I am standing on the threshold of another trembling world. May God have mercy on my soul”. Bobby Sands , the brave man, the author, the leader, the poet, the revolutionary, the songwriter, the inspiration, and so the list goes on.
Rory
http://www.epicchq.com
Great fun getting your visitor passport stamped in each room…more adults than kids doing it…in my case,the only Irish passport,I’ll ever get,sadly! D
Mornin Christy
In my gig going times,the early 70s,one day,Platt Fields,folk festivals were treasures…reading a great book about The Free Trade Hall,there’s info about an event based there in November,65.not sure if you were here then,but I’m boggled as to how all ‘ the turns’ were rammed into one day…the bill included,Phil Ochs,Doc Watson,The Campbells,Cyril Tawney etc etc…i tried to find a review,but no luck,so far.
Danny…enjoy your trip. For the first time in years,I visited Dublin,last Autumn.Loved the buzz of revisiting old haunts and was mightily impressed by The Epic museum,central and Liffey side…I know you’ll be pushed for time,but consider it,in case it fits in with your shore leave…
Have a good day all
Dave
great having you back
regular correspodance from Suffragette City
Dear christy,
My wife nursed a baby crow back to health and saved it last year in our garden , now its at the door thrice daily for its 3 square meals, bringing with it a host of various types of corvid pals.
Meeting the talented Niamh Dunne and Sean Og recently i was even more delighted when i found Niamh’s song ‘the raven’ so her LP is winging its way over the water to my Sheila to enjoy. Lovely voice, great heritage.
Rory
I’ve grown fonder of crows of late
I watch their shenanigans regularly
such strong personalities
cute hoors too
Christy, – wifey & grandson & me will be cruisin’…
We hit Cork 17 May, Dublin 18th & Belfast 19th…docked 7am to 8pm those days so will get to shuffle around the diggings but no o/night stay…
Have earmarked some pubs from advice from good people on this site where an ale or several will likely be quaffed
It would be a miracle if you were ambling along in the area so no high hopes here…
I’ll stay tuned for your gig developments just in case
Many thanks for The Christy Corps (including your good self) for welcoming me to this outfit
Close your eyes and watch it happen
Lotsa good things,
Danny Harris
Happy Cruisin Hazzo
Hello Christy,
Bank Holiday weekend here. I hope everyone has a good weekend, however long or short.
Me, I’ll be playing and singing my heart out, thenwatching a bit of rugby. A few hours singing along to Christy’s fine baritone later helps me work on the bottom end. There’s method in the madness.
I hope I don’t sound too dramatic here but I think that Taylor guitar might have saved me. I was awash with grief and having awful dreams. A couple of weeks on that guitar and I’m so much better. I guess this is what being a musician is. We need it more than it needs us.
I’ll stop warbling on now.
Rebecca
“awash with grief”
be the lord jasus
I never heard the like
Hi Christy
Music can strike us in unpredicted ways.
My wee sister just messaged to say she recalls coming back with us from Granny’s funeral nearly 35 years ago and on the radio was Johnny Logan’s ‘hold me now’.
When it came on the radio today she burst into tears.
Love the song, love the memory.
Rory
Ps johnny was class
Patsy Cline gets me every time
I does be falling to pieces
Gounod’s Ave Maria gets me too
Ella’s Swingin Shepherd Blues
John McCormack’s I hear you calling me
…they’re under starters orders, gotta go
Ah, the madness of racism & bigotry…when will we ever learn?
A solace to me is Eric Idle’s story of Python’s trip to Dachau where they were refused entry.
Said Graham Chapman: “Tell them we’re Jewish…”
I’m lucky to live in a town (city, y’know) of strong migrant history & it is a pleasure not to encounter racist attitudes against migrants.
Now, indigenous Australians? Well, sadly, that’s another matter…
Where would we be if not for the song, story & poem writers and the singers & players who opened our eyes and minds and hearts?
Rosin up the bow, Christy.
Pity I won’t see a gig of yourn when I’m on yer soil soon
But compared to the horror of Ghaza it’s a small inconvenience
Kindest regards to youse all
Danny Harris
when you gonna be here ? where will you be hangin ?
Hi Christy
A day for history…
Thinking back to surreal 2020 lockdown….working through your ace sessions,now on YouTube.Great to see how many views have mounted up…and the buzz at the time when a new gig appeared…thanks to you and Andy for keeping spirits high.
Dave
we had a grand time recording those sessions….its a great buzz to hear that so many took solace from our simple efforts..Father & Son in the workroom with a guitar, a phone and a basket of songs….
Great words,Christy and Rory
I’m en route to Salford Quays and IWM N/ war museum
I’ll pause for quiet reflection in front of the exhibition case,holding artefacts,clothing and yellow triangle from Polish holocaust victims…on my last visit,there was a sparky bunch of young school kids enjoying their day out of school.Their silence at The Holocaust section was powerful….
Dave
Dear Christy,
82 years ago today the yellow triangle was made mandatory. Niemoller’s words and your song still ring loud.
Rory
the feedbck, support and encouragement received from good listeners urging me on