ANDY VIDEO MATERIAL WANTED
If you have ANY video material of Andy Irvine, from concerts, singing lessons, bouzouki lessons, or interviews I would VERY much like to hear from you. MANDOTHING@YAHOO.CO.UK
THE BIG NEWS !
" THE ALBUM OF THE CENTURY "
There is a pun in the above title, since it has actually been 10 years since the last solo one, but this IS the album of the century ! and definately his best album to date.
Andy explains "Well...my first solo album since 1999. Recorded in Dublin, Norway, Australia,Hungary and Brittany between February 2009 and April 2010. Thanks to all my friends who helped me record it. Especially Dónal Lunny who worked so hard in the prduction of it, let alone playing on every track bar one. I hope it won't be my last album of the century!!"
We hope so too! A new album for one of the best singer/ songwriter/ musicians on the folk scene.
ORDER IT NOW directly from Andy on his site http://www.andyirvine.com/albums/abocurragh.html
Stay well and hope to hear from you all soon
Kieron
January 2010 ...............WE'RE BACK ONLINE !!!! ...............HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
Hi to eveyone again...........and a very happy New Year !
Firstly, I guess I need to explain where I have been for the past year !!!
Well, the site has been off line due to the host for the site ( uplinkearth ) screwing around and basically putting a block on Asian sites, and making it impossible for me to access the site. The view of everyone in Asia is some kind of criminal Pissed me off very much, especially since I was paying them for a service, that I had paid for 6 years with out any problems. After alot of frustration and hassle, they revamped the access and things we're ok for 2 -3 moinths, before them coming up with a great new offer for everyone...........it seemed to be the death of this site and many other uplinkearth sites across the world. They took my money and NEVER got any help or support.......and as a result the site was dead. I tried to get the original name 'chinatogalway' , it is still paid for for the next 5 years but after alot of frustration, I decided it was more important to get the site back on line, so CHINA 2 GALWAY seemed a good replacement name. If you have a link just change the TO to a 2 and everything should work !
Thank you for all the well wishers, it was wonderful to hear from so many of you and with so many thoughts for my well being. I am still well and happy, and still in China...........I guess this is home now ?
Anyway, the site is back and I have not had time to update everything, so please be patient ! it will take time. I will leave some of the old news pages etc, incase there is some good things in there with links. Some of those links might not work but I will find them in time !
Andy is still the best irish bouzouki player of all time and still producing wonderful music for us all. He still is touring constantly, so check up on Andy's site to where he is and go and see the man play. As always this site is hopefully going to be a long lived resource for everything to do with Andy Irvine and his music. I want this site to be here for many years to come and to be a place where people will come back and relive his musical journey. With your help it will be a wonderful place for many years to come.
Since I am in China, I can not access Youtube, facebook, blogs etc so please keep that in mind ! Stay well and keep the music flowing !
All the very best for the new year ! Let's hope it brings happiness to us all !
Kieron in China
1st Dec, 2006
Well, Andy's old guitar bouzouki has done some travelling and last time I saw it was covered in cracks, and recently Sobell has Repaired it.........but had to do it in 24 hours! What a fantastic story. But you know with all the cracks, damage and repairs it still sounds wonderful.
Here are a few photos of Andy in Germany, playing the repaired instrument. My friends in Germany tell me Andy never sounded better. One of the new songs in Andys stage set is the old Ewan Mc Coll song 'Champions at keeping the m rollin' . I think Andy has added 2 additional verses and the bouzouki accompaniment on this tracks is breathe taking stuff. Andy is playing around Ireland at the moment and well worth catching a gig if you can.
Instruments on stage with him are his trusty old Guitar shaped bodied Sobell, Sobell octave mandolin, Sobell mandola ( or long necked mandolin as Andy likes to call it ) and his Stuart Bass Bouzouki. I think the general feeling is that the bass bouzouki just doesn't match Andy's voice as well, but he has been using it on Kellswater, Empty Handed and even West Coast of Clare but I have heard all these songs on shorter scaled instruments and much prefer the sound with Andy's voice. He originally sang Empty Handed on a Stuart 'Andylin' and I think it had so much more atmosphere to it.
A new review from Patrick in the UK. Andy and Donal on the Mike Harding show.
Any way, Thanks to everyone for their e-mails, and chat and Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We don't have Christmas in China, so I will be working straight through but will definately be lifting a glass of something to you all........Hope to hear from you ALL in the New Year.
Kieron
29th Oct, 2006,
I have put a For Sale page up on my instrument page, and more to be added soon. Just don't play so much mandolin these days, mostly mandola and bouzouki.
I really would love to say a special THANK YOU to some great friends in Germany for all the info and news during the Germany tour, almost felt I was there with you..........
Kieron
27th Oct, 2006.
When the Planxty book is out, and reports are saying it is Brilliant. Hat's off to you Leagues for an excellent book. The Book launch also had a stage set of Andy and Christy playing together, If anyone was there and just happen to have recorded it.............let me knoe, OK !
