thought it would be interesting to know if anyone else thinks that session musicians (who dont have "fame" exactly, are better than the "Famous" musicians in a session. (I'm not starting a disscussion on the definition of "fame" or "better" or anything. Just a thought.
but i would rather listen to theses guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efbcf034QB8
than go to a concert.
also, Was wondering if anyone knows the names of these tunes. (i know moving cloud)
of course there are people (well-known people) who play better when they are doing their thing on stage or whatever and when playing in a session they dont contribute to the overall sound. but thats not to say there aren't musicians who thrive on both, there are more of these than there are of ones who can only do the stage thing. there are people who play better in sessions than on stage also.
It's not my taste in music... I'd rather see/hear someone/a band that I like in concert than this . But that's just my ears... the overall sound of this music doesn't make me think or feel "irish" music... maybe "european" it's very eclectic.
wichitafiddler - That's Crazy you Could think this doesn't sound "irish"! This is irish music at it's best. in a session. this is where it began. I think you might have a warped idea of Irish music there in your town. no offence or anything. but alot of Americans idea of Irish music isn't at all acurate.
Well Im new to my town and my idea of Irish music comes from many sources and experiences...
I don't know, I just answered the question proposed... they are great players but my impressions of it are... eclectic and european.... for all I know the players are american or french.... and I have no idea where this was recorded... just "listened" to it.... the recording is bad as well... if I was thereat the time, I may have a different feeling or emotion attached to it from seeing and hearing it....
Went back and listened again... I see at the beginning it says its from Co. Kerry, I didnt pay attention to that the first time..... no change on my opinion of this particular video.
Please, I didn't mean to criticize and as I said great players... and I agree that the heart of the music doesn't always make it to the professional stage. BUt if I had the chance to be there in your video as a listener or player.... or at a Tommy Peoples show... solo fiddle... which has nothing to do with a session.... then I'd go for Peoples!!!!!
Irish music didn't all begin in a session -- pub sessions as we know them are a fairly recent phenomenon. They started in London, in the 1950s. There is a bouzouki there as well which wasn't introduced into the "tradition" until the 60s and by the way, I'm pretty sure not all those musicians are from Ireland. My point is that your disagreement with witchitafiddler should not be because he/she (sorry, can't tell from your profile) is American, as being Irish doesn't automatically give one a better comprehension of Irish music.
Also, what are you asking? Is it do you prefer sessions to gigs? Or is it would you rather hear/play in a session of not famous musicians rather than famous (or even infamous) musicians?
And sorry, talking about accuracy when spelling accurate inaccurately is vaguely funny.
The names of the players are all on the clip as is the year it was made '2004'. The only one I know is Dave Harper playing banjo. I might add that Dave who hailed from Norfolk. UK. originally, has been domicile in County Wexford and Clare for twenty odd years now. He is also excellent on Flute, Whistle, Guitar, Bodhran and Vocals, and is also a member of the 'The Session'. Hopefully he will be able to throw more light on the Utube session than I can. Con Curtain use to be a regular fiddle player at the Sunday Morning Session in The Favourite in London during the Sixties and was at one time the Guvnor of 'The Big Red Balloon Pub' in Battersea, London. Hence the reel 'Con Curtain's Big Red Balloon'
The fiddler in the centre of the shot is Kathryn Nicol, originally from Kirriemuir in Scotland but a long time resident of Edinburgh.
I am not sure if you are maybe asking who people think are the best session musicians in Ireland - sure a tricky question without having heard them all (and still tricky if you have) but I would say that the Clancy sisters must be up there with the best - Irish music at its best.
There's also another mate on the resonator mandolin. I think the poster oft this thread just got away with the title by the skin of their teeth. It could so easily been "Best Irish Session musicians". Ho Ho
Thanks a million for the post lanefest rec. There were always good tunes at the Con Curtin fest.
Con returned home to Brosna some years ago after his time in London and it was decided by the parish that they would not wait till his demise to celebrate this great man so the 'Con Curtin memorial festival' was born. He still enjoys it himself every year and hopefully will for many more.
'Mungo' O'Connor, a fleadh veteran, is playing bodhran, and don't forget Moya Fitzgerald on the fiddle.
The first tune is from Donegal and I think its called 'The Red Crow'.
I wasn't tryin ta make it a competition, was really just tryin to find the names of the tunes and thought I would get some responses this way! And i did.
And i thought everyone should listen to that clip cause they are great musicians.
banjoburger - When ya comin to Louisiana - We need a gud session here!
Tell all i said Hello - from an old Fleadh Bunny!
Ireland is absolutely full of wonderful, "some mute Miltons", who no-one will ever hear off. Every village and town has them, and many of them are better musicians than many "famous" people.
That is simply the nature of the genre, many see it as a night's craic with friends, doing something they like doing. They are not interested in being famous.
i could take a stab at naming a couple of personal prefs if only this question did not include the word "session." only here would people make it a question of "session" musicians. i don't care about "session" musicians, only about itm musicians. there are tons of musicians in ireland who are as good or better than "big name" irish musicians and/or, who many of us would prefer to "name" musicians. some of them are out at sessions, many are not.
We're just a bunch of friends who dont all get together often enough, surely you can see we've been on the whiskey, i think all they had was paddy powers in the the bar that afternoon, happy times. I hadn't seen that one before, its funny.
