| Thanks to all of you for your comments about
the show. This is your space for messages and dedications,
so come on - keep
them coming, email us with your thoughts.
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Hello Ralph,
I just listening to your country show from last Saturday via
the internet - and I love it!
Unfortunately I have to work additionally - so I can't understand
all the song titles and artists. Would it be possible to get a
song/artist list of the show ? That would be great.
Cheers,
Gundula
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Hi Ralph,
Really enjoyed the show the other night, Henry McCulloh (sorry
if I have spelt it wrong) was a revelation, and the link of Springsteen
to Seeger was fascinating.
But my concentration must have slipped as I suddenly heard a song
praising Jesse James, I must have missed where he fitted into
the theme. I confess I fast forwarded it, I know I shouldn't have,
I might have discovered the answer, so I hope you will forgive
me. But with references to Luther King, Woody Guthrie and so on
I wasn't sure how a white supremacist who went out of his way
to kill those who supported the abolition of slavery fitted into
the American Radical tradition. No doubt that's a question for
those who attempt to put him there to answer. I can hardly imagine
Jesse enjoying "we shall overcome" indeed he would have
reached for his gun as it besmirched Southern honour. What a wonderful
version you played.
True he has been portrayed as a Robin Hood figure, but that's
probably a bigger myth than our own Robin Hood. In fact T.J. Stiles
in his brilliant biography of Jesse James Last Rebel of the Civil
War suggests that the specific case of JJ undermines Eric Hobbsbawms
theory of the social bandit. Jesse did not rob railroads but express
companies. Poor farmers had no contact with express companies,
true they were wealthy organisations but hardly to blame for the
state of the poor like the railroads were.
Jesse's popularity was not based on a redistribution of wealth,
or fighting corporate oppressors, but on the fact he was identified
as continuing the war for the confederacy after it was defeated.
Its a mystery how James has been taken up by some white Americans
as a hero, whereas John Brown, who killed far less, but opposed
racism has been ignored.
Thanks for another wonderful evenings entertainment.
Best wishes
Andy Strouthous
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Hi Ralph
Another good show last week.
Thanks for playing Kristofferson again ... to state something
you already know: what a wonderful songwriter.
Unfortunately we don't here that much of KK over here. (England)
How about Steve Young? Could you play one of his songs for me?
'Jig' would be good from the album 'Pimal Young'
Finally I would like to reiterate what another listener said on
your comments page:
"But what makes the programme so special for me is your presentation.
Your knowledge of the music scene and your feel for the songs
you choose sets your programme way out, above and beyond, anything
else on radio. That connection you make for me with music is an
emotional experience and in doing so you reveal your own taste
and talent.
I have deserted television now on a Saturday night for Mclean's
Country."
Spot on.
The last sentence doesn't quite apply to me though. I deserted
it years ago - except for the football of course!
Thanks again
Graham Webb
Telford
Shropshire
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Hi Ralph
I caught your show on Radio Ulster for the first time last week.
It connected me with so many memories of those long lost days
of yesterday, ear pushed up close to the wireless, listening to
favourite tracks of the great Hank Williams. (My late brother
Billy and I were ' into him' away back then.)
Another singer/songwriter you featured last week was that great
musical poet and genius Kris Kristofferson. What an emotional
experience!
And I'm listening to you even as I write - Tammy Wynette, George
Jones and the new Bruce Springsteen album, We Shall Overcome -
the Seeger Sessions. Great, great stuff.
But what makes the programme so special for me is your presentation.
Your knowledge of the music scene and your feel for the songs
you choose sets your programme way out, above and beyond, anything
else on radio. That connection you make for me with music is an
emotional experience and in doing so you reveal your own taste
and talent.
I have deserted television now on a Saturday night for Mclean's
Country,
Wishing you every success for the future.
Roddie Andrews
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Dear Ralph
Love the show have been listening to you for a couple of years
now but this is the first time we’ve contacted you. A while
back you did one of the best shows I’ve ever heard on Bruce
Springsteen he has a new cd out on the 24th April it’s called
We Shall Overcome - The Pete Seeger sessions. Radio 2 and 2fm
have been playing it this week and it would be great if you could
play something off it. It’s a mixture of Cajun, Gospel and
blues. Love the new Kristofferson cd. There’s a song on
it called In The News another great song from another master.
Ralph thanks again for all the great music
The McKillens
Belfast
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Howdy Ralph,
I am listening to your program over in Norman, Oklahoma, USA,
via the internet and just wanted to say want a great program it
is. Only my second time to get to enjoy it, but I'm sure I'll
listen again. Your line up is refreshing and different from the
fair that I get here. And I am especially pleased to hear some
Townes Van Zandt--never get enough of his works.
Just wanted to say hello and keep up the good work. I plan to
be moving to Derry in the next year and as I make my plans I am
pleased to know that when I get homesick over there, I'll have
a radio program to help me feel like I'm home!
