Great gig at the “Mouth of Tyne Festival” South Shields, on Sunday afternoon, thanks’ to everyone who came to see the band; we really appreciate your support, with the North Sea as our back drop, the sun up in the sky, a great crowd in fine voice, what more could we ask for? Oh yes, a pint of Guinness, we had that too!! A wonderful afternoon.
Then it was off to the “Tap & Spile” Hexham, it was rammed, “Chock-a-block”!! The old Tap did us proud! A fantastic night, it was good to see everyone again, and good luck to Jeff the new landlord, we are back at the Tap & Spile December 21st, surrounded by tinsel and baubles!! Once again thank you for all your support.
Cheers,

Marty.

Yes, the Tap & Spile gig was brilliant - Lucy and I were there, having driven down from Scotland specially.

We weren't disappointed. It was a fantastic gig, with an obviously enthusiastic crowded house and the band as up for it as anyone.

The last Happy Cats gig that Lucy & I attended was at North Berwick just under four years ago. We won't leave it as long in future. The new material works brilliantly and I cannot help but form the impression that the whole Happy Cats project is now reaching fruition as what it was always intended to be.

So thanks very much to Marty, Les & Brian for such a brilliant night, and here's to the next one!

I'm sorry it took me a while to get hold of the 'new' Happy Cats CD, Take my Hand. It's brilliant, such a quantum leap forward from Follow the Moon. I've had swirling and cascading accordion figures racing through my head ever since I first heard it. The sound seems to be much less eclectic now and much more overtly Irish.

Marty and Les have emerged as a truly effective and compelling songwriting team, and the whole thing has received a top production and attractive packaging.

BUT, in my opinion, Brian has absolutely stolen the show with the haunting and ethereal A Chuisle Mo Chroi. This clearly isn't the type of composition you come up with when someone has locked you in a hotel room and told you you're not getting out until you come up with a dozen songs for the new CD.

I'm far from an expert, but my guess is that this beautiful piece began as a moment of transcent inspiration followed by many hours spent refining the original idea. It seems to me that Brian has tapped the same well of Keltic genius as Enya, the Chieftains and others.

So, if you're listening, Brian, could you please tell me, do you have more compositions like this still waiting to see the light of day and further illumine all our lives?

And please, put me out of my misery - what does A Chuisle Mo Chroi mean? I presume it's Irish Gaelic in some shape or form?

I love it, whatever it means.

Thanks guys,

I'm none the wiser!

However, please allow me to state that A Chuisle Mo Chroi sounds to me as if it is destined for truly great things.

I'm sure that it would be a fantastic theme tune for a movie.

Should some Hollywood magnate pick up on it, I don't see why it shouldn't go global. Let's face it, many far less engaging compositions have done precisely that.

Best of luck with it anyway!

A Chúisle mo chroí means literally .. O pulse of my heart.
It's a term of endearment which you wouldnt use for everyone.
It is Irish(Gaelic).

Cheers Seanin,

You've put me out of my misery.

What a cracking track, though but. A sublime ending to a magic album.

Let's wish Brian and the lads every success with it, they richly deserve it!

All the best,

Tom