Well into Yule / Saturnalia now and heading for the festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicta on the 25th. OK, Pope Julius hijacked it for Christ's birthday in 349 AD in a good bit of PR and then the Victorians did unspeakable things and lastly the High Street finished it off. Well one good thing is that it is the only day now in the year when the majority of the shops are shut! Still, mulled wine was a decent invention.
On the session front, the Irish session is still suffering low turn-out but struggling personfully on and actually not doing too shabby a job. It means more variety (slides, polkas, jigs etc) than is usual for our session and more people start sets which is good. The session joke is still a regular feature I'm glad too say and if a none-too corny one crops up I'll let you know it here.
A new session has been established at the Simple Parrot or Simon's Parrot or some such in Canterbury on the first Sunday of the Month from 8:00 pm. We shall see how it goes. Having been down this road before when a pub has changed hands, it's a testing time. Do they want us because they like us or because it might attract punters? Answers on a postcard please ......
I hope it's because they like us. Mind you at £1.50 a time, it's the only venue where we have to pay to park! Thank you Canterbury; why don't you really encourage people into the city at night? Or any time for that matter. Oh and while we're on the subject, there'd be a lot less congestion and traffic in Canterbury if you'd finish off the two A2 junctions. You can't get off Northbound at the North-Western end nor on Southbound at the South-Western end (Wincheap). Madness. I think somebody looked on a map rather than tried to drive it. IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Believe me.
I feel better now.
Meanwhile, at the Mixed Lumpy Session which is the Bear in all its newly painted glory (It's not the same without a brown ceiling) it just gets better and better. Well, in terms of numbers it does. Last week there were 21 people with some kind of noise making device. Up from last week but not the record. It is different every week (one of Mike's sayings) and we now have a regular Nykelharpa player - Barbara, and although we haven't seen him for a couple of weeks, a Hammer Dulcimer wielded by Bill. How they get them under their chins I do not know.
Apparently the Tilmanstone session (Third Monday) is still going and there is a session at Smeeth I believe on Mondays which may or may not be in the Woolpack. On the Irish front, apart from the new Simple Simon's Parrot and the regular Anchor, there is still the irregular Chequers at Challock.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
16th November 2008
I was musing on the fortunes of sessions recently because of two events.
The first was our mixed lumpy session on Thursdays at the Bear in Faversham where the week before last, the musicians outnumbered the audience. I swear there were 16 musicians there or possibly more. Well, there were at least 16 bodies in musician's corner bearing instruments. And a singer or two.
There is a problem with sessions that get quite big and that is that they get mushy - the sound that is. It gets harder to play against the background. It's not that there are too many melody instruments, it's often that there are too many accompanists (including cutlery). Still I would rather see too many than too few. Oh, and the variety of tunings increases of course with the number of instruments. Sometimes it gets difficult to play because some instruments are 'not quite in'. Now I know it's not the boxes because they're static (although I have come across more than one concertina in the 'old' tuning). So it's the strings and woodwind. I know my stringed instruments change with the temperature and humidity levels throughout an evening.
The second event was our last Irish session on Wednesday in The Anchor at Wingham (or 'The Spoonerism' as we call it). There were just 4 of us - and 3 were banjos. The fourth was a flute. He is an explosives expert in real life - I keep thinking Blaster Bates for some reason. So 3 banjos - normally a daunting prospect but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't drown the flute at all.
One way to be less unpopular with a banjo is to take two instruments - a melody instrument (banjo) and a chord maker (guitar, bouzouki etc). Two of us regularly alternate banjo and bouzouki so that it does not get too imbalanced. Oh and the Irish session does have a tune-up - even if the pipes only stay in for one set! :-) Overall, the Irish sessions are just more fastidious about tuning which makes the music better. Much better.
Let's see what this week brings ................
The first was our mixed lumpy session on Thursdays at the Bear in Faversham where the week before last, the musicians outnumbered the audience. I swear there were 16 musicians there or possibly more. Well, there were at least 16 bodies in musician's corner bearing instruments. And a singer or two.
There is a problem with sessions that get quite big and that is that they get mushy - the sound that is. It gets harder to play against the background. It's not that there are too many melody instruments, it's often that there are too many accompanists (including cutlery). Still I would rather see too many than too few. Oh, and the variety of tunings increases of course with the number of instruments. Sometimes it gets difficult to play because some instruments are 'not quite in'. Now I know it's not the boxes because they're static (although I have come across more than one concertina in the 'old' tuning). So it's the strings and woodwind. I know my stringed instruments change with the temperature and humidity levels throughout an evening.
The second event was our last Irish session on Wednesday in The Anchor at Wingham (or 'The Spoonerism' as we call it). There were just 4 of us - and 3 were banjos. The fourth was a flute. He is an explosives expert in real life - I keep thinking Blaster Bates for some reason. So 3 banjos - normally a daunting prospect but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't drown the flute at all.
One way to be less unpopular with a banjo is to take two instruments - a melody instrument (banjo) and a chord maker (guitar, bouzouki etc). Two of us regularly alternate banjo and bouzouki so that it does not get too imbalanced. Oh and the Irish session does have a tune-up - even if the pipes only stay in for one set! :-) Overall, the Irish sessions are just more fastidious about tuning which makes the music better. Much better.
Let's see what this week brings ................
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thursday, 30th October 2008
We are now in that gloriously confused season which combines the pagan and the Christian with a soupcon of rebellion. (sorry about the cedilla - I can't find one).
Yes of course it's Samhain / Halloween /Mischief Night / All Hallows / All Souls / Souling / Guy Fawkes. If you look closely it's the same festival underneath.
Anyway, despite the dark nights, attendance at sessions has been good and we have even seen new faces - or in some cases, old faces but with an instrument. Maybe there are closet sessioneers. The Irish Session is going strong and we still have our Slovakian Fiddler for a while. If anybody wants to give her a job .......
The English / Mixed is also going great guns and has acquired two new Melodeons and a harmonica. We continue to attract itinerant sessioneers who drop in for a tune when they're passing through and it's always nice to see them.
I was musing the other day on the international aspect of our sessioneers. We've had American, Dutch, Belgian, French, Slovakian, Irish, Scottish and German to my certain knowledge. It adds a certain something but it's hard to get them to play their own traditional material.
Some of our favourites seem to be Scandinavian - Swedish in particular with wonderful names that mean such ordinary things - ganglat- 'Walking Dance' for example or even more exotic - ganglat fran Applebo - ' Walking Dance from Applebo' (second apology for lack of accents. I must find out where this editor keeps them. There's probably a heap of mis-shapen and rusting diacritics in a box waiting to be picked out and inserted into the text after a quick polish)
The debate about 'What is a session?' continues to rumble as it always will. Just accept that it may be a:
Not long now to the second most confused celebration of Yule / Christmas /Natalis Solis Invicta /Visa/ etc ............
Yes of course it's Samhain / Halloween /Mischief Night / All Hallows / All Souls / Souling / Guy Fawkes. If you look closely it's the same festival underneath.
Anyway, despite the dark nights, attendance at sessions has been good and we have even seen new faces - or in some cases, old faces but with an instrument. Maybe there are closet sessioneers. The Irish Session is going strong and we still have our Slovakian Fiddler for a while. If anybody wants to give her a job .......
The English / Mixed is also going great guns and has acquired two new Melodeons and a harmonica. We continue to attract itinerant sessioneers who drop in for a tune when they're passing through and it's always nice to see them.
I was musing the other day on the international aspect of our sessioneers. We've had American, Dutch, Belgian, French, Slovakian, Irish, Scottish and German to my certain knowledge. It adds a certain something but it's hard to get them to play their own traditional material.
Some of our favourites seem to be Scandinavian - Swedish in particular with wonderful names that mean such ordinary things - ganglat- 'Walking Dance' for example or even more exotic - ganglat fran Applebo - ' Walking Dance from Applebo' (second apology for lack of accents. I must find out where this editor keeps them. There's probably a heap of mis-shapen and rusting diacritics in a box waiting to be picked out and inserted into the text after a quick polish)
The debate about 'What is a session?' continues to rumble as it always will. Just accept that it may be a:
- Band Practice
- Rehearsal
- Practice
- *SESSION*
- Concert
- Sing-around
- Open Mic
Not long now to the second most confused celebration of Yule / Christmas /Natalis Solis Invicta /Visa/ etc ............
Sunday, October 05, 2008
5th October 2008
Winter draws on.
You can tell it's Autumn - Strictly Come Dancing has started again.
The Festival Season is almost over - just Tenterden to go.
There has not been a great deal to report on the session scene of late as everything seems to have settled to near-normality. Or as near normal as it ever gets.
Of note:
The 4 hour marathon session in the Ship in Deal over the festival weekend was very enjoyable and contained an unexpected gem. One of the few times that Desperate Measures have played again since they disbanded. Lumpy English Music at its finest and worthy of Old Swan or Tiger Moth.
On the Irish scene we lost one young talented female fiddler and gained another. Serena has left to pursue other things and Suzannah has returned (with George) from their world tour. That's not as grand as it sounds, the took a year out to go round the world. And now they're back.
I gather Tilmanstone is still a debatable issue. Will it continue or will it disband? Watch this space.....
I must mention a project before closing. It's an attempt to raise interest in and get traditional music played on St George's Day (23rd April). The idea is to play lumpy English tunes with an English place name in their title - such as Newcastle, Portsmouth, Morpeth Rant, Wiltshire Tempest etc.
More details as they emerge. This is Kent Brockman signing off.........
You can tell it's Autumn - Strictly Come Dancing has started again.
The Festival Season is almost over - just Tenterden to go.
There has not been a great deal to report on the session scene of late as everything seems to have settled to near-normality. Or as near normal as it ever gets.
Of note:
The 4 hour marathon session in the Ship in Deal over the festival weekend was very enjoyable and contained an unexpected gem. One of the few times that Desperate Measures have played again since they disbanded. Lumpy English Music at its finest and worthy of Old Swan or Tiger Moth.
On the Irish scene we lost one young talented female fiddler and gained another. Serena has left to pursue other things and Suzannah has returned (with George) from their world tour. That's not as grand as it sounds, the took a year out to go round the world. And now they're back.
