20th December, 2004
Well, just to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thanks to everyone for their help and support.
New articles, Planxty in Galway 2004, and new photos in The Gallery, from 79, 82 and 83 from John and Inas ( sorry lost your e-mails address ) see you all in the new year! Have a good one !
Kieron
14th December,
Photos of the 'First Night' of the Planxty Tour in Galway, and a new article about the Galway gigs here. If you have photos of the recent Planxty concerts or want to write a review let me know! Interesting to hear that Andy sung 'Willie o Winsbury' on the first night, he has sung this song in a very long time,Enjoy
Kieron
6th December,
Well, just when I thought Patrick Street had faded into the background with all the excitement of Andy's solo tour with Rens, the new formation of Mozaik, and the incredible reformation of the original Planxty, Patrick Street announce a new addition the Supergroup .Read all about it!!
Kieron
5th December,
Well the Boys are on stage tomorrow night, Good Luck with the tour ! And to get you all in the mood I have added an old review from the final tour in 1975. and a review of Cold Blow and the Rainy Night Enjoy !
Kieron
3rd December,
Well this it the big countdown to the start of the Planxty gigs. 3 days to go, so if you are going sending me some photos or a review, would love to know how it goes ! If you see them in a magazine, news paper send me a scan and if you know they are going to be on radio do let me know also. Ok, Have a great night !!!! Dates below.
December 6,7,8. The SAS Radisson Hotel, Galway
December 28, 29 and 30. Point Theatre, Dublin January
4,5. Point Theatre, Dublin January 19, 20, 21.
Waterfront Hall, Belfast January 29, 30, 31.
The Barbican, London, 7.30pm.
Enjoy
Kieron
30th November,
Many of you have been saying how great Rens Van Der Zalm has been on Andy's tour this year, well this is your chance to sound just like him ( well almost, eh ! ) Here is Ren's Guitar made by Stefan Sobel up For Sale. That is one beautiful instrument !Check out the brazilian wood back, gorgeous !
For all you Planxty fans, This is the big count down to the Uk Tour. Maybe there will be some new material in this tour. Don't forget to send me some photos of the night if your going .
Kieron
12th November,
Well, I have been swamped by junk e mail offering me millions in every scam possible, don't these people have lives to get on with. Apologies to anyone who genuinely was offering me millions or wanting to talk music!
Anyway, Andy was on TV3 Ireland last week, did any of you catch it. Andy sang his new song 'O'Donaghues'. Haven't seen it yet but should get in in the post soon. Wouldn't it be great to know about these things in advance! I have asked Andy to put a list of radio and tv appearances up on his Calendar section, so fingers crossed.
It seems the Planxty gig list is growing too, 14 gigs scheduled over Dec and Jan, check out the dates on the Calendar link above. I want to hear all about them !.
Today I heard the sad news that DJ John Peel passed away, and only 65 years old. I used to enjoy his show when I was back home.....................he will be missed.
Kieron
18th October,
For those who like to keep track of Andy playing on other artists albums, he is a new one from Brendan Power called 'TRADISH'. Andy plays mandolin on one or two tracks. Interesting album !
Kieron
12th October,
Another new section to the site, Rare and Unrecorded. There are alot of songs that fit into this section and this is a wonderful side to the live recordings. Andy has sung so many fantastic old songs, like The Douglas Tragedy, Lough Haven Harper, Reynardine etc yet they never made it to a recording. These old songs suit his vocal and bouzouki style so well. Anyway have a look and give me your thoughts.
I have also added the Mandola to the Bouzouki Style section and again a few more photos in the Gallery section. Enjoy !!!!!!
Kieron
2nd October,
Well Andy is playing in Australia over the coming weeks Go See The Man Play ! and don't forget to send me a few photos !
A few more chords up in the Songs section and a bit on the Irish Bouzouki here and a few new photos in The Gallery. I would also like to say a very sincere THANK YOU to everyone who has been sending me live recordings, you have been Great ! It is very much appreciated ! If there is anyone with a videoed concert please send me an e-mail ! All the best and enjoy the updates!!
Kieron
17th September,
There are a few more dates added in Ireland to the Planxty Tour. DON'T MISS OUT !
Radisson SAS, Galway - 6th, 7th, 8th December 2004
Point Theatre, Dublin – 28, 29 December 2004
Waterfront Hall, Belfast – 19, 20 January 2005
Also a few more video clips added in the Video File 3 and Video Files 4. From 2001 and 2004. Let me know what you think, and enjoy !. If you have a video recording let me know !
