Well. Two very different sessions this week. One cleared the pub and the other filled it. The funny thing is, we don't know whether it was a feature of the pubs or a reflection on us. The pub for the Irish Session is in the suburbs, near the university. The students have gone away for Christmas now so the number of punters has taken a dip about as sharp as the drop in the temperature. Now we don't mind that because we go out to play music - whether there's an audience or not. It was generally speaking a normal sort of session. The only giveaway that it was the last one before Xmas was the plate of mince pies. This meant that we could see some musicians who are not normally able to make it to session except at holiday time. Excellent stuff! By pumpkin time (time to go or you'll turn into ...) The pub was empty except for us. Ho Hum.
It was a different story in the Mixed Lumpy session which is Thursday at the Bear. All the regular followers were there and lots of musicians turned up to make a really enjoyable evening. Thanks to the Tilmanstone session for coming over and giving us some French tunes (no, we didn't have hooty and screechy - see earlier posts). And you know, despite 2 melodeons, they did not overpower at all. Nice to hear them sensitively played. Quick digression - English, Irish, Scottish - just about all traditions play a tune three times through (in session - different if you've got dancers). Why do French tunes go on for ever? They have at least 6 repeats and often a lot more. And they're simple tunes and yes we do get bored.
Songs were strictly limited and it was nice to hear and see Sarah Fagg again. We seem to have picked up a tame poet who is quite liked by all and he gave us a special Christmas poem - When Santa was kidnapped. There were some other faces from the past as well and it was a really good relaxed but controlled atmosphere enjoyed by punter and musician alike. Almost a proper session. No, I'm joking. It was a proper session. I swear that people were coming in from the front bar who haven't set foot in the back in years. It was that good!
That's it now until Thursday the 27th at the Bear. The next Irish will be on 2nd January , hopefully back at the Anchor at Wingham on a temporary basis. Or is it? Wait and see. There will be no last-Sunday-of-the-month Irish session in December.
Merry Christmas everybody. I hope Santa brings you all what you've wished for.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
17th December 2007
Well, it's that time again (Oh no it isn't. Oh yes it is. I hear you cry). The Winter silly season when sessioneers start to get scared for their own safety and that of their instruments. All year we go into the pubs on our designated nights and play our hearts out to whatever reception there happens to be. Sometimes just the pub cat sloping off, sometimes a bus trip from the home for the bewildered. And then all of a sudden the pubs are filled with aliens. You can tell they're aliens because they have antennae and they're covered with flashing lights and they speak at full volume in a strange dialect of English that must have been learned from Australian Soap Operas that were beamed carelessly into space. Indeed many seem to have adopted names from those shows lending more credence to the theory.
Now when the aliens spot the traditional musicians they can't help themselves. Some decide that they are really talented percussionists and none too gently assist the drinks off the musicians table with their arrhythmic banging; some decide that they are really talented dancers and perform their own highly individual version of a stylised Scottish or Irish type dance. That is highly individual and stylised in the same way that fish fingers are an individual and highly stylised form of cod.
The rest content themselves with asking for some song or tune which mostly the sessioneers do not want to perform. At this time of year it's usually Fairy tale of Old New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McColl. I mean do we look like the Pogues and Kirsty McColl? Sometimes you can get away with saying to them 'You sing it and we'll accompany you'. Although this in itself is a very dangerous ploy - they just might start singing but mostly they don't know the words or if they do it's only a chorus or a line or two so it's mercifully short. Best thing to do is put your head down and plough on with a set of tunes.
But on to session news. The Bev last week was enjoyable with the usual suspects partaking of the Irish tunes and an appreciative audience. The Bear session included the traditional Watershed Carols and mince pies. Always goes down well and it is only once a year. It is normally as close to Christmas as possible and used to be on a Sunday lunchtime at the Shipwrights Arms on Oare Creek but not since our erstwhile leader fell out with the landlord. Some of us try to get the carols on the even keel of a sensible key but sadly the Erstwhile Leader often prefers Eb or Bb. I mean it's just not folk.
Two more weeks to go this year and said Erstwhile Leader is away in the land of the long white cloud and forty years in the past over the festive season so the Bear session will change a little for the next 4 weeks. Looks for white fluffy cat to stroke. Do you expect me to sing? No Mr Bond I expect you to play traditional tunes. I digress.
Sobering thought is that Friday is the Solstice and shortest day so it's all uphill to Summer after that. Hoorah! I wonder what wonderful traditions will be enacted this Winter? Look out for the Hoodeners in Kent, Morris traditions of the Welsh Borders, Wassailing and other vestiges of the folk tradition as an antidote to the commercialism.
Waes Hael!
Now when the aliens spot the traditional musicians they can't help themselves. Some decide that they are really talented percussionists and none too gently assist the drinks off the musicians table with their arrhythmic banging; some decide that they are really talented dancers and perform their own highly individual version of a stylised Scottish or Irish type dance. That is highly individual and stylised in the same way that fish fingers are an individual and highly stylised form of cod.
The rest content themselves with asking for some song or tune which mostly the sessioneers do not want to perform. At this time of year it's usually Fairy tale of Old New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McColl. I mean do we look like the Pogues and Kirsty McColl? Sometimes you can get away with saying to them 'You sing it and we'll accompany you'. Although this in itself is a very dangerous ploy - they just might start singing but mostly they don't know the words or if they do it's only a chorus or a line or two so it's mercifully short. Best thing to do is put your head down and plough on with a set of tunes.
But on to session news. The Bev last week was enjoyable with the usual suspects partaking of the Irish tunes and an appreciative audience. The Bear session included the traditional Watershed Carols and mince pies. Always goes down well and it is only once a year. It is normally as close to Christmas as possible and used to be on a Sunday lunchtime at the Shipwrights Arms on Oare Creek but not since our erstwhile leader fell out with the landlord. Some of us try to get the carols on the even keel of a sensible key but sadly the Erstwhile Leader often prefers Eb or Bb. I mean it's just not folk.
Two more weeks to go this year and said Erstwhile Leader is away in the land of the long white cloud and forty years in the past over the festive season so the Bear session will change a little for the next 4 weeks. Looks for white fluffy cat to stroke. Do you expect me to sing? No Mr Bond I expect you to play traditional tunes. I digress.
Sobering thought is that Friday is the Solstice and shortest day so it's all uphill to Summer after that. Hoorah! I wonder what wonderful traditions will be enacted this Winter? Look out for the Hoodeners in Kent, Morris traditions of the Welsh Borders, Wassailing and other vestiges of the folk tradition as an antidote to the commercialism.
Waes Hael!
Friday, November 30, 2007
30th November 2007
I'm happy to report that I managed to get to both sessions this week. And they're fine. They're ticking along nicely with the usual suspects and everything is right with the world. It was very kind of them to say they'd missed me but I'm more pleased that they've kept going. And it was good to see everybody again and play those old familiar tunes. Well most of them anyway. There are odd tunes which drive you up the wall - like Drops of Brandy. Different for everyone but I suspect all musicians have a tune or several that they really don't like that much.
Anyway, there is an extra session this Sunday at the Anchor in Faversham, as Paul Lucas is coming down again for a visit. Last time you remember, he brought Tim Edey and Lucy Randall along and there was a great session (albeit transplanted to the Bear) which wasn't strictly Irish. I don't think the purists minded but it's hard to tell sometimes.
Anyway, there is an extra session this Sunday at the Anchor in Faversham, as Paul Lucas is coming down again for a visit. Last time you remember, he brought Tim Edey and Lucy Randall along and there was a great session (albeit transplanted to the Bear) which wasn't strictly Irish. I don't think the purists minded but it's hard to tell sometimes.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
28th November 2007
Apologies to Session Diary fans who have been missing their regular dose of the angst and drama that is sessions. I was going to say that I haven't been able to get to a session for some time now, but then again, I gather that one or two got cancelled anyway.
Last Sunday, being the last Sunday of the month should have been the Irish Session at the Anchor at Faversham. I gather it was cancelled because of a dearth of musicians. Now that happens occasionally but given the past history with the place, I suspect folks just aren't inclined to make the effort like they used to.
And then last Wednesday the Irish suffered again because of some activity called 'football'. Apparently it's a popular evening out to go and watch 22 grown men run up and down a muddy field chasing a ball on something called a 'plasma screen'. And they said that Golf was a good walk spoilt. Anyway, if its one thing we've discovered, it is that Traditional Music and Football are incompatible in the same venue at the same time. So with discretion being the better part of valour and another case of not being treated that well anyway, the session was cancelled.
What we need is a pub that serves real ale, has zero technology of any kind and a clientele that appreciates traditional music. A bonus would be that it was owned by someone who appreciated traditional music and that the place had good acoustics. And a log fire in winter. And does great chips. We used to have one of those - it was called the George. And look what happened when they tinkered with it. Between being a great session pub and being boarded up for years, it enjoyed a brief life as a 'Gastropub' in the middle of nowhere.
Throughout all this though, the mixed lumpy session in the Bear at Faversham has kept going as it does. Even though it was down to a bare minimum sometimes. It's probably a good time to say thank you to Dave the landlord there who has been a friend to the music for many years now. Now you may ask why the Irish session doesn't move there and personally I wouldn't mind. Indeed we have had Irish sessions there - one Sunday when Tim Edey and Paul Lucas came down and the Anchor had forgotten we were coming and of course during the Hop Festival. Well, it's not that central (the Irish session folk come from the Medway to Deal) - oh, it actually is err quite central then. But the acoustics aren't that good for playing and you can't get that many in and it gets hot.
Maybe we're too picky.
Last Sunday, being the last Sunday of the month should have been the Irish Session at the Anchor at Faversham. I gather it was cancelled because of a dearth of musicians. Now that happens occasionally but given the past history with the place, I suspect folks just aren't inclined to make the effort like they used to.
And then last Wednesday the Irish suffered again because of some activity called 'football'. Apparently it's a popular evening out to go and watch 22 grown men run up and down a muddy field chasing a ball on something called a 'plasma screen'. And they said that Golf was a good walk spoilt. Anyway, if its one thing we've discovered, it is that Traditional Music and Football are incompatible in the same venue at the same time. So with discretion being the better part of valour and another case of not being treated that well anyway, the session was cancelled.
What we need is a pub that serves real ale, has zero technology of any kind and a clientele that appreciates traditional music. A bonus would be that it was owned by someone who appreciated traditional music and that the place had good acoustics. And a log fire in winter. And does great chips. We used to have one of those - it was called the George. And look what happened when they tinkered with it. Between being a great session pub and being boarded up for years, it enjoyed a brief life as a 'Gastropub' in the middle of nowhere.
Throughout all this though, the mixed lumpy session in the Bear at Faversham has kept going as it does. Even though it was down to a bare minimum sometimes. It's probably a good time to say thank you to Dave the landlord there who has been a friend to the music for many years now. Now you may ask why the Irish session doesn't move there and personally I wouldn't mind. Indeed we have had Irish sessions there - one Sunday when Tim Edey and Paul Lucas came down and the Anchor had forgotten we were coming and of course during the Hop Festival. Well, it's not that central (the Irish session folk come from the Medway to Deal) - oh, it actually is err quite central then. But the acoustics aren't that good for playing and you can't get that many in and it gets hot.
Maybe we're too picky.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Friday 9th November 2007
All quiet on the session front.
I haven't been to all the sessions since we last corresponded, not feeling the May West but they do seem to have settled down again thank goodness. The Wednesday Irish is a smaller select gathering now but in some ways it benefits. Last Wednesday had some cracking good music.
