New Box Set from Christy Moore

Christy Moore has been around for a long time. I first saw him back in Buncrana when I was a young teen during the first Fleadh Cheoil my home town hosted in the early 70s. When I look back now I was seeing the early years in the career of someone who has become a legend in Irish music circles and has become an unlikely superstar for thousands of fans worldwide.

Christy continues to grab the imagination of generations of people who relate to his plain storytelling style and his great sense of humour. Tongue in cheek hits like Lisdoonvarna have become anthems in Irish pubs worldwide and his soft plain renditions of great ballads like Nancy Spain and Jimmy McCarthy's timeless Ride On are ingrained in the very fabric of Irish music history.

Christy has also been a part of some of the most influential bands in Irish music. He is responsible for the formation of Planxty having gathered the original members to play on his solo album Prosperous and he was also the front man for Moving Hearts who arguably pushed back boundaries of Irish music more than any band in the last 40 years.

It is fitting then that Columbia Records have released The Box Set 1964 – 2004, a six CD collection of 101 songs taken from concert recordings, home studio takes, outtakes and much more. So far this release seems to be available only through Christy's website and in Ireland and as yet we don't have a U.S. release date as Columbia/Sony don't seem to have an easily found website that lists Christy's album at all.

Having said that we are trying to track down a copy to review for you although I know our readers in Ireland and Europe are very well aware of Christy's music and influence and will have already bought a copy of this “must-have” collection.

I am also told that despite the 101 track listing that there are a few hidden tracks.

More on this album in the coming weeks

In the meantime check out Christy's own site at

http://www.christymoore.com