Christy Moore

Subject: Christy Moore
From: The PA
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 08:50 AM

Christy Moore is on Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 17 June at 11.15am.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:10 AM

Repeat on Friday Morning too ?

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: KeithofChester
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:17 AM

Repeat on Friday Morning too ?

Yes, there will be a repeat it says here

Christy News

Anyone know why Desert Island Disks gets withheld from listen-again? My guess would be that Mrs Plomley owns the format and the BBC haven't struck a listen-again deal with her.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:24 AM

As its reapeated nearly a week later , it would be on listen again nearly a fortnight after first broadcast - Could thet be it ?

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 09:31 AM

I think that it is to do with royalties for plays.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Michael
Date: 14 Jun 07 - 10:02 AM

This was a question on 'Feedback'some time ago and if I remember correctly, the reply was to the effect that I was due to problems with negotiations with Roy Plomley's estate.

Mike

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 12:52 PM

Refresh

Anybody hear the programme? I thought he was great - interesting, self-analytical, completely natural. Fine choice of music too. (And wasn't he clever to pick the Child collection as his desert island book!) It's airing again on Friday morning at 9 a.m.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 12:56 PM

PS: Nice to hear Mike Waterson get a mention as a source for one of the songs. (Who wrote it? Sounded like Jake Thackray to me but I don't really know... Or was it Mike himself?)

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Bainbo
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 01:03 PM

Bonnie - If you're referring to A Stitch In Time (didn't hear the programme myself) then it was indeed written by Mike Waterson. I believe it was based on a local Yorkshire story, but Christy always manages to make it sound as if it has always been Irish.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 01:54 PM

UNFORTUNATELY, Ican only get radio 4 longwave,so will haveto listen next friday and hope there is no cricket.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 02:54 PM

Yes, it was Mike WAterson's " A Stitch in Time" - and Christy was recorded singing it specially for the programme!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Schantieman
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 05:57 PM

...and actually I don't think he sang it particularly well - words, phrasing and that, although he was self-critical about his voice, which sounded fine to me! Still, good to hear it done at all!

Steve

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 06:08 PM

Christy was talking about Martin Carthy singing the song, so it seemed odd when he then sang it himself. Could it be that the BBC didn't have the song in their archives? If so, that's a pretty sad indictment, as it's not exactly obscure: it not only appears on the Martin Carthy CD Rite of Passage but also on the Watersons' big box set, A Mighty River of Song.

I can't imagine any other reason that Christy would sing one of his own Desert Island Discs, particularly after referring to someone else's recording of the song...

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 06:55 PM

I think it was a first for Desert Island Discs, to have someone record a song especially for the programme. An odd thing to do when you think that the whole idea of the show is to play your (presumably) already recorded favourite discs. I did wonder if Christy did it to show that songs have lives outside the singer and can be sung by anyone, so long as they have a talent for singing? If that was the case, that was a true folk attitude in the tradition; but I am only speculating here. It was, as expected, a wonderful show.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:00 PM

Well, I thought it was one of the grimmest Desert Island Discs I've ever heard. Kirsty whatever-she's-called should be sacked immediately. This was most decidedly not the Christy I've known and loved for decades. She insisted on dwelling on his past drug abuse and alcoholism and persisted with this line of enquiry even when it was perfectly clear that he'd had enough of it and was uncomfortable with it. There was precious little time to mention his achievements with Planxty or Moving Hearts or his fabulous solo career up to the late 1990s. There was no time to mention his wonderful alchemy with that great poet of modern times, Shane McGowan. The only Planxty association allowed even a fleeting mention was Liam O'Flynn.   We heard an awful lot about the gloom and doom of his ill-health and breakdowns and far too little about the sheer unalloyed pleasure (and, for those lucky enough to see him live, the sheer fun) that he's given to millions over the years. Kirsty Thingie must fancy herself as some kind of amateur psychiatrist or something, but in spite of her misguided endeavours she managed to bring out very little of the real Christy Moore as we know and love him. :-(

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:15 PM

well, I certainly did not think it was grim ... I felt it was quite moving, especially the conversations about his parents. perhaps the programme as broadcast did dwell a little bit too much on the drugs and drink, presumably the whole thing is edited down from a longer interview. But I thought Christy handled the questions well. And it was great to have a recording of John Reilly at the end.
Derek

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:23 PM

Christy also recorded it on "This is the Day".