With it being quiet on the session front, I turned my attention to two other projects. One is my custom-built 5-course mandola made by Jimmy Moon which is due to arrive today. Inspired by a similar instrument I saw at The Acoustic Music Company in Brighton, it is slightly shorter than theirs at 19.5 inches scale but still tuned GDAeb. I will report back on how well it works.
The other project is Folkipedia which is maturing nicely but really needs some contributors now to get it off the ground. There are about 260 articles already and as is the nature of these things, they meander all over the place. (Isn't that the idea?) . There is a goodly set of articles on Morris, going back to Sharp and Bacon as references and following up with some of the sides' own sites. There's a wander through electric folk, getting close to 'thrash ceilidh' and 'hypnofolkodelica' at the extremes but really covering the Oysterband, Steeleye etc. The Oysterband led to musings about Oyster Ceilidh Band, Fiddler's Dram, Day trip to Bangor (actually Rhyll but it didn't scan), Duke of Cumberland Folk Club, Whitstable etc. One you start there's no knowing where you'll end up. I did list Folkipedia on Wikipedia's list of wikis only to find it had suddenly vanished again. When I checked, I found:
deleted "Folkipedia" (Speedy A7; web content with no assertion of notability; content was: '[http://www.folkipedia.org Folkipedia] is a free content wiki for the Folk community. Its primary aim is to be a contributable resource for Folk...
Damn cheek if you ask me and what arrogance! No assertion of notability indeed. But that's wikipedia for you. The other listing on Wikiindex just says 'it's in need of love'. How nice. Come on everybody - group hug and give Folkipedia some love.
What has this to do with sessions? Well, Oysterband have run for three years now, 'The Big Session' which is a touring session with guests. Recordings are available. Alright, it's a tenuous link. This was the review:
One day, after performing thousands of concerts for audiences and playing in scores of sessions just to entertain themselves and friends (in the pub, in the kitchen, backstage ...), Oysterband had a simple but actually quite subversive idea: take the informal, all-pitch-in spirit of the session, put it on the big stage - and see what happens.
Sounds like a good idea and it seems to have worked. Is this the future of session? The Transatlantic Sessions on BBC4 have a similar idea except for stage read television and it's certainly entertaining.
I wonder if anyone still has any of the tapes from the Duke of Cumberland? Check out the link for some nostalgia. Anyone remember Percy's Relics?
I haven't been to all the sessions since we last corresponded, not feeling the May West but they do seem to have settled down again thank goodness. The Wednesday Irish is a smaller select gathering now but in some ways it benefits. Last Wednesday had some cracking good music.
With it being quiet on the session front, I turned my attention to two other projects. One is my custom-built 5-course mandola made by Jimmy Moon which is due to arrive today. Inspired by a similar instrument I saw at The Acoustic Music Company in Brighton, it is slightly shorter than theirs at 19.5 inches scale but still tuned GDAeb. I will report back on how well it works.
The other project is Folkipedia which is maturing nicely but really needs some contributors now to get it off the ground. There are about 260 articles already and as is the nature of these things, they meander all over the place. (Isn't that the idea?) . There is a goodly set of articles on Morris, going back to Sharp and Bacon as references and following up with some of the sides' own sites. There's a wander through electric folk, getting close to 'thrash ceilidh' and 'hypnofolkodelica' at the extremes but really covering the Oysterband, Steeleye etc. The Oysterband led to musings about Oyster Ceilidh Band, Fiddler's Dram, Day trip to Bangor (actually Rhyll but it didn't scan), Duke of Cumberland Folk Club, Whitstable etc. One you start there's no knowing where you'll end up. I did list Folkipedia on Wikipedia's list of wikis only to find it had suddenly vanished again. When I checked, I found:
deleted "Folkipedia" (Speedy A7; web content with no assertion of notability; content was: '[http://www.folkipedia.org Folkipedia] is a free content wiki for the Folk community. Its primary aim is to be a contributable resource for Folk...
Damn cheek if you ask me and what arrogance! No assertion of notability indeed. But that's wikipedia for you. The other listing on Wikiindex just says 'it's in need of love'. How nice. Come on everybody - group hug and give Folkipedia some love.
What has this to do with sessions? Well, Oysterband have run for three years now, 'The Big Session' which is a touring session with guests. Recordings are available. Alright, it's a tenuous link. This was the review:
One day, after performing thousands of concerts for audiences and playing in scores of sessions just to entertain themselves and friends (in the pub, in the kitchen, backstage ...), Oysterband had a simple but actually quite subversive idea: take the informal, all-pitch-in spirit of the session, put it on the big stage - and see what happens.
Sounds like a good idea and it seems to have worked. Is this the future of session? The Transatlantic Sessions on BBC4 have a similar idea except for stage read television and it's certainly entertaining.
I wonder if anyone still has any of the tapes from the Duke of Cumberland? Check out the link for some nostalgia. Anyone remember Percy's Relics?
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday 28th October 2007
I was pondering on the nature of traditional music and the role of the session on keeping it alive this week as I was doing some more work on Folkipedia (you are all invited to browse and contribute - anything folk related). I'd finished the main Morris Dance traditions and had been re-reading Sharp and McIlwaine and Bacon plus doing some research into the likes of Mary Neal and Douglas Kennedy and Rolf Gardiner. Now I know history is always written by the winners, but there were some seriously bad vibes around folk music in the 20s and 30s.
So what should sessions be? A snug place to drink and chat? A place where you can hear really good musicians for free? A place for beginners to join more experienced musicians to learn the art and craft of traditional music? Well, outstanding musicianship is not the pre-requisite for a session and it should be a way of passing the tradition on (where else is there?) and an element of teaching is not a bad thing. So you decide.
As we no longer have those very close village communities that existed before the Industrial Revolution, the session is probably the last refuge of that community albeit arriving by car instead of walking down the road. The landlord of the local would not only welcome the participants and encourage them (as part of the community) and likely house their paraphernalia, but would very likely take part as well!
Now, one of the huge criticisms of the first folk revival is that Sharp effectively fossilized the songs, tunes and dances allowing no expression or evolution. He famously banned a Morris side from demonstrating a dance he had collected from them because they never danced it the same way twice. Good for them. Others had a more relaxed attitude to spirit of folk so there were some big fallings-out and toy-from-pram tossing.
Traditions evolve - they are meant to - and sessions are no different. They keep the music alive and allow it to evolve but only if they change themselves to bring new blood. The same old fogeys playing the same sets year after year is probably not going to win an award for services to Folk.
This theme, tempered with a degree of tolerance to both beginners and intolerant long servers I think makes a healthy mix for a session. The unpredictability of the Thursday session is one of its attractions. I have heard more versions of more tunes played in the Bear than ever at the Irish session. Maybe there is room for the Wednesday session to evolve too. It attracts a different sort of sessioneer already and has sadly lost one or two of the established and generous sessioneers who have been a part of the scene for a long time. I'm sure though that they would not want to stop evolution. They might like better acoustics though.
Enough ranting. With a 'Parish Notice' hat on:
So what should sessions be? A snug place to drink and chat? A place where you can hear really good musicians for free? A place for beginners to join more experienced musicians to learn the art and craft of traditional music? Well, outstanding musicianship is not the pre-requisite for a session and it should be a way of passing the tradition on (where else is there?) and an element of teaching is not a bad thing. So you decide.
As we no longer have those very close village communities that existed before the Industrial Revolution, the session is probably the last refuge of that community albeit arriving by car instead of walking down the road. The landlord of the local would not only welcome the participants and encourage them (as part of the community) and likely house their paraphernalia, but would very likely take part as well!
Now, one of the huge criticisms of the first folk revival is that Sharp effectively fossilized the songs, tunes and dances allowing no expression or evolution. He famously banned a Morris side from demonstrating a dance he had collected from them because they never danced it the same way twice. Good for them. Others had a more relaxed attitude to spirit of folk so there were some big fallings-out and toy-from-pram tossing.
Traditions evolve - they are meant to - and sessions are no different. They keep the music alive and allow it to evolve but only if they change themselves to bring new blood. The same old fogeys playing the same sets year after year is probably not going to win an award for services to Folk.
This theme, tempered with a degree of tolerance to both beginners and intolerant long servers I think makes a healthy mix for a session. The unpredictability of the Thursday session is one of its attractions. I have heard more versions of more tunes played in the Bear than ever at the Irish session. Maybe there is room for the Wednesday session to evolve too. It attracts a different sort of sessioneer already and has sadly lost one or two of the established and generous sessioneers who have been a part of the scene for a long time. I'm sure though that they would not want to stop evolution. They might like better acoustics though.
Enough ranting. With a 'Parish Notice' hat on:
- Tonight (Sunday) is the Irish session at the Anchor, Faversham
- It was nice to hear from Jez again (we did wonder via these scribblings what had happened to you). Yes, the Bev is the place to be on Wednesday night despite everything or maybe because of.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Monday 22nd October 2007
In the world of sessions, one thing is for sure. No two sessions are ever the same. I think the Irish session will suffer a schism and the two camps will be as I have said in this diary - the sessioneers and the we-like-the-pub-and-having-an-audiencers. We shall see what happens this week but grumpy landlords, poor parking and buy-your-own-drinks are not conducive to having sessions.
The Thursday mixed lumpy was much more subdued, much more of a session and indeed many a splendid tune crept out that hasn't raised its little head above the pub table for some time. Usually it's the Thursday session that has remarkably different fortunes from week to week, but the Wednesday session is coming up on the outside. I must poll the lads and see what's to do.
So, anything could happen this week, for its that kind of thing. I wonder if sessions elsewhere are staid affairs where the same people turn up and sit in the same seats and play the same tunes for week after week after week? It would be nice to think not but a bit of stability would be nice don't you agree?
The Thursday mixed lumpy was much more subdued, much more of a session and indeed many a splendid tune crept out that hasn't raised its little head above the pub table for some time. Usually it's the Thursday session that has remarkably different fortunes from week to week, but the Wednesday session is coming up on the outside. I must poll the lads and see what's to do.
So, anything could happen this week, for its that kind of thing. I wonder if sessions elsewhere are staid affairs where the same people turn up and sit in the same seats and play the same tunes for week after week after week? It would be nice to think not but a bit of stability would be nice don't you agree?
Friday, October 12, 2007
Friday 12th October 2007
I feel a bit like Arkwright at the end of Open all hours. He used to close invariably with something like "It's been a funny sort of week". Well it has. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me. The history of this Blog is littered with tales of outright bizarreness.
We said good bye to a couple of faithful sessioneers - Susannah and George. Not their real names, but that's how they introduced themselves and I suspect their Slovakian names are both unpronounceable and un-writable. But at the farewell session, there appeared as if by magic two pretty decent fiddlers who I hope will become regulars.
This week the session had a contretemps with the landlord who with all the charm and welcome of a miffed rottweiler told the session that he didn't like us sitting where we sat. Bottom line - landlord doesn't care about musicians, acoustics etc. The session is as I have said before something the landlord thinks will bring in some punters who will spend some dosh. Considering what we do is entirely free (not even a free drink offered) I think it's a bit rich. Were we being hired and paid, that's a different matter.
It comes back to the fundamental point about what a session is. It is a gathering of musicians to play music. It is not a social outing, nor a gig, nor a folk club, open mic, sing-around nor anything approaching that. It is not actually for an audience - that's incidental.
