Been a fan for decades. I have seen you in Belfast many times. Before the lockdown there was supposed to be a gig in Donegal - "an evening with" or something like that. Did it ever happen or any plans to reschedule? If you ever do I'll try and make it and can you please play a little-known number lurking at the end of Spirits Colliding called Beautiful World? It takes my breath away every time. So sad and poignant and I'd love to hear it sung live.
Your music has accompanied me through thick and thin and there's always an appropriate song for the moment. My now grown kids were subjected to you from a young age. Dunno if I've quite managed to convert them but I like to think your music is in their heads and one day will out!!
So glad to read on here there's still more songs to discover after all these years.
just listening to a playlist with my favourite Tina Turner-recordings in the middle of the night, and when "Paradise is Here" came on I felt the need to look for your homepage... so here I am.
All I can say, being a singer/songwriter myself (mostly busking,,, which is no
easy task as one gers older... lol... I'm 56 years of age now!): What a great list of songs and collabs (including one of my forever heroes Carole King... I honestly envy you for this and, btw, love that album, I think it's madly underrated!)...
hats off to everything you have achieved (and given to the world of music).
I hope you're safe and well during these difficult times, thanks for all the listening pleasure.... (neither covers of your songs nor Carole's are to be found
on my site, sry... !) please stay healthy and may god bless you and your loved ones.... that's all I wanted to say... yours - Roop
Hope you and your family are keeping well in these tough times. Glad to have the opportunity to thank you for sharing your wonderful talent.
Kind regards, Tara
Thanks so much for your music and beautiful voice!!
Just watching a re-run of your appearance on the 'Transatlantic Sessions' - you are a legend both nationally and internationally.
For the many, many years of musical pleasure you have given me and millions of others around the world I thank you sincerely.
Yours in music,
Mick
While driving to work this morning, your version of Arthur McBride and the Sergeant from The Missing Liberty Tapes came on my Spotify Discover Playlist. Driving as I was, I only caught snippets of the lyrics, but the performance was striking and the audience response enthused, I knew I wanted to find out more.
Finding the lyrics online, then being led here and reading about the concert and lost tapes, has been incredibly fascinating.
I'm looking forward to listening fully to the rest of the concert and discovering more of your catalogue. Just wanted to send you some appreciation from a newly minted fan!
Maybe an ignorant question: I was searching to see if you ever covered The Parting Glass.... There is a lovely cover as seen in RTE. Don't Know the singer. Was going to send the song to an English friend whose (Irish) mother just passed in England. Pandemic, ugh. Nontheless, it is still a beautiful world - as in your new song.
BTW I went to school with you v early days ("Infants") in Strabane! Remember the chestnut trees and the smell of small bottles of creamy icy milk? There is a song there for sure! My dad and your mom taught together. Sending you my best Paul, and to yours. Thanks for the music.
Rosemary
I've enjoyed your music for many years and got to see you play once live, in the Barbican in London, years ago. Absolutely loved it. I'm now learning the guitar, a couple of years in, and have progressed to The Lakes of Pontchartrain, even getting to grips with the introduction! I would also like to learn Arthur McBride and have attempted to download the TAB from your shop but it seems to be unavailable - in fact I get 'malware' warnings. Is there any other way that I can get it? I'm very happy to pay something. Keep up the great work - you are inspirational!
Kind regards
Just over a half century since I first fell for The Johnstons sound... now via the BGO CDs, I'm happy to be reunited with magic sounds - and poignantly ' If I Sang my Song' . Adrienne ( RIP)in magnificent voice (a la Sandy Denny at times).Lovely stuff - 'Arthur McBride' and 'Pontchartrain' next on the youtube hits...thanks for so much ace music - all the best to you and yours - D
I am quite new to your music but I really love listening to your back catalogue. I am a big folk music fan and I stumbled on The Johnstons by accident really and loved it. I am becoming quite a big fan of your music, it is outstanding indeed. All my best to you and yours and stay safe.
Love from Iceland,
Asgerdur Vala
Guestbook
752 entries.
Hi Paul,
Hello Paul...
Hi, just wanted to thank you for the wonderful music that you create and share. I've recently discovered your music and I've been blown away by your skill and the emotions that you put into your music. I can't get enough!!
Hi Paul, I started listening to you back in the 1970s in our bedsit we played our Johnston's Vinyl LP so much we all knew the words by heart of "Continental Trailways Bus" I was totally blown away when I heard and saw Arthur Mc Bride at a Cinema in Dublin mid - seventies and everything that you have done since then you just keep getting better and better. I have admired your music so much that I have sent Vinyl Albums to France , England and lots to my friends in Ireland. I also turned Steve Cooney onto your music within days of him arriving in Ireland and took him to one of your concerts I knew that as a fellow musician that he would be blow away with your music I think that he may have got to play with you at some stage. Your voice your songs touch the heart and your guitar playing and musicality are exceptional and world class. When my friend who has been listening to music for the past 40 years heard "Nobody Knows" she said that this song touched her like no other song had. That's what you do to people with your incredible music I am wishing a long and continued successful career I have been to many of your concerts and hope to attend many more in the future. Very best regards John M Dublin
I came across your definitive arrangement of Arthur McBride yesterday, it's completely extraordinary, there is probably too much overlapping in this 7-minute space to properly catalogue...... I woke up with the whole thing in my head immediately this morning.. have watched and listened 20 or so times today, researched the song, watched interviews with you in them, and am now on the Tube and this site here sourcing tab etc to learn this ... I wish I'd known your arrangement when I had a more powerful voice.... going to have to start doing more sit-ups when the Gyms open!!
Hi Paul,
Isn't it weird and wonderous where music can lead you?
Paul. Such a treat to listen to Arthur McBride testerday on St. Patrick's day. I was too weak after that (in a good way! ) to listen to "Lakes of P".... I have been an admiring follower of your music over the years.
Hi Paul,
Hi Paul, relistening to the NCH concert this evening from November last - continues to pick my spirits up at this difficult time for us all. 'Follow On' is possibly the best song I didn't know i've known all my life and has kept me perpetually going in this lockdown. We will brave the stormy weather. All the best to you and yours.
Hi Paul
Hello!
Paul u signed my drum last year at the boomtown rats and i have it hanging on my wall i love it
Paul, any chance you're going to rerelease the original Hard Station (non American Remix) on vinyl?
Having just discovered your music I'm blown away by your back catalogue. What a voice, what a song writer and what a player. Thank you for your music.
Heard Paul's version of Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore on Irish Pub radio - love it... Any Idea what harmonica is used in that song - maybe not a harmonica???
Me and my mate are late starters on guitar, and we have our own rendition of Steel Claw that we play at open mic. Please, will you tell me what is the Steel Claw??? Pardon my ignorance. I have been singing this song since the 80's and do not know it's meaning. Thank you. You are loved here in Wyoming.
Hi Paul, when are you across to Los Angles- we R originally from NI, relations of a famous poet (Seamus) you have a lot of fans here- dinner at my house in Cheviot hills!!
Paul, I've just bough your CD Andy Irvine/Paul Brady, and am enjoying it immensely. It takes me back in time, me being an old folkie. I will have to get some more of your fine music, that's for sure.
Paul, decided to listen to 'Working at Christmas' on playback today - don't care that it's only November, it's been a tough year. Underrated song. Take care, Bill