I would have to agree with the Big Tim´s view that Christy is not a brilliant songwriter. True, his more humorous songs like "Knock Song" "Joxer" or "St. Brendan´s Voyage" are excellent and very well put together.

However, I feel he tried too hard to be a songwriter on the "Graffiti Tongue" album. I also feel that to do a CD exclusively of your own material, you have to have that something special. They may be very personal songs but they dont get to me. Previously it was the combination of his own material and his ability to choose great songs by other writers which made such a lovely balance.

As for the "Traveller" album", well this was simply a comuter/electronic album with rehashed material. I played it one and put it aside for ever.

With his new CD "This is the day," Christy got it right again. He is returning to the style that made him so unique. Songs written by excellent songwriters, lovely acoustic work by Donal Lunny and Declan Sinnott and no computer shite!

It´s back to the roots.

JB