Stan Rogers, Paul Brady, John Prine, Andy Irvine, Christy Moore, James Taylor, Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Van Morrison, Bill Craig,
Born and raised in the East Antrim port town of Larne in Northern Ireland. Music was always in the family from an early age, from playing the flute in the local 'kick the pope' band at age 6, singing round the parlour fire with his old man and brothers, then learning guitar and starting to sing the beautiful Irish folk ballads, influenced by the likes of Paul Brady, Christy Moore and Planxty. Mixed up? Probably, but that's the way Irish music should be, it's all 'our' music, from all sides.
The love of the sea was probably sublimibly there from an early age and grown as the years have passed. Moves to the Scots town of Stonehaven, Broadstairs in Kent and recently, Catalonia in Spain, always close to the sea.
From taking 4 years to completey rebuild a Scottish fishing boat into a lovely gaff rigged cutter back in 1998, to recently aquiring another sail boat in Spain, a 35 foot 'Young Sun', again a cutter rig.
Four albums have been released so far, the latest 'And Then the Birds in Spring Again' is available at www.raymoorefolk.com and features the usual mix of traditional, contempory and songs of the sea, some written by Ray.
Perhaps more than anything, has been his pursuit of the perfect simple lifestyle of living on his sail boat and earning a living from music.
This dream is almost there, could it be 2009? Well, if enough people buy a CD, it will be!
Hi Ray Nice to hear from you. I was delivering a paper at the conference but did a bit of singing too. Am having a great time. Made some useful contacts. I am going from here to San Francisco and Graham comes out Tuesday. I met a record producer and his wife and they have invited us to stay - they have a recording studio so I am going to check it out as a possible for doing an album with Graham. Hope things are going well with you. X
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
hey Ray, thanks for the add! Glad you like the tunes.
If you're in Chicago, might see you this Sunday at the Celt Fest in Grant Park! We're playing on the Celtic Crossroads stage at 3:30 pm, followed by a great band you have to see from Ireland called Slide.
come up and say hello if you get a chance, take care.
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Who told you about that hail storm?If it was me I must have been drunk at the time I don't remember.Anyway WAWANESA my beloved insurance company will not pay for the damage to the paint because there are no dents.They say it is likely stone chips.I asked how would I get stone chips on the TOP of the engine hood and trunk (boot). It ain't over yet,I will not take this shit lying down. Enjoy the Irish summer, GQ
yeah that was cool. that gig in september is only a 15 minute spot in some church in the Rhondda so i wouldnt bother but if i have anything else coming up ill let you know
Didn't you notice all the dust on the mic stands.Nothing has come out of that corner since 2005.I still sit there once in a while and make noises to get rid of the stress.
The Ocean Nomad, think I've been on that rig, but many years ago now, and it wasnt a great rig then, cant imagine what its like now... I'm working offshore Angola, been on the Scarabeo 7 for Saipem almost 18 months, no regrets leaving the Brents!
Boat sounds great, feel free to email me some pics!
I will expect to see a complete set of photos from the Orkney Festival very soon,Good luck, GQ P.S. PRINE tickets went on sale Saturday at 12 noon for 2 shows Aug.19th and Aug.20th.and at 1:30 I couldn't get one. It sucks to be me.
Oh, Ray...lol No, Dolphins just wanna have fun.... Happy Easter (a little late) to you, too...How's the sailin'?? I hope you're having a great time! BTW, I'm planning to go to Larne in May--sit in on a session with Jim and friends, will also see Mrs. Moore and the Antrim coast. Teresa
