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?