Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 08 - 09:08 PM

He's written a lot of lovely songs, many history based. He's great in person, as well.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 May 08 - 08:49 PM

Evidently I've never posted on this thread and I'm certainly a long-time fan of Keelaghan.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Chuck
Date: 22 May 08 - 05:43 PM

Does anyone have the chords for "You Know Me"?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 14 Jan 08 - 04:41 PM

Shucks Bil K you're probably in the wrong forum!!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: bill kennedy
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 09:30 PM

I wouldn't cross the street to see him for free. Just don't think he's really all that good, though he sings well his songs to me are poorly written, badly rhymed if not painfully so, cliched, superficial. No, thank you, not interested, though I know many of you almost worship him, Cold Missouri Waters is on my ten most badly written songs list, and is a close second to the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald as the song I most want never to hear again. But that's just my taste and opinion. Not worht you all getting upset about, I know many of you feel differently, but for others out there who feel as I do, i thought I would articulate it here.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 07:27 PM

Thanks VERY much, Spaw!

I live now in Charleston, WV and lived as a child near Huntington, WV ... with a lot of other places outside WV in between. I've been recording a bit lately, and this song just grabbed me the other day while driving. I have a friend who's a female singer I think might do it justice if I can learn the guitar part, but I'll sing it in the meantime. She also plays fiddle, and I think there may be room for a fiddle interlude in that song.

I like songs that evoke aspects of history not often considered. Keelaghan is very good at that.

This is a huge help, Spaw, and I'm grateful for your help.

Jeff

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 07:18 PM

Ol' "CH" kinda' wore out his welcome around here but he was one helluva' fan of certain people and JK is one. From an earlier CH post:

Rebecca�s Lament
Key of D
(Capo 7th fret)
Relative chord shapes (As if your capo was the 'nut')
G C G D
Em C D G

The (G)last time I (C)saw him He�d been (G)swallowed by the (D)wood
I�d have (Em)followed if I (C)could, He�da(G)stayed had he(D) wanted
Had (G)he the (C)desire or (G)had I the (D)will
I would (Em)be with him (C)still but (G)instead he just (D)haunts me
I (C)knew when(D) he (G)faded I�d ne�re see him (C)again
His (Am)laughter�s (Am7th/G)embrace would no (C)more me (D)surround
The (G)chill that went (C)through me is the (G)chill wind that (D)blows
Through the (Em)soft midnight (C)stillness of (D)Chillico (G)town

The smell of the blanket he wrapped round my shoulders
Comes back to me now on a faint wisp of smoke
Comes back with a vengeance that makes me remember
Those nights round the fire and fond words we spoke
The blanket was woven in some shattered village
That is gone now forever May never be found
His people are scattered, his fondest hopes dashed
He�d a been better off here in Chillico town

I knew from the start just were he stood
About his intentions there was no mistake
To stay meant his dream so dear to his heart
Was the one thing he knew he must somehow forsake
He just couldn�t see that the old ways were passing
A new wave was rising and he would be drowned
Like it or not history is written
Not in the forest but in Chillico town

There�s sadness in parting with what we hold dear
There�s a danger in staying for fear we�ll be lost
One half of us wishes to live out our dreams
The other half reckons and counts out the cost
Though we may go on to a far greater glory
By knowing where destiny is sure to be found
I wish him no ill, though I wish him no fame
And such fame as he�d find here in Chillico town


And just in case you don't know what an (Am7th/G) chord is, here's the tab for it... from your bass strings down....
302010

So where do you live now and why the biggie about this song? Also, where are you from 50 miles from Chillicothe ......Just nosy I guess. I'm outside of Lancaster and grew up in the Columbus burbs.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Jeff Seager
Date: 13 Jan 08 - 06:08 PM

Does anyone have chords for "Rebecca's Lament"? Sounds like standard tuning but I'm not certain, and I've owned this CD for several years but now suddenly I MUST learn to play this song. I grew up about 50 miles from Chillicothe, Ohio, where Tecumseh left Rebecca.

I have the lyrics down pretty well in my head, but the chords would be a big help and much appreciated. Then all that remains is to figure out that fingerstyle guitar pattern Keelaghan does so beautifully. Wish me luck on that!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 05:44 PM

Spread him around Don!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 05:40 PM

Clinton,

I only recently discovered JK. Like THE DAY AFTER he did a concert here in Syracuse. He was here 8 years ago and drew about 12 people. This year he drew about 40.

An artist this good has no reason to be so unknown so close to home. I can't explain it either.

Great songs, great voice.