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:23 PM

He also, though mentioning his siblings, never acknowledged Barry Moore's career. I thought he might, considering some of the lovely songs which Barry wrote and Christy recorded, such as City of Chicago and Wave Up to the Shore.

Barry is, of course, better known as Luka Bloom.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:42 PM

Yes, I noticed that too, Ruth - though it may not Mean anything. There's always something you forget to mention, in such a tight format.

Re the siblings, I used to live just over the road from Andy Moore in Cork city (before I moved). His is a lovely cheerful yellow house which stands out a treat among the row of staid Victorian greys. His son Gavin is a fine singer himself - I used to back him from time to time in De Barra's in Clonakilty in the days when I was a Monday night resident. He could always get the punters quiet, no small achievement.

I didn't find the show grim, but Steve has some very good points about all the omissions. It does give a rather skewed view to anyone unfamiliar with CM's past work, and a huge amount was missed out. (I'd like to have heard more about "Prosperous" fr'instance.) But time is always against you. Anyway it made me admire Christy all the more for coming through the dark tunnel so triumphantly.

Thanks all for the heads-up about Mike's song.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:44 PM

Not only his brother, but scarcely a mention of Donal Lunny either. He mentioned Luke Kelly and played a song of his (odd choice though it was), but nary a mention was there of Shane at all, whom I know Christy loves. I found the whole thing rather depressing and mystifying.   Not that I expected a roll-call of honour from Christy, but the point is that Kirsty Young was so obsessed with Christy's troubles that there was hardly any time to be at all upbeat. This was not the Christy of Lisdoonvarna or Don't Forget Your Shovel or Welcome To The Caberet. Shame!

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:45 PM

Ot would that be cabaret...

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:46 PM

Or. Jeez.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 07:49 PM

The fundamental problem was that it was Desert Island Discs! I think what we all would have enjoyed was an unexpurgated two-hour interview with Christy, talking about all the stages of his career, rather than a version that was truncated in order to accomodate all that bloody music!

Maybe they should re-think the format...?

:)

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:04 PM

I agree. It was a 45-minute Kirsty ego-trip.   They should dig up Roy Plomley I reckon. Now he really could get you to open up!

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:07 PM

I think the problem is the time limit of 45 minutes, which includes the songs, although these are usually fragments. Christy has had a full and rich life and he cannot mention everyone and everything. I found it interesting and moving and I think Kirsty wanted to get to know the man behind the performer.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Schantieman
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:35 AM

I agree - an excellent programme on the whole.

Steve

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:41 AM

Well I liked some of that bloody music. Not all, not all unconditionally but his tatses did say something. Which is why we listened. Now the program that followed - I wouldn't have missed.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:41 AM

On Sunday - that is.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:50 AM

Mr Red - I was being facetious about the "bloody music".

:)

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 07:08 AM

Not a single mention of Shane McGowan. Inexplicable. And that clangorous version of Joe Hill by Luke Kelly, of all of Luke's songs he could have chosen! The only Planxty was a solo slow air with synthesiser played by Liam O'Flynn, and that was about it apart from just reeling off their names. Raglan Road sung by Luke and Raggle Taggle Gypsy/Give Me Your Hand by Planxty or from the Prosperous album have long been in my desert island eight!   I don't want DID to be predictable but I just feel we didn't get a flavour of the man we know (we think) and love. :-( I'll just have to wait 'til he does another programme with Mike Harding - a much better combination!