A typical incident that happened on Wednesday that only occurs when there is an expectant audience. I was playing a set and was approached by someone who started talking at me and expected a conversation. I cannot play and talk at the same time (maybe it's just blokes who are affected by this) and what was worse, it was to request 'Wild Rover' for somebody else. And then badger for a shake-of the head refusal. Without being too rude, how do you put these people off? Maybe we should just be rude. They haven't paid or anything.
One of the other horrors, is when the fearless session leader invites a whole load of mediocre-to-good musicians of whom he is in awe for some reason to the session without telling anyone. The leader then turns up much the worse for drink, fails to play any set to impress (for all the top shelf sets come out on such an occasion) and it all ends as a thoroughly embarrassing evening. Not one I want to repeat ever. I would rather perform the dance of the sugar plum fairy in a working men's club in Barnsley. On bingo night.
Courage my brave sessioneers and don't forget about folkipedia. Thanks to John for early testing and of course vigilant proof reading.
We said good bye to a couple of faithful sessioneers - Susannah and George. Not their real names, but that's how they introduced themselves and I suspect their Slovakian names are both unpronounceable and un-writable. But at the farewell session, there appeared as if by magic two pretty decent fiddlers who I hope will become regulars.
This week the session had a contretemps with the landlord who with all the charm and welcome of a miffed rottweiler told the session that he didn't like us sitting where we sat. Bottom line - landlord doesn't care about musicians, acoustics etc. The session is as I have said before something the landlord thinks will bring in some punters who will spend some dosh. Considering what we do is entirely free (not even a free drink offered) I think it's a bit rich. Were we being hired and paid, that's a different matter.
It comes back to the fundamental point about what a session is. It is a gathering of musicians to play music. It is not a social outing, nor a gig, nor a folk club, open mic, sing-around nor anything approaching that. It is not actually for an audience - that's incidental.
A typical incident that happened on Wednesday that only occurs when there is an expectant audience. I was playing a set and was approached by someone who started talking at me and expected a conversation. I cannot play and talk at the same time (maybe it's just blokes who are affected by this) and what was worse, it was to request 'Wild Rover' for somebody else. And then badger for a shake-of the head refusal. Without being too rude, how do you put these people off? Maybe we should just be rude. They haven't paid or anything.
One of the other horrors, is when the fearless session leader invites a whole load of mediocre-to-good musicians of whom he is in awe for some reason to the session without telling anyone. The leader then turns up much the worse for drink, fails to play any set to impress (for all the top shelf sets come out on such an occasion) and it all ends as a thoroughly embarrassing evening. Not one I want to repeat ever. I would rather perform the dance of the sugar plum fairy in a working men's club in Barnsley. On bingo night.
Courage my brave sessioneers and don't forget about folkipedia. Thanks to John for early testing and of course vigilant proof reading.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Wednesday 26th September 2007
A relatively quiet week on the session front.
The burning topic down in the snug of the Chiff and Fipple is whether to continue holding the Wednesday Irish Session at Ye Olde Merrie Beverlie or go back to sticky lino land (don't ask or see previous posts). Tonight will be be the decider. So far the score is: Football 1, Bad Acoustics 3. We will try a different position tonight (as the actress said ...). I mean the session will sit in a different place in the pub to see if that helps.
I'm glad to say that the Thursday session does not suffer from the same problem having been in the same pub for over 20 years. Indeed the difference is that the Irish session has a nomadic existence whereas the mixed fortune session is like an anchor. Not to confuse the Bear with the Anchor which is just up the road. Speaking of which, there will be an Irish Session at the Anchor in Faversham (all being well) on Sunday 30th September from 20:00.
There is a new site for all you Sessioneers and Folkies which is intended to be for the people by the people. It's a wiki of Folk and traditional stuff - Folkipedia. The entries so far are cursory and look like they have been contributed in many cases by Ambrose Bierce - which makes it well worth a read. It's probably a nice feature of the site to leave the little one-liners in for amusement and put a genuine article underneath. If you want to contribute, you need a password for editing - just to stop spammers from spoiling the site and the content can be anything related to folk. Instruments, dance, bands, discographies, venues, sessions, festivals etc. The password is available by email from admin@folkipedia.org. The possibilities are endless!
The burning topic down in the snug of the Chiff and Fipple is whether to continue holding the Wednesday Irish Session at Ye Olde Merrie Beverlie or go back to sticky lino land (don't ask or see previous posts). Tonight will be be the decider. So far the score is: Football 1, Bad Acoustics 3. We will try a different position tonight (as the actress said ...). I mean the session will sit in a different place in the pub to see if that helps.
I'm glad to say that the Thursday session does not suffer from the same problem having been in the same pub for over 20 years. Indeed the difference is that the Irish session has a nomadic existence whereas the mixed fortune session is like an anchor. Not to confuse the Bear with the Anchor which is just up the road. Speaking of which, there will be an Irish Session at the Anchor in Faversham (all being well) on Sunday 30th September from 20:00.
There is a new site for all you Sessioneers and Folkies which is intended to be for the people by the people. It's a wiki of Folk and traditional stuff - Folkipedia. The entries so far are cursory and look like they have been contributed in many cases by Ambrose Bierce - which makes it well worth a read. It's probably a nice feature of the site to leave the little one-liners in for amusement and put a genuine article underneath. If you want to contribute, you need a password for editing - just to stop spammers from spoiling the site and the content can be anything related to folk. Instruments, dance, bands, discographies, venues, sessions, festivals etc. The password is available by email from admin@folkipedia.org. The possibilities are endless!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday, 19th September 2007
When a landlord invites the session to come and play, is it because he likes the music?
I've mentioned this before in the context of moving the Irish Session to 'Ye Olde Beverlie' in Canterbury. Last week, the hardy sessioneers turned up to find
Now how is a session going to compete with that? And what is the answer to the question:
"When a landlord invites the session to come and play, is it because he likes the music?"
Answers on a postcard, in an email or as a comment. Thank you.
We went down this route before, some years ago now, when we tried to take the session back to its spiritual home of the George on Stone Street. When punters started to drop off because of weather etc, and musicians were not as thick on the ground as they had been, the landlord actually got quite annoyed that we weren't bringing enough custom to the pub.
You know, looking back there have been some great hosts for the sessions. Tony in the Prince Albert at Deal and 'Drew in the George on Stone Street. The great days of the Musician's Jar and the bowl of chips. And up to 30 players!
On Friday, to start the Deal Festival we had an Irish Session in the Deal Hoy and the landlord is as keen as anything on the music. Keeps us supplied with drinks and checks on us regularly. The layout and size of the place is a bit of a problem but nevertheless a music friendly pub and always a pleasure to play in. Sunday saw a marathon 4 hour session in the Ship on Middle Street which went very well. We have tried the Sunday session in there before but it didn't feel entirely natural. I think it was competing with Juke Box that put us off.
Anyway, back to the Beverlie tonight to see what happens. We're having trouble with the acoustics ('...we've put some poison down ... ' anybody remember the Wheeltappers and Shunters club?). A lot of people have said they can't really hear themselves or others which is a problem so we need to reposition ourselves.
The session world seems to divide into two. Those who will go to any old commercial oriented pub, suffer high prices, indifferent service and poor acoustics for a small audience, and those who actually really do prefer a place with good acoustics, welcoming service and not outrageous prices, regardless of an audience. A session is not about audiences. That's a concert. For that, you charge money, do 90 minutes with a loo break and have a production order. And sell CDs at half time. A session is musicians coming together for the music and each other and playing whatever sparks their fancy for as long as they want.
Ho hum.
I've mentioned this before in the context of moving the Irish Session to 'Ye Olde Beverlie' in Canterbury. Last week, the hardy sessioneers turned up to find
- a) the street full of cars so parking was a problem;
- b) the pub full of people watching the football match on large televisual apparati (yes John, OED says apparatuses but apparati has more effect. Forgive me.)
- c) the pub had sold tickets to the event and provided a buffet!
Now how is a session going to compete with that? And what is the answer to the question:
"When a landlord invites the session to come and play, is it because he likes the music?"
Answers on a postcard, in an email or as a comment. Thank you.
We went down this route before, some years ago now, when we tried to take the session back to its spiritual home of the George on Stone Street. When punters started to drop off because of weather etc, and musicians were not as thick on the ground as they had been, the landlord actually got quite annoyed that we weren't bringing enough custom to the pub.
You know, looking back there have been some great hosts for the sessions. Tony in the Prince Albert at Deal and 'Drew in the George on Stone Street. The great days of the Musician's Jar and the bowl of chips. And up to 30 players!
On Friday, to start the Deal Festival we had an Irish Session in the Deal Hoy and the landlord is as keen as anything on the music. Keeps us supplied with drinks and checks on us regularly. The layout and size of the place is a bit of a problem but nevertheless a music friendly pub and always a pleasure to play in. Sunday saw a marathon 4 hour session in the Ship on Middle Street which went very well. We have tried the Sunday session in there before but it didn't feel entirely natural. I think it was competing with Juke Box that put us off.
Anyway, back to the Beverlie tonight to see what happens. We're having trouble with the acoustics ('...we've put some poison down ... ' anybody remember the Wheeltappers and Shunters club?). A lot of people have said they can't really hear themselves or others which is a problem so we need to reposition ourselves.
The session world seems to divide into two. Those who will go to any old commercial oriented pub, suffer high prices, indifferent service and poor acoustics for a small audience, and those who actually really do prefer a place with good acoustics, welcoming service and not outrageous prices, regardless of an audience. A session is not about audiences. That's a concert. For that, you charge money, do 90 minutes with a loo break and have a production order. And sell CDs at half time. A session is musicians coming together for the music and each other and playing whatever sparks their fancy for as long as they want.
Ho hum.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Sunday 9th September 2007
It's been a funny old week.
The Irish session for the Faversham Hops Festival was not so much a session, more a battle with the noisy drinkers but profound thanks to all those who came out and played personfully to entertain the indifferent masses.
To make up for it, on Sunday, after the Festival Band had finished its excellent gig, we retired for a cup of tea and to wait for the Phoenix session led by Chris Taylor. For some reason or another (I think it was the clearing of us off the pavement so that the procession could come by), we retired to the Bear which was almost deserted. There was only Barbara Kelly of the A2 band, Ralph Jordan of Patterson, Jordan & Dipper and Housewife's Choice, Judy Knight fellow sessioneer, Shelagh Bradley (who has taught most of East Kent to play guitar and has been in most of the folk bands in the area) and myself (and briefly, one of the Trommelfluits) and it was a fantastic little session. By fantastic, I mean relaxed, tuneful and inspiring. And enjoyable.
After that, we went to watch the Trommelfluits on the main stage and then home.
The Wednesday Irish session had its first outing at the new venue of The Old Beverlie. Everyone was looking forward to it. There was a big turn out. We arrived and got settled. And started. And then it all went horribly wrong. It was as though we had inadvertently held it on a night where astrologers would tell us that the conjunction of planets was least auspicious. Maybe we'd offended the God of Sessions by moving from the Anchor at Wingham and losing the opportunity to use that well known spoonerism.
The first casualty left after the first set. I'm not sure why so I'm not going to speculate although I have my suspicions.
The second casualty was the piper's case which got filled with drink. Nasty thing, a sticky chanter. That had to be wiped out and then taken away for extensive cleaning of the contents. So the third casualty was the piper. Fourth casualty was the one who accidentally spilled drinks in the case. At this rate, we did wonder on the viability and wisdom of the session, but it seemed to quieten down and we all played longer than usual. It is really good to have Chris Taylor back at sessions though.
