Well dear readers, I'm quite excited by the upturn in the fortunes of the Irish Session. Last night we were invited to try the Chequers in Ash. The landlord and locals were appreciative and quite enthusiastic, the sessioneers turned out in decent numbers and there were unexpected guests.
Without a doubt the session was boosted by both Adrian O' with his stories and songs and Eugene Lambe and Caroline with their fantastic music.
Now isn't it just great to be part of a session that provides a place for talent like that when it is in the area? The music just flew and with great lift and rhythm.
The acoustics are good but the beer's a bit pricey. I don't think anyone is going to whinge about that too much though. What exactly the long term future of the session will be is still uncertain but there are two venues now for Wednesday willing to take us. Maybe we'll share.
Tonight is the Bear of course - the strange and strangely-different-every-week entertainment for the regulars of the aforementioned Inn. Eugene and Caroline will be there again and I hope they get a chance to play. In deference to Eugene, I don't think we should inflict the Bear versions of Irish tunes on him!
There may be a very large jug of water on the table as well. I can't say any more.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Sunday 1st February 2009
Things seem to be in flux at the moment in the session world, fuelled by Beau's prognosis of no live music in pubs any more by 2012 based on his analysis of gigs from his excellent Kent Folk website. Just today, a fledgling session (The Parrot) has died due to change of management.
Now we have had a canter about what is and what is not a session on this blog before and opinions vary hugely according to geographical location, ethnicity of the music, type of venue and level of players.
Most session players agree on a few basic things.
1) Session musicians play in sessions for the love of the music and the fellowship and musicianship of other like-minded people.
2) The session is invited to play by the landlord as a mutual thing and it is not beholden on either to outstay their welcome.
3) There is no contract, no payment no expectation of entertainment beyond what happens spontaneously, no 'hidden agenda' of either bands getting bookings or landlords getting in punters. Complimentary drinks or food by an appreciative landlord are welcome but not necessarily expected.
Pubs are closing at an alarming rate. It is not the profitable industry it once was. Rents and business rates are increasing, the smoking ban has decimated the pub drinkers in certain types of pub. The entertainment and performing rights changes have made it more difficult but not impossible. Any landlords left are looking for ways to attract trade or at least to not drive it away. Sessions may not be helpful to the landlord's cause. If eaters bring in the money, the session has to go. That is understandable and nobody's fault.
Sessions - proper sessions can revert to people's kitchens or back rooms or anywhere else. As mentioned above,
'Session musicians play in sessions for the love of the music and the fellowship and musicianship of other like-minded people.' They don't necessarily need pubs.
Most sessioneers will have other outlets for their music - gigs, bands, barn dances, teaching etc and those are very different occasions. In a similar vein, Open Mic events, Folk Club floor spots et al are not places for 'the love of the music and the fellowship and musicianship of other like-minded people'
Sessions are something unique and specific and they are harder and harder to find. All we [sessioneers] want to do is sit down with some fellow musicians and play some tunes. Learn off each other, spark off each other, have a laugh and be moved by the music.
Now we have had a canter about what is and what is not a session on this blog before and opinions vary hugely according to geographical location, ethnicity of the music, type of venue and level of players.
Most session players agree on a few basic things.
1) Session musicians play in sessions for the love of the music and the fellowship and musicianship of other like-minded people.
2) The session is invited to play by the landlord as a mutual thing and it is not beholden on either to outstay their welcome.
3) There is no contract, no payment no expectation of entertainment beyond what happens spontaneously, no 'hidden agenda' of either bands getting bookings or landlords getting in punters. Complimentary drinks or food by an appreciative landlord are welcome but not necessarily expected.
Pubs are closing at an alarming rate. It is not the profitable industry it once was. Rents and business rates are increasing, the smoking ban has decimated the pub drinkers in certain types of pub. The entertainment and performing rights changes have made it more difficult but not impossible. Any landlords left are looking for ways to attract trade or at least to not drive it away. Sessions may not be helpful to the landlord's cause. If eaters bring in the money, the session has to go. That is understandable and nobody's fault.
Sessions - proper sessions can revert to people's kitchens or back rooms or anywhere else. As mentioned above,
'Session musicians play in sessions for the love of the music and the fellowship and musicianship of other like-minded people.' They don't necessarily need pubs.
Most sessioneers will have other outlets for their music - gigs, bands, barn dances, teaching etc and those are very different occasions. In a similar vein, Open Mic events, Folk Club floor spots et al are not places for 'the love of the music and the fellowship and musicianship of other like-minded people'
Sessions are something unique and specific and they are harder and harder to find. All we [sessioneers] want to do is sit down with some fellow musicians and play some tunes. Learn off each other, spark off each other, have a laugh and be moved by the music.
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