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: GUEST,Chris Murray
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 07:18 AM

I enjoyed it. I thought there might be a mention of Jimmy McCarthy or Shane McGowan - but Christy presumably chose the songs himself, so who are we to criticise him?

His book is very good, by the way.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: KeithofChester
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 07:25 AM

I thought it was an excellent show. As Chris Murray says, it was Christy's choice of songs to take to his desert island, not ours. If Kirsty didn't ask all the questions you wanted her to, then there is plenty more from him in his One Voice-My Life In Song book. I seem to remember there is also an extensive interview as an extra on the Live in Dublin 2006 DVD

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Morris-ey
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:08 AM

Dunno what you expect really. The format is flawed because there is not enough time to play any significant amount of music nor enough to conduct a proper interview.

And Steve Shaw might explain what "This was most decidedly not the Christy I've known and loved for decades." means. Are you a personal friend or acquaintance of Christy?

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:33 AM

No.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:42 AM

Are you a personal friend or acquaintance of Christy?

Well, he might be. Christy Moore does have friends and acquaintances.
At one time I would have described CM as an acquaintance, especially as some of the Prosperous musicians lived upstairs from me (and a jolly loud racket they made).

I haven't heard this broadcast yet but someone told me said album was presented as the point when CM turned to exclusively Irish roots. This would be why Dave Bland (then VWML librarian) was chosen to play tenor banjo and concertina. Halifax stylee.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Roughyed
Date: 19 Jun 07 - 11:26 AM

Surely the point of the programme is that it is not necessarily your favourite records but rather the ones that are most evocative of particular people and times that you would want to recall on a Desert Island? At its best, that then gives a peg to hang an interview which illuminates those parts of a persons life that the music represents. Whether the interviewer did that is a moot point but the choice of records cannot be criticised. There's some pretty average, even rubbish music which takes me back to some very happy times.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Rog Peek
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 02:35 PM

Missed it Sunday, at work this morning, my wife recorded it for me. Just finished listening to it, enjoyed it very much. Thanks PA for bringing it to my attention.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 02:48 PM

I enjoyed every minute of it, and I was actually unaware of hie drug and alcohol problems, so I was interested and also upset to hear about them. What we appear to have so far is posts mainly by people who know Christy's work, and what you MUST remember is, that as far as the rest of the listeners to Desert Island Discs is concerned, you are in the minority, by quite a big factor!
So don't be too parochial, and imagine the enjoyment that those who are not 'in the know' may have derived from this programme.
Giok

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Jun 07 - 06:51 PM

Only got the last few quarter hour of it. Powerful stuff. I think there will be a good few people who've never heard about Christy who'll have their interest awakened by the programme.

True enough, no one will ever be as good as Roy Plomley was with Desert Island Discs, but I think it's still it's a brilliant format for an interview programme. I was glad he got in a mention of Frank Harte.

Subject: Folklore: Christie Moore on Desert Island Discs
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 05:27 AM

I caught the last third of this programme on Radio 4 yesterday. Mr Moore chose Ewan MacColl singing 'The Joy of Living', Luke Kelly singing 'The Ballad of Joe Hill' and the trad. singer John Reilly singing 'The Gypsy Laddie' for his last 3 tracks. He also spoke very frankly about his relationship to Irish Nationalism and movingly about his recovery from alcoholism. I wish I'd heard all of it (haven't got broadband - so probably can't do 'listen again').

Did anyone else hear the programme?

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Cath
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 05:46 AM

I don't know, some folk are never happy!

We complain that the media don't take folk music and folk musicians seriously or give them enough air time. Then when one who is not called Carthy or Watterson or Rusby (no disrespect to any of the former) gets a spot on a major BBC programme that is aired twice in a week we compain again because they haven't done it right!!

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: GUEST,Brian
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:02 PM

Well said Cath !

My only gripe is the fact that I can't listen again.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 02:51 PM

imagine the enjoyment that those who are not 'in the know' may have derived from this programme

I do actually find it very difficult to imagine that anyone who logs onto this site hasn't heard of Christy Moore. Though they might not be aware of his collaboration with Dominic Behan, nor of his role in Moving Hearts, in which case, the programme served a purpose.