By contrast, Thursday at the Bear was very quiet but there were two new faces. Fiddle players who might come more often. We shall see.
The Irish session for the Faversham Hops Festival was not so much a session, more a battle with the noisy drinkers but profound thanks to all those who came out and played personfully to entertain the indifferent masses.
To make up for it, on Sunday, after the Festival Band had finished its excellent gig, we retired for a cup of tea and to wait for the Phoenix session led by Chris Taylor. For some reason or another (I think it was the clearing of us off the pavement so that the procession could come by), we retired to the Bear which was almost deserted. There was only Barbara Kelly of the A2 band, Ralph Jordan of Patterson, Jordan & Dipper and Housewife's Choice, Judy Knight fellow sessioneer, Shelagh Bradley (who has taught most of East Kent to play guitar and has been in most of the folk bands in the area) and myself (and briefly, one of the Trommelfluits) and it was a fantastic little session. By fantastic, I mean relaxed, tuneful and inspiring. And enjoyable.
After that, we went to watch the Trommelfluits on the main stage and then home.
The Wednesday Irish session had its first outing at the new venue of The Old Beverlie. Everyone was looking forward to it. There was a big turn out. We arrived and got settled. And started. And then it all went horribly wrong. It was as though we had inadvertently held it on a night where astrologers would tell us that the conjunction of planets was least auspicious. Maybe we'd offended the God of Sessions by moving from the Anchor at Wingham and losing the opportunity to use that well known spoonerism.
The first casualty left after the first set. I'm not sure why so I'm not going to speculate although I have my suspicions.
The second casualty was the piper's case which got filled with drink. Nasty thing, a sticky chanter. That had to be wiped out and then taken away for extensive cleaning of the contents. So the third casualty was the piper. Fourth casualty was the one who accidentally spilled drinks in the case. At this rate, we did wonder on the viability and wisdom of the session, but it seemed to quieten down and we all played longer than usual. It is really good to have Chris Taylor back at sessions though.
By contrast, Thursday at the Bear was very quiet but there were two new faces. Fiddle players who might come more often. We shall see.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Thursday 30th August 2007
In the lives of every sessioneer there comes a time for change. That nice cosy venue with the same chair every week for years suddenly gives way to somewhere new! So the Irish session is moving from the Anchor at Wingham which has been its home for quite a number of years now and taking up residence at 'Ye Olde Beverlie' (no, don't laugh at the name - it's a really great pub). By the way, the Y in Ye is usually an adaptation of the Middle English character 'thorn' which had a sound akin to 'th'. The Bev is quite old but 'ye olde' does sound a bit like an affectation. Ye is now genuinely 'The' and Ye is very Merrie England. Nevertheless, a good pub who are enthusiastic about having us there. It will be sad to leave the sticky lino and dusty bench tops but it's time to move on. For roughly half of us, it will be 8 miles further to travel and for the other half it will be 8 miles nearer so that's fair then - balanced over the years. Parking is not brilliant, there's the street or three (yes three!) parking bays outside.
The trial session last Sunday (at the Beverlie) was very well attended. And that really annoys me. It was great to have a large gathering and good musicians and an audience but where are they all the rest of the time? How many times do the hardy sessioneers struggle through storm and flood and earthquake to keep the regular weekly session going? It's not as much fun with just 4 of you but that's what keeps the venue so that the others can 'drop in' when they fancy. I don't have a beef with jobbing musicians who have gigs, or shift workers (where is Jez?) or people with family commitments or illnesses or teachers who have to prepare and mark- just those who can't be arsed. It's as though we're normally infra dig but occasionally they will bestow upon the audience and regular musicians their presence. We've seen before an enthusiastic inaugural session followed by a decline as winter draws on (yes Pete, there is a joke set up for you) and the landlord being less than keen to keep us there. The glint in their eyes is usually profit and who can blame them? Sessions will not be a guaranteed income stream. They're something you accept because you like the idea. God bless all the landlords who like the sessions for the music and the atmosphere.
So, Wednesday evenings will be in 'The Old Beverlie' in St Stephen's Green, Canterbury for the foreseeable future.
Thursday (tonight) in the Bear at Faversham will be a rehearsal for the Festival Band I dare say, back this year by popular demand. They will be at the Preston Street stage on Saturday, hopefully playing as loudly as possible. On Sunday, they will be in the Market Square on the main stage. I have taken the liberty of noting down the main sessions at Faversham Hops Festival (sorry, the International Faversham Hops Festival) on my site (click on the link). In this way, I hope to see more of you in the sessions.
Swale.gov have still not published the programme on the web which is plain daft. Many people from out of the area want to know what's on when before they come over. They won't be able to get a programme easily in advance but they usually buy one when they arrive. They probably won't bother coming this year. Takings will be down, and then the town's economy declines and Faversham becomes a ghost town with tumbleweed blowing through the market and sagebrush cracking the tarmac... Sorry, back to reality. Deal have published theirs by the way for the Deal Maritime Folk Festival 2007.
The trial session last Sunday (at the Beverlie) was very well attended. And that really annoys me. It was great to have a large gathering and good musicians and an audience but where are they all the rest of the time? How many times do the hardy sessioneers struggle through storm and flood and earthquake to keep the regular weekly session going? It's not as much fun with just 4 of you but that's what keeps the venue so that the others can 'drop in' when they fancy. I don't have a beef with jobbing musicians who have gigs, or shift workers (where is Jez?) or people with family commitments or illnesses or teachers who have to prepare and mark- just those who can't be arsed. It's as though we're normally infra dig but occasionally they will bestow upon the audience and regular musicians their presence. We've seen before an enthusiastic inaugural session followed by a decline as winter draws on (yes Pete, there is a joke set up for you) and the landlord being less than keen to keep us there. The glint in their eyes is usually profit and who can blame them? Sessions will not be a guaranteed income stream. They're something you accept because you like the idea. God bless all the landlords who like the sessions for the music and the atmosphere.
So, Wednesday evenings will be in 'The Old Beverlie' in St Stephen's Green, Canterbury for the foreseeable future.
Thursday (tonight) in the Bear at Faversham will be a rehearsal for the Festival Band I dare say, back this year by popular demand. They will be at the Preston Street stage on Saturday, hopefully playing as loudly as possible. On Sunday, they will be in the Market Square on the main stage. I have taken the liberty of noting down the main sessions at Faversham Hops Festival (sorry, the International Faversham Hops Festival) on my site (click on the link). In this way, I hope to see more of you in the sessions.
Swale.gov have still not published the programme on the web which is plain daft. Many people from out of the area want to know what's on when before they come over. They won't be able to get a programme easily in advance but they usually buy one when they arrive. They probably won't bother coming this year. Takings will be down, and then the town's economy declines and Faversham becomes a ghost town with tumbleweed blowing through the market and sagebrush cracking the tarmac... Sorry, back to reality. Deal have published theirs by the way for the Deal Maritime Folk Festival 2007.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
16th August 2007
I thought I'd better write something so that readers don't think that nothing has been happening. In fact it's been busy with Broadstairs Folk Week where you can find several sessions a day of all different kinds. And if you don't find one - just start playing - someone will join you soon. A special mention for Monday's session which is a bit of a traditional grouping of the normal Anchor Irish crowd at Paul Lucas's session in the Lord Nelson and this year with guest Ben Paley who gave us some fantastic fiddle tunes. A thoroughly nice bloke. There was no session on Wednesday at the Anchor, unless people turned up and started something - it wasn't scheduled anyway. Also a mention for Ralphie and his new band 'Housewive's Choice' who are going down well. In similar vein, those nice but hard to contact people at Free Reed in Derbyshire have released some more goodies, or are just about to. Among the treats are Tufty Swift and Sue Harris with Hammers, Tongues and a Bakewell Tart and John Kirkpatrick with Plain Capers. Later will be some Flowers and Frolics and Old Swan Band (No Reels) and what I'm really waiting for - Roaring Jelly! Well, the Thursday Bear session will go ahead as normal tonight and next Monday should be Tilmanstone.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Wednesday 8th August 2007
It's been a good week for music but not all of it session based. Being the Summer and the festival season, there's a lot going on.
Firstly a big congratulations to Katie Bradley and Christophe who got married on Saturday. Katie had us do a barn dance as part of the celebrations in the spectacular setting of Littlebourne Barn. The other artists appearing there included many of her Blues friends and a good time was had by all. One of the highlights was Katie singing with her sister Caroline accompanied by Pete Gazey on guitar.
Caroline was here for a few days from Ireland with her man Eugene Lambe and the pair enhanced the Thursday Bear session with some fine tunes. Not letting the opportunity go by, some of us got together on Monday for an absolutely cracking session with Adrian O' singing a couple of his songs, Andy and Annie dancing, Eugene singing Tim O'Riordan's Viagra song and Caroline singing a Joni Mitchel song and lots of good tunes. We're hoping they will come back at Christmas so that we can do it all over again.
Normal session tonight (Anchor at Wingham) and tomorrow (Bear at Faversham). Broadstairs Folk Week starts on Friday.
Firstly a big congratulations to Katie Bradley and Christophe who got married on Saturday. Katie had us do a barn dance as part of the celebrations in the spectacular setting of Littlebourne Barn. The other artists appearing there included many of her Blues friends and a good time was had by all. One of the highlights was Katie singing with her sister Caroline accompanied by Pete Gazey on guitar.
Caroline was here for a few days from Ireland with her man Eugene Lambe and the pair enhanced the Thursday Bear session with some fine tunes. Not letting the opportunity go by, some of us got together on Monday for an absolutely cracking session with Adrian O' singing a couple of his songs, Andy and Annie dancing, Eugene singing Tim O'Riordan's Viagra song and Caroline singing a Joni Mitchel song and lots of good tunes. We're hoping they will come back at Christmas so that we can do it all over again.
Normal session tonight (Anchor at Wingham) and tomorrow (Bear at Faversham). Broadstairs Folk Week starts on Friday.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday 30th July 2007
It's getting very close to main festival season here in Kent. Broadstairs Folk Week is but a fortnight away and then it's Faversham Hops two weeks after Broadstairs finishes and the Deal Maritime a little after that. A few weeks later, the season closes with Tenterden. And then it's just sessions until St Patrick's night when it all starts again.
The sessions have been bouncing along quite nicely thank you with no great surprises. Dan the Fisherman is back from university after gaining a 2:1 in something like Fisheries Management (or a degree in prawn fishing as our accordionist puts it) and already has a job! It sound like a cross between Council licensed Greenpeace meets Francis Drake but I'm sure it's not. Anyway it's in Dorset and it's protecting fish stocks.
What else have we seen? Younger musicians taking an interest (progeny of the sessioneers) - always a good thing and Heather Grabham making another welcome appearance. And welcome back Fox who is a Sussex lad I believe but has some nice tunes and don't you go believing all that rivalry between Sussex and Kent nonsense. I think it's Marsh propaganda to keep the smuggling secret. Ooops I've just let out the secret. Never mind. Read Dr Sin. Or maybe it's the cricket rivalry. Anyway we like each other really. Honest. I remember a grand session in the bar at Doris's on the Marsh a few years ago where the fine musical traditions of Kent and Sussex met for an enjoyable evening. Especially as Doris was trying to charge pre-decimal prices for the beer. The wartime posters are genuine - it's never been decorated. It has won a CAMRA award for recreating the atmosphere of bygone days - Flag floor, gravity dispensed beer, wartime decor. It's all real - it's always been like that! Well since the war obviously. If you did take the WWII posters down, there'd probably be Napoleonic War posters underneath.
