While driving to work this morning, your version of Arthur McBride and the Sergeant from The Missing Liberty Tapes came on my Spotify Discover Playlist. Driving as I was, I only caught snippets of the lyrics, but the performance was striking and the audience response enthused, I knew I wanted to find out more.
Finding the lyrics online, then being led here and reading about the concert and lost tapes, has been incredibly fascinating.
I'm looking forward to listening fully to the rest of the concert and discovering more of your catalogue. Just wanted to send you some appreciation from a newly minted fan!
Maybe an ignorant question: I was searching to see if you ever covered The Parting Glass.... There is a lovely cover as seen in RTE. Don't Know the singer. Was going to send the song to an English friend whose (Irish) mother just passed in England. Pandemic, ugh. Nontheless, it is still a beautiful world - as in your new song.
BTW I went to school with you v early days ("Infants") in Strabane! Remember the chestnut trees and the smell of small bottles of creamy icy milk? There is a song there for sure! My dad and your mom taught together. Sending you my best Paul, and to yours. Thanks for the music.
Rosemary
I've enjoyed your music for many years and got to see you play once live, in the Barbican in London, years ago. Absolutely loved it. I'm now learning the guitar, a couple of years in, and have progressed to The Lakes of Pontchartrain, even getting to grips with the introduction! I would also like to learn Arthur McBride and have attempted to download the TAB from your shop but it seems to be unavailable - in fact I get 'malware' warnings. Is there any other way that I can get it? I'm very happy to pay something. Keep up the great work - you are inspirational!
Kind regards
Paul
Stay safe and sane! Paul
Just over a half century since I first fell for The Johnstons sound... now via the BGO CDs, I'm happy to be reunited with magic sounds - and poignantly ' If I Sang my Song' . Adrienne ( RIP)in magnificent voice (a la Sandy Denny at times).Lovely stuff - 'Arthur McBride' and 'Pontchartrain' next on the youtube hits...thanks for so much ace music - all the best to you and yours - D
I am quite new to your music but I really love listening to your back catalogue. I am a big folk music fan and I stumbled on The Johnstons by accident really and loved it. I am becoming quite a big fan of your music, it is outstanding indeed. All my best to you and yours and stay safe.
Love from Iceland,
Asgerdur Vala
Paul.
Hope that helps. Paul
Stay well. Paul
Glad you're enjoying it. We had fun making it! Stay safe! Paul
Yeah, it's been a tough year! Have a good and Covid free Christmas, Bill
Years ago, in what seems like another lifetime, I was in a folk trio in Dublin called the Ryecatchers (with Paddy Finney and Sandy McClintock) and we did a small tour with the Johnstons and Sweeney’s Men. After the last gig in Limerick, there was a party for us all at Mick Moloney’s house, and I remember to this day that you sang at the piano a lovely song that you had just written called ‘Brilliant’ or ‘Brilliance’. Did you ever record that song?
It was very good to meet you again at the Vicar Street concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of your album with Andy Irvine. Your music has been a constant source of enjoyment to me and my family over these many years.
Dave Wells-Cole
if you're a Spotify user.
Thanks for your support and kind words! Paul
Paul
What a beautiful gig last night .... I found it very emotional and touching ..... even without us all being together your music moves the soul. Thank you and much love xx
Mooch x
Guestbook
786 entries.
Isn't it weird and wonderous where music can lead you?
Admin Reply:
Hi Rory, thanks for your words of praise and apologies for the long delay in replying. Everything seems to have slowed down these days. Glad you're enjoying my music. I can't wait to get back on a stage and sing for people again...if I can remember how to do it! Paul
Paul. Such a treat to listen to Arthur McBride testerday on St. Patrick's day. I was too weak after that (in a good way! ) to listen to "Lakes of P".... I have been an admiring follower of your music over the years.
Admin Reply:
Hi Rosemary. Firstly apologies for the delay in acknowledging your message. This pandemic has interrupted the flow in many ways. I remember your father Jim (?) vaguely as a young child...I was aware my mother thought highly of him and she was sad when he left for Canada. Anyway, nice to hear from you and that you're enjoying the noise I make. Hope you are managing to survive Covid. Paul
Hi Paul,
Admin Reply:
Hi Steve. Try right-clicking on the image, then ‘save image as’ to wherever you save stuff, (desktop or downloads) ...then ‘print’. Do the same for each page in the tablature. It’s free. Don’t know how you’re getting ‘malware’. I don’t.
Hi Paul, relistening to the NCH concert this evening from November last - continues to pick my spirits up at this difficult time for us all. 'Follow On' is possibly the best song I didn't know i've known all my life and has kept me perpetually going in this lockdown. We will brave the stormy weather. All the best to you and yours.
