Req: Recording of Annachie Gordon

Subject: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From:
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 01:00 PM

Ran across the "Mudcat Gang" while doing a Google research on Annachie Gordon. Thought some of you might give me a hand. Does anyone have or know how to find a particular recording of Annachie Gordon. This version had "killer" instrumentation and was sung by Mary Black at the height of her vocal talent. I first heard it on a Celtic radio show in Memphis and was able to tape it in 1985. I've since lost the tape and have been searching ever since. I"ve discovered that it was on a now out of print recording, "Christie Moore And Friends" (think I spelled his name right, but not certain). I've got one version of the song done by Mary Black and, while it's good, it had nothing of the acoustic production values of this one version I'm looking for. From what I can tell from discovering and following one particular "Mudcat" thread, there are a number of you out there that "know your stuff" and might run this thing to ground for me. thanks. Ted

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: sharyn
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 01:02 PM

Ted -- radio stations archive their broadcasts sometimes: you might be able to find it that way. Good Luck

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 01:26 PM

According to www.christymoore.net, it was re-released in 1991 by RTE through Tara Records and has an order number:

Christy Moore and Friends (1981) [from the RTE TV series, directed by John McColgan]
title: Christy Moore and Friends
artists:
Christy Moore
Stockton's Wing
Ralph McTell
Andy Irvine
Donal Lunny
Matt Molloy
Mary Black
date: 1991
tracks:
A-side:
John O'Dreams (Bill Caddick) - Christy Moore
The Maid Behind the Bar (trad./arr. Stockton's Wing) - Stockton's Wing
Trip to Jerusalem (Joe Dolan) - Christy Moore
Streets of London (Ralph McTell) - Ralph McTell
Patrick Was A Gentleman (Christy Moore) - Christy Moore
East of Glendart (C. Moore, A. Irvine, M. Molloy, D. Lunny) - Planxty
B-side:

The Good Ship Kangaroo (C. Moore, A. Irvine, M. Molloy, D. Lunny) - Planxty
From Clare to Here (Ralph McTell) - Ralph McTell
Sonny Brogan's (trad. arr. Stockton's Wing) - Stockton's Wing
Anachie Gordon (trad. arr. Black, O'Beirne) - Mary Black
Cliffs of Dooneen (trad. arr. C. Moore) - Christy Moore
The Crack was Ninety in the Isle of Mann (Barney Rush) - Christy Moore
order no: HRTE RTE 59 (Tara Records)

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 01:29 PM

Or, maybe not? Here is a link to Tara Music, but I couldn't find this album there. Good luck!

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 01:30 PM

Ya know... I might have an MP3 of it somewhere...

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: BB
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 02:17 PM

The definitive version, in my opinion, was by Nic Jones, and can be found on the recent double CD 'Unearthed'. He says, "I adapted the tune found in Christie's 'Traditional Ballad Airs' and collated verses from 'Lord Saltoun & Auchanachie' (Buchan's 'Ballads of the North of Scotland') and 'Lord Saltoun & Annachie' (Christie's 'Traditional Ballad Airs')." As far as I know, any other version of 'Annachie Gordon' stems from this setting of Nic's.

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 02:23 PM

This is the recording I have of Mary Black singing Anachie Gordon. Apparently it's still available. Blicky.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Lookinf for Annachie Gordon
From: GUEST,TMcNabb
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 03:33 PM

To Don: I have the Mary Black album you speak of already.
To Katlaughing: Great tip! I'll check Tara. If they don'[t have it perhaps they can tell where to find it,etc.. I've already left a message with Thistle and Shamrock of NPR (thanks to Sharyn).
To BB: I'd be interested in hearing the definitive version you speak of. Mary Black at her best is hard to beat and the version I'm after is at her best. Plus, I'm a picker (done some recording,etc.) and the acoustic interplay, if memory serves, is amazing on the old Christie track.
To Clifton: Clifton it would really be something if you actually have an MP3 of this particular track.

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 06:58 PM

Nic Jones' version is absolutely wonderful- I think you would enjoy it too- the guitar work is subtle but adds to the song.

Worth buying the CD, and not just for that track!

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Nov 02 - 07:02 PM

Welcome to Mudcat!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: Declan
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 10:47 AM

This was recorded in the Abbey Tavern in Howth County Dublin in the early 80s as part of an RTE series 'Christy Moore & Friends'. The backing was a single acoustic guitar played by Declan Sinnot, who is a wonderful guitar player and was a founder member of a number of great Irish bands including Southpaw (with Jimmy McCarthy) and Moving Hearts (with among others Christy Moore & Donal Lunny) and was musical director of May Black's band for a good few years in the 1980s & 90s. He's also an ex member of the legendary Irish celtic rock band Horslips.

This spot on Christy's program launched Mary Black's solo career. She had been a member of a band called General Humbert before this and had sung with her family group (Called funny enough the Black Family) but this song brought her singing to the attention of a much wider audience.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the album, although I do have a copy of the sleeve (it's a long story). Best of luck with finding a copy. I'd say its probably a collector's item at this stage. I've never seen it released on CD.

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 11:20 AM

Just as a footnote; this is another song that owes its present form to Nic Jones, though he's rarely credited for it. He got the tune from Christie's Traditional Ballad Airs, re-made it a bit, and worked up a modified set of lyrics based on the small number of texts available. Mary Black learned it (and a number of other songs which she later recorded) from him.

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: GUEST,Arne Langsetmo
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 08:01 PM

The version by Mary Black I like best is on:

Mary Black, "Mary Black"

Looks like it may still possibly be available on CD.

Hope you like it.

Cheers,

                         -- Arne Langsetmo

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: artbrooks
Date: 04 Nov 02 - 08:51 PM

The Christy Moor LP is currently available on e-bay for $7, here

Subject: RE: Looking for Annachie Gordon
From: Sarah the flute
Date: 05 Nov 02 - 03:43 AM

It's on an album by Loreena McKennit too - not the mask and the Mirror but another one - can't remember the name of it. It's a nice version

sarah