Don't forget - if you want a session 11th - 17th August, join Paul Lucas at the lunchtime session in the Lord Nelson at Broadstairs. There are other sessions going on as well, but Paul's are a kind of institution.
The sessions have been bouncing along quite nicely thank you with no great surprises. Dan the Fisherman is back from university after gaining a 2:1 in something like Fisheries Management (or a degree in prawn fishing as our accordionist puts it) and already has a job! It sound like a cross between Council licensed Greenpeace meets Francis Drake but I'm sure it's not. Anyway it's in Dorset and it's protecting fish stocks.
What else have we seen? Younger musicians taking an interest (progeny of the sessioneers) - always a good thing and Heather Grabham making another welcome appearance. And welcome back Fox who is a Sussex lad I believe but has some nice tunes and don't you go believing all that rivalry between Sussex and Kent nonsense. I think it's Marsh propaganda to keep the smuggling secret. Ooops I've just let out the secret. Never mind. Read Dr Sin. Or maybe it's the cricket rivalry. Anyway we like each other really. Honest. I remember a grand session in the bar at Doris's on the Marsh a few years ago where the fine musical traditions of Kent and Sussex met for an enjoyable evening. Especially as Doris was trying to charge pre-decimal prices for the beer. The wartime posters are genuine - it's never been decorated. It has won a CAMRA award for recreating the atmosphere of bygone days - Flag floor, gravity dispensed beer, wartime decor. It's all real - it's always been like that! Well since the war obviously. If you did take the WWII posters down, there'd probably be Napoleonic War posters underneath.
Don't forget - if you want a session 11th - 17th August, join Paul Lucas at the lunchtime session in the Lord Nelson at Broadstairs. There are other sessions going on as well, but Paul's are a kind of institution.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friday 13th July 2007
In the wonderful world of sessions, some weeks are good and some weeks are less good - for various reasons.
Within the same week, our Irish session was badly depleted while the mixed lumpy session had a staggering 14 musicians at one point including two guests from the Czech Republic who delighted us with a rendition of Jesse James - in Czech!
No accounting for why the fortunes go the way they do - not long ago it was the Irish session which had a large influx. It just goes to show that you can never tell what is going to happen and it is worth while persevering.
Worth mentioning in passing is the Orchestre Super Moth (Tiger Moth + World Roots friends). If you get a chance to hear their CD Mothballs, do so. They have done just about everything imaginable to the Harmless English Tune - Benga, Reggae, Tango and a lot of other things as well but under it all, if you listen very carefully, you can still hear Rod Stradling playing (more or less) the sensible core tune on his melodeon.
Just shows you what dressing you can put over the tunes to liven them up.
Monday is the Tilmanstone mixed session.
Within the same week, our Irish session was badly depleted while the mixed lumpy session had a staggering 14 musicians at one point including two guests from the Czech Republic who delighted us with a rendition of Jesse James - in Czech!
No accounting for why the fortunes go the way they do - not long ago it was the Irish session which had a large influx. It just goes to show that you can never tell what is going to happen and it is worth while persevering.
Worth mentioning in passing is the Orchestre Super Moth (Tiger Moth + World Roots friends). If you get a chance to hear their CD Mothballs, do so. They have done just about everything imaginable to the Harmless English Tune - Benga, Reggae, Tango and a lot of other things as well but under it all, if you listen very carefully, you can still hear Rod Stradling playing (more or less) the sensible core tune on his melodeon.
Just shows you what dressing you can put over the tunes to liven them up.
Monday is the Tilmanstone mixed session.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Tuesday 3rd July 2007
And what's the big news this week in sessionville? Yes, it is of course the smoking ban.
Now opinion is divided about the effect of the ban. Some say that it will make the pubs more attractive and bring out sessioneers who have avoided being smoke-dried for years; others say that it will allow one to sample the natural smell of the pub itself. That means of course the raw power of the uncleaned gents, the stale beer from some time past and the blast of the chemical wheezing device that while being designed ostensibly to mask these odours, generally just adds more unpleasantness to the mix.
Of course none of the pubs we frequent are like this in any way, shape or form.
Last week's Irish was again a normal and good hearted affair with most regulars in attendance. The mixed lumpy which is Thursday's session was much enhanced by Pip and Jo and Aaron who travelled over again to play (as they had on the previous Sunday for that {if you were there: spectacular; if you weren't: terrible - you missed nothing} session). Usual suspects also in attendance. Thank you Pip for joining SPHELTT (Society for the Protection of Harmless Lumpy English Traditional Tunes) by playing some very nice versions of the classics. Ralphie would approve. For those who think that lumpy is perjorative, it isn't. It's just that English tunes have lumps in them. Sometimes great big ones. They're not subtle, they're for dancing.
Sadly the Reculver BBQ was called off because of the weather which was grim last week and is still much in the same vane. Mind you, it's not as bad as where I used to live and work which is Doncaster. In the vain hope that anybody reads this outside of East Kent, my heart does go out to you. The school I started my teaching career in was used as a relief centre - well done Don Valley High. However I must say to all the so-called reporters who stand up to their crotches in water spouting drivel about global warming that I discovered some time ago that one of my ancestors died as a result of the great Sheffield Flood of 1864 when the Dale Dyke dam gave way in a storm and flooded much of the Don Valley to as far as Barnby Dun and beyond. It happens. Don't scaremonger with journalist's science (much on a par with cargo cult I feel). Harumph. Feel better now.
The week rounded off with a Barn Dance at Ditton TA Hall. We get to some exotic locations. It's worth a mention though because it was predominantly young people (probably 14 upwards) who made it a wonderful evening by dancing everything with boundless energy and listening attentively to the caller. Excellent stuff!
Let's see what this week brings. Oh and as a PS, if you signed up to the Downing Street petition of not letting unnecessary legislation damage music performance opportunities, Gordon has replied. No, I don't know what he means either.
Now opinion is divided about the effect of the ban. Some say that it will make the pubs more attractive and bring out sessioneers who have avoided being smoke-dried for years; others say that it will allow one to sample the natural smell of the pub itself. That means of course the raw power of the uncleaned gents, the stale beer from some time past and the blast of the chemical wheezing device that while being designed ostensibly to mask these odours, generally just adds more unpleasantness to the mix.
Of course none of the pubs we frequent are like this in any way, shape or form.
Last week's Irish was again a normal and good hearted affair with most regulars in attendance. The mixed lumpy which is Thursday's session was much enhanced by Pip and Jo and Aaron who travelled over again to play (as they had on the previous Sunday for that {if you were there: spectacular; if you weren't: terrible - you missed nothing} session). Usual suspects also in attendance. Thank you Pip for joining SPHELTT (Society for the Protection of Harmless Lumpy English Traditional Tunes) by playing some very nice versions of the classics. Ralphie would approve. For those who think that lumpy is perjorative, it isn't. It's just that English tunes have lumps in them. Sometimes great big ones. They're not subtle, they're for dancing.
Sadly the Reculver BBQ was called off because of the weather which was grim last week and is still much in the same vane. Mind you, it's not as bad as where I used to live and work which is Doncaster. In the vain hope that anybody reads this outside of East Kent, my heart does go out to you. The school I started my teaching career in was used as a relief centre - well done Don Valley High. However I must say to all the so-called reporters who stand up to their crotches in water spouting drivel about global warming that I discovered some time ago that one of my ancestors died as a result of the great Sheffield Flood of 1864 when the Dale Dyke dam gave way in a storm and flooded much of the Don Valley to as far as Barnby Dun and beyond. It happens. Don't scaremonger with journalist's science (much on a par with cargo cult I feel). Harumph. Feel better now.
The week rounded off with a Barn Dance at Ditton TA Hall. We get to some exotic locations. It's worth a mention though because it was predominantly young people (probably 14 upwards) who made it a wonderful evening by dancing everything with boundless energy and listening attentively to the caller. Excellent stuff!
Let's see what this week brings. Oh and as a PS, if you signed up to the Downing Street petition of not letting unnecessary legislation damage music performance opportunities, Gordon has replied. No, I don't know what he means either.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Monday 25th June 2007
There is a law of Irish Sessions, called Mulligan's Uncertainty Principle which states that you can know how to play a tune or know the name of the tune but not both together. Well it certainly seems that way sometimes and I truly envy those who know the name, the tune and the key of every tune.
Last night - the last-Sunday-of-the-month session which is supposed to be a regular booking at the Anchor in Faversham could have been a complete washout as the pub had unkindly booked a local amplified outfit who were doing bad covers when we turned up. Somewhat bedraggled, the small posse met up with Paul Lucas and Sue, visiting from afar and set about finding an alternative venue at very short notice - like 5 minutes. Then we tried to let everyone know. Apparently we hadn't confirmed that we would be going so they got someone else in. Harumph.
Anyway - decamp to the spiritual home of traditional music in Faversham which is the Bear who kindly let us play there. Just one poor barmaid on duty hoping for a quiet night and then we turned up. As someone put it (thanks anonymous) - "the lowest ceilinged, smokiest pub in the whole of christendom" - well, 1st of July will do little for ceiling height, but will have a big impact on the smoke.
The back room filled with musicians by some magical force and the music was glorious. As well as the regulars and Paul, some of the Broadstairs & Ramsgate contingent came as well. So that was Tim Edey and his father; Lucy with the Bodhran; Aaron from the morris; a couple I'd seen before but don't know (box and flute) and a chap with a whistle. All in all it was we agreed a very good and enjoyable session.
Last night - the last-Sunday-of-the-month session which is supposed to be a regular booking at the Anchor in Faversham could have been a complete washout as the pub had unkindly booked a local amplified outfit who were doing bad covers when we turned up. Somewhat bedraggled, the small posse met up with Paul Lucas and Sue, visiting from afar and set about finding an alternative venue at very short notice - like 5 minutes. Then we tried to let everyone know. Apparently we hadn't confirmed that we would be going so they got someone else in. Harumph.
Anyway - decamp to the spiritual home of traditional music in Faversham which is the Bear who kindly let us play there. Just one poor barmaid on duty hoping for a quiet night and then we turned up. As someone put it (thanks anonymous) - "the lowest ceilinged, smokiest pub in the whole of christendom" - well, 1st of July will do little for ceiling height, but will have a big impact on the smoke.
The back room filled with musicians by some magical force and the music was glorious. As well as the regulars and Paul, some of the Broadstairs & Ramsgate contingent came as well. So that was Tim Edey and his father; Lucy with the Bodhran; Aaron from the morris; a couple I'd seen before but don't know (box and flute) and a chap with a whistle. All in all it was we agreed a very good and enjoyable session.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Friday 22nd June
One day past the solstice so it's probably safe to go out again near ancient monuments. And it's downhill now to, you know, the C word. Nights drawing in, winter draws on ... the old ones are the old ones as Pete would say. Dammit he's got us saying it now. And following the earthquake we have had the floods following a most humongous storm on Tuesday night when a lot of Kent lost power for the night affording the great opportunity for we few, we happy band, of making entertainment with acoustic instruments by candlelight. Aren't we lucky.
A quiet-ish normal-ish week this week session-wise. A welcome return of Andybanjo to the Irish session after a well deserved holiday in the exotic environs of Suffolk. Gateway to .... well nowhere really. A week of stalwarts (not a nasty type of accordion complaint) rather than surprise guests and enjoyable for that.