Andy is coming to the end of his German tour, and from what I am hearing from people, he is definately on top form. Andy has added about 8 unrecorded songs to his stage set now, which is pretty incredible. If you have ever though of going to see Andy play, go and see him very soon. You will never catch him at such an exciting and fresh time. Let's hope some of these tracks will make it on to a new album. Andy is also playing his Sobell octave mandolin again, and her really can get the most incredible tones from it.
Andy is on his way back to Ireland and will be playing Wexford, Kerry, Fermanagh etc. If you are going to be in Ireland go see a Irvine Gig..............worth the journey to see and hear Andy's version of Reynardine alone.
Was sent a great video of a friend of mine playing a few of Andy's songs on video, if anyone wants to send me a video of them playing Andy's songs or Andy inspired songs I would LOVE to see them.
Kieron
21st Sept, 2006
A GIG NOT TO BE MISSED !! The Planxty Book launch is on Monday the 25th September in Whelan's 6.30pm. Andy is listed to play with Donal Lunny and friends in the Olympia on the same night in a Benefit concert. Since it is the Planxty book launch, it would be nice if the friends just happen to be Christy and Liam.
Thanks for the invite Leagues, sadly I am about 12,000 miles away from the action but all the very best with the launch. Also, Andy will be in the Pat Kenny Show on Radio 1 so check that out too.
Special Thanks to Leagues, Philip, Babette
Kieron
25th August, 2006.
Thanks for everyone who wrote, to say 'Hey What's up, no news, etc' Well, what can I say, but there is very little news to give!! Andy is still touring, solo, with Mozaik, and Patrick Street but I haven't recieved any reviews, recordings or photos or news..........................so when something happens, you'll know.
I think Mozaik will be on the BBC Hike Harding show next week, so don't miss that. Patrick Street will be touring the UK, hopefully with the addition of John Carty on banjo and fiddle.
Also the Planxty book, has finally gone to print, so we should be seeing that soon too !!
Also, I have now moved house, so if you have video's to send me, or cd's please check with me for my address first. Moving is always a very painful thing but the new place is great and gives the kids space to run mad. So much happier for it.
Thanks to everyone out there for there friendship and kindness, and as always, if you have some news or something to say, I am always happy to hear from you!
Kieron
27th May, 2006.
Life has been very busy over the past few weeks with work and getting ready to move house. Also been putting a few of the mandolins up for sale to make some space. Sad but .........
Andy seems to be on great form these days, and has also added a few new songs to the set. If you haven't heard Reynardine, wind over the Danube or even Oslo, go see a gig ! The bouzouki playing on Reynardine is lovely, a real touch of the young Andy in it.
I have added a new article of Andy , Donal and Liam all talking about the reunion gigs on the radio. Hope you enjoy it. Also, I have added the booklet for the Mandolin Festival that Andy played at. Lovely surprise for me, have a look. Enjoy !
Kieron
16th May, 2006.
A review from a gig at the Hitchin Folk Club of Andy playing solo. It seems that Andy is in good form, and playing a few new tunes too. He is touring England, Ireland and Germany for the next couple of months.
Kieron
22nd April, 2006
Andy and the Mozaik boys have just complete a fantastic set of concerts in Oz. Thanks for all the e-mails. Andy is now on a solo tour of the UK and then off to Ireland. Check out Andy's Calendar and go see a gig or two.
A great new article up for you today. Blood for Bouzouki, a great peace about Andy's travels and adventures. Taken from an old Footroots magazine..........these take ages for me to type up, but as long as you enjoy reading them. If you have any old articles, interviews or reviews, then please send them on to me. Enjoy
Kieron
27th March, 2006.
A few new photos up of a recent gig set up by Peter Forstyhe, at the New Platz in New York. A great night had by all, enjoy
14th March, 2006.
Mozaik's new album 'Changing Trains' will be out soon, Can't wait !!!. It will include 'Reynardine' and 'Wind Blows Over The Danube' , worth the price for these two tracks alone !
Here Mozaik in a recent interview HERE !
Kieron
8th March, 2006.
Life has been extremely busy lately. Infact, I ended up in hospital with food poisoning, and since I was in bed with a drip for 2 days, I actually got some sleep !
Anyway, a new TV Clips 2 page is up with some fantastic clips for performances long gone. Andy playing with Mick Hanly, Donal Lunny, Paul Brady and with Planxty. Some of the clips are quite poor quality but are extremely rare so enjoy them. Do let me know your thoughts, they are always welcome. If you have any old video let me know !
Kieron
17th Feb 2006.
Well, China to galway is now 3 years old, a very fast 3 years, but it has been great and met some great people along the way.
Andy Irvine news is very little. He is touring constantly and Mozaik have recorded a new album but it has not been released yet but it is on it's way. The planxty book 'Humours of Planxty' was sapposed to be out last november but not seen a copy yet? Anyone seen it yet?
The second Patrick Street album has also been released with a new cover.....what was wrong with the old one? Also, Andy Irvine was also on BBC tv on the 4th of Feb, did anyone happen to record it. If so, I would love to hear from you!
New article on Mozaik here hope you enjoy ! Join the world map !
Kieron
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