I gather Tilmanstone is still a debatable issue. Will it continue or will it disband? Watch this space.....
I must mention a project before closing. It's an attempt to raise interest in and get traditional music played on St George's Day (23rd April). The idea is to play lumpy English tunes with an English place name in their title - such as Newcastle, Portsmouth, Morpeth Rant, Wiltshire Tempest etc.
More details as they emerge. This is Kent Brockman signing off.........
Thursday, September 04, 2008
4th September 2008
I don't really know how to approach this post. A lot has happened recently and it's difficult to know how to relate the bizarre events which were the Faversham Hops Festival Sessions.
Now we all know that sessions at festivals are different from regular weekly sessions and anyone can drop in. One is prepared for a wide spectrum of ability and musicianship. The leader skillfully guides the session through the shoals and keeps it all together. OK. The session leader prevents mayhem and bloodshed.
I have a friend who believes that there are musicians and those who worry instruments so one gets melodeon-worriers and guitar-worriers and so on. There are always a fair few worriers at festival sessions.
Now, the Friday night was an Irish Session which had not been advertised so no new faces and a packed, roasting hot bar. A couple (who we normally see at the regular Thursday session) did come in briefly and after a bewildered interval, left. I think they thought it was one of them there 'normal' sessions and Irish was a step too far. Well, they have joined a Morris side.
Saturday and Sunday mornings brought the glory that is the festival band. This is a line up to rival Albions and Oysters in it's sheer entertainment and effrontery. With many of the musicians in bands and a line up including drums and bass it can really rock. It is so much more than an amplified-session-on-stage and how does the programme describe it? 'enthusiastic locals'. That sounds like a euphemism if ever I heard one. And not even any expense money let alone payment. I wonder if they expect us to help next year. How the Pogues got their name comes to mind.
After a civilised interval of tea and scones, we headed on both days for the Bear to lead anybody who was there in the 'come all ye' all day session. It transpired that this activity clashed with a delica-session up the road hosted by two stout locals - Chris Taylor and Bob Kenwood. For those of you wondering what a delica-session is, it's an idea borrowed from some folk clubs where it operates a bit like the deli counter at Sainsbury's. You take a ticket and when your number is called you do your spot and ask for 3 slices of corned beef and a pork pie. It's all true except for the corned beef and pork pie. I think.
On the Sunday, always a quieter day, the session started gently in the Bear and we were joined by Chris the Concertina who is always welcome at any gathering plus a few regulars and irregulars. Always nice to see his daughter Ellie who does a powerful song. She got way more applause than we did. Everything was going so well and then in came the menagerie. Or is it bestiary?
Joining the session were a large, hairy, smelly, slavering dog and a serpent with their human keepers. The dog was real and the serpent was of the musical kind but modern and made of fibreglass (I didn't know that). The dog didn't want to be there and we didn't want the dog to be there so it was mutual and right next to me. I don't know about the serpent but it seemed more relaxed than the dog and looked as though it wanted to be there. Actually, it made it a more exciting day that it would otherwise have been. Yes I know.
Thank goodness Wednesday night was back to the steady Irish in the Anchor. And tonight shall be the Bear again boys and girls. What will the evening bring?
Now we all know that sessions at festivals are different from regular weekly sessions and anyone can drop in. One is prepared for a wide spectrum of ability and musicianship. The leader skillfully guides the session through the shoals and keeps it all together. OK. The session leader prevents mayhem and bloodshed.
I have a friend who believes that there are musicians and those who worry instruments so one gets melodeon-worriers and guitar-worriers and so on. There are always a fair few worriers at festival sessions.
Now, the Friday night was an Irish Session which had not been advertised so no new faces and a packed, roasting hot bar. A couple (who we normally see at the regular Thursday session) did come in briefly and after a bewildered interval, left. I think they thought it was one of them there 'normal' sessions and Irish was a step too far. Well, they have joined a Morris side.
Saturday and Sunday mornings brought the glory that is the festival band. This is a line up to rival Albions and Oysters in it's sheer entertainment and effrontery. With many of the musicians in bands and a line up including drums and bass it can really rock. It is so much more than an amplified-session-on-stage and how does the programme describe it? 'enthusiastic locals'. That sounds like a euphemism if ever I heard one. And not even any expense money let alone payment. I wonder if they expect us to help next year. How the Pogues got their name comes to mind.
After a civilised interval of tea and scones, we headed on both days for the Bear to lead anybody who was there in the 'come all ye' all day session. It transpired that this activity clashed with a delica-session up the road hosted by two stout locals - Chris Taylor and Bob Kenwood. For those of you wondering what a delica-session is, it's an idea borrowed from some folk clubs where it operates a bit like the deli counter at Sainsbury's. You take a ticket and when your number is called you do your spot and ask for 3 slices of corned beef and a pork pie. It's all true except for the corned beef and pork pie. I think.
On the Sunday, always a quieter day, the session started gently in the Bear and we were joined by Chris the Concertina who is always welcome at any gathering plus a few regulars and irregulars. Always nice to see his daughter Ellie who does a powerful song. She got way more applause than we did. Everything was going so well and then in came the menagerie. Or is it bestiary?
Joining the session were a large, hairy, smelly, slavering dog and a serpent with their human keepers. The dog was real and the serpent was of the musical kind but modern and made of fibreglass (I didn't know that). The dog didn't want to be there and we didn't want the dog to be there so it was mutual and right next to me. I don't know about the serpent but it seemed more relaxed than the dog and looked as though it wanted to be there. Actually, it made it a more exciting day that it would otherwise have been. Yes I know.
Thank goodness Wednesday night was back to the steady Irish in the Anchor. And tonight shall be the Bear again boys and girls. What will the evening bring?
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
26th August 2008
A grim bank holiday but it's been busy on the session scene. There was Broadstairs of course with numerous sessions going on from organised to campsite impromptu. On Monday, the regular trek of East Kent sessioneers to The Lord Nelson took place to play with Paul Lucas and guest who this year was Pip who many will remember from the local scene. He is now studying for a Folk degree in Newcastle so good luck to him for that.
There was an amazing array of 'Folk' instruments including a metallic silver accordion (no go faster stripe though) and a huge white midi-interfaced 120 bass accordion which seemed stuck on music hall (there's a setting ...). Add the fiddles, banjos, melodeons, flutes, whistles, guitars and bangy-shaky things and that was the session. I refuse to be drawn.
In and around the festivals, one gets the true feeling of sessions. 'Anything but Irish' proclaimed one and 'English Only' said another. Some are 'Celtic' and to be fair some, like Paul's are 'Come All Ye' sessions.
I'm not sure if sessions that exclude Irish are perpetrated by those who can't play Irish or Don't like Irish or just think it shouldn't be played by non-natives. Probably a combination of all three. There is certainly a divide although some sessioneers manage to play on both sides and are accepted.
I also had the time to go to the Tilmanstone session and found it a pale shadow of its former self. This is a shame because it suits some musicians down to the ground - especially beginners but whereas the session used to be extremely tolerant of the tentative and timid *BUT* also play tunes at approaching normal speed and rhythm so beginners knew what to aspire to, it is now terribly slow and I know from experience that it will not improve on its own. There is talk of closing it if the next one does not pick up. That's the third Monday of the month at the Plough and Harrow at Tilmanstone from about 8:30. Go Rock Them.
There will be a lot of sessioning this week as it is the hop festival at the weekend. Sorry, The International Faversham Hops Festival. So we will be sessioning Wednesday (Irish), Thursday (Mixed Lumpy), Friday (Irish - in the Bear), Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes in the Bear after playing in the Festival Band both mornings.
And Rest.
There was an amazing array of 'Folk' instruments including a metallic silver accordion (no go faster stripe though) and a huge white midi-interfaced 120 bass accordion which seemed stuck on music hall (there's a setting ...). Add the fiddles, banjos, melodeons, flutes, whistles, guitars and bangy-shaky things and that was the session. I refuse to be drawn.
In and around the festivals, one gets the true feeling of sessions. 'Anything but Irish' proclaimed one and 'English Only' said another. Some are 'Celtic' and to be fair some, like Paul's are 'Come All Ye' sessions.
I'm not sure if sessions that exclude Irish are perpetrated by those who can't play Irish or Don't like Irish or just think it shouldn't be played by non-natives. Probably a combination of all three. There is certainly a divide although some sessioneers manage to play on both sides and are accepted.
I also had the time to go to the Tilmanstone session and found it a pale shadow of its former self. This is a shame because it suits some musicians down to the ground - especially beginners but whereas the session used to be extremely tolerant of the tentative and timid *BUT* also play tunes at approaching normal speed and rhythm so beginners knew what to aspire to, it is now terribly slow and I know from experience that it will not improve on its own. There is talk of closing it if the next one does not pick up. That's the third Monday of the month at the Plough and Harrow at Tilmanstone from about 8:30. Go Rock Them.
There will be a lot of sessioning this week as it is the hop festival at the weekend. Sorry, The International Faversham Hops Festival. So we will be sessioning Wednesday (Irish), Thursday (Mixed Lumpy), Friday (Irish - in the Bear), Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes in the Bear after playing in the Festival Band both mornings.
And Rest.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Sunday 3rd August 2008
Friday was Yorkshire Day for all the White Rose fans in the Viking half of the country. It is the place where I first encountered 'Folk' rather than the very poor imitation that was foisted on us at school and was lucky enough to be round (a little late) at the start of the second Folk Revival. A great era of Fairport, Steeleye, Lindisfarne, Pentangle et al whose influences rubbed off on many.
In Kent, if you want to travel to a session or a gig it generally involves going on the A2/M2 or M20. This week and for a while now, they seem to have decided to give the outside lane of the M20 between Folkestone and Ashford a rest and make everybody go by it slowly so we don't disturb it. Well, it's coned off and nothing is ever happening so it must be having a rest. What other explanation could there be?
To the sessions though. On Wednesday we played our usual Irish session at the Anchor at Wingham (Be quiet, Spooner ) and Adrian O' dropped in. Always good to see but his voice was almost gone so no story this time. He brought with him a woman from Saga who is putting together Irish theme holidays and what better place to meet up but at an Irish session. We had another guest sessioneer who drops in when he is over in Kent. Thomas from the Czech Republic, who plays Mandolin very well and joined us at both sessions.