Don

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 01:55 PM

Well, Townes, as I said - Texas is funny. Hell, this state has
produced the current idiot in the White House AND Lyndon Johnson; it has also produced singers from Toby Keith to the Dixie Chicks and everyone in between like: Brave Combo, Bob Wills, Janis Joplin, Townes Van Zant, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson and on and on. They have really supported Gordon Lightfoot over the years and rally around Stan Rogers songs but don't know who James keelaghan is; and, to top it off, one of the largest folk festivals in the WORLD is right here in little 'ole Texas - a funny place, it is. Cheers

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Townes
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 02:03 AM

Guess we are pretty lucky in down here in Hobart Tasmania (40 degrees south) Texas Guest. It amazes me you can't get to see him down your way. We are a lot further away from Winnepeg and yet JK has been here many times. In fact through his visits James married a Tassie girl the lovely Micha. He has a great following here and in fact throughout Australia. James and Oscar were at the previous National Folk Festival in Canberra 2005 and packed the venues for every performance. He's one of the best.

Cheers
Townes

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 07:22 PM

Well, as I said - Bill Staines drew right about 20 at a Fort Worth venue last year (mgmt said that advertising was more than sufficient and it wasn't as if he played the area the previous several months).
Just a few weeks back I inquired about the possibility of J.K. at Uncle Calvin's (Dallas) - a regular stop on the national coffeehouse circuit - and they said he simply didn't draw an audience.

I live in Fort Worth and it's a mite more "music friendly" than Dallas; but, Dallas is not known for being a "music" town. Don't get me wrong, there are a few venues for most any genre of music there, but, for instance, I play the Detroit/Ann Arbor area maybe twice a year and there must be ten to fifteen times the amount of workable live venues up there as opposed to DFW. But hey, we're workin' on it.
Cheers.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:37 PM

It's about a lot of things.... His grandpa included.....

:-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: open mike
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:32 PM

i featured his song stonecutters on my father's day theme radio show
it is about his grandfather

Subject: Lyr Add: MIRABEAU BRIDGE (Sam Larkin)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:01 PM

"Mirabeau Bridge"   Sam Larkin

I went down to see the morning
When the shutters all were drawn
And the sidewalk tables empty
and the laughing voices gone
And from some upstairs window
In the blue and grey of dawn
Came the faded sound of somebody
Who played my song

I had a dream and I gave it a name
The name that I gave it was your name
I had a dream and I gave it a name
The name that I gave it was your name

I was fighting phantom windmills
Made of nothing left to do
But live among the shadows
Of the days I made it through
With lies and false pretences
That tomorrow would be new
And it was, cause, just like a dream
I discovered you

I had a dream and I gave it a name
The name that I gave it was your name
I had a dream and I gave it a name
The name that I gave it was your name

And the Mirabeau Bridge is crowded
With the ones who love the night
And the river laughing endlessly
Like the wild cafe life
Full of words from every language
Across the candle light
As it shines like love in the eyes
That I meet tonight

I had a dream and I gave it a name
The name that I gave it was your name
I had a dream and I gave it a name
The name that I gave it was your name

---

Lyrics posted by Sam Larkin himself: (click here)
-Joe Offer, 1 June 2016-

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 12:36 AM

"they won't bring Keelaghan back because he doesn't draw at all "

That just an ill informed audience then....

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Willie-O
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 08:29 PM

Dropped for five years and not missing a beat...that's timing.

Found out Keelaghan's playing at Stewart Park Fest in Perth ON next month. Friday July 21 that would be. That's a FREE festival and on the same night, the entire Hootenanny outfit with Jenny Whiteley, Carolyn Mark, Oh Susanna and more. Jeez I love living here.

www.stewartparkfestival.ca/

I haven't seen Mr K in some years so I'm looking forward to it...and I still play Red River Risin' at nearly every gig.

W-O

oh yeah, I'm playin there too, on the beer patio where I belong...Saturday afternoon July 22. But it's not just me, I'm hosting a Celtic session, so anyone fancy a summer trip to the town that time forgot? Really it's quite pleasant. Bring yer whistle or whathavya.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 08:12 PM

There are few I respect as much as James Keelaghan and none more. I've been trying to talk the powers down here into bringing him down but they just say he's been here before and didn't draw. Gee, let's see - Bill Staines drew a crowd of twenty the last time he was here and they won't bring Keelaghan back because he doesn't draw at all - well, guess that means I don't have a chance in hell; but then, hey, I knew that goin' in. Enjoy James Keelaghan folks and I'll try to catch him when I'm outside of Texas with a night off. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:58 PM

Ask me in a few hours....