Kieron
12th September,
Well it has been a while. Real life has been keeping me busy, and the big news for me is that my lovely wife Jane is pregnant ! We are over the moon and surely this is the best news I could ever share with you all. A happy man !
Andy has been touring constantly again. He is touring the UK at the moment, so Go see the man play ! After a very succesful tour of Ireland with Mosaic, Lots of solo gigs and even a set with a mix of friends. Then Andy is off to Oz to play solo, ( I think Rens is putting his feet up for a while ) then, Planxty have dates up to play Ireland and England at the end of the year. If you go to any of these, send me a few photos, a review or a live recording !
Somehow, in amonst the crazy touring schedule Andy has found time to write a few new tunes. This is a very exciting time for his music. THANK YOU to all of you who have written to tell me of some of the new additions, much appreciated. New additions being 'Reynardine' ' O' Donaghue's' and ' When The Wind Blows Over The Danube'. I have recieved Live recordings on the first two tracks but would love to hear from anyone who has a live version of the last one. Haven't heard it yet ! I would love to catch a few of the early performances of these ! so, SEND ME THAT RECORDING !!!
All the best, enjoy the music !
Kieron
9th August,
Just had to share this touch of magic with you all. Andy Irvine on Rattlebag Radio. Andy showing he still has that magical touch to the bouzouki with his fantastic version of 'Renardine'. This really has the old Andy Irvine sound we all love................................Thanks to Frits for the tip that he was on the radio, I really enjoyed that ! Let me know if he is on the radio anywhere else..................always enjoy those ! Thanks again !
Kieron
5th August,
PLANXTY TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR 2005. They will play at.The Barbican Centre London. for only 3 nights, so be quick ! Planxty - London dates confirmed for January 2005. The Barbican, London, Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th & Monday 31st January 2005, 7.30pm. Did you see the wonderful old Planxty ticket.
Also a new release. The Legend of Sweeney's Men, Anthology. has been released. A 2 cd compilation containing the first 2 albums and some very odd extras. Read all about it and more, in the updated and reworked Magazine Cuttings Section, and see how it fits in to the Discography.What did you think of the album, send me a review ! Stay well and enjoy the music
Kieron
4th August,
Lots of new updates, lots of new photos dotted around and filling in old documents that needed Pictures, new Bouzouki Style bits, and lots of new Magazine Cuttings! Send me something new !
I also had an e-mail from Roger Bucknell at Fylde Guitars, to say that he was putting together a Fylde Cd and that Andy had will be adding a track to it. Should be very interesting to see which track Andy will do. I will let you know, when I know more !
Kieron
29th July,
Been working on Andy's Discography again and it is alot bigger than I thought. If you have an album that isn't on my list I would love to hear from you, with a scan of the album cover if possible. There is a few I am lacking, like the cover to the Oylmpic Theatre show 1980 'Best of Live'. Can you help??
Anyone been to the Mozaik tour of Ireland?? Send me some photos and a review of the gig !
Kieron
6th July,
Paddy Burgin is a master Luthier in New Zealand and last year he built for me one of the best instruments I have ever played. Beautiful Rich tone and very powerful attack, cutting in way above a guitar. We had spent months reworking ideas, finding the right tone and look and when it was finished, there was nothing around to touch it ! Paddy was so pleased with the final instrument that it has now become part of his cataloge, named " THE SHANGHAI BOUZOUKI ". Pop in and have a look at Paddy's custom instruments, and say Hi from Me.
Kieron.
1st July,
Finished reading the Christy Moore book, 'One Voice'. Check out his shop. A good read and a lovely insight to the man. Nice one Christy. Next I am going to read the Colin Irwin book that John sent to me from Ireland. Thanks again John !
All these dates planned with Andy solo, Mozaik, Patrick Street and Planxty has put very BIG DOUBTS on Andy ever getting time to do the Bouzouki book we had all started dreaming about, a few weeks back. Thanks for the update Frank. Oh well maybe next year, or did we say that last year??
I did a list of songs that I would love to see rerecorded for the Andy Irvine Retrospective . Let me know what you think !
Lots of new photos around the site, have a look around. Also a review of Planxty Live 2004 the new DVD and CD from Planxty....................Enjoy !
