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!