It's called "Mirabeau Bridge"... it's a Sam Larkin song... James covered it on his CD "Road"... I'll post the lyrics when I get back from rehearsal

The Official James K Forum
http://keelaghan.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=119a454e7af0eb32369d3cdc4fb00957

:-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Gordon - The Marrowbones
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:47 PM

Does anyone have the lyrics to " I had a dream and I gave it a name" the name that I gave it was your name"

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 10 Feb 01 - 05:12 PM

Clinton,my name's Susanne, and I'm a Mudcaholic ... :-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Feb 01 - 09:09 PM

No probs SKW!

;-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 09 Feb 01 - 09:02 PM

Thanks a lot, Clinton!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Herge
Date: 09 Feb 01 - 04:55 PM

I saw James live by mistake - I went to Rotterdam Bar in Belfast to hear a Cajun band but got the dates wrong! Best mistake I ever made and had a great night listening to an excellent musician and singer. I chatted to him after the gig and he gave me one of his tapes - he was a really nice guy. Would love to see him back in Northern Ireland. Herge

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Feb 01 - 04:27 PM

You have to work on a Sunday night DDW? That sucks mate!

And i didn't metnion it because you and i are the only catters within a stones throw... any other Windsor show thread I start, tends to drop off the page unanswered...

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: ddw
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 07:40 PM

Clinton hasn't mentioned it, so I will — JK is skedded for a concert March 4 in Windsor, Ont. as part of the Windsor Folk Society's concert season.

We had Oscar Lopez and (dare I mention it without a flameproof suit) the incomparable Rick Fielding last year.

I've only heard a few cuts of JK's stuff — they play it occasionally on CBC radio — and I'm really looking forward to this concert. Even took the night off work so I can go.

david

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 01:33 PM

No probs... I had them laying around here... It's nice to get them off my floor really...

;-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 08 Feb 01 - 01:42 AM

Clinton, you've done a wonderful job with those chords - I am eternally in your debt.

Joan

Subject: Lyr Add: RED RIVER RISING (James Keelaghan)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 06:42 PM

RED RIVER RISING

The night a moonlit shadow flecked with autumn leaves
Cory's on the other side
A fine grey mare benieth me, mud up to my knees
Cory's on the other side

Red river's rising, the Red River's rising
Cory's on the other side
Red River's rising, the Red River's rising
Cory's on the other side
Cory's on the other side

Thomas Scott he took the lead We rode to Portage Town
Metis riders on out trail it's soon the rode us down

The clouds above the stockade wall were heavy with the snow
The Muffled drums beat out the time and Thomas was laid low

Now Cory at the prison door Her eyes were cold and blue
Wore a rose in her hair just liek the spanish ladies do

The "Carlos" thing is a bad joke that he and Oscar have been inflicting on folks since they started playing the song together...

Anyone else have a request?

lol!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 06:14 PM

Clinton, that's not what it sounded like in Denmark! :-)
Anyway, does any Keelaghan fan have the words to Red River Rising? In an older thread I found some great links, but not the words, nor in the DT. (Three older threads, actually - I typed the title into the SuperSearch.)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 05:54 PM

that version is A.K.A "Follow Me Up There Carlos"

LOL!!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 05:44 PM

I'd like to add 'Abraham' and 'Glory Bound' to my favourites. And I still remember the live version he did at Tonder Festival some years ago (with Oscar Lopez on guitar) of 'Follow me up to Carlow'.

Subject: Chords Add: RIVER RUN (James Keelaghan)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 12:59 PM

Usually, what I have more resembles bait-like breath...

o.k.. to go for album key and tone.. standard tuning will work capoed 3rd fret... in the following chord shapes...

(D) River of (A)blue (G)cut through the(A) valley (D)Swept past the(A) willows and the(G) sandy (A)bar

That pattern repeats through most of the song... until...

(D)In the summer heat (A)who could be (G)blamed (G) (D)
(Em) Avoided the (A)rapids as (D)best as (D+C#)we (Bm)could
Never (G)thought that that (A)stream could be (D)tamed

chorus

Now the (A)river's not (G)running as (D)fast as it (A)did
There's a (D)damn there restric(A)ting the flow(G) (D)
(Em) And I don't run (A)either as (D)fast as (D+C#) I (Bm)could
Guess that (G)river and (A)I have grown (D)old

Any questions, feel free to PM or email me eh!

;-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 12:31 PM

Clinton, many thanks, I'll await the chords with bated breath!

