New Music from Christy Moore, Now With Claddagh Records
There are few artists who can legitimately claim ‘living legend’ status – without question, Christy Moore is one of those few. 56 years on from the release of his debut album Paddy On The Road, Claddagh Records is delighted to announce that Christy Moore has signed to the iconic label to release his new album, A Terrible Beauty, on 1st November 2024.
The 13 track album is heralded today by the release of single ‘Black & Amber’, a song written by Briany Branigan of A Lazarus Soul, taken from their album The D They Put Between The R And L, which Christy has been performing at live shows of late.
Of ‘Black & Amber’, Christy Moore says: We went to hear A Lazarus Soul in Whelan’s, Dublin 6 years ago. I fell beneath the spell of Briany’s lyrics straight away. I made contact saying I’d love to sing a couple of his songs. He gave me the nod - his lines are just up my street. This song brings me back to a time in life when the pub was a central part of my life. It remained that way for many years. Different pubs in different places became my “home away from home”. Thankfully the day came when I closed that door behind me, never to return, one day at a time. Briany Brannigan’s songs are raw, relevant and real.
Christy Moore is as well known for his live performances as he is for his songwriting. As journalist Stuart Bailie wrote of Christy’s recent show at Botanic Gardens, Belfast, “Behold, the great presence of Christy Moore… You know most of the songs as this 79-year-old tilts from rage and sorrow to sweetness and levity. He sings of a nation’s difficult progress. He notes the villains and the victims. He’ll make you cry and there are moments in the crowd when friends embrace each other and the hurt passes through them.” Christy Moore will play 12 live shows at Vicar Street, Dublin throughout November (2nd, 7th, 13th, 20th, 28th) and December (5th, 11th, 18th, 30th) this year, and January (5th, 12th, 20th) next year. Tickets on sale Monday 23rd September, 10am from ticketmaster.ie.
Of signing with Claddagh Records, Christy Moore says: “I was very taken with the Universal approach to two retro albums that came about when they acquired labels that had gone to sleep. When I saw the work they did on the Paddy Kavanagh album, my curiosity peaked. I met the “man from Universal” by chance one day and complimented him on recent releases. He mentioned that he would like to work with me and that Claddagh Records was being revitalised… and here I am.”
Along with today’s album announcement, Claddagh Records also reveals the album track listing (below) and the artwork for A Terrible Beauty, which shows an image of Irish artist Martin Gale’s painting Terrible Beauty. Find out more about Martin Gale here.
A Terrible Beauty will be released on Claddagh Records on Friday, 1st November 2024.
