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).
Monday, January 28, 2008
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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