Joan

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Jo King
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 07:40 AM

I have enjoyed James Keelahan's music for some time now. He is a very gifted songwriter/musician. My favourite way to enjoy his music is in a live venue. The fullness of his abilities shines through. I often enjoy solo artists more when the production process has been stripped away (not that James' CDs are over-produced). He is a great story teller. The banter between songs is highly entertaining, and will often shed light on the context (historical or personal) in which the songs were written. If you have the opportunity to see him perform, you will not be disappointed.

Be well,

Jo

Subject: Lyr Add: RIVER RUN (James Keelaghan)
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 03:26 AM

RIVER RUN
(James Keelaghan)
As recorded by James Keelaghan on "My Skies" (1993)

River of blue cut through the valley
Swept past the willows and the sandy bar
Ran so swift locked in my mem'ry
But the way things were is not the way things are

We used to swim in the crook of its arm
In the summer heat who could be blamed
Avoided the rapids as best as we could
Never thought that that stream could be tamed

Long ago I gave up that riverside valley
Traded coulees for towers of steel
Abandoned the vistas and valleys of childhood
For the things that they told me were real

No more would I run with the speed of a colt
Cross the gravel down by water side
To race with the twig I threw in at the bend
Couldn't beat it though god knows I tried

Now the river's not running as fast as it did
There's a dam there restricting the flow
And I don't run either as fast as I could
Guess that river and I have grown old

Now it's strange in returning to places of youth
It seems your memory's made a mistake
'Cause the place that once scared you with white water running
Has been turned by decree to a lake

Makes me think about how too I smoothed out the wrinkles
Made the waters as calm as you please
Makes me think about how that river and I
Were both happier when we ran free

Now the river's not running as fast as it did
There's a damn there restricting the flow
And I don't run either as fast as I could
Guess that river and I have grown old
Guess that river and I have grown old

But you'll have to wait till tomorrow when I'm not punch drunk to post the chords k!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 07 Feb 01 - 02:42 AM

A friend has asked me to try and find the words and chords to his 'River Run', but I've had no luck so far. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 11:49 PM

I've heard some of his songs on WKSU.org/folk; that's one of the few sources I have for acoustic music. Great songwriter. He's on my list of "people whose music I have to hear more of when I have the time"!

Aloha,
Mark

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 11:42 PM

Lights in the Harbour? As in
"The lights of the freighters, they danced on the water
As they tugged at the anchors that held them at bay"

"Sea For The shore" it's called... great song as well...

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Willie-O at work
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 11:33 PM

In fact I find some of his work, such as "Kiri's Piano" overcrafted--but he's a great writer. I love playing "Red River Rising" which has a nice blend of history, fiction, imagery, action and simplicity.

I went to a songwriting workshop he gave once. Wherein he mentioned that his favourite of everything he'd written at that time was "Lost", almost a throwaway piece from his first album. I like "Lights in the Harbour", if that's the name of it, from that album as well.

One of his interesting habits as a songwriter is to adopt the point of view of a character who is of a different political stripe than the typical leftie folksinger, which of course he is. He does this for example in "Red River Rising", "Kiri's Piano", and "Small Rebellions".

W-O

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:47 PM

It certainly is a good piece of song, MM... Almost as good as Captain Torrez... or Kiri's Piano.. Or Rebecca's Lamanet... or any of the many songs that James has written... He's way too good for his own good is the problem!

lol!

:-)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: GUEST,Marymac
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 10:16 PM

Ya can't talk about Keelaghan without talkin' about Cold Missouri Waters!!!! One of the best songs written in recent years (IMHO)!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 08:47 PM

Red River Rising is set against the backdrop of the Riel Rebellion of 1870... There is no Corrie... The name was used in response to the plethora of Southern US songs that use the name Corrie/Corrinna...

ya gotta here the "Compadres" version of this song... Oscar is amazing!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: alison
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 08:07 PM

Thread creep sort-of but seeing as James Keelaghan fans will come in here... but what is the story behind his other song "Red river rising"? who is Corey?

slainte

alison

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 07:40 PM

That's "Mirabeau Bridge" off his CD Road.. but it's not James Keelaghan.. He just covers it... it's by Sam Larkin...

;-)

Subject: Any James Keelaghan fans here?
From:
Date: 06 Feb 01 - 06:40 PM

Hi!

I am looking for a song that James Keelaghan sung. I don't really know anything about him just what I found in a website I have been to. I am a huge fan of the show "Hope Island", and in the background of alot of episodes are James Keelaghan's music. There is one song in particular that has the Chorus "I have a dream and I gave it a name. The name that I gave it was your name." I would really appreciate it if someone could give me the title of that somg and what Cd of his it is on. Thank you,

Christy