This week's Thursday session was definitely a red letter day - rarer than an eclipse. I have been playing in Kent for very nearly 10 years and I have heard of a few legends who had moved away before I arrived. On Thursday I met one. His picture has been hanging on the wall of the Bear in Faversham for as long as I've been there. It was Enda McCabe. Back for a wedding.
Now for such a special occasion, arrangements were made for some of us from the Irish session to arrive at 7:30 and play a few tunes with Enda until the regular session happened at 9:00. And that's almost what happened. There was some nervousness as 9:00 approached to see what would happen as two session cultures clashed especially as some of us played regularly in both sessions while others played categorically in one or the other. In fact it was thoroughly civilised and tunes from both camps were played by all to general enjoyment and most lasted until 10:30. Enda was on strict orders not to stay out late. The rest of us pottered on to 11:00 but it had been a long night.
The book of tunes from the Bear Session 'Son of Bear Bones' is now available on-line if anyone would like a copy. Just go to http://www.banjolin.co.uk/tunes/sobb.htm and with a bit of luck the nice people at PayPal will help you buy one. It's only a fiver (+ p& p) and you get 90 tunes in 35 sets (plus a few singles) as played at the Bear Inn as featured on this site! OK - it started really as a printed compilation of tunes for those who join in the session and an aid to newcomers but it's actually a good little book of tunes with some rare ones which you don't find at many sessions. It's nicely put together and properly printed and has a picture of the famous establishment on the front. God Bless You.
It is festival season - Cambridge and Sidmouth at the moment and Broadstairs week after next. If any of you are at Broadstairs, don't forget to drop into the Nelson at lunchtime for a session with Paul Lucas and guest. I might see you there!
In Kent, if you want to travel to a session or a gig it generally involves going on the A2/M2 or M20. This week and for a while now, they seem to have decided to give the outside lane of the M20 between Folkestone and Ashford a rest and make everybody go by it slowly so we don't disturb it. Well, it's coned off and nothing is ever happening so it must be having a rest. What other explanation could there be?
To the sessions though. On Wednesday we played our usual Irish session at the Anchor at Wingham (Be quiet, Spooner ) and Adrian O' dropped in. Always good to see but his voice was almost gone so no story this time. He brought with him a woman from Saga who is putting together Irish theme holidays and what better place to meet up but at an Irish session. We had another guest sessioneer who drops in when he is over in Kent. Thomas from the Czech Republic, who plays Mandolin very well and joined us at both sessions.
This week's Thursday session was definitely a red letter day - rarer than an eclipse. I have been playing in Kent for very nearly 10 years and I have heard of a few legends who had moved away before I arrived. On Thursday I met one. His picture has been hanging on the wall of the Bear in Faversham for as long as I've been there. It was Enda McCabe. Back for a wedding.
Now for such a special occasion, arrangements were made for some of us from the Irish session to arrive at 7:30 and play a few tunes with Enda until the regular session happened at 9:00. And that's almost what happened. There was some nervousness as 9:00 approached to see what would happen as two session cultures clashed especially as some of us played regularly in both sessions while others played categorically in one or the other. In fact it was thoroughly civilised and tunes from both camps were played by all to general enjoyment and most lasted until 10:30. Enda was on strict orders not to stay out late. The rest of us pottered on to 11:00 but it had been a long night.
The book of tunes from the Bear Session 'Son of Bear Bones' is now available on-line if anyone would like a copy. Just go to http://www.banjolin.co.uk/tunes/sobb.htm and with a bit of luck the nice people at PayPal will help you buy one. It's only a fiver (+ p& p) and you get 90 tunes in 35 sets (plus a few singles) as played at the Bear Inn as featured on this site! OK - it started really as a printed compilation of tunes for those who join in the session and an aid to newcomers but it's actually a good little book of tunes with some rare ones which you don't find at many sessions. It's nicely put together and properly printed and has a picture of the famous establishment on the front. God Bless You.
It is festival season - Cambridge and Sidmouth at the moment and Broadstairs week after next. If any of you are at Broadstairs, don't forget to drop into the Nelson at lunchtime for a session with Paul Lucas and guest. I might see you there!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Friday 25th July 2008
The Schools have broken up for the summer holidays or long vacation if you're posh. This has various effects. The roads of Canterbury which are normally a nightmare between 8 and 9 are now completely free running. It happens every holiday and half term. If ever proof were needed that it's the school run which causes congestion......
Another effect is that lots of musicians who earn their living as teachers and therefore cannot usually afford themselves the luxury of late nights at a session during the week are free to come out and play tunes.
Of course teacher is a misnomer these days because the job is actually bureaucrat and general patsy for the government's mad schemes. The amount of actual teaching that is allowed is very little and I suspect that some teachers may resort to underground teaching not actually prescribed within the National Curriculum. God forbid. Ofsted would have a seizure. (pause for image ....) There was a time when Teaching and Learning were two sides of the same coin. Now it's a buzz phrase, it gets parodied to Leaching and Turning. God bless the reverend Spooner. Yes, you can learn without being taught and you can teach without anyone learning but teaching as facilitating learning is a concept too indirect for whichever department it is these days. DCSF? DEFRA? Used to be the DES. Talking of Buzz phrases, Isn't 'Every Child Matters' the most patronising phrase ever to insult the teaching profession with? Of course they do. That's why you're a teacher. Getting the best out of each and every one was your vocation and teachers were regarded as professionals. I know that a few set copying and sloped off to the staff room for a confiscated fag, a cup of coffee and a game of cards but not many.
Ok. I think I've been contentious enough. On a lighter note, here in Shangri-La or the campus of the University of Kent, we have been watching the escapades of the Lambeth Conference with interest. From Gay Bishops to Bishop Aerobics it has certainly transformed the place into a sea (or See?) of purple. Sort that out how you like. I just read it back and found several meanings I hadn't intended.
As you can imagine, parking is at a premium with this event going on and some members of staff have been forced to park on grass verges so that they can get in to work and do their job. What do you think happened then boys and girls? Yes. They all got ticketed for contravening campus parking regulations. As someone wryly observed, it's not very nice parking on the poor vergers who were only looking after their Bishops.
Now why are we here? Oh yes. Sessions. Bit of a brick dropped re. the Chequers at Challock (no scope for Spooner there). Normally it's the last Sunday of the month - which will be this Sunday as luck would have it. But, another interim session was on the calendar and no one went and the landlord opens specially for the session on Sundays and we may have blown our welcome. Bugger.
It was very good to see Eugene Lambe and Caroline again. They joined us at the Bear last week and also at Tilmanstone on Monday. Eugene has a set of half pipes (Uilleann) which are just fantastic in a session.
The 'Son of Bear Bones' is now finalised with advertisers (the Bear and Andybanjo) and is in production. It's gone up slightly to £5.00 but still an absolute bargain. It will be ready to sell at the Hop Festival in August at the Bear and the Festival shop but copies are available now. I'm toying with the idea of selling through the Banjolin web site as well for those who cannot get to the session as often as they would like (e.g and see teachers above) . PayPal seem to make it very easy to partner up and sell so if there is a demand, I'll be able to post copies out for just the extra cost of post and packing.
Ideas are now coming in for sequels. Grandson of Bear Bone is obvious. Daughter of Bear Bones gives some gender balance. What about Bear Bones's Irish cousin or Bear Bones Abroad (I rather like that one for a collection of Mazurkas and sundry offerings). Another helping of ......, ........ goes Morris Dancing, ......... Golden Classics. I'm sure the sessioneers will contribute to the naming.
Another effect is that lots of musicians who earn their living as teachers and therefore cannot usually afford themselves the luxury of late nights at a session during the week are free to come out and play tunes.
Of course teacher is a misnomer these days because the job is actually bureaucrat and general patsy for the government's mad schemes. The amount of actual teaching that is allowed is very little and I suspect that some teachers may resort to underground teaching not actually prescribed within the National Curriculum. God forbid. Ofsted would have a seizure. (pause for image ....) There was a time when Teaching and Learning were two sides of the same coin. Now it's a buzz phrase, it gets parodied to Leaching and Turning. God bless the reverend Spooner. Yes, you can learn without being taught and you can teach without anyone learning but teaching as facilitating learning is a concept too indirect for whichever department it is these days. DCSF? DEFRA? Used to be the DES. Talking of Buzz phrases, Isn't 'Every Child Matters' the most patronising phrase ever to insult the teaching profession with? Of course they do. That's why you're a teacher. Getting the best out of each and every one was your vocation and teachers were regarded as professionals. I know that a few set copying and sloped off to the staff room for a confiscated fag, a cup of coffee and a game of cards but not many.
Ok. I think I've been contentious enough. On a lighter note, here in Shangri-La or the campus of the University of Kent, we have been watching the escapades of the Lambeth Conference with interest. From Gay Bishops to Bishop Aerobics it has certainly transformed the place into a sea (or See?) of purple. Sort that out how you like. I just read it back and found several meanings I hadn't intended.
As you can imagine, parking is at a premium with this event going on and some members of staff have been forced to park on grass verges so that they can get in to work and do their job. What do you think happened then boys and girls? Yes. They all got ticketed for contravening campus parking regulations. As someone wryly observed, it's not very nice parking on the poor vergers who were only looking after their Bishops.
Now why are we here? Oh yes. Sessions. Bit of a brick dropped re. the Chequers at Challock (no scope for Spooner there). Normally it's the last Sunday of the month - which will be this Sunday as luck would have it. But, another interim session was on the calendar and no one went and the landlord opens specially for the session on Sundays and we may have blown our welcome. Bugger.
It was very good to see Eugene Lambe and Caroline again. They joined us at the Bear last week and also at Tilmanstone on Monday. Eugene has a set of half pipes (Uilleann) which are just fantastic in a session.
The 'Son of Bear Bones' is now finalised with advertisers (the Bear and Andybanjo) and is in production. It's gone up slightly to £5.00 but still an absolute bargain. It will be ready to sell at the Hop Festival in August at the Bear and the Festival shop but copies are available now. I'm toying with the idea of selling through the Banjolin web site as well for those who cannot get to the session as often as they would like (e.g and see teachers above) . PayPal seem to make it very easy to partner up and sell so if there is a demand, I'll be able to post copies out for just the extra cost of post and packing.
