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!