The mixed lumpy which is the Bear was particularly enjoyable as we sailed through many a tune and set that does not normally form part of the repertoire for the Thursday session. And quite right too. My partner in crime, Six String Shelagh and I were remarking on the need for something new in the session as we headed the wagons through the Dunkirk gap.
I find playing with Ralphie a delight. Not only are they beautiful tunes, beautifully executed, but there is always something else going on with variations of one kind or another. Ralph and I were discussing the fact that some tunes have innate tempo and rhythm and when you get it, it just feels fantastic and the tune flies ... errr even if they're slow. Well it feels right anyway - there's a built-in pulse which only seems to emerge when you get the tempo just right and the tune becomes the lovely little thing it was meant to be.
Sadly, we do tend to play many tunes too fast and with only a fairly light passing nod to the time signature in some cases (and key in others - yes thumpy has returned with his avant garde approach to the one string fretless bass aka rubbish bin and broom handle). Our other sin is to create what I call Cortina sets - you know, the bad back street weld where the seam shows after a cut-and-shut operation. I do believe that Ralph and I might found The Lumpy Traditional Tune Preservation Society to try and avert these ravages.
It really does pull some of these fine tunes out of shape if they're played too fast. And to bring us full circle, it's often the Irish (tunes) that get beaten up the worst - maybe because they're the hardest to play and decidedly not lumpy. I don't think you can actually play them on a D-G melodeon unless you're Tim Edey. By the way Tim, we think your latest CDs are great - don't listen to fRoots - what do they know?
Sunday session at the Anchor, Faversham on the 24th from 8:00. Strictly Irish.
A quiet-ish normal-ish week this week session-wise. A welcome return of Andybanjo to the Irish session after a well deserved holiday in the exotic environs of Suffolk. Gateway to .... well nowhere really. A week of stalwarts (not a nasty type of accordion complaint) rather than surprise guests and enjoyable for that.
The mixed lumpy which is the Bear was particularly enjoyable as we sailed through many a tune and set that does not normally form part of the repertoire for the Thursday session. And quite right too. My partner in crime, Six String Shelagh and I were remarking on the need for something new in the session as we headed the wagons through the Dunkirk gap.
I find playing with Ralphie a delight. Not only are they beautiful tunes, beautifully executed, but there is always something else going on with variations of one kind or another. Ralph and I were discussing the fact that some tunes have innate tempo and rhythm and when you get it, it just feels fantastic and the tune flies ... errr even if they're slow. Well it feels right anyway - there's a built-in pulse which only seems to emerge when you get the tempo just right and the tune becomes the lovely little thing it was meant to be.
Sadly, we do tend to play many tunes too fast and with only a fairly light passing nod to the time signature in some cases (and key in others - yes thumpy has returned with his avant garde approach to the one string fretless bass aka rubbish bin and broom handle). Our other sin is to create what I call Cortina sets - you know, the bad back street weld where the seam shows after a cut-and-shut operation. I do believe that Ralph and I might found The Lumpy Traditional Tune Preservation Society to try and avert these ravages.
It really does pull some of these fine tunes out of shape if they're played too fast. And to bring us full circle, it's often the Irish (tunes) that get beaten up the worst - maybe because they're the hardest to play and decidedly not lumpy. I don't think you can actually play them on a D-G melodeon unless you're Tim Edey. By the way Tim, we think your latest CDs are great - don't listen to fRoots - what do they know?
Sunday session at the Anchor, Faversham on the 24th from 8:00. Strictly Irish.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Sunday 17th June 2007
I think Irish traditional music must wear you out more than other kinds. Our Irish session seems to suffer from various maladies and afflictions and rarely manages to get into full fling for more than 2 hours. It's more like 90 minutes most nights. On the other hand the mixed lumpy always goes on for at least 2 and a half hours, often three and only packs up because the landlord wants to go to bed! (and some of us have to go to work the next day :-( I envy those who took early retirement) .
On the Irish scene, there was a concert at the weekend organised by the redoubtable Beau of Kent Folk and featuring Tommy Peoples. On the Mixed Lumpy scene we are still blessed with Ralphie now he's retired and this week saw the welcome appearance of Bob Kenward who was pursuaded into song. Among his songs were Great Navy Days and the Pantomime which is in the Fred Wedlock tradition (and hilarious) if you haven't heard it.
Today promises one of the garden party events of the Summer (weather permitting) and at the end of the month is the famous Reculver BBQ. No weekend sessions at the moment but the normal weekly ones are still going.
We haven't seen Jez for a long time - if you're still out there, come and play some tunes!
On the Irish scene, there was a concert at the weekend organised by the redoubtable Beau of Kent Folk and featuring Tommy Peoples. On the Mixed Lumpy scene we are still blessed with Ralphie now he's retired and this week saw the welcome appearance of Bob Kenward who was pursuaded into song. Among his songs were Great Navy Days and the Pantomime which is in the Fred Wedlock tradition (and hilarious) if you haven't heard it.
Today promises one of the garden party events of the Summer (weather permitting) and at the end of the month is the famous Reculver BBQ. No weekend sessions at the moment but the normal weekly ones are still going.
We haven't seen Jez for a long time - if you're still out there, come and play some tunes!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday 27th May 2007
It's another English Bank Holiday - wet and cold. There should be a session tonight but there isn't because the landlord has let the pub for a birthday party. So I've edited and uploaded about 10 new tunes to my site (http://www.banjolin.co.uk/tunes) - a mixture of English and Irish, session tunes and ones which are good but we don't play.
It's funny how session go. This week's were radically different from most weeks. One because some weren't there and one because some others were. I like a bit of unpredictability in a session - new people, tunes we have not played for ages, maybe some new ones or just old favourites in a different order. Although if there is too much, it's also nice to revert to 'normal' and play comfort sets.
When a session gets well established, the players defer to the likes and dislikes of the others so certain types of tunes don't get played while others are favoured. It's the way it is and there's nothing wrong with it. It's respect. Most players can tolerate an odd tune ' out of the envelope' though and it's a poor show if they can't.
By contrast, some players are very touchy and take it personally if another doesn't join in. They then try hard to play things they probably shouldn't to try and include them. Ah! The balancing act that sessioneers have to do. Best to turn up, play what you know, join in with good grace whether you like the tune or not, start a set if it goes quiet and remember there is an audience!
The Sunday session at the Anchor looks as though it will be on Monday so there will be one, and next week's sessions look set to return to normal. Well as near normal as it ever gets.
It's funny how session go. This week's were radically different from most weeks. One because some weren't there and one because some others were. I like a bit of unpredictability in a session - new people, tunes we have not played for ages, maybe some new ones or just old favourites in a different order. Although if there is too much, it's also nice to revert to 'normal' and play comfort sets.
When a session gets well established, the players defer to the likes and dislikes of the others so certain types of tunes don't get played while others are favoured. It's the way it is and there's nothing wrong with it. It's respect. Most players can tolerate an odd tune ' out of the envelope' though and it's a poor show if they can't.
By contrast, some players are very touchy and take it personally if another doesn't join in. They then try hard to play things they probably shouldn't to try and include them. Ah! The balancing act that sessioneers have to do. Best to turn up, play what you know, join in with good grace whether you like the tune or not, start a set if it goes quiet and remember there is an audience!
The Sunday session at the Anchor looks as though it will be on Monday so there will be one, and next week's sessions look set to return to normal. Well as near normal as it ever gets.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
16th May 2007
I really don't know where the time goes. I hadn't realised how long it had been since the last post until I was reminded out of the blue. Here was I thinking only a few hardened sessioneers here in Kent might find it even remotely interesting to read the Session Diary when I find that there is a following! So at this point I must mention the Northern Banjolin Fan Club and Sharky, who left a post - eager for the next instalment. Well first of all, I want to hear more about the Northern following of course! Are you all sessioneers? Or is it just 1 sessioneer? Where abouts in the North are you? For us it starts at the Medway which means Londoners are Northern. Well we do live nearer to France than London and it's now easier to get to as it's more downhill through the tunnel since the Earthquake.
I am minded of the the fact that Rochester Sweeps has just been and gone, and usually I go over for the Irish Session in the Bull on the Sunday. I didn't go this year, but reflecting on previous years, you do get a lot of Morris Men coming in to shelter. And play. Melodeons. Irish music in a Morris style is something else. It is something else other than Irish music certainly.
Now I am not knocking Morris Men, having been one myself. I started dancing with Green Oak in Doncaster while at college and later started Cheswold Morris and was their Squire for a few years before moving further south. We could have a whole other blog about traditional Morris v 'modern' Morris and whether women dancing Morris is really Morris, but this isn't the place. One of our sessioneers - an Irish Piper - dances with Headcorn and they are a very good side so that's enough about Morris men. Oh, except that since the tunes are in our collective session unconscious, every so often we have to do a medley of Morris tunes at our mixed session. Well, they are good tunes. It's just that there are others as well.
Some of our hardy Mixed Lumpy session members went on an annual pilgrimage to Ypres (Wipers to my Grandfather) over the weekend and I'm dying to hear how they got on. There's always a tale or two - usually involving being asked to 'play a few tunes' somewhere and finding out it's in front of 2,000 people. Still, who needs rehearsals? I think Belgian beer plays a part in all this somewhere too.
Well, the sessions start again tonight with the Irish at the Anchor in Wingham and the Mixed Lumpy tomorrow at the Bear in Faversham. Last weeks' were fairly normal - as near normal as they get anyway. The Irish session possibly reached new heights of surrealism traveling in one conversation from playing with emotion via the three musketeers to after-shave. (Something along the lines of Pathos, Porthos, Aramis, Brut 33). Also a bizarre and extensive wander down the memory lane of British humour - Flanders and Swann, Gilbert and Sullivan and taking in the colonies with Bob Newhart and Tom Lehrer. Yes, it's always an adventure that leaves many a visitor perplexed and bemused. Including us.
There is a French session (none of them are, they just play French music in striped jerseys and big moustaches with strange instruments) on the second Monday of the month at the Half Moon and Seven Stars and the third Monday is a mixed session at Tilmanstone at which some of the French session play. I wish I could go to the French session. I just feel there would be so much to write about. Like playing tunes through 15 times as though it were a Bal Folklorique. Some of them go out as a band - Les Batons. Yes, we have been asked who this chap Les Batons is. Really.
I will endeavour not to leave it so long before the next instalment!
I am minded of the the fact that Rochester Sweeps has just been and gone, and usually I go over for the Irish Session in the Bull on the Sunday. I didn't go this year, but reflecting on previous years, you do get a lot of Morris Men coming in to shelter. And play. Melodeons. Irish music in a Morris style is something else. It is something else other than Irish music certainly.
Now I am not knocking Morris Men, having been one myself. I started dancing with Green Oak in Doncaster while at college and later started Cheswold Morris and was their Squire for a few years before moving further south. We could have a whole other blog about traditional Morris v 'modern' Morris and whether women dancing Morris is really Morris, but this isn't the place. One of our sessioneers - an Irish Piper - dances with Headcorn and they are a very good side so that's enough about Morris men. Oh, except that since the tunes are in our collective session unconscious, every so often we have to do a medley of Morris tunes at our mixed session. Well, they are good tunes. It's just that there are others as well.