Ideas are now coming in for sequels. Grandson of Bear Bone is obvious. Daughter of Bear Bones gives some gender balance. What about Bear Bones's Irish cousin or Bear Bones Abroad (I rather like that one for a collection of Mazurkas and sundry offerings). Another helping of ......, ........ goes Morris Dancing, ......... Golden Classics. I'm sure the sessioneers will contribute to the naming.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
10th July 2008
Since I last wrote, we have passed midsummer. So it's all downhill to Winter now. The nights will be drawing in, Christmas catalogues will start arriving and shops will start getting festive. Ho hum.
Meanwhile, back on the session front, things are going well in the two camps of Irish and Mixed Lumpy. Last night's Irish Session was sans piper so there was a distinct lack of jokes, but maintaining the educational theme, we all learnt a lot about the Faversham priesthood following a thread that started with Slides. For those who are interested, many of our discussions start this way and end somewhere completely different. This one went Slides and Polkas, small steps, crammed in kitchens, round the room and mind the dresser, local priests against the dancing, local priests (characters), priests here (characters), St Jude's shrine, uses of the various ecclesiastical buildings. We also played some fine sets, revisiting many that we hadn't played for a while.
Saturday saw some of us take part in the Barfrestone Arts Festival which was held over the whole weekend. It was really a session outside the Yew Tree public house with representatives from the Irish and Mixed session and from Deal Hoodeners. No fee, but free food from the Barbecue which was quite nice. It was a typical Kent event. The tiniest village imaginable, in the middle of nowhere with no signposts, holding an Arts Festival (A display of local art in the village barn and some music in the pub). And very pleasant is was too.
I will at this point unashamedly promote the new book of collected tunes called 'Son of Bear Bones' and published in a similar format to the original 'Bear Bones' book of yore. There are some 90 tunes mostly in sets and contributions have come from the Watershed Band (Mike, Ruth and Shelagh), Barbara Kelly, Ralph Jordan, Colin and yours truly with a few borrowings from the old Green Band and Desperate Measures and one set from Flowers and Frolics. A bargain at only £4.50 available at the session and selling like hotcakes.
This Sunday is the Irish session at the Chequers at Challock from 8:00.
Meanwhile, back on the session front, things are going well in the two camps of Irish and Mixed Lumpy. Last night's Irish Session was sans piper so there was a distinct lack of jokes, but maintaining the educational theme, we all learnt a lot about the Faversham priesthood following a thread that started with Slides. For those who are interested, many of our discussions start this way and end somewhere completely different. This one went Slides and Polkas, small steps, crammed in kitchens, round the room and mind the dresser, local priests against the dancing, local priests (characters), priests here (characters), St Jude's shrine, uses of the various ecclesiastical buildings. We also played some fine sets, revisiting many that we hadn't played for a while.
Saturday saw some of us take part in the Barfrestone Arts Festival which was held over the whole weekend. It was really a session outside the Yew Tree public house with representatives from the Irish and Mixed session and from Deal Hoodeners. No fee, but free food from the Barbecue which was quite nice. It was a typical Kent event. The tiniest village imaginable, in the middle of nowhere with no signposts, holding an Arts Festival (A display of local art in the village barn and some music in the pub). And very pleasant is was too.
I will at this point unashamedly promote the new book of collected tunes called 'Son of Bear Bones' and published in a similar format to the original 'Bear Bones' book of yore. There are some 90 tunes mostly in sets and contributions have come from the Watershed Band (Mike, Ruth and Shelagh), Barbara Kelly, Ralph Jordan, Colin and yours truly with a few borrowings from the old Green Band and Desperate Measures and one set from Flowers and Frolics. A bargain at only £4.50 available at the session and selling like hotcakes.
This Sunday is the Irish session at the Chequers at Challock from 8:00.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday 18th June 2008
The session scene has been quite normal of late - well, as normal as it gets.
The Wednesday Irish is still going strong at the Anchor in Wingham and the Thursday English / Mixed Session is going strong at the Bear in Faversham. Despite all the ribbing that I give the Thursday session it is a long-lived and much enjoyed event. Anything can happen and no two Thursdays are ever the same. All sorts of guests drop in and the mix is eclectic.
I'm sure that you'll all join me in sending condolences to Mike and his family following the loss of his Mother last week and we look forward to seeing him back in the session.
The new Sunday Irish venue of the Chequers in Challock (disappointingly no humorous spoonerism) seems to be liked by pub clientele and musicians alike so it looks like the session will pitch there for a while on the last Sunday of the month from 20:00 onwards.
This week's session jokes:
Q:Why don't young melons get married?
A:Cantaloupe (Can't elope)
A priest is very ill and at death's door. The Mother Superior needs to give him sustenance but he won't eat. She gets him some milk but it doesn't help. He takes a sip and puts the glass down. Desperate, the Mother goes back to the kitchen and finds a bottle of Whisky which she pours a generous measure of into the milk. She takes it back to the priest who starts to drink it, regains some colour and a twinkle comes back to his eyes.
"Do you have any last words for us Father?" asks the Nun. "Yes", replies the priest. "Don't sell that cow!".
Trivia questions:
Who was Glasgow Linda?
Why is Doncaster Station so cold and windswept?
The Wednesday Irish is still going strong at the Anchor in Wingham and the Thursday English / Mixed Session is going strong at the Bear in Faversham. Despite all the ribbing that I give the Thursday session it is a long-lived and much enjoyed event. Anything can happen and no two Thursdays are ever the same. All sorts of guests drop in and the mix is eclectic.
I'm sure that you'll all join me in sending condolences to Mike and his family following the loss of his Mother last week and we look forward to seeing him back in the session.
The new Sunday Irish venue of the Chequers in Challock (disappointingly no humorous spoonerism) seems to be liked by pub clientele and musicians alike so it looks like the session will pitch there for a while on the last Sunday of the month from 20:00 onwards.
This week's session jokes:
Q:Why don't young melons get married?
A:Cantaloupe (Can't elope)
A priest is very ill and at death's door. The Mother Superior needs to give him sustenance but he won't eat. She gets him some milk but it doesn't help. He takes a sip and puts the glass down. Desperate, the Mother goes back to the kitchen and finds a bottle of Whisky which she pours a generous measure of into the milk. She takes it back to the priest who starts to drink it, regains some colour and a twinkle comes back to his eyes.
"Do you have any last words for us Father?" asks the Nun. "Yes", replies the priest. "Don't sell that cow!".
Trivia questions:
Who was Glasgow Linda?
Why is Doncaster Station so cold and windswept?
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Sunday 25th May 1008
Just a quick post to say that the last-Sunday-in-the-month Irish Session has moved from the Olde Beverlie where last time we had to compete with the Jukebox, to The Chequers at Challock - from 8:00. We all hope that this will prove a more satisfactory venue.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday 20th May
Well, after the hottest May since God was a boy, it has turned back into its usual English May state of rain and cold winds which we expect to continue until October, when after a brief and unseasonal Indian Summer, it will be winter again. So now is the season for Summer Fetes, Garden Parties and traditional English Activities including of course that annual celebration of European Love-thy-Neighbour to show just how integrated and European we really are - the Eurovision Song Contest. No, nobody understands how Ukraine or Israel or many of the other countries can be truly European, but maybe it's more conceptual than actual. Would that the contest were I hear some of you cry. (Good subjunctive there John!)
So what would happen if there were a Eurovision Folk Song Contest? (and another!) Would we all be terribly nice to each other and be embarrassed about winning? I'd like to think so. I can't imagine Finland dressing in their new national costume of Death-Metal-Mythology-Fantasy and then playing nice polskas but I can imagine the Irish Turkey playing the Bodhran. This could be a rich seam. Unlikely combinations of genres - the more bizarre the better.
The borders of Folk music are becoming very blurred which is probably a good thing and phrases like 'Thrash Ceilidh' or 'Acid Croft' are often used to describe a band these days. Is this new? Not at all. Go back to 1969 to a band called Spirogyra (started in Bolton but really got going in Canterbury and well known for their tribute to the patron saint of car parks - St Radigund) who were back then leading exponents of Progressive Acid Folk Rock. Add Tiger Moth (or Super Moth International) and you get all sorts of world rhythms underpinning harmless English tunes and a friend who is famous for breaking into 'Daddy was a Bank Robber' at barn dances and who perpetrated the Glorishers Tango.
So what of the sessions? Well the highlight of the session scene recently was the annual visit of an American Music School to England who always take in a session and apparently it is the highlight of their tour - over Canterbury Cathedral Choir and Kings College Choir and all the other stuff they see and hear. We hold it at Simple Simon's in Canterbury which has long been a music friendly pub. This year was a mixture of English, Irish and Songs so there were representatives from both the Wednesday Irish and the Thursday Mixed Lumpy sessions. Most of them know each other and rub along quite well. Some even play in both sessions. What a scandal.
The Americans sang us some songs in return for our songs and tunes. I wasn't sure how traditional it wasn't singing 'Sweet Baby James' to them and there was a dodgy moment when Ken sang 'Shallow Brown' about slavery and a slave been sold to 'some damn yankee' but I think we got away with it. I hope we got away with it. They're nice people.
The other thing that happened was the regular Ypres trip which takes place over a weekend and seems to be a bit like the 1960s. If you can remember it, you weren't really there. Basically a handful of musicians and the clientele of the Bear in Faversham hire a charabanc and head for Europe (Belgium), play in (or listen to) a massive session, do a few spots, drink too much, stay up late, go shopping and sightseeing and have a good time. And then take a week to recover. I admire them.
So what would happen if there were a Eurovision Folk Song Contest? (and another!) Would we all be terribly nice to each other and be embarrassed about winning? I'd like to think so. I can't imagine Finland dressing in their new national costume of Death-Metal-Mythology-Fantasy and then playing nice polskas but I can imagine the Irish Turkey playing the Bodhran. This could be a rich seam. Unlikely combinations of genres - the more bizarre the better.