What I do find unnecessary is snide references to Wattersons (sic), Carthys or even kRusbys. They do what they do, and Martin Carthy is a frequent and eloquent interviewee on many a related subject.

And to Guest Brian: DID is never on the replayer.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Marc Bernier
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 04:45 PM

I just got a listen and thought it was great. It seems to me some folks need to be critical, just so they can have something to say.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Cath
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 04:47 PM

Sorry Diane but they were not snide references at all and I see no reason why you should think so.

It is a matter of fact that the media, when they need a folk person for anything, will always go to those people, the Waterson:Carthy family in particular. You only have to listen to Radio 4 on a daily basis as I do to know that.

I knew Christy when he lived in Bradshaw and I don't recollect hearing mention of those times in the programme but for goodness sake it was a 45 minute programme and can't possibly do justice to all he's done but full marks for the programme for trying. It makes a change to have someone on that I know something about and am interested in.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 05:04 PM



I take it that this was referring to people listening to Desert Island Discs, more especially those who, inexplicably, do not log onto the Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Gulliver
Date: 23 Jun 07 - 06:59 PM

Sorry Diane but they were not snide references at all and I see no reason why you should think so.


Cath, you are quite correct. This person has once again lost the run of herself.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 02:34 AM

Cath, you are quite correct

Not.

Obviously it's snide to refer to 'anyone who is not called Carthy or Watterson (sic) or Rusby'.

The Waterson:Carthy family is interviewed frequently because they are highly knowledgeable and interesting interviewees. Dunno about the kRusby though. Only interview with her I recall was about how she was scared of flying. And that was on R2. Natch.

R4 has many and frequent allusions to English trad, mostly good, as an integral part of national network output. In the past few weeks (leaving aside Bright Phoebus), I've heard the Kathryn Tickell Band on Woman's Hour (an excellent source of trad music being treated as a non-weirdo item), Bellowhead on Loose Ends, somebody from the Bay City Rollers doing the Jute Mill Song on Today, Shepherds Hey played as incidental music in a drama, that Morris saga on Saturday Live and The Yetties playing Barwick Green every Sunday morning (not sure if that counts).

Actually, when 'the meeja' wants a f*lk-type spokesperson they usually call C#H. They certainly did when I worked there, and then in turn when I worked in television production I would call the library when I wanted something. Because the Artists' Index which used to be kept in a building behind Safeway on Shepherds Bush Green was (and doubtless still is) useless.

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: Marje
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 05:12 AM

I enjoyed the broadcast - I have seen CM once live, but really did't know much about his background. Of course it wasn't a complete record of his life, but it's not meant to be. And presumably he chose the tracks as ones of particular personal significance to him, not necessarily the Best Tracks Ever Made.

On thing I liked was that he made no secret of being a one-time IRA supporter and Irish Nationalist, yet was happy to choose a mixture of English and Irish music and to speak with respect of singers like Carthy and MacColl. There was none of the separatism that so often characterises Irish musicians, and I don't think the C-word (celtic, in the sense of non-English) was mentioned once. It's good to have an acknowledgement from a pro like Christy of how much is shared in the Irish/British heritage.

Marje

Subject: RE: Christy Moore
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 05:47 AM

Christy Moore lived and worked in England for a decade before the formation of Planxty and his return to Ireland. In common with Luke Kelly and Dominic Behan, he was not regarded first and foremost as an Irish singer but a singer.

I've never come across Irish musicians who regard themselves as 'separate'. This is usually a characteristic of the out-of-time Celtic bodhrán bashing brigade in festival beer tents.

On the subject of 'Best Tracks Ever Made', Joe Hill was definitely not Luke Kelly's 'best'. Here was a ballad singer with possibly the best diction ever produced in these islands and it would have been infinitely preferable had CM chosen another. Almost any other.