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).