The borders of Folk music are becoming very blurred which is probably a good thing and phrases like 'Thrash Ceilidh' or 'Acid Croft' are often used to describe a band these days. Is this new? Not at all. Go back to 1969 to a band called Spirogyra (started in Bolton but really got going in Canterbury and well known for their tribute to the patron saint of car parks - St Radigund) who were back then leading exponents of Progressive Acid Folk Rock. Add Tiger Moth (or Super Moth International) and you get all sorts of world rhythms underpinning harmless English tunes and a friend who is famous for breaking into 'Daddy was a Bank Robber' at barn dances and who perpetrated the Glorishers Tango.
So what of the sessions? Well the highlight of the session scene recently was the annual visit of an American Music School to England who always take in a session and apparently it is the highlight of their tour - over Canterbury Cathedral Choir and Kings College Choir and all the other stuff they see and hear. We hold it at Simple Simon's in Canterbury which has long been a music friendly pub. This year was a mixture of English, Irish and Songs so there were representatives from both the Wednesday Irish and the Thursday Mixed Lumpy sessions. Most of them know each other and rub along quite well. Some even play in both sessions. What a scandal.
The Americans sang us some songs in return for our songs and tunes. I wasn't sure how traditional it wasn't singing 'Sweet Baby James' to them and there was a dodgy moment when Ken sang 'Shallow Brown' about slavery and a slave been sold to 'some damn yankee' but I think we got away with it. I hope we got away with it. They're nice people.
The other thing that happened was the regular Ypres trip which takes place over a weekend and seems to be a bit like the 1960s. If you can remember it, you weren't really there. Basically a handful of musicians and the clientele of the Bear in Faversham hire a charabanc and head for Europe (Belgium), play in (or listen to) a massive session, do a few spots, drink too much, stay up late, go shopping and sightseeing and have a good time. And then take a week to recover. I admire them.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
May Day
An important day for the Folk world. Of course everyone knows that it marks Beltane - the start of the Summer. It brings out the Morris teams and the school children dancing the maypole - unless 'elf 'n safety have stopped them which is quite likely. There should be Queens of the May elected and Garlands and Well Dressing and of course if you want an even more beautiful complexion you'd have washed in the May morning dew. So lots going on then.
But what, I hear you ask, is happening in the seedy underworld of the session? Well, last week good, this week different. Not a great turnout at the Irish session but enjoyable nonetheless. We did have the Last-Sunday-of-the-month session at the Old Bev where we had to compete with the canned music until they were kind enough to switch it off. As someone remarked - It makes you feel really welcome.
Favourite joke of the moment which I'll pass on:
A friend has started drinking brake fluid and he's become addicted. But he says it's Ok - he can stop whenever he likes.
I believe that it will be the Rochester Sweeps Festival this weekend and there will be sessions in the back bar of the Bull as usual plus all the normal attractions.
The whatever-it-is do in the Bear tonight (which has of late been a very nice little session - yes, a session) otherwise, for now, That's All Folks.
But what, I hear you ask, is happening in the seedy underworld of the session? Well, last week good, this week different. Not a great turnout at the Irish session but enjoyable nonetheless. We did have the Last-Sunday-of-the-month session at the Old Bev where we had to compete with the canned music until they were kind enough to switch it off. As someone remarked - It makes you feel really welcome.
Favourite joke of the moment which I'll pass on:
A friend has started drinking brake fluid and he's become addicted. But he says it's Ok - he can stop whenever he likes.
I believe that it will be the Rochester Sweeps Festival this weekend and there will be sessions in the back bar of the Bull as usual plus all the normal attractions.
The whatever-it-is do in the Bear tonight (which has of late been a very nice little session - yes, a session) otherwise, for now, That's All Folks.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
St George's Day
Happy St George's Day! I hope many of you are going out to celebrate with just as much gusto as we all celebrate St Patrick's night. So That'll be a quiet night in the snug and a dragon artistically arranged in relief on the head of your pint of bitter.
Bizarrely, we will be going to the usual Irish Session tonight although in the past an English Tune or two has been played in honour of England's Patron Saint.
If anyone knows how England came to get a Turkish Soldier in the Roman Army as our Patron Saint I'd like to hear the story. He is Patron Saint of a lot of other places as well so he was obviously a popular chap. I expect Mummers and Morris, singarounds and sessions throughout England at the very least to celebrate and it should be declared a Bank Holiday! Let's campaign for it. Real Ale for all and Jerusalem as an anthem.
Now, you know the trouble we've had identifying what sort of event Thursday night at the Bear is don't you? Well as luck would have it (reminds me of an Adrian O' story), last Friday I was attending an Investors in People workshop at Eastwell Manor. I must explain that this was an enforced attendance of my alter ego and not something I chose to do although the compensation is that the lunches are fabulous. Anyway, having finished early I decided to drop into fellow sessioneer and banjo miner, Andy Perkins at the Banjo Works in Faversham to say hello. Unbeknown to me, while I was playing a fabulous John Abbott Monarch Tenor banjo which had been recently restored, there was some discussion in the other room of this very Diary....
When I joined them, I explained the quandary over classifying the event on Thursday as it seemed to be an Open Mic (err, without a Mic) crossed with Mike Wheeler and Friends Entertain whereupon a suggestion was made that it should be called an 'Open Mike' session. Brilliant!
Bizarrely, we will be going to the usual Irish Session tonight although in the past an English Tune or two has been played in honour of England's Patron Saint.
If anyone knows how England came to get a Turkish Soldier in the Roman Army as our Patron Saint I'd like to hear the story. He is Patron Saint of a lot of other places as well so he was obviously a popular chap. I expect Mummers and Morris, singarounds and sessions throughout England at the very least to celebrate and it should be declared a Bank Holiday! Let's campaign for it. Real Ale for all and Jerusalem as an anthem.
Now, you know the trouble we've had identifying what sort of event Thursday night at the Bear is don't you? Well as luck would have it (reminds me of an Adrian O' story), last Friday I was attending an Investors in People workshop at Eastwell Manor. I must explain that this was an enforced attendance of my alter ego and not something I chose to do although the compensation is that the lunches are fabulous. Anyway, having finished early I decided to drop into fellow sessioneer and banjo miner, Andy Perkins at the Banjo Works in Faversham to say hello. Unbeknown to me, while I was playing a fabulous John Abbott Monarch Tenor banjo which had been recently restored, there was some discussion in the other room of this very Diary....
When I joined them, I explained the quandary over classifying the event on Thursday as it seemed to be an Open Mic (err, without a Mic) crossed with Mike Wheeler and Friends Entertain whereupon a suggestion was made that it should be called an 'Open Mike' session. Brilliant!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Thursday, 10th April 2008
Well it's been a funny couple of weeks. Full of ups and downs like a roller coaster ride (actually better not mention that at the moment since the Grade 2 listed Scenic Railway at Margate burnt down) but lets have a look at what we had:
Last Wednesday's Irish Session had a grand turn out of 4 who with heroic effort overcame the lack of critical mass and played all evening. They say it's good for the soul. I'm not sure if anyone went this week (yesterday) because nearly all the players were otherwise engaged so it seemed best to call it off. I hope it gets back on track soon.
On the other hand, last week at the Mixed Lumpy and Fre-lgian gathering there was a staggering turn out. A quick run down of the 17 or so musicians who were there included 3 members of Wheeler Street (Pete, Toby and Sophy) , Dave Bolton and wife Marion (pipes & harp), Roy Gill and Jack, Ken Latham and many of the regulars. It was a mixture of concert turns, songs and a few join-in tunes for the musicians. It really seems sometimes to be a rival to the Chimney Boy Folk Club but the overall aim I think is to entertain the chums and it usually succeeds.
It was remarked to me that sessions don't get much better. I felt moved to point out that enjoyable though it was and appreciated as it was by the audience (well those few who could squeeze in because of all the musicians) and entertaining as it was for said audience it was not a session. If it continues as entertainment rather than session, I rather think that we ought to get paid!
Friday, 11th April
I felt moved to write a postscript after last night's mixed lumpy session. While our thoughts are with Mike and his family, the gathering actually was a session and enjoyed by musicians and audience alike. It was a mixed gathering of seasoned sessioneers (Shelagh, Barbara and yours truly) with Lizzie and Colin who are becoming seasoned and a German girl who I think is Geisler and a chap who may be Martin. Apologies to either if the names are wrong. As a result of the session, 'Dark girl dressed in Blue' has now become 'Girl with no knickers on'. Ask Barbara.
We played old classics, simple tunes and strange tunes for example: Jaimie Allen / Brighton Camp / Rakes of Marlow and Curly Headed Ploughboy / Bonny Kate / Girl with no Knickers On plus some mazurkas from Colin, that strange Swedish Mazurka which does Judy's head in with the timing, the Golden Valley Quadrille and Chinese Breakdown. Some nice waltzes with the Crystal Wedding, Clogue and Man in the Moon. There were no songs. We did invite Richard but his voice was out of action so he declined.
Last Wednesday's Irish Session had a grand turn out of 4 who with heroic effort overcame the lack of critical mass and played all evening. They say it's good for the soul. I'm not sure if anyone went this week (yesterday) because nearly all the players were otherwise engaged so it seemed best to call it off. I hope it gets back on track soon.
On the other hand, last week at the Mixed Lumpy and Fre-lgian gathering there was a staggering turn out. A quick run down of the 17 or so musicians who were there included 3 members of Wheeler Street (Pete, Toby and Sophy) , Dave Bolton and wife Marion (pipes & harp), Roy Gill and Jack, Ken Latham and many of the regulars. It was a mixture of concert turns, songs and a few join-in tunes for the musicians. It really seems sometimes to be a rival to the Chimney Boy Folk Club but the overall aim I think is to entertain the chums and it usually succeeds.
It was remarked to me that sessions don't get much better. I felt moved to point out that enjoyable though it was and appreciated as it was by the audience (well those few who could squeeze in because of all the musicians) and entertaining as it was for said audience it was not a session. If it continues as entertainment rather than session, I rather think that we ought to get paid!
Friday, 11th April
I felt moved to write a postscript after last night's mixed lumpy session. While our thoughts are with Mike and his family, the gathering actually was a session and enjoyed by musicians and audience alike. It was a mixed gathering of seasoned sessioneers (Shelagh, Barbara and yours truly) with Lizzie and Colin who are becoming seasoned and a German girl who I think is Geisler and a chap who may be Martin. Apologies to either if the names are wrong. As a result of the session, 'Dark girl dressed in Blue' has now become 'Girl with no knickers on'. Ask Barbara.
