Friday 21st December

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.