Two very nice sessions at Deal over the weekend as part of the Deal Maritime Folk Festival. The Irish session on Friday night in the Ship on Middle Street was well received and quite well supported. Some lively characters helped the evening along.
The Sunday marathon mixed lumpy session also in the Ship was quiet but very enjoyable. Four hours, never repeated a tune and came away with many more left to play. I think everyone was feeling tired, so we had to have 'nod watch' and a stick to prod anybody dropping off. Ken (Kents mutimedia megastar poet and singer) held a spoons masterclass in the corner to provide some accompaniment. At one point, one of the audience thought we were playing a tribute to Ian Drury and the Blockheads (sex and drugs and rock and roll) when in fact it was the b-part to Old Joe Clark. Bless. Audiences in general, we observe, react more strongly to an ending than the content. So play anything and end well if you want applause.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Friday, September 15, 2006
Friday 15th September 2006
A quiet and fairly normal week so far. Just the regular Wednesday Irish session at the Anchor, Wingham with the regular players - Andybanjo, Ian the piper, Judy the whistle, Twizzle, Rick the flute and Pete the Accordian and yours truly. The Thursday session in the Bear still bothers me. Something somewhere is out of tune and it isn't me.
Anyway, this weekend is the Deal Maritime Folk Festival (aka Sea Shanty Festival) and for sessions, there is an Irish one tonight at the Ship in Middle Street from 8:00 and on Sunday, there is a choice. Both 12:00 to 3:00 - ish, there is another Irish at the Deal Hoy, always a welcoming venue but a bit crowded and then there is a 'playalong' with Mike Wheeler from The Watershed Barn Dance Band and friends back at the Ship in Middle Street.
It was at the Deal Festival where, famously and misguidedly, a French duo were invited into the small bar of the King's Head. They play full Highland Pipes and Bombard. It really did hurt your ears. I have never experienced anything so loud or so painful.
Anyway, this weekend is the Deal Maritime Folk Festival (aka Sea Shanty Festival) and for sessions, there is an Irish one tonight at the Ship in Middle Street from 8:00 and on Sunday, there is a choice. Both 12:00 to 3:00 - ish, there is another Irish at the Deal Hoy, always a welcoming venue but a bit crowded and then there is a 'playalong' with Mike Wheeler from The Watershed Barn Dance Band and friends back at the Ship in Middle Street.
It was at the Deal Festival where, famously and misguidedly, a French duo were invited into the small bar of the King's Head. They play full Highland Pipes and Bombard. It really did hurt your ears. I have never experienced anything so loud or so painful.
Friday, September 08, 2006
Friday 8th September 2006
Strange this week. Maybe it's post-festival depression or something but the Irish session at the Anchor at Wingham was very quiet. It did mean that we could play polkas, slides and jigs to our heart's content. Pete the Accordian admitted by text message that he'd fallen asleep. We've attracted another Bodhran 'player'.
Thursday English Mixed Lumpy at the Bear in Faversham also quiet, but Heather Grabham joined us as she sometimes does, so that was a bonus. Some nice tunes. I think we get more applause for a well executed tune done with measured pace and Mike thinks it's always better fast and loud. Everyone thought they were out of tune last night until we all realised it was a visiting fiddle. Isn't it odd how somebody else's instrument being out of tune makes you doubt your own?
Nothing this weekend, but Deal Maritime Folk Festival next weekend with sessions Friday night and Sunday lunchtime. Sunday is Irish 12:00 - 14:30 at the Deal Hoy and English 11:30 - 15:30 at the Ship in Middle Street.
Thursday English Mixed Lumpy at the Bear in Faversham also quiet, but Heather Grabham joined us as she sometimes does, so that was a bonus. Some nice tunes. I think we get more applause for a well executed tune done with measured pace and Mike thinks it's always better fast and loud. Everyone thought they were out of tune last night until we all realised it was a visiting fiddle. Isn't it odd how somebody else's instrument being out of tune makes you doubt your own?
Nothing this weekend, but Deal Maritime Folk Festival next weekend with sessions Friday night and Sunday lunchtime. Sunday is Irish 12:00 - 14:30 at the Deal Hoy and English 11:30 - 15:30 at the Ship in Middle Street.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Monday 4th September 2006
The Faversham Hops Festival came and went. I don't know if it was the weather or something else, but it didn't feel as lively as in previous years. The Real Festival Band played acoustically in West Street until rained off.
The evening Irish Session in the Bear had a difficult start - too many bodies in too small a pub. However, when it thinned a bit and we were joined by a stunning guitarist (who doubles as an Angel on a gyro bike) it really took off. Some girls did a fusion of traditional and disco dancing for us, and we had the obligatory drunk who took offence to non-Irish people playing Irish music. Oh well! It rolled on for 3 hours so it can't have been bad. Some of the others decamped to the Belgian session and there was no session at Stelling Minnis on the Sunday.
The evening Irish Session in the Bear had a difficult start - too many bodies in too small a pub. However, when it thinned a bit and we were joined by a stunning guitarist (who doubles as an Angel on a gyro bike) it really took off. Some girls did a fusion of traditional and disco dancing for us, and we had the obligatory drunk who took offence to non-Irish people playing Irish music. Oh well! It rolled on for 3 hours so it can't have been bad. Some of the others decamped to the Belgian session and there was no session at Stelling Minnis on the Sunday.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Friday 1st September 2006
Well, the Faversham International Hop Festival is nearly upon us. The Festival Band has become the West Street Irregulars and will play on Saturday 2nd September 2006 in West Street, Faversham from 10:00. Only acoustic this year, and no drum kit.
A treat recently was Ralph Jordan playing 'Jour d'ete' live on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Johnny Walker guesting for Wogan. A brilliant achievement. Way to go Ralphie!
We seem to have picked up a few newcomers on teh session scene, which is always nice. A Bodhran player and a banjo player.
The best session of the moment is undoubtedly the Irish Session at the Anchor at Faversham on the last Sunday of the month. A good gathering of musicians, and appreciative audience, and entusiastic landlord and a great environment - what more do you want?
There will be a special Irish session in the Bear at Faversham on Saturday 2nd September 2006 starting around 8:00 - part of the Hops Festival - if the musicians can get a seat!
A treat recently was Ralph Jordan playing 'Jour d'ete' live on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show with Johnny Walker guesting for Wogan. A brilliant achievement. Way to go Ralphie!
We seem to have picked up a few newcomers on teh session scene, which is always nice. A Bodhran player and a banjo player.
The best session of the moment is undoubtedly the Irish Session at the Anchor at Faversham on the last Sunday of the month. A good gathering of musicians, and appreciative audience, and entusiastic landlord and a great environment - what more do you want?
There will be a special Irish session in the Bear at Faversham on Saturday 2nd September 2006 starting around 8:00 - part of the Hops Festival - if the musicians can get a seat!
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