We played old classics, simple tunes and strange tunes for example: Jaimie Allen / Brighton Camp / Rakes of Marlow and Curly Headed Ploughboy / Bonny Kate / Girl with no Knickers On plus some mazurkas from Colin, that strange Swedish Mazurka which does Judy's head in with the timing, the Golden Valley Quadrille and Chinese Breakdown. Some nice waltzes with the Crystal Wedding, Clogue and Man in the Moon. There were no songs. We did invite Richard but his voice was out of action so he declined.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sunday 23rd March 2008
Easter Sunday. The festival of Eostre. Everywhere else calls it some variation of the Passion (Pasch) but we call it after the Pagan celebration for the Goddess Eostre which the church 'merged' into Easter in a bit of clever early PR.
I don't think that there are that many traditional celebrations happening now (like lifting) but there may still be Pace Egging, Egg rolling and Church Clipping if you look out for it.
St Patrick's Night was interesting I gather, not least because of the confusion of when it was. It's on March 17th, right? Well no, not always. As Easter Day is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox, it can be as early as the 22nd March. This year it is the 23rd and that means that St Patrick's Day falls inside Holy Week. By the Catholic Hierarchy, Jesus ranks higher than St Patrick, so the Religious celebration for St Pat was moved by Papal decree to Saturday 15th March instead. The secular celebrations were not affected by this but it did mean that Paddy's celebrations went on a bit this time - From Saturday to Monday.
Back to sessions though. The Irish Session on Wednesdays at Wingham continues in an established way irrespective of who attends. There have been some newcomers recently but it remains a core of dedicated musicians who keep it going.
Some of us have reached the conclusion that Thursday at Faversham is not a session so therefore shouldn't feature in the Session Diary. There may be passing references in the future to the 'Pals Gala Evenings' some of which can be very enjoyable, but we'd only get cross if we thought of them as sessions. Occasionally it may turn into one, so I'll let you know when it does.
I don't think that there are that many traditional celebrations happening now (like lifting) but there may still be Pace Egging, Egg rolling and Church Clipping if you look out for it.
St Patrick's Night was interesting I gather, not least because of the confusion of when it was. It's on March 17th, right? Well no, not always. As Easter Day is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox, it can be as early as the 22nd March. This year it is the 23rd and that means that St Patrick's Day falls inside Holy Week. By the Catholic Hierarchy, Jesus ranks higher than St Patrick, so the Religious celebration for St Pat was moved by Papal decree to Saturday 15th March instead. The secular celebrations were not affected by this but it did mean that Paddy's celebrations went on a bit this time - From Saturday to Monday.
Back to sessions though. The Irish Session on Wednesdays at Wingham continues in an established way irrespective of who attends. There have been some newcomers recently but it remains a core of dedicated musicians who keep it going.
Some of us have reached the conclusion that Thursday at Faversham is not a session so therefore shouldn't feature in the Session Diary. There may be passing references in the future to the 'Pals Gala Evenings' some of which can be very enjoyable, but we'd only get cross if we thought of them as sessions. Occasionally it may turn into one, so I'll let you know when it does.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Thursday, 6th March 2008
Pausing only to consider which wombat posted the diversion route off the Adisham Road that gave me an entertaining tour of the Kent Countryside, this intrepid reporter once again embarked on an in-depth sociological study of those strangest of creatures - the sessioneers.
Their natural habitat is unknown, but they gather at a watering hole known as an 'Inn' or 'Pub' where they make their way from the surrounding area. Once inside, they display mild territorial behaviour and need to be settled in just the right place with refreshments to hand before they begin their ritual calling. Only taking place after the hours of darkness, this ancient custom attracts local wildlife, some of whom enter the 'session-place' and soon begin to imitate the sessioneers while others, perhaps too timid to enter, peer through the windows at the scene within.
A close inspection over many nights reveals that not all 'sessions' are in fact the same. Some are quite clearly running to some unwritten lore which all the participants know while others are structureless and without obvious rules as to conduct. Curiously, it doesn't seem to matter whether there is a leader or not amongst the 'pack'. The well behaved session can be leaderless and run along what seems to mere humans to be absolutely democratic lines whilst the most anarchic of sessions can have a clearly identified leader or 'Alpha Sessioneer'.
The behaviour of the Alphas is interesting. An Alpha may be dominant in one session but submissive in another. A Session might contain several Alphas who, if they perceive themselves to be on neutral territory are not actually threatened by each other's presence. There is though sometimes a territorial imperative at play when an Alpha sessioneer appears to belong to the 'session-place' and therefore all sessioneers who enter must pay homage, but that is a relatively rare occurrence in this reporter's experience. It is notable that Alphas can be of either sex and there are no signs of discrimination amongst sessioneers in any respect.
Of course sessioneers are free to enter or leave a 'session-place' at any time and it is very rare indeed that sessioneers will drive one of their own out. Only a serious breech of session-lore or etiquette will alert the pack to the need to expel the transgressor. It is indeed a difficult skill to acquire as the lores of sessions vary and what is acceptable in one is not acceptable in another. Acquiring this intricate knowledge takes a long apprenticeship which is why presumably all sessioneers appear to be mature. Occasionally young will be admitted but are mostly supervised by elders.
Once in a while, sessioneers will be lured in to what the researchers call 'pseudo-sessions' or open-mics or folk-clubs and the signs of distress are immediately apparent. Instead of instrumental musical calling, voices are used and the sessioneer becomes fretful and restless at this strange and unnatural activity.
Their natural habitat is unknown, but they gather at a watering hole known as an 'Inn' or 'Pub' where they make their way from the surrounding area. Once inside, they display mild territorial behaviour and need to be settled in just the right place with refreshments to hand before they begin their ritual calling. Only taking place after the hours of darkness, this ancient custom attracts local wildlife, some of whom enter the 'session-place' and soon begin to imitate the sessioneers while others, perhaps too timid to enter, peer through the windows at the scene within.
A close inspection over many nights reveals that not all 'sessions' are in fact the same. Some are quite clearly running to some unwritten lore which all the participants know while others are structureless and without obvious rules as to conduct. Curiously, it doesn't seem to matter whether there is a leader or not amongst the 'pack'. The well behaved session can be leaderless and run along what seems to mere humans to be absolutely democratic lines whilst the most anarchic of sessions can have a clearly identified leader or 'Alpha Sessioneer'.
The behaviour of the Alphas is interesting. An Alpha may be dominant in one session but submissive in another. A Session might contain several Alphas who, if they perceive themselves to be on neutral territory are not actually threatened by each other's presence. There is though sometimes a territorial imperative at play when an Alpha sessioneer appears to belong to the 'session-place' and therefore all sessioneers who enter must pay homage, but that is a relatively rare occurrence in this reporter's experience. It is notable that Alphas can be of either sex and there are no signs of discrimination amongst sessioneers in any respect.
Of course sessioneers are free to enter or leave a 'session-place' at any time and it is very rare indeed that sessioneers will drive one of their own out. Only a serious breech of session-lore or etiquette will alert the pack to the need to expel the transgressor. It is indeed a difficult skill to acquire as the lores of sessions vary and what is acceptable in one is not acceptable in another. Acquiring this intricate knowledge takes a long apprenticeship which is why presumably all sessioneers appear to be mature. Occasionally young will be admitted but are mostly supervised by elders.
Once in a while, sessioneers will be lured in to what the researchers call 'pseudo-sessions' or open-mics or folk-clubs and the signs of distress are immediately apparent. Instead of instrumental musical calling, voices are used and the sessioneer becomes fretful and restless at this strange and unnatural activity.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Tuesday, 26th February 2008
Looking back over the posts to this blog, I find (probably unsurprisingly) that one of the overarching themes is the strangeness of the session as a social environment. Where else can you find a situation where the following occurs:
People from any background, nationality, race and creed gather together in one place. Each generally has no knowledge of the others apart from their first name and the instrument they play. They bond together loosely for the duration of the session and support each other before dispersing to the wind. Some characters turn up again and again; some drift in and out. Friendships do form of course, sometimes bands emerge from the session in some kind of coalescence like cosmic dust forming a new star. It is inevitable over time that sessioneers will find out more about their fellows and I'm not sure that the additional information is at all helpful. You hear comments like 'He's pretty good - for a .......' - whatever the profession might be. The slight air of mystery about sessions is always attractive.
Of course there is often a mix of those who play or sing for a living and those for whom it is a hobby or pastime. There is rarely any friction between professionals, semi-professionals and amateurs (in the best sense of the word - lovers of ...) because of an underlying respect for anybody who has the courage to play music in the presence of their peers and the public. Indeed to be accepted as a peer for the duration of a session by a professional produces an incredibly warm feeling. Most professionals are incredibly generous as well. They will not take over but they will encourage and nurture talent wherever it is found.
This said, it follows that the characters at sessions are often just that - isolated characters seen in one context only and therefore might appear as slightly strange, zany or colourful to others. Whether it is part of an act or not is hard to establish, but it is the character that comes through - so much so that the Welsh naming convention applies sometimes - so and so the pipes for example. Sometimes it is a characteristic or reputation rather than an instrument - like John the Archivist (Hi John).
Apart from some very disruptive elements who bring totally inappropriate instruments to sessions and play them with little or no discernible talent (I'm thinking cutlery, tea chest bass, electric whatevers, shaky eggs and the like), all sessioneers are respected. I do know performers who are masters of the spoons and the skiffle bass but sadly we don't see them in session often enough.
People from any background, nationality, race and creed gather together in one place. Each generally has no knowledge of the others apart from their first name and the instrument they play. They bond together loosely for the duration of the session and support each other before dispersing to the wind. Some characters turn up again and again; some drift in and out. Friendships do form of course, sometimes bands emerge from the session in some kind of coalescence like cosmic dust forming a new star. It is inevitable over time that sessioneers will find out more about their fellows and I'm not sure that the additional information is at all helpful. You hear comments like 'He's pretty good - for a .......' - whatever the profession might be. The slight air of mystery about sessions is always attractive.
