Thursday 30th January 2009

The Wednesday night Irish session is once again following a nomadic existence, having been made homeless by the closure of yet another pub. Three of the pubs that have hosted the session have closed. I hope that's a coincidence. Anyway, feeling a bit like the Israelites, the sessioneers roam around East Kent looking for a suitable place to pitch up and settle. The George at Molash has been very accommodating for the past 2 weeks. Unfortunately, it is designed more for drinking and eating than musicians, so the acoustics are not the best. Nonetheless, we are very grateful for somewhere to play. Next week, we are trying the Chequer Inn at Ash who seem keen on giving us a try. I never like that phrase. 'Keen on giving us a try' usually means - free music, boosts the punters. I mean there must be a bit of quid pro quo in situations like that and maybe there will be.

The session at the Simple Parrot on the first Sunday is still going but is under threat from lack of audience. The Yew Tree at Barfrestone is interested in a Sunday session and I think a few more possibilities are in the offing.

But on the what-would-be-lumpy-English-if-it-weren't-for-the-porridge-scene, it goes from strength to strength. Last Thursday had a Burn's Supper complete with Ernie dressed as a Scot giving the address and stabbing the Haggis. A very nice plate of neaps, tatties and haggis followed and some acceptable Scottish tunes were played. Richard sang some Scots songs and everybody was happy. For those who don't know, Burns fathered 14 illegitimate children and died at 38 from a heart attack.

And he wrote poetry. I guess writing poetry is a hazardous occupation.

I am very pleased to see so many players but it is hard to play sometimes. As the number of instruments increases, so the sound sort of smears into a less lumpy consistency. I think the beat gets lost. Andy calls it porridge. Porridge may still be too lumpy as a descriptor.

I have noticed that the promise of free food does tend to bring out sessioneers who we haven't seen for a while. Must be a coincidence, surely.

As it is always different every week in the Bear, I wonder what tonight will bring?