Mary Kennedy
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Listen to your show here in Dallas TX, good to here some of the
not so obvious artists and tracks that we don' t here in the home
of the music--but it has certainly improved in recent years. I
would recommend Dallas based 95.3 the range who play Americana
and Texas artists full time.
Great to hear last weeks show and we'll miss Dessie’s reviews
but glad to hear you may do a Mickey Newbury special, why this
man does not get the recognition he deserves is beyond me--hope
you get a chance to watch the recently released DVD of his concert
live at the hermitage--its pure magic. How privileged we have
been recently with DVD releases by Mickey, jerry Jeff, Townes,
Billy Joe Shaver, hopefully Guy Clark and ray Wylie Hubbard will
get one together.
Keep up the great work on the show, I was born and raised in England,
been living here in Texas for 14yrs now.
All the best,
Bill Rowland
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Ralph
On your show on the 18th you played a few cuts from an album that's
theme concerned the music elvis liked when he was a young man.
I believe Red Foley sang Peace In The Valley. I missed the title
and by the time I started to replay the show this weeks program
was already on your server. Would you drop me a line and give
me the title?
I enjoy your show and have listened for several years. I'll miss
Desi and his reviews, but I know things change.
Yours truly,
Douglas MacFarlane
Kansas city (the home of iris dement) Missouri
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Hallo Mr McLean,
I enjoyed the show on St. Patrick’s night. Who was the
lady who sang the blue train? I didn’t catch her name –
I thought it was great.
Greetings from Offenbach, Germany.
Regards
Jim Simpson
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Hey there!:)
I just caught the Blackstaff Sessions for the first time on St.Patricks
day, (...shame on me :(..) Anyway was shocked and over the moon
at the people on it, Bap, Brian Houston, Paul Casey, Gretchen
Peters...etc... All artists whom I love very very much! but disappointed(in
myself of course) for not realising that the show had been on
before and these people played other songs, so was wondering will
there be any repeats of the shows or even better a DVD coming
out of the series that would be amazing!!
And well done on getting the best people on your radio show your
taste is impeccable all the best Cristin Ruddy
Ralph just a quick word to say McLean’s Country is the
best country show on the island, thanks to Tony McCready of the
celie bandits for introducing me to the show and special thanks
to the great choice in music, especially frogholer and that lovely
song Virginia.
Thanks Ralph
Marty in Belfast
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Listening tonight as usual.
My husband Marshall & I really enjoy your programme. He brings
out the guitar after you are off the air for a session on his
own. He is "sort of retiring in the summer" from proper
work.
Loves John Prine, Emmy Lou and Dolly, but Chip Taylor with Carrie
Rodriguez are his favourites, saw them in spring and airbrake.
Please try and include one of them.
Good luck Dessie.
Barbara Martin
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Ralph,
Don't know if you've ever had a chance to play this song, but
check out a track from david lynch's old film, "mulholland
drive". It's the old classic written by roy orbison and joe
melson, "crying". Performed by rebekah del rio as "llorando".
Hear-stopping stuff...
Bye,
Patrick McNally,
Skerries.
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Look forward to hearing more of the new chris kristofferson cd
later. On a sadder note i just heard that buck owens has passed
away, another country legend lost. All the best . Jack clarke.
Cheshire.
Dear ralph & desi,
I have only been listening to the show for about 2 years on and
off...but i look forward to your two hours of musical gold every
saturday night! My best wishes to desi...on foot of his recommendations
i have purchased many's a cd and i haven't been disappointed yet!!
Good luck, and all the best,
Patrick
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Hello ralph, i listen to all your shows but you really outdid
yourself with the van morrison show. I have been lisrening to
it almost every waking hour. I just got his new cd and it is brilliant.(just
like your show).
Mary Quinn
Canada
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Cheers to all my family, kings of castlewellan, and friends in
norn iron. Please play planxty or saw doctors or horslips for
the castlewellan contingent from aelish in pennsylvania
Thanks for the song – am having a hectic day at work and
just tuned in to hear what you have on this week – line-up
sounds good. Had a friend in the uk buy bronagh’s cd and
mail it to me. Do you know if she is playing anywhere in june
because a friend will be in ireland and she enjoys her as well.
Any other concerts in june you might recommend? You have to catch
hayes carll if he is in ireland a i know he is in the uk. Take
care
Deanna Hansen
Vancouver bc Canada
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Hi Ralph
Just a wee email to say we're at home, enjoying steak and chips,
nice bottle of red, and thoroughly enjoying your great music.
Keep up the good work.
Really enjoyed that bronagh gallagher track by-the-way. Do you
know is it something she wrote herself?
All the best
Kieran and Alison
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Hi folks, great to hear someone playing corb lund, i,m going to
see him playing support for josh ritter in letterkenny on tuesday
night. He is also doing the kilkenny festival in may, also playing,alejandro
escovedo, robbie fulks and the hackensaw boys.many thanks for
a great show.
Rodney smith
Randalstown
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Always listen to your show sometime in week on 'listen again'
but tonight i am in and recention in london england on the internet
is great!!
Great show,
Steve
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