Kieron
28th June,
Well, it has been a very crazy few weeks, travelling from Korea, to China, to London and back to China again. Covering 8 cities in 3 weeks, and it won't stop there. In the middle of that my son turned 2 years old. Fastest and best two years of my life.
Anyway, The Planxty DVD was released and it was worth the wait. Great stuff. I also picked up the Christy Moore book, 'One Voice'. my life in a song. It is a good read ( although not finished it yet ) it gives a great insight in to his song collection. Would of liked to read a weeee bit more on the bands that played them too, i.e Planxty.
Great early Planxty article in the Cuttings section, Superstars Before Christmas! From 1972, Thanks Mary!
It seems Andy was going to have a rest from touring over the summer but from his tour calender it looks like he will be very busy Solo, Patrick Street, Mozaik and even more gigs with Planxty. Sounds like he is going to be very busy......................Go see him play live, if you get the chance!
Keep the e-mails and news coming !
Kieron
14th June,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY.
27th May,
PLANXTY LIVE 2004, CD and DVD will be released tomorrow. I ordered mine last week from the Christy Moore website.I think it is better to get it here than anywhere else. Not mentioned on Andy's site yet, so I don't know if he will be selling on his site. Can't wait to see it!
Well, I will be leaving Korea on the 29th of May. Off the England for a few days, and then................I don't know. No work as yet, so I could end up anywhere. Life's road will take me somewhere interesting, I am sure. I will really miss some wonderful friends that we have made in Korea, and want to Thank them for being so good to us over the last year and a half. It has been such a great experience and one we will never forget. I have a feeling I will see some of you again....................we'll miss you all. All the best,
Kieron
16th May,
Well, here is the news we have all been waiting for !! I have not seen this NEWS on any other site but got it from a good source. Planxty - Live at Vicar Street, Release date 28th may on Cd and all regions DVD with extra tracks.You will find it at Christy Moore's Website or at www.irishmusicmail.com from Monday. "Planxty Live 2004 DVD All Regions, features 80 mins of live concert fottage , 26 min documentary plus 3 bonus tracks and 30 mins of interviews with the Lads". I have to order this, can't wait to see it! I will give full details a soon as I get more............................BRILLIANT !
I am also very happy to hear that Andy has been playing a few of the old classics on recent gigs with Rens Van Der Zalm. Tracks like Aragon Mills, Springfield Road, Autumn Gold and Thousands are Sailing. Very nice versions too. I am hoping that this reworking of older material, will be in preparation for his Retrospective Album,, that he mentioned in a recent interview ( Q23 ). Among this retrospective I hope we will hear the new song from Andy called O' Donahue's. More later !
Get ready for the new Planxty Live cd, and Have a great weekend.
Lastly on a sad note, there are a couple of fucked up people selling Bootleg copies of the Olympic Theatre and even the copies of the new Planxty live concert on Ebay. If you BUY this stuff, Planxty and Andy DON'T get the money..............PLEASE SUPPORT the artists that have given us some of the BEST music this planet has ever heard, Andy got away from record companies as he was continually being ripped off, I am sure his fans give him alot more respect than that, I think he deserves it!! Don't you !!!!!!
Kieron
12th May,
For all those of you that wanted to see the new supergroup Mozaik but didn't live in the USA or Australia..................Here is your chance and in Ireland this time, go see this band, they are superb! What !! you haven't heard of Mozaik yet, Read the review.
MOZAIK
July 18th Earagail Arts Festival, Co.Donegal
July 21st Galway Arts Festival, Raddisson Hotel, Galway
Don't miss them !!!
Kieron
4th May,
The site is now 3 months old and way over 2,000 visitors, I am very happy to see so many people tell me how Great the site is, Thank you all !
Lots of great new updates on the site, some chords under the Tab section and a New Bouzouki style sction too. So have a look around and let me know what you think ! Additions very welcome.
Kieron
30th April,
I have been told that this Sunday 2nd May on RTE Ireland, they will be broadcasting The Planxty at Vicar street gig, followed by a documentary on the band. BRILLIANT news !!!I can not find anything about it on the RTE site but it will be a GREAT chance to see the man himself in action. Get that VCR set up.
There has been talk from Christy on his site and on a recent interview from Andy that Planxty will do more gigs, end of this year or start of next. That for sure is going to be a mad rush for tickets! I say more when I know!