Of course there is often a mix of those who play or sing for a living and those for whom it is a hobby or pastime. There is rarely any friction between professionals, semi-professionals and amateurs (in the best sense of the word - lovers of ...) because of an underlying respect for anybody who has the courage to play music in the presence of their peers and the public. Indeed to be accepted as a peer for the duration of a session by a professional produces an incredibly warm feeling. Most professionals are incredibly generous as well. They will not take over but they will encourage and nurture talent wherever it is found.
This said, it follows that the characters at sessions are often just that - isolated characters seen in one context only and therefore might appear as slightly strange, zany or colourful to others. Whether it is part of an act or not is hard to establish, but it is the character that comes through - so much so that the Welsh naming convention applies sometimes - so and so the pipes for example. Sometimes it is a characteristic or reputation rather than an instrument - like John the Archivist (Hi John).
Apart from some very disruptive elements who bring totally inappropriate instruments to sessions and play them with little or no discernible talent (I'm thinking cutlery, tea chest bass, electric whatevers, shaky eggs and the like), all sessioneers are respected. I do know performers who are masters of the spoons and the skiffle bass but sadly we don't see them in session often enough.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Monday 11th February 2008
Another week and another two sessions. The Irish session in the Anchor at Wingham was excellent. It just managed to reach that critical mass to make it go with a swing and give every set a lift. Although not an audience friendly pub (because of the layout), the acoustics are wonderful. There were the usual jokes and stories and banter and teasing as well as the tunes which comes I suppose from years of playing together every week. We can guarantee there is at least one weekly joke from our piper, and this week's involved Camels. Not the one about 'we use it to ride into town' but the one about the bricks and doesn't it hurt? There is one particular trait that always causes us all mirth. The piper looks up from playing to inquire how many times through we've played something. It is always twice. Always. So now it's a fixed event, if the piper asks, it's only twice.
The Thursday Session at the Bear was pretty much back to normal following the return of the beloved leader. One of our regulars is in the US at the moment so she was missed, but we had a welcome visit from Chris the concertina who comes out to play far too infrequently but as a school teacher he is forgiven. We don't have the friendly banter in the same way at this session although everyone is perfectly amiable - except to the one string bass which luckily hasn't been around recently. A bit heavy on the songs and the poet didn't get a look in but that's the way it goes sometimes. We were also fortunate to have two players from Drohne - Phil Martin and Geoff who brightened the whole thing up with Hurdy Gurdy, Pipes and those amazing things that Geoff plays which look like a cross between a medieval musical instrument and a device of torture. They sound great though.
Another normal week (Wednesday - Anchor - Wingham, Thursday - Bear - Faversham) but being the second Monday of the month, there is a French Session at Preston (Half Moon and Seven Stars) and next Monday will be Tilmanstone for the mixed session.
By the way, Beau (of Kentfolk) has produced a CD of session tunes from the Wednesday Irish, and the tunes are also available for download from his site.
The Thursday Session at the Bear was pretty much back to normal following the return of the beloved leader. One of our regulars is in the US at the moment so she was missed, but we had a welcome visit from Chris the concertina who comes out to play far too infrequently but as a school teacher he is forgiven. We don't have the friendly banter in the same way at this session although everyone is perfectly amiable - except to the one string bass which luckily hasn't been around recently. A bit heavy on the songs and the poet didn't get a look in but that's the way it goes sometimes. We were also fortunate to have two players from Drohne - Phil Martin and Geoff who brightened the whole thing up with Hurdy Gurdy, Pipes and those amazing things that Geoff plays which look like a cross between a medieval musical instrument and a device of torture. They sound great though.
Another normal week (Wednesday - Anchor - Wingham, Thursday - Bear - Faversham) but being the second Monday of the month, there is a French Session at Preston (Half Moon and Seven Stars) and next Monday will be Tilmanstone for the mixed session.
By the way, Beau (of Kentfolk) has produced a CD of session tunes from the Wednesday Irish, and the tunes are also available for download from his site.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Tuesday 5th February 2008
Are you Shriven? Will you Shrive, for today is Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes.
This is a rare occurrence, two posts in rapid succession but I had a thought and as they come so rarely, I decided to capture it and let it develop. I think the time has come to make the sessions we have come to know and love fictitious. Set them in an entirely made up place, give characters a heavy alias and then elaborate even more on the foibles, peculiarities, and personalities. There can even be a disclaimer - 'Any similarity between the characters in the story and persons either living or dead is entirely coincidental' or something of the sort.
The sort of characters I had in mind are:
Set it the rural idylls of say Suffolkshire or Sessionshire (why not?), in and around the town of Middling Parva (I hope to God there isn't one. Note to self - must check*) and a plethora of outlying villages.
* No, there isn't.
This is a rare occurrence, two posts in rapid succession but I had a thought and as they come so rarely, I decided to capture it and let it develop. I think the time has come to make the sessions we have come to know and love fictitious. Set them in an entirely made up place, give characters a heavy alias and then elaborate even more on the foibles, peculiarities, and personalities. There can even be a disclaimer - 'Any similarity between the characters in the story and persons either living or dead is entirely coincidental' or something of the sort.
The sort of characters I had in mind are:
- Dizzy Sidebottom - A character who brings an upright piano to sessions
- Earl Tomkins - A Banjo Ace. Used to have an act juggling a cat, a torch and a sword
- Sean Patrick - A Piper with a sideline in cross channel swimming
- Fred Grapple - A Fiddle Player with a sideline in flogging Shawms to Johnny Foreigner
- Fingers O'Fipple - A Whistle player with a sideline in watches
- Mrs Mulligan - A kindly organiser and mother of the session
- Rick O'Shea - A Bodhran player with a sideline in tall stories
- Isla Gechar - An exotic guitar player with a sideline in femme fatale
Set it the rural idylls of say Suffolkshire or Sessionshire (why not?), in and around the town of Middling Parva (I hope to God there isn't one. Note to self - must check*) and a plethora of outlying villages.
* No, there isn't.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Monday, 4th February 2008
Dear Readers, here we are two days after Candlemas and did we celebrate anything? I bet we didn't.
The Session Diary is read widely as you know, not just here in Kent but further afield like Sussex and beyond. Rumours circulate that it is read abroad as well.
When I first envisioned the diary, I thought of a cross between the Archers and some comedic writer with more talent than I, such as Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams. For the laws of dramatic effect, ironic narrative and post-neo-reconstructionist chuckles sometimes the situations are exaggerated. Just a tad. I also make a point of only naming where praise is due, never when foibles are being exposed - we all have them. Don't we?
But it does raise an interesting question which I've mentioned before. I have only played in sessions for 10 years and have a limited experience of the full gamut of sessions although I have been involved with Folk in varied capacities (Morris, Longsword, Rapper, Folk Clubs, Country Dance) for some 36 years. My musicianship is not of a professional (classical) standard and is constrained to some extent (not totally) by what is commonly played and the keys that the commonly played are played in most frequently. I wonder if that describes a large proportion of sessioneers?
There is certainly a class difference between professional musicians who can whip a tune around the cycle of fifths without blinking and arrange an augmented or diminished finish on the fly, and the rest of us who tend to pick up tunes as they are played, in the key they are played - in the old style of the oral / aural tradition I guess. Should the two mix or is it a recipe for disaster?
The Session Diary is read widely as you know, not just here in Kent but further afield like Sussex and beyond. Rumours circulate that it is read abroad as well.
When I first envisioned the diary, I thought of a cross between the Archers and some comedic writer with more talent than I, such as Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams. For the laws of dramatic effect, ironic narrative and post-neo-reconstructionist chuckles sometimes the situations are exaggerated. Just a tad. I also make a point of only naming where praise is due, never when foibles are being exposed - we all have them. Don't we?
But it does raise an interesting question which I've mentioned before. I have only played in sessions for 10 years and have a limited experience of the full gamut of sessions although I have been involved with Folk in varied capacities (Morris, Longsword, Rapper, Folk Clubs, Country Dance) for some 36 years. My musicianship is not of a professional (classical) standard and is constrained to some extent (not totally) by what is commonly played and the keys that the commonly played are played in most frequently. I wonder if that describes a large proportion of sessioneers?
There is certainly a class difference between professional musicians who can whip a tune around the cycle of fifths without blinking and arrange an augmented or diminished finish on the fly, and the rest of us who tend to pick up tunes as they are played, in the key they are played - in the old style of the oral / aural tradition I guess. Should the two mix or is it a recipe for disaster?
Monday, January 28, 2008
Monday 28th January 2008
I thought the topic for this week might be an area of session etiquette that doesn't crop up very often but it's worth exploring a little. Firstly, everyone has a different notion of the term session and those who attend other sessions have different expectation. Nevertheless, it is vitally important to a) establish the nature of your own session and b) be flexible to accommodate other ideas - to a point. This is the tricky bit. Do you run a session so that everyone who comes knows what kind of session it is, or do you run a session without any plan at all and wait to see who turns up?
I must admit I am a firm believer in the former. I have seen some seriously peeved sessioneers who have turned up to play some tunes only to find the session taken over by (and all these have happened), singers, a band, blues players or a different session. This happens when the session isn't led and is of the unplanned type or is led but anything goes. I guess it's horses for courses. You know the type of session you are going to (well you do after the first visit) and you don't have to go again.
One breach of etiquette though which is unforgivable, is when a performer or an act turn up, start no session friendly tunes at all but do play their own material and it becomes apparent that the session is being used as a trial for something which should be in a folk club. Now that's naughty.
Secondly, a session is *NOT* a lower grade of Folk Club. Now this attitude does really annoy me. There are those (yes, I know it's hard to believe) who think that if you can, you do it in a Folk Club, if you can't, try an Open Mic, and if you can't do that, turn up to a session - it's only a pub with virtually no audience. Sessions are for musicians. Full stop, end of story. No, I'm not interested that it's the only night they can come out. No, you're wrong if you think that one song won't hurt. Please, go to singers' night at the folk club. Please.
Anyway, I'm happy to report that the Wednesday Irish has got some new players (a guitarist and a mandolin player so far) and the return of Serena the fiddler is very welcome. The session certainly achieved lift off last week. I think everyone is happier now that it's back at the Anchor. Beau Webber has put a number of tunes on Kent Folk. Four are free or download the lot for a small fee (proceeds to the sessioneers refreshment fund. Thank you).
