I've been having mixed thoughts about the blog recently, I don't mind telling you. The sessions don't seem remarkably different from other times and I don't want to write the same thing again. I could treat it as a diary I suppose and say:
Wednesday. Irish Session. Usual suspects. Nothing special happened.
Thursday. Mixed Lumpy. Lots there. Usual Pleasant Chaos.
But that would be pointless.
And then I have to be careful what I write and about whom, just in case anyone is reading this. I have had occasion, difficult to believe I know, where individuals have taken umbrage at what I wrote. I think that is a creative handcuff and stifles the very essence of what makes it enjoyable. I suppose that I could make it subscription only.... mmmm.... there's a thought. Then I could be as scurrilous as I liked.
And then we are now being asked to keep blogs at work. I daren't write a work blog in my style (see paragraph above) and frankly, I'd rather write this one.
And lastly. Does anyone read this? Well I do get an occasional request for the next installment of simple session folk but by and large I wonder whether the effort is worth it. Maybe a subscription only service will uncover the closet readers.
Well. News. Mike and Ruth will be away for the next two weeks so I will lead the sessions and generally keep things moving along but it will be in my style. For those of you who have not experienced my style, it is more or less classic session. After a few warm-ups, the entire assembly is asked (sort of in turn) if they have a tune or a set they would like to do, or if shy, one they would like to nominate a tune or set for us all to do. If it all goes quiet, I will start something we all know and generally keep things going until the muse returns.
Mike and Ruth will be back for St George's Day with a promise of Roast Beef!
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Wednesday 4th March 2009
And what a roller coaster ride it is on the session scene! More ups and downs than ....... Ok better stop there.
After the heated debate on pubs and music and all the ideas that flowed in (such as musicians paying landlords to use the pub for a session!) it seemed that things were getting back to normal.
The Thursday gathering at the Bear was polled for tunes that each musician wanted to play. These were gathered into a list and then run through giving some musicians a better chance to play something they wanted. I much prefer an organic session without lists where anybody might start a new or interesting or half forgotten tune. But it is definitely a move in the right direction for many of the regulars.
The Irish session is once again subdued but not by comments, rather self imposed by a few rejections. Well, I say rejections, in reality it was one pub who is closing on a Sunday night until the Summer so there is no session there for a while. It was a new session and was only once a month but it happened to be the one at the centre of the 'controversy'.
The sessioneers have taken this as an omen that the session-god is displeased and has given us a sign to lay-off, learn some new sets and find some new bodies. Or maybe we're over-reacting.
For those who don't know, the third Bear Bones book is available 'Grandson of Bear Bones', but at the moment, you'll have to email me or catch me on a Thursday in the Bear when I usually have a few about my person.
Note to self: I must add it to the mail order on my site!
Session joke:
Q - How do you kill a circus?
A - Go for the Juggler
Happy Sessioning.
After the heated debate on pubs and music and all the ideas that flowed in (such as musicians paying landlords to use the pub for a session!) it seemed that things were getting back to normal.
The Thursday gathering at the Bear was polled for tunes that each musician wanted to play. These were gathered into a list and then run through giving some musicians a better chance to play something they wanted. I much prefer an organic session without lists where anybody might start a new or interesting or half forgotten tune. But it is definitely a move in the right direction for many of the regulars.
The Irish session is once again subdued but not by comments, rather self imposed by a few rejections. Well, I say rejections, in reality it was one pub who is closing on a Sunday night until the Summer so there is no session there for a while. It was a new session and was only once a month but it happened to be the one at the centre of the 'controversy'.
The sessioneers have taken this as an omen that the session-god is displeased and has given us a sign to lay-off, learn some new sets and find some new bodies. Or maybe we're over-reacting.
For those who don't know, the third Bear Bones book is available 'Grandson of Bear Bones', but at the moment, you'll have to email me or catch me on a Thursday in the Bear when I usually have a few about my person.
Note to self: I must add it to the mail order on my site!
Session joke:
Q - How do you kill a circus?
A - Go for the Juggler
Happy Sessioning.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Thursday 5th February 2009
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.
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.
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