From Unity, 10 May 2008

Don’t forget your shovel!

Christy Moore played to a packed house on Monday 5 May in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. His repartee in between songs was less than usual, but when it did come it was the usual good crack, and the audience got the best of music and song. Accompanying him was Declan Sinnott, singer and guitarist extraordinaire.
     Music as a media influence is powerful, and Christy Moore sings songs that are political, satirical, and poignant, with a good amount of humour thrown in. Of course he got the best of order, except for the calls from the audience for favourite songs, many of which he did: “Viva la Quinta Brigada,” “Joxter,” “Don’t forget your shovel,” “I wish I was back home in Derry,” “Lisdoonvarna,” and “Only our rivers run free.” (But they don’t, do they!)
     I have been to see the man countless times, including seeing him sing “Lisdoonvarna” in Lisdoonvarna, but my favourite venue has to be a Dublin pub many years ago, and Connolly Books in 2002. I thought back to the “old days” when Christy played in north Belfast, Beechmount, and Andersonstown, when he was not allowed to play in the Ulster Hall, because the Ulster Unionists put a ban on him. No doubt he’s been thrown out of better places than that; anyway, he was eventually allowed to play there.
     What was striking about the audience on Monday night was the age of the people there. Though there was a fair share of “oldies” present, there was a massive crowd of young people, one saying as we were leaving, “My da’s seen him stacks of times.” It was good to know that this younger generation had the experience of seeing Christy sing and play.
     Christy and Declan got three standing ovations, and they did two encores. The event on Monday was a sell-out, and the organisers have put on another one later this month. Christy Moore has tried to retire, but he keeps on coming back.
     You might forget your shovel, Christy, but don’t give up the night job!

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