The Thursday mixed session saw a couple who you may have come across on the folk circuit. Gavin Atkin and Julie Arnott joined us in the Bear. Gavin builds boats and plays Jefferies Duet Concertina and fiddle and Julie has a stunningly good voice. Beyond that, not much is known except they didn't seem to take the traditional Sussex / Kent rivalry with the humour that was intended but I'm sure they'll get over it. Gavin has asked that we spread the word about the Kent Folk Gathering in March at Frittenden. I think you're more likely to see them at the Royal Oak Folk Club in Lewes where as it happens they have a gig next month. The Dan Quinn / Will Duke gig of Scan Tester's music looks interesting.
The Watershed Band contingent return from the Land of the Long White Sheep soon and should be there on Thursday with Wheeler Street (Yes a band. See above).
I must admit I am a firm believer in the former. I have seen some seriously peeved sessioneers who have turned up to play some tunes only to find the session taken over by (and all these have happened), singers, a band, blues players or a different session. This happens when the session isn't led and is of the unplanned type or is led but anything goes. I guess it's horses for courses. You know the type of session you are going to (well you do after the first visit) and you don't have to go again.
One breach of etiquette though which is unforgivable, is when a performer or an act turn up, start no session friendly tunes at all but do play their own material and it becomes apparent that the session is being used as a trial for something which should be in a folk club. Now that's naughty.
Secondly, a session is *NOT* a lower grade of Folk Club. Now this attitude does really annoy me. There are those (yes, I know it's hard to believe) who think that if you can, you do it in a Folk Club, if you can't, try an Open Mic, and if you can't do that, turn up to a session - it's only a pub with virtually no audience. Sessions are for musicians. Full stop, end of story. No, I'm not interested that it's the only night they can come out. No, you're wrong if you think that one song won't hurt. Please, go to singers' night at the folk club. Please.
Anyway, I'm happy to report that the Wednesday Irish has got some new players (a guitarist and a mandolin player so far) and the return of Serena the fiddler is very welcome. The session certainly achieved lift off last week. I think everyone is happier now that it's back at the Anchor. Beau Webber has put a number of tunes on Kent Folk. Four are free or download the lot for a small fee (proceeds to the sessioneers refreshment fund. Thank you).
The Thursday mixed session saw a couple who you may have come across on the folk circuit. Gavin Atkin and Julie Arnott joined us in the Bear. Gavin builds boats and plays Jefferies Duet Concertina and fiddle and Julie has a stunningly good voice. Beyond that, not much is known except they didn't seem to take the traditional Sussex / Kent rivalry with the humour that was intended but I'm sure they'll get over it. Gavin has asked that we spread the word about the Kent Folk Gathering in March at Frittenden. I think you're more likely to see them at the Royal Oak Folk Club in Lewes where as it happens they have a gig next month. The Dan Quinn / Will Duke gig of Scan Tester's music looks interesting.
The Watershed Band contingent return from the Land of the Long White Sheep soon and should be there on Thursday with Wheeler Street (Yes a band. See above).
Monday, January 21, 2008
Monday 21st January 2008
There has been much talk this week on the Session grapevine of attracting new blood. Not that the sessions are in danger of dying exactly, but the more musicians that make up critical mass as it were, the better. Within reason of course. We wouldn't want an imbalance of any one instrument or heaven forbid that people should dash off and rifle their cutlery draw and head for their nearest session.
No, this is more of a question of how to advertise the session and attract the errr right sort of person. I'm nervous of that phrase because we don't do normal in any sense of the word and 'right sort of person' sounds like being vetted for a club. 'So tell me, ahm, Fozzy, how do you feel about Shetland Tunes in an Irish Session eh?'. No, not that at all. The right sort are musicians, and sessioneers dedicated to the art of traditional music as done in the Local Session. That's all.
Well it turns out that the local Music School won't allow their pupils to associate with the riff-raff who play tunes without music in front of them. 'But it can't possibly be the same two times running!' they exclaim. Exactly, we say. But I think there are rebels who secretly want to throw off the shackles of classical oppression and, dare one say, wing it. So they want some tunes to give them a pointer. We know that writing tunes down is against the tradition but let's face it, they have been noted down for a long time - even before Playford. But in writing them down, we write a skeleton, a bare outline of the tune. Ornament as you will. That's difficult for the scholars that is. 'But there isn't a triplet there and that top A is supposed to last for a beat and a half'. You can hear it now. Will the worlds ever meet and learn to get on?
Tonight is Tilmanstone for a mixed session although it will probably take a distinctly Auvergnat turn somewhere in the evening. I hope to make it along because a) I don't have my usual dancing tonight and b) it's nice to support sessions especially when their sessioneers are kind enough to turn out to support you. Wednesday now seem firmly established back at the Anchor in Wingham. That's the Irish Session. Jezz if you're reading this, we're back at the Anchor. We may do the odd Sunday at the Beverlie.
Thursday is the last Bear session before the old leader returns. On the 31st he has organised his son's band to attend with entourage. I suspect there will not be much of a session that night. If you want free entertainment it should be good. If you want to play tunes, you may not be as lucky.
No, this is more of a question of how to advertise the session and attract the errr right sort of person. I'm nervous of that phrase because we don't do normal in any sense of the word and 'right sort of person' sounds like being vetted for a club. 'So tell me, ahm, Fozzy, how do you feel about Shetland Tunes in an Irish Session eh?'. No, not that at all. The right sort are musicians, and sessioneers dedicated to the art of traditional music as done in the Local Session. That's all.
Well it turns out that the local Music School won't allow their pupils to associate with the riff-raff who play tunes without music in front of them. 'But it can't possibly be the same two times running!' they exclaim. Exactly, we say. But I think there are rebels who secretly want to throw off the shackles of classical oppression and, dare one say, wing it. So they want some tunes to give them a pointer. We know that writing tunes down is against the tradition but let's face it, they have been noted down for a long time - even before Playford. But in writing them down, we write a skeleton, a bare outline of the tune. Ornament as you will. That's difficult for the scholars that is. 'But there isn't a triplet there and that top A is supposed to last for a beat and a half'. You can hear it now. Will the worlds ever meet and learn to get on?
Tonight is Tilmanstone for a mixed session although it will probably take a distinctly Auvergnat turn somewhere in the evening. I hope to make it along because a) I don't have my usual dancing tonight and b) it's nice to support sessions especially when their sessioneers are kind enough to turn out to support you. Wednesday now seem firmly established back at the Anchor in Wingham. That's the Irish Session. Jezz if you're reading this, we're back at the Anchor. We may do the odd Sunday at the Beverlie.
Thursday is the last Bear session before the old leader returns. On the 31st he has organised his son's band to attend with entourage. I suspect there will not be much of a session that night. If you want free entertainment it should be good. If you want to play tunes, you may not be as lucky.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Friday 4th January 2008
Happy New Year to all Sessioneers and readers of this humble Blog.
Inconsiderately, Boxing Day fell on a Wednesday last year and for some reason that meant that the Irish Session had to be cancelled. However, the Thursday session went ahead in a minimalist sort of way. Luckily boosted by a former Desperate Measures member, we played very enjoyable old lumpy sets all night.
A session was arranged at Tilmanstone for New Year's Eve by the Sessioneers who normally do the Monday session there.
This week was back to normal pretty much. For some reason upon which I won't even speculate, the Beverlie was not able to host the Wednesday Irish Session, but the Anchor at Wingham happily had us back. I am happy to report nothing but positive outcomes of this move. The other players realised how good it was playing there. There was no pressure to entertain for free. There is new lino in the Gents. It's easier to get to than anywhere in Canterbury. It's easier to park there than anywhere in Canterbury. My list of tunes - 'Anchor Tunes' is correct again. With any luck, we will go back there and maybe do the Beverlie on an odd Sunday (you know what I mean).
Meanwhile, the Bear continues to be a source of joy for session musicians which in itself presents a dilemma. With the normal leader gone to the land of the long white sheep where clouds are nervous (or is it long white cloud where ... whatever) I have led the session de facto, and led it hopefully as a proper session with everybody (including the singers and the poet) getting a turn if they want it. There is no pressure to start but folks can either start a tune or nominate a tune that they would like to join in with. I think generally that it's the way the sessioneers would like it to continue but of course it will turn back into a band practice / folk club / open mic from the 31st January. Actually, it may be worse because a band have been invited and they will want to play their sets and impress their fans. What to do? Answers on a postcard please to ...
The Irish session is at the Anchor, Wingham again next Wednesday (9th Jan) and the Thursday Bear session will again be a proper session.
Inconsiderately, Boxing Day fell on a Wednesday last year and for some reason that meant that the Irish Session had to be cancelled. However, the Thursday session went ahead in a minimalist sort of way. Luckily boosted by a former Desperate Measures member, we played very enjoyable old lumpy sets all night.
A session was arranged at Tilmanstone for New Year's Eve by the Sessioneers who normally do the Monday session there.
This week was back to normal pretty much. For some reason upon which I won't even speculate, the Beverlie was not able to host the Wednesday Irish Session, but the Anchor at Wingham happily had us back. I am happy to report nothing but positive outcomes of this move. The other players realised how good it was playing there. There was no pressure to entertain for free. There is new lino in the Gents. It's easier to get to than anywhere in Canterbury. It's easier to park there than anywhere in Canterbury. My list of tunes - 'Anchor Tunes' is correct again. With any luck, we will go back there and maybe do the Beverlie on an odd Sunday (you know what I mean).
Meanwhile, the Bear continues to be a source of joy for session musicians which in itself presents a dilemma. With the normal leader gone to the land of the long white sheep where clouds are nervous (or is it long white cloud where ... whatever) I have led the session de facto, and led it hopefully as a proper session with everybody (including the singers and the poet) getting a turn if they want it. There is no pressure to start but folks can either start a tune or nominate a tune that they would like to join in with. I think generally that it's the way the sessioneers would like it to continue but of course it will turn back into a band practice / folk club / open mic from the 31st January. Actually, it may be worse because a band have been invited and they will want to play their sets and impress their fans. What to do? Answers on a postcard please to ...
The Irish session is at the Anchor, Wingham again next Wednesday (9th Jan) and the Thursday Bear session will again be a proper session.
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