Paul O'Connor

When asked what he wanted people to be saying about him 100 years from now, author Bill Bryson famously replied with a joke:
"And the amazing thing is he's still sexually active"

@johncreedon.bsky.social the spoken word parts of that 'It's Immaterial' song are very like Eden Ahbez songs from the 1960s, John. Nice, westcoast hippy vibes:) Pauly

Nice 💚

A happy day seeing this come to light. A couple of lads in covid had VUB (virtual pub) sessions on Zoom. Chats, stories & memories turned into songs. More than the beers it was seeing eachothers smiles that was needed. This is for Joe Rodgers founding member, scholar, best drummer, friend & brother.

The Street Leagues release our first single 'Straws In The Sackville' tomorrow Mon 2nd Feb 26 a song about the old men in our lives who found pleasure in a pint after a life of hard work.

Please download and play.

Sing along, pass it along...you know you're not singin' alone!

Folders of large bed sheets.

I've written a novel, Experts in a Dying Field. It's out on Penguin Sandycove in June. It's about about a band and a tragedy & art for art's sake & aging & loss & community & Dublin. There's a fox in it. & sheet music. The beautiful cover's by Jack Smyth. You can preorder: linktr.ee/expertsinady...

This a version of an old 'overheard on the 17A' memory? 'Did she ever find her baby' :) Priceless

Provide Safe Shelter For All People Seeking Safety .

This cause is close to my heart - please sign: my.uplift.ie/petitions/pr... @uplift.ie

That wrap around dignity any of us get to provide while caring for a vulnerable loved one...to see them accept the care, trusting, loved...no price on it. You give them your heart. A rare and humbling privilege. But full-time carers need care! Well done, Pat

@johncreedon.bsky.social John that song 'I Can't Field At Home In This World' puts me in mind of Lambchop's 'The Man Who Loved Beer'...the theme of it, if you get me! Spiritual Lambchop:) Pauly

It is obvious the spiral logo on the water cooler cover inspired your parched brain to consider Yeats' 'The Second Coming':

'Turning and turning in the widening gyre/The falcon cannot hear the falconer'.

Things may indeed fall apart...but this is ALL coming together:)

YouTube video by Phil Healy Robbie's Song - The Street Leagues

youtu.be/NRsoJGzDaGU?...

A song by The Street Leagues drawing on the pain and desperation of poverty experienced in Dublin over a century ago but continued to resonate for generations. #joerodgers

YouTube video by Phil Healy Straws in the Sackville - The Street Leagues

youtu.be/Dr2WbfTqVXQ?...

One of three songs recorded a couple of weeks ago...products of a project started and guided by the brilliant Joe Rodgers. I hope and trust he is pleased w the results. He asked me to be involved in three projects over the years...changed my goddam life. ❤️

'Attention to detail' and 'sublime knowledgeable service'...key elements to a good relationship too! Congrats and here's to many more.

@johncreedon.bsky.social Room To Roam with the great Noel Bridgeman on drums! Gorgeous album, great band. Pauly

@johncreedon.bsky.social John, I don't know you know 'I Don't Believe In The Sun' by the Magnetic Fields but I wonder if Stephin Merrit has heard 'Raining In My Heart' by Buddy Holly! Just a similar heart-broken take on good weather:)

@johncreedon.bsky.social ah John, two of the best there w Ron n Rufus. Do you see Ron's regular 'dad jokes' on Bluesky such as:

Waiter: Would you like to hear today's special?
Me: Yes, please!
Waiter: Today is special!

Hope all are having a lovely special day, John :)

Let Them Play Irish government is blocking these children's visas. #LetThemPlay #GaaPalestine

Irish government is blocking these children's visas. #LetThemPlay #GaaPalestine my.uplift.ie/petitions/le... @uplift.ie

Asking for help, always good. Go easy. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻💚

@johncreedon.bsky.social John can a Beatles or Elvis Costello (or similar) song be put on the list some night for Joe Rodgers: drummer of The Ground Will Shake, The Cherry Brogues, Eva Dallas & The Rockets. Passed away suddenly yesterday. He was everything good about music, family and friendship.

@johncreedon.bsky.social Is it just me John or does Judy Craig in The Chiffons sound a little like Zooey Deschanel? Or vice-versa. Pauly, Fairview

@johncreedon.bsky.social John a big happy birthday to a 16 year old Johnny Cash fan, my very cool nephew Sean Rodgers! He got a Fender Squier electric this morning and hasn't stopped playing:) Music is in good hands. Pauly, Fairview

AI audiobooks? Heaven help us! Just finished Bulgakov's 'The Master & Magerita' read by Julian Rhind-Tutt...brilliant book, sparkingly read. Kept me riveted thru it's utter wildness, the blizzard of Russian names, letting the writer's distinctive gift for memorable description shine.

Font-tastic :)

Radio Free Europe

open.spotify.com/track/0SXmm3...

In the happy punch of an REM wknd. Sun shining, blasted this song in the car for the teens yesterday not realising REM just released a superb remix to raise funds for pro-democracy news outlets. This band just confirms for me hope is real. The joy of gratitude. 🙏🏻

Patrick Freyne and Chris Maddaloni The Irish Times journalist Patrick Freyne and photojournalist Chris Maddaloni talk about their recent trip to war-and-famine-stricken Chad, the many displaced people they met and empathy fatigue in th...

www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Listen back.

Caring more should be doable.

Giving a few quid definitely is. I don't know which of these is best/still reputable but if anyone has a better way to give to the aid agencies on the ground, let me know:

www.wfp.org/support-us/s...

www.concern.net/donate/sudan...

www.savethechildren.net/sudan

@patrickfreyne.bsky.social Thank you for writing these two disturbing but essential accounts of conditions, experiences & suffering of huge numbers of desperate, vulnerable people. This has only been name-checked in my own awareness of world events. Utterly heartbreaking. All should read these.

@alazarussoul.bsky.social Another night of blinding emotion...als in their element, the crowd living every note, every word. Everybody simultaneously rooted to the ground and floating. A joy.