I Can See You - by Paddy Summerfield c. 1986

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Glen Hansard remembered | The Irish Abroad

 

This incredible piece of art was sent to us by Karin Larosa. Check out her work at larosartk 

"Almost three months to the day since we lost Glen Hansard, and it’s still hard to believe he’s gone.

These past few months, we’ve seen just how much Glen meant to people, not only as an extraordinary musician, songwriter and performer, but as a true son of Dublin. From the streets of Ballymun to Grafton Street, his story was woven into the fabric of the city. His music carried the heart, soul and spirit of Dublin far beyond its streets, touching lives all over the world.

His legacy has only grown stronger in the months since his passing. Through the songs, the stories, the memories and the tributes, it has become even clearer that Glen was so much more than a musician. He was part of Dublin’s identity, part of its history, and part of the lives of so many who found comfort, hope and connection in his music.

It’s still difficult to believe that a voice so full of life has fallen silent, but the music remains. And so does everything he gave to this city and to the world.

Some artists leave behind songs. Others leave behind a piece of themselves in the places they called home. Glen did both.

Rest easy, Glen. Dublin will never forget you, and your songs will continue to echo through its streets for generations to come."


 




Miriam Makeba "Pata Pata” 1967 (live in the studio)

 

Miriam Makeba "Pata Pata" 1967

Coffee Time!

 You fer cawfee?

Luke Kelly of The Dubliners: The Night Visiting Song [ Remembering Luke Kelly today on the anniversary of his passing. ]

 Almost unbearably sad but this features as Luke Kelly’s last public performance and by then the ravages of the drink and post a related brain tumour operation meant he was not always aware of where he was or indeed the lyrics but heck the strength when it was a song he knew as in here in The Night Visiting Song is amongst his very best “Good man, Luke!"


Remembering Luke Kelly today on the anniversary of his passing. 

This was Luke Kelly's last performance. His voice and memory had deteriorated but he belted out this song with as much heart as possible. 

The opening & closing verse: "I must away now, I can no longer tarry, This morning's tempest I have to cross, I must be guided without a stumble, Into the arms I love the most".. 

If you listen carefully as the last note dies out, you'll hear Ronnie Drew softly say..."Good man Luke”


not a dry eye in the house . . . 💚

Luke Kelly (and The Dubliners) Scorn Not His Simplicity & Dirty Ole Town

 On the anniversary of his passing I found this by Luke Kelly and the boys and again a rare find as Luke often shied away often from singing such a personal heartfelt song in what shall we say the ‘rowdier’ of occasions (this is the beating heart of The Dubliners remember) so that video film of his singing this memorable Phil Coulter song about the plea from a father of a disabled child to feel empathy and not to judge is positively heart rending. Here he is gently encouraged to recall it . . . . .enjoy! If that is the right word

Scorn Not His Simplicity - Luke Kelly & John Sheahan



The Dubliners - Dirty Ole Town (Ewan MacColl) about Salford, Greater Manchester

In his prime!




‘Ello Beatles . . . . . Morecombe and Wise meet the lads . . . . . .

It’s The Kaye sisters!

The Beatles during a appearance on the British comedy series The Morecambe And Wise Show. It was a meeting of two teams at the top, as Eric Morecambe, the joker, and Ernie Wise, his straight man, were recognized as the favorite British comedy act, which established a reputation that lasted beyond Morecambe's death in 1984, a death that saddened the English nation.
This Boy and I Want To Hold Your Hand —the faces B and A of the fifth single by The Beatles, a huge hit in 45 RPM format released at the end of November— were first performed, before The Beatles joined Morecambe and Wise for a comedy sketch. Eric confused The Beatles with the Kaye Sisters (a popular British vocal trio in the late 1950s), called "Bongo" Ringo, and George Harrison described The Beatles as "the big hairy and fat heads," a parody of Morecambe's perennial joke that Wise had "short, fat, and hairy legs." The comedians then agreed to join forces for a musical number. Ernie and The Beatles dressed in straw hats (boaters) and striped jackets to perform Moonlight Bay (sung by Alice Faye in the 1940 film Tin Pan Alley and by Doris Day in the 1951 film On Moonlight Bay), with the accompaniment of piano by Kenny Powell. Eric, who had hurried to get dressed for the performance, returned with a "Beatle" wig and a sleeveless jacket, shouting "yeah yeah yeah," "twist and shout" and (in the style of the hit by Gerry and the Pacemakers) "I like it." The collaboration ended with The Beatles' characteristic "ooohhh," which emphasized the group's willingness to laugh at themselves, a trait that the British public always appreciated.
When in 1994 Paul McCartney was asked to name his favorite TV show among the many that The Beatles had appeared on, he barely hesitated to answer that The Morecambe And Wise Show.

Alright Bongo!? 

.

Alice Cooper asked Dick Van Dyke to help him in recovery!

Tales of Recovery 

Extraordinary - who’d a thunk it?

surreal connection but hey whatever gets you there I reckon . . . . . .sober now for years Vince had to start somewhere when you realise it is all going RAPIDLY down the pan!

Paul McCartney & Wings - Bip Bop 1972 European Tour (The Bruce McMouse Show)

 WINGS - BIP BOP (Live)


Paul McCartney & Wings - Bip Bop 1972 European Tour (The Bruce McMouse Show)

This is around when we were sill active friends of the Wings Fan Club and we loved this album and especially this song! (sic!) It always makes me smile in quite how much are you smoking to come up with this lyric!?



Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Michael Martin Murphey & Suzi Boguss ‘Happy Trails'

so might sign off with an old favourite  . . . Happy Trails all n y'all


In June of 1990, Michael Martin Murphey and Suzy Bogguss Music wished Happy Trails to the audiences of Nashville Now with this classic western song.

I have always loved this rather hokey country song but wished everyone Happy Trails for the longest time . . .and this is why!

Ger O Donnell & Trevor Sexton : Marrying The Sea



        Ger O Donnell       
 
 
Trevor says:
Marrying the Sea, the absolutely stunning Declan O'Rourke song. 
We gave it the drone and harmony treatment here with the Hurdy Gurdy and Shruti Box! 
Hope you enjoy!