Some of our hardy Mixed Lumpy session members went on an annual pilgrimage to Ypres (Wipers to my Grandfather) over the weekend and I'm dying to hear how they got on. There's always a tale or two - usually involving being asked to 'play a few tunes' somewhere and finding out it's in front of 2,000 people. Still, who needs rehearsals? I think Belgian beer plays a part in all this somewhere too.
Well, the sessions start again tonight with the Irish at the Anchor in Wingham and the Mixed Lumpy tomorrow at the Bear in Faversham. Last weeks' were fairly normal - as near normal as they get anyway. The Irish session possibly reached new heights of surrealism traveling in one conversation from playing with emotion via the three musketeers to after-shave. (Something along the lines of Pathos, Porthos, Aramis, Brut 33). Also a bizarre and extensive wander down the memory lane of British humour - Flanders and Swann, Gilbert and Sullivan and taking in the colonies with Bob Newhart and Tom Lehrer. Yes, it's always an adventure that leaves many a visitor perplexed and bemused. Including us.
There is a French session (none of them are, they just play French music in striped jerseys and big moustaches with strange instruments) on the second Monday of the month at the Half Moon and Seven Stars and the third Monday is a mixed session at Tilmanstone at which some of the French session play. I wish I could go to the French session. I just feel there would be so much to write about. Like playing tunes through 15 times as though it were a Bal Folklorique. Some of them go out as a band - Les Batons. Yes, we have been asked who this chap Les Batons is. Really.
I will endeavour not to leave it so long before the next instalment!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
24 April 2007
I'm sure you've all come across the following scenario. Musicians turn up timidly at a session and join in with what they know and are persuaded to start a set and it's all quite low key and doesn't upset the session dynamics. After a while they bring along some 'friends' who turn out to be a band and from there on it becomes a matter of honour for them to play their entire repertoire. If you're lucky, they don't have an extensive one.
Characters you're likely to come across. Apart from plinky, twangy and thumpy who have already featured in this diary there is the one who hears a tune they know and then puts their head down, not looking at any other player nor listening to them (or the leader of the tune) and ploughs on regardless with all the finesse of a locomotive whose brakes have failed. I think this one needs to be labeled 'ostrich' or 'wrecker'. Mind you, I have also witnessed someone starting a set with a familar tune, only to have their set whisked from under their feet by someone forcing the second tune of their set to follow on - to surprised and slightly hurt looks.
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but why is it that singers who try to accompany tunes (usually on guitar) have no sense of rhythm? I can think of a few notable exceptions but in general they seem to exist in a rhythmic twighlight zone.
And isn't it glorious when a bunch of disparate players get together and it just soars? The Irish session is much better at producing those moments than the mixed lumpy.
Well this week will see the regular Wednesday Irish at the Anchor, Wingham and then the regular Thursday at the Bear at Faversham will be missing 4 of the main musicians who for some unknown reason have swanned off for a week of 'la dolce vita' although knowing who's going, it may be anything but dolce. Sunday sees the regular last-Sunday-of-the-month Irish session at the Anchor in Faversham (not the Last Sunday session for which I was upbraided last time).
Not long now to the first festivals of the season - Rochester and Whitstable and another year has gone by.
Characters you're likely to come across. Apart from plinky, twangy and thumpy who have already featured in this diary there is the one who hears a tune they know and then puts their head down, not looking at any other player nor listening to them (or the leader of the tune) and ploughs on regardless with all the finesse of a locomotive whose brakes have failed. I think this one needs to be labeled 'ostrich' or 'wrecker'. Mind you, I have also witnessed someone starting a set with a familar tune, only to have their set whisked from under their feet by someone forcing the second tune of their set to follow on - to surprised and slightly hurt looks.
I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but why is it that singers who try to accompany tunes (usually on guitar) have no sense of rhythm? I can think of a few notable exceptions but in general they seem to exist in a rhythmic twighlight zone.
And isn't it glorious when a bunch of disparate players get together and it just soars? The Irish session is much better at producing those moments than the mixed lumpy.
Well this week will see the regular Wednesday Irish at the Anchor, Wingham and then the regular Thursday at the Bear at Faversham will be missing 4 of the main musicians who for some unknown reason have swanned off for a week of 'la dolce vita' although knowing who's going, it may be anything but dolce. Sunday sees the regular last-Sunday-of-the-month Irish session at the Anchor in Faversham (not the Last Sunday session for which I was upbraided last time).
Not long now to the first festivals of the season - Rochester and Whitstable and another year has gone by.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Sunday 1st April 2007
A treat tonight apparently. Steafan Hannigan and Saskia Tomkins are hosting a session at the Anchor in Faversham so it promises to be good although how much of a session it will be I don't know.
Sessions are like that - regulars for ages and then suddenly somebody drops in like Chris Taylor, Tim Edey or Brendan Power or these two and takes it all to a new level. The come-down leaves everyone a bit flat for normal sessions but usually with good memories. Maybe it gives a boost indirectly. The same thing happens at sessions that are part of festivals. I think it's to do with the audience being there - it's a big lift. I know we say that we play for the music and it doesn't matter about the audience but a session without an audience is always less fulfilling.
Surprisingly a lot of people seem to be a 'lurking' audience - from the other bar! They say they like the music but won't come in and actually engage.
Sessions are like that - regulars for ages and then suddenly somebody drops in like Chris Taylor, Tim Edey or Brendan Power or these two and takes it all to a new level. The come-down leaves everyone a bit flat for normal sessions but usually with good memories. Maybe it gives a boost indirectly. The same thing happens at sessions that are part of festivals. I think it's to do with the audience being there - it's a big lift. I know we say that we play for the music and it doesn't matter about the audience but a session without an audience is always less fulfilling.
Surprisingly a lot of people seem to be a 'lurking' audience - from the other bar! They say they like the music but won't come in and actually engage.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Sunday 4th March
Much debate about the nature of sessions happens on the journey back from one of our sessions. It's almost a post mortem crossed with a fantasy league session.
Firstly, a session is a session. Yes, I know that's obvious but what that means is that it isn't somebody's talent spot, it isn't a band practice, it isn't a beginners' workshop and it isn't a refuge for the homeless. Oh, and it isn't a folk club.
Having said that, there is always a place for an occasional virtuoso performance, beginners are always welcomed and an odd song doesn't go amiss. It's a question of balance. Now an evening of one person playing their favourite tunes which nobody else knows is not good, neither is an evening of songs: many of the players have travelled a long way to play, not be an audience.
There seems to be a reluctance to 'lead' a session but all that is required is to keep some sort of fair regime going with a light touch, giving everybody who wants a turn the chance to start and gently dissuading the enthusiastic but musically challenged. Sometimes you find musicians who have sat there for two hours and when the principals leave, out come some really nice tunes which may or may not be quite in keeping with the spirit of the session 'theme' but can be little gems.
Just to show the variation in attendance, we had 5 at the Irish session and 15 at the mixed session. Yes 15! It was a wall of sound and it was difficult to hear properly and sometimes 5 versions of the tune were all underway at various stages and what sounded like various keys. But, the audience seem to enjoy it despite breaking all the session rules. Of course the 'good' sessions move tunes to obscure keys to foil the fringe but that's against the spirit isn't it? Part of the session ethos is to encourage good playing rather than exclude the ones who can't keep up.
Next week we're threatened with visitors from Sussex so we could take over the entire bar!
Firstly, a session is a session. Yes, I know that's obvious but what that means is that it isn't somebody's talent spot, it isn't a band practice, it isn't a beginners' workshop and it isn't a refuge for the homeless. Oh, and it isn't a folk club.
Having said that, there is always a place for an occasional virtuoso performance, beginners are always welcomed and an odd song doesn't go amiss. It's a question of balance. Now an evening of one person playing their favourite tunes which nobody else knows is not good, neither is an evening of songs: many of the players have travelled a long way to play, not be an audience.
There seems to be a reluctance to 'lead' a session but all that is required is to keep some sort of fair regime going with a light touch, giving everybody who wants a turn the chance to start and gently dissuading the enthusiastic but musically challenged. Sometimes you find musicians who have sat there for two hours and when the principals leave, out come some really nice tunes which may or may not be quite in keeping with the spirit of the session 'theme' but can be little gems.
Just to show the variation in attendance, we had 5 at the Irish session and 15 at the mixed session. Yes 15! It was a wall of sound and it was difficult to hear properly and sometimes 5 versions of the tune were all underway at various stages and what sounded like various keys. But, the audience seem to enjoy it despite breaking all the session rules. Of course the 'good' sessions move tunes to obscure keys to foil the fringe but that's against the spirit isn't it? Part of the session ethos is to encourage good playing rather than exclude the ones who can't keep up.
Next week we're threatened with visitors from Sussex so we could take over the entire bar!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Monday 19th February 2007
Now that things have settled down to (near) normal again, it's difficult to find new things to post except reports of the sessions. However, sometimes sessions turn out to be quite unexpected and worth a mention. Such was the case last Thursday when the back bar of the Bear contained more musicians (well some musicians and some just with musical instruments) than punters. There were 2 new faces - a Duette and a flute. The flute was from the States and played some very nice Irish Reels. The Duette seemed a bit on the Musical Hall side of things but nicely done all the same.
Colin the concertina, two irregular fiddle players one of whom is called Martin and also the lovely Heather Grabham made a welcome appearance, but offset by both plinky and thumpy. If thumpy tries to play that hunting horn one more time ... On the bright side, plinky is much more considerate these days.
And Ralphie played the Dambusters. Well it's a change from the Budgie song and nicely done I might say.
There is a mixed session tonight at the Plough and Harrow Tilmanstone. Not mixed as in boys and girls but mixed as in French, English, Irish etc music - not a pure session like the Irish ones tend to be. Speaking of the Irish session, we haven't seen Jez for an awful long time now. Probably chasing cash point raiders and 12 year olds with guns instead of the serious stuff - banjo playing! Ho hum.
There will be the last Sunday session at the Anchor, Faversham this coming Sunday. Strictly Irish of course.
Colin the concertina, two irregular fiddle players one of whom is called Martin and also the lovely Heather Grabham made a welcome appearance, but offset by both plinky and thumpy. If thumpy tries to play that hunting horn one more time ... On the bright side, plinky is much more considerate these days.
And Ralphie played the Dambusters. Well it's a change from the Budgie song and nicely done I might say.
There is a mixed session tonight at the Plough and Harrow Tilmanstone. Not mixed as in boys and girls but mixed as in French, English, Irish etc music - not a pure session like the Irish ones tend to be. Speaking of the Irish session, we haven't seen Jez for an awful long time now. Probably chasing cash point raiders and 12 year olds with guns instead of the serious stuff - banjo playing! Ho hum.
There will be the last Sunday session at the Anchor, Faversham this coming Sunday. Strictly Irish of course.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Friday 9th February 2007
The sessions have settled back to near-normal. Well, as normal as sessions ever get. The regulars are back, the sessions are fuller and the occasional guest drops in. The weather recently meant reduced numbers. Some have a long way to come and others who are out in the sticks are on ungritted roads, but enough make it through the snow and ice to make a merry tune. Every now and then, one of the locals says he enjoys what we do, so it feels as though we're not disturbing the normal ambiance of the pub too much.
Ralphie has a song. Where it came from I know not - it's probably original but if you've heard it before, maybe you'd post a comment. It's about a budgie. The sort of song in the French tradition (like Allouette) except darker. Parts of the budgie get eaten in each verse and you repeat all the parts (forgive the pun) in order. The song then takes an absurd twist into 'I have eaten the Id of my budgie' and 'I have eaten the Gestalt of my budgie'.