Admin Reply:
Hi Ronan. Thanks for this. It’s a tough time indeed. Glad you’re getting something out of what I do. It’s hard to justify one’s existence when you can’t do what you’ve always done!
Hi Paul
Admin Reply:
Thanks, Dave. Mad to think records we made 50 years ago still resonate. Glad you’re enjoying them. Paul
Hello!
Admin Reply:
Hi Asgerdur. Thanks for the message. How did you get to hear the Johnstons? Pleased you’re enjoying those records. Paul.
Paul u signed my drum last year at the boomtown rats and i have it hanging on my wall i love it
Paul, any chance you're going to rerelease the original Hard Station (non American Remix) on vinyl?
Admin Reply:
Don’t think so Richard. Sorry. Thanks for asking.
Having just discovered your music I'm blown away by your back catalogue. What a voice, what a song writer and what a player. Thank you for your music.
Admin Reply:
Hey, Jono. Always good to welcome somebody new to the party! Glad you like what’s going on with me. I’m just trying to have fun. Hope you do too! Paul.
Heard Paul's version of Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore on Irish Pub radio - love it... Any Idea what harmonica is used in that song - maybe not a harmonica???
Admin Reply:
Hi William, thanks for your query and sorry this took a while. Andy Irvine, who played harmonica on my recording of ‘Paddy’s’ ( in F#) says it would have been a Hohner "Cross Harp” in key of B played in 2nd position.
Me and my mate are late starters on guitar, and we have our own rendition of Steel Claw that we play at open mic. Please, will you tell me what is the Steel Claw??? Pardon my ignorance. I have been singing this song since the 80's and do not know it's meaning. Thank you. You are loved here in Wyoming.
Admin Reply:
Hi Linda. Thanks for your message and honored you’re covering Steel Claw. The Steel Claw is the brutal system that grinds us down and keeps us in our place. Who knew? 🤓 Stay well in these times. Paul
Hi Paul, when are you across to Los Angles- we R originally from NI, relations of a famous poet (Seamus) you have a lot of fans here- dinner at my house in Cheviot hills!!
Admin Reply:
Hi Tony. Thanks for the message. Sounds attractive! It’s not looking likely I’ll be in LA in the foreseeable. Not exactly easy to visit USA these days.
Paul, I've just bough your CD Andy Irvine/Paul Brady, and am enjoying it immensely. It takes me back in time, me being an old folkie. I will have to get some more of your fine music, that's for sure.
Admin Reply:
Hi Rob,
Paul, decided to listen to 'Working at Christmas' on playback today - don't care that it's only November, it's been a tough year. Underrated song. Take care, Bill
Admin Reply:
Glad you like it. Personally, I think it's under rated too! :-))
I think I tried to post this before, but I don’t think I was successful.
Admin Reply:
Hi Dave, remember the Ryecatchers well, though the night in Limerick escapes me. Could the song have been Brightness She Came? If so you can hear it at https://open.spotify.com/track/67c3axPJbzMbNVMV3VcX5s?si=t1a85iDpR--YSUwqsOW7dQ
Paul - many , many thanks for your session in the NCH last Saturday night - just magic - pity you could not hear us clapping
Admin Reply:
I felt it, all the same, Paul. It was a unique experience, I'll give you that. But I enjoyed it in the end. Thanks for buying the ticket!
Paul I regret I missed your NCH concert, are there any plans to make it more widely available? PS We also being from Derry used to holiday in Bundoran in the 60s, I think our parents were friendly. What hotel[s] did you play in there? Many thanks. John
Admin Reply:
No plans just yet, John, but we're talking about it. I played the Holyrood back in the early 60s. Heady days! Paul
Paul, the live show from the NCH on Saturday was inspired as well as your choice of guest. Such great choices of songs and great to see you performing again. MORE!!!! Thank you - what a gift to celebrate the US result.
Admin Reply:
Thanks Dorothy. It was a challenge but I feel good about it. Your feedback helps!
Paul,Just listened to Homes of Donegal.I´m originally from Ballintra Donegal and living here in Brazil since 1972.I walked with indigenous peoples for many years.Slainte
Admin Reply:
You’re a long way away from Donegal Michael! We’d drive through Ballintra on our way from Strabane to Bundoran when I was a kid. Glad my music is bringing you closer! Paul
Just wanted to say a huge thank you Paul ❤️
Admin Reply:
Hey thanks Mooch! I was happy to be back doing what I do. It’s been almost a year! Glad you enjoyed it. Paul