Kieron ( enjoy the bank holiday Monday ! )
21st April,
NEW SECTION called Cuttings has been added. Very exciting ! Would like to hear from anyone who has a magazine article I could add? Or photos, ticket stubbs etc keep them coming. Lots of new photos in the gallery section, new live recordings, and lots more to read, too!
It seems that Andy will be working on a Bouzouki Tutorial this year too. I know there are alot of players out there that have been praying for this to happen, So lets hope he gets the time to do it. I don't know if it will be a book only, or video and book, but it will for sure be an amazing thing to learn from a true pioneer of the Irish Bouzouki. One of the best tutorial videos was the Bill Monroe one, with Sam bush teaching. Basically, Bill just Played it as he usually does and then Sam broke it down slowly. It covered two videos and was way above any others out there. ok, ok A book would be fine !! Anyway, lets see if he has time first!
Interestingly enough, Paul Brady has a New Guitar Tutorial out. It includes a few old classics like ' I am a youth ', ' Mary and the Soldier' and 'Arthur mcBride', this looks great, might have to pick this one up !
I wish Andy all the best with it !
Kieron
15th April,
Recieved the MOZAIK cd, and this is the best album I have bought in years. Andy at his best ! The musicianship is exquisite!! The mix is excellent !! Read a bit more of my ramblings on the album HERE. Can someone send me a few photos of the Mozaik tour?? Would love to get some photos up!! Send them in.
Thanks again to all those people that wrote to me with very kind support, help with the site, and even for a little bit of chat, your all wonderful ! Thanks.
Keep the photos and bits coming! Always great to see them.
Kieron
25th March,
MOZAIK , LIVE AT THE POWERHOUSE.................IS ON SALE NOW, MY ORDER IS IN ALREADY!! HEAR IT AND BUY IT HERE !!!! Best of luck to Andy and Mozaik with the tour and the sale of the new album. I am really looking forward to this cd.
It has been a great month, lots of e-mails from some great people, new CD'S to the collection, new photos to the gallery, what more could you want?? In a recent interview Andy mentioned that there would be 12 more Planxty gigs at the end of '04. Great news ! Read the full interview HERE!!
Keep the additions coming, the photos, stories, cuttings, and the live cd's !! All the best to you all, great talking to you all...............................Kieron
28th Feb, and more than 1,000 visitors..............amazing!
Well it seems the general feeling from the 3rd coming Planxty concerts, is that they are BETTER now, than ever ! It seems they have enjoyed it as much as the audience too, so maybe Planxty will have a future in some way, shape or form. The more I hear from people, the more I am kicking myself that I wasn't there, but I was on the side of the world. I am still in Korea, as these concerts come to a close but if there is any more in the future, I will be there, whether I am in Korea or the moon, I will be there. The good news is that, it seems there is going to be a Live CD and DVD of the concerts. but no definite details from anyone yet.
I know we are all on the edge of our seats waiting for the new Mozaik CD, but it should be out very soon. Andy and Mozaik will be touring Australia in the coming weeks, so I would think it will be ready for that. Mozaik played Australia last year and people were just blow away by the quality of the music. So I just can't wait to hear this album. I will let you all know if I hear anything.
All the best to you all and Thanks to all those people that have shown such amazing kindness it the past weeks, you know who you all are...........................Kieron
Anyone have any newspaper or magazine articles of the Planxty concerts or Andy concerts. Trying to add a new section, so send me in a scan of the article.
14th Feb.
Some Great new photosof Planxty's concert at Vicar street this year, in the Gallery section. Great to see the boys back in action after 20 plus years. Enjoy
12th Feb.
E-mail is all working now, Thanks to great support. Lets here all the news about the Planxty Reunion from all that were lucky to go !
9th Feb.,
There seems to be problems with the e-mail links to me from the site, Basically ALL e-mails sent are vanishing into cyberspace. SORRY, if you have sent an e-mail and I didn't reply, well it didn't get here...........hope you will send it to me again and I hope to get this sorted in a day or so. I would still love to hear from anyone with stories or photos etc, send them to
kieron.seamons@chinatogalway.com
( a dot after the N in kieron )
7th Feb.
This site started on the 4th Feb, 2004, and already I have recieved 270 visitors and many wonderful e-mails for you all of encouragement. Thanks to everyone! The site is growing already and that is a very exciting start. I hope to paste up some news now and again. Site news, life news, and of course Andy and Planxty news, when things happen!! Thanks again to everyone, for help, advice, contributions and support !
Kieron.