There may or may not be a session at the Anchor in Faversham this Sunday. Ring the pub to find out if we're playing. We were hoping to play, but haven't heard yet if it's available.
Ralphie has a song. Where it came from I know not - it's probably original but if you've heard it before, maybe you'd post a comment. It's about a budgie. The sort of song in the French tradition (like Allouette) except darker. Parts of the budgie get eaten in each verse and you repeat all the parts (forgive the pun) in order. The song then takes an absurd twist into 'I have eaten the Id of my budgie' and 'I have eaten the Gestalt of my budgie'.
There may or may not be a session at the Anchor in Faversham this Sunday. Ring the pub to find out if we're playing. We were hoping to play, but haven't heard yet if it's available.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Friday 26th January 2007
After the enthusiasm of last weeks bumper attendance at the Wednesday Irish session at the Anchor at Wingham, this week saw a reduced but quality attendance of 4. Not a reed nor a fipple in sight and everything had frets. Everything also had a metal hoop, skin head ... well it was a mini-banjo fest really with 3 tenors and a Mandolin Banjo. Next time this happens though it will be 'the 4 tenors' as John has joined the ranks with a shiny new archtop Grafton. We still managed to power our way through many a jig and reel in a very session like manner - taking turns around the group. How refreshing. It developed as it often does into a nostalgia trip - this time from cinema organs to cinemas to Saturday morning clubs at the Gaumont and ABC, to threepenny bits. On the way passing through busking cinema queues and earning more in a night than a worker's weekly wage. Ah, heady stuff.
Thursday at the Bear was jolly good with an absolute absence of any plinky, thumpy or twangy. The added presence of dear Ralph, sparing time from his many projects (Patterson, Jordan and Dipper, Housewife's Choice ...) to play in the session. Not a song all evening and many a fine tune played. Quite a few Scottish (well it was Burn's night and at least two of us had Haggis, neaps and tatties for tea). Ralph and I were much heartened by the news that Free Reed are going to release an old Roaring Jelly (B I G Valerie Wilkinson ...) LP on CD in February.
Sunday at the Anchor, Faversham for an Irish session for anyone up for it.
Thursday at the Bear was jolly good with an absolute absence of any plinky, thumpy or twangy. The added presence of dear Ralph, sparing time from his many projects (Patterson, Jordan and Dipper, Housewife's Choice ...) to play in the session. Not a song all evening and many a fine tune played. Quite a few Scottish (well it was Burn's night and at least two of us had Haggis, neaps and tatties for tea). Ralph and I were much heartened by the news that Free Reed are going to release an old Roaring Jelly (B I G Valerie Wilkinson ...) LP on CD in February.
Sunday at the Anchor, Faversham for an Irish session for anyone up for it.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Sunday 21st January 2007
Things are picking up after the Christmas slump. Fortunately the stalwarts kept the sessions going so that the occassionals have somewhere to come back to.
The good news is that we saw the return of two players who have been missed - Andy banjo and Ralphie (different session of course). It is amazing the difference to a session's dynamics that one person can make. It's equally of course amazing that some seem to drift in and out without making a ripple. Anyway, Andy was on form and we played many of the old, driving banjo oriented sets from yore and everybody (I think) was happy. It's really good to see Andy back on the circuit again although he did mention defecting to an Old-time session at Rainham!
Nice to see Susannah and George again and all the regulars of course. Pete brought his electric keyboard instead of his accordian (which he was told was a write-off) but it didn't fall into the category of dreaded plinky things. We did ask for some Kilfenora type accompaniment but he wouldn't do it for some reason.
Ralphie's duett concertina is always a delight - even when he bends the accompaniment to the extreme! There was no plinky or out of place twangy on Thursday, but that was very much countered by the return of the much feared one-string bass. Any one got a Stanley knife?
It's a real pity that it isn't a session as such. It tends to be about an hour of Watershed practice followed by an hour or more of any guest who drops in. That's OK when it's players like Ralph or Martin the fiddle, but it attracts singers too. Call me old fashioned, but players don't invade the folk clubs and open mike events where the singers go, so why do singers invade music sessions? There used to be some session rules in the old days - Singing only after 11:00. Some of the other rules were useful too - Only 1 bodhran at a time and only 1 item of cutlery to be played at a time (there were a lot of spoons players). I think the restriction even extended to guitars if more than one turned up - saved the embarrasment of multiple keys and rhythms distracting the melody instruments.
All in all though, two good sessions.
Monday was the occasional (third Monday) session at the Plough and Harrow which tends towards an Irish / French mix with some strange versions of tunes being played sometimes. Phil on Hurdy Gurdy and pipes and Geoff on hooty things can always be relied on. Still a good session for beginners and intermediates as there isn't really an ego / alpha male problem and Martin runs it quite democratically. Interesting to hear other tunes played that you might not hear elsewhere.
Nothing tonight or Monday (as far as I know). Normal Wednesday (Anchor Wingham) and Thursday (Bear Faversham) and then Sunday Irish at the Anchor at Faversham for an end of the month treat.
If you didn't see Folk Hibernia on BBC4 on Friday night - wait for it to come round again - excellent programme on the renaissance and rise of Irish music with some history thrown in. Some great clips and all the names you know from sessions because you play their tunes!
The good news is that we saw the return of two players who have been missed - Andy banjo and Ralphie (different session of course). It is amazing the difference to a session's dynamics that one person can make. It's equally of course amazing that some seem to drift in and out without making a ripple. Anyway, Andy was on form and we played many of the old, driving banjo oriented sets from yore and everybody (I think) was happy. It's really good to see Andy back on the circuit again although he did mention defecting to an Old-time session at Rainham!
Nice to see Susannah and George again and all the regulars of course. Pete brought his electric keyboard instead of his accordian (which he was told was a write-off) but it didn't fall into the category of dreaded plinky things. We did ask for some Kilfenora type accompaniment but he wouldn't do it for some reason.
Ralphie's duett concertina is always a delight - even when he bends the accompaniment to the extreme! There was no plinky or out of place twangy on Thursday, but that was very much countered by the return of the much feared one-string bass. Any one got a Stanley knife?
It's a real pity that it isn't a session as such. It tends to be about an hour of Watershed practice followed by an hour or more of any guest who drops in. That's OK when it's players like Ralph or Martin the fiddle, but it attracts singers too. Call me old fashioned, but players don't invade the folk clubs and open mike events where the singers go, so why do singers invade music sessions? There used to be some session rules in the old days - Singing only after 11:00. Some of the other rules were useful too - Only 1 bodhran at a time and only 1 item of cutlery to be played at a time (there were a lot of spoons players). I think the restriction even extended to guitars if more than one turned up - saved the embarrasment of multiple keys and rhythms distracting the melody instruments.
All in all though, two good sessions.
Monday was the occasional (third Monday) session at the Plough and Harrow which tends towards an Irish / French mix with some strange versions of tunes being played sometimes. Phil on Hurdy Gurdy and pipes and Geoff on hooty things can always be relied on. Still a good session for beginners and intermediates as there isn't really an ego / alpha male problem and Martin runs it quite democratically. Interesting to hear other tunes played that you might not hear elsewhere.
Nothing tonight or Monday (as far as I know). Normal Wednesday (Anchor Wingham) and Thursday (Bear Faversham) and then Sunday Irish at the Anchor at Faversham for an end of the month treat.
If you didn't see Folk Hibernia on BBC4 on Friday night - wait for it to come round again - excellent programme on the renaissance and rise of Irish music with some history thrown in. Some great clips and all the names you know from sessions because you play their tunes!
Friday, January 12, 2007
Friday 12th January 2007
First post of the year, so a happy new year to all our readers!
Christmas and new year are always a confused time for sessions - people away or with other commitments and of course festivities sometimes fall inconsiderately on session nights. Not really the case this year except that the regular last-Sunday-of-the-month Irish session at the Anchor in Faversham fell on New Year's Eve so we made up for it last week. It was a good jovial session with Pete and Adrian leading many of the tunes. Pete had his substitute accordian which got him a modicum of ribbing. Being tuned a little 'wetter' than normal, he suffered a few Jimmy Shand jibes and the red pearloid attracted the 'mother-of-toilet seat' comments, but all in good humour. At one point, Pete and Adrian swapped accordian and fiddle .... moving on then to the other sessions.
Wednesday at the Anchor in Wingham looked a bit thin for a couple of weeks, but picked up again this week to be an enjoyable session. Just after Christmas was very thin by all accounts (I wasn't there) and the one after was three banjos and a whistle who left early. Still this week saw a much better turn out and some nice sets were played without having to rely on the good offices of Pete.
Thursday at the Bear is always interesting. It's never the same two weeks running as I've said before and you never know who will turn up. Last week was missing Mike, but Ruth came and this week was almost full compliment (no Gina though). Good news is that Chris joined us, and a couple of musicians who drop in when their barge is in port (apparently) were there too. Bad news is that the bangy thumpy was there with a bigger than ever drum. Having just watched the excellent programme from Howard Goodall on rhythm, I was straining to hear what kind of interesting cross rhythms or syncopation he might be using. Sadly I failed. It must be me.
After muttering about the volume of the piano, a quiet word was had and the balance restored with no ruffled feathers. In fact seems to be an enhancement to have a keyboard undercurrent, as it is rhythmically different from the guitar and as long as it doesn't overpower, seems to work quite well. So strike plinky from the dreaded list. Quiet plinky is now embraced.
There will be a session at the Plough and Harrow at Tilmanstone on Monday 15th. Usual mix with a French accent I guess.
Christmas and new year are always a confused time for sessions - people away or with other commitments and of course festivities sometimes fall inconsiderately on session nights. Not really the case this year except that the regular last-Sunday-of-the-month Irish session at the Anchor in Faversham fell on New Year's Eve so we made up for it last week. It was a good jovial session with Pete and Adrian leading many of the tunes. Pete had his substitute accordian which got him a modicum of ribbing. Being tuned a little 'wetter' than normal, he suffered a few Jimmy Shand jibes and the red pearloid attracted the 'mother-of-toilet seat' comments, but all in good humour. At one point, Pete and Adrian swapped accordian and fiddle .... moving on then to the other sessions.
Wednesday at the Anchor in Wingham looked a bit thin for a couple of weeks, but picked up again this week to be an enjoyable session. Just after Christmas was very thin by all accounts (I wasn't there) and the one after was three banjos and a whistle who left early. Still this week saw a much better turn out and some nice sets were played without having to rely on the good offices of Pete.
Thursday at the Bear is always interesting. It's never the same two weeks running as I've said before and you never know who will turn up. Last week was missing Mike, but Ruth came and this week was almost full compliment (no Gina though). Good news is that Chris joined us, and a couple of musicians who drop in when their barge is in port (apparently) were there too. Bad news is that the bangy thumpy was there with a bigger than ever drum. Having just watched the excellent programme from Howard Goodall on rhythm, I was straining to hear what kind of interesting cross rhythms or syncopation he might be using. Sadly I failed. It must be me.
After muttering about the volume of the piano, a quiet word was had and the balance restored with no ruffled feathers. In fact seems to be an enhancement to have a keyboard undercurrent, as it is rhythmically different from the guitar and as long as it doesn't overpower, seems to work quite well. So strike plinky from the dreaded list. Quiet plinky is now embraced.
There will be a session at the Plough and Harrow at Tilmanstone on Monday 15th. Usual mix with a French accent I guess.
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