Had a great time and met some lovely musicians in Brosna that weekend and hope to have many more.
Thats right John Grover...Wow, a long time ago.
Lost touch with John and Martin, seen Nic a few times over the years. But would love to get in touch again.
Sorry about the nostalgic rambling but it made me think, for those of us who have been doing this for a lot of years, and still have the same passion for the music that we always had, dont we all wonder sometimes how all those great friends we have known and played music with in the past are getting on, if they're alive or dead, you know, the ones we said we would always keep in touch with -- but didn't..... Just a late night thought.
Oh and nice one bodhran bliss, thats pretty well how it is!!
I like the shot of Moya demonstrating the (now presumably lost) art of playing with a ciggie firmly held in the bow hand. The ability to do this increased in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed. A long set resulted in a trip to the nearest burns unit
Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
thought it would be interesting to know if anyone else thinks that session musicians (who dont have "fame" exactly, are better than the "Famous" musicians in a session. (I'm not starting a disscussion on the definition of "fame" or "better" or anything. Just a thought.
but i would rather listen to theses guys http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efbcf034QB8
than go to a concert.
also, Was wondering if anyone knows the names of these tunes. (i know moving cloud)
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by lanefest rec.
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
of course there are people (well-known people) who play better when they are doing their thing on stage or whatever and when playing in a session they dont contribute to the overall sound. but thats not to say there aren't musicians who thrive on both, there are more of these than there are of ones who can only do the stage thing. there are people who play better in sessions than on stage also.
I dont really know where im going with this! lol.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by fiddleruairi
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
I think the first one is called "The Can of Worms"
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by domnull
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Farewell to Tchernobyl by Michel Ferry is in there as well.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by vonnieestes
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
It's not my taste in music... I'd rather see/hear someone/a band that I like in concert than this . But that's just my ears... the overall sound of this music doesn't make me think or feel "irish" music... maybe "european" it's very eclectic.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by wichitafiddler
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
wichitafiddler - That's Crazy you Could think this doesn't sound "irish"! This is irish music at it's best. in a session. this is where it began. I think you might have a warped idea of Irish music there in your town. no offence or anything. but alot of Americans idea of Irish music isn't at all acurate.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by lanefest rec.
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Well Im new to my town and my idea of Irish music comes from many sources and experiences...
I don't know, I just answered the question proposed... they are great players but my impressions of it are... eclectic and european.... for all I know the players are american or french.... and I have no idea where this was recorded... just "listened" to it.... the recording is bad as well... if I was thereat the time, I may have a different feeling or emotion attached to it from seeing and hearing it....
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by wichitafiddler
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Went back and listened again... I see at the beginning it says its from Co. Kerry, I didnt pay attention to that the first time..... no change on my opinion of this particular video.
Here's one that stirs my emotions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlNXwB59Zyc
Please, I didn't mean to criticize and as I said great players... and I agree that the heart of the music doesn't always make it to the professional stage. BUt if I had the chance to be there in your video as a listener or player.... or at a Tommy Peoples show... solo fiddle... which has nothing to do with a session.... then I'd go for Peoples!!!!!
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by wichitafiddler
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Irish music didn't all begin in a session -- pub sessions as we know them are a fairly recent phenomenon. They started in London, in the 1950s. There is a bouzouki there as well which wasn't introduced into the "tradition" until the 60s and by the way, I'm pretty sure not all those musicians are from Ireland. My point is that your disagreement with witchitafiddler should not be because he/she (sorry, can't tell from your profile) is American, as being Irish doesn't automatically give one a better comprehension of Irish music.
Also, what are you asking? Is it do you prefer sessions to gigs? Or is it would you rather hear/play in a session of not famous musicians rather than famous (or even infamous) musicians?
And sorry, talking about accuracy when spelling accurate inaccurately is vaguely funny.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
This is great session playing. Does anyone know where it was recorded?
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by SteelPlayer
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
The names of the players are all on the clip as is the year it was made '2004'. The only one I know is Dave Harper playing banjo. I might add that Dave who hailed from Norfolk. UK. originally, has been domicile in County Wexford and Clare for twenty odd years now. He is also excellent on Flute, Whistle, Guitar, Bodhran and Vocals, and is also a member of the 'The Session'. Hopefully he will be able to throw more light on the Utube session than I can. Con Curtain use to be a regular fiddle player at the Sunday Morning Session in The Favourite in London during the Sixties and was at one time the Guvnor of 'The Big Red Balloon Pub' in Battersea, London. Hence the reel 'Con Curtain's Big Red Balloon'
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Correction - The Big Balloon is a Jig and there is no 'Red' in it.
Senior Moment Mea Culpa.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
The bouzouki player is Jerry McNamara.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by Dragut Reis
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
The fiddler in the centre of the shot is Kathryn Nicol, originally from Kirriemuir in Scotland but a long time resident of Edinburgh.
I am not sure if you are maybe asking who people think are the best session musicians in Ireland - sure a tricky question without having heard them all (and still tricky if you have) but I would say that the Clancy sisters must be up there with the best - Irish music at its best.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
that's Jerry errr forgot his second name on the bouzouki, he used to live in Limerick a very long time ago (when I know him)
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by pavlf
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
*knew*
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by pavlf
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
There's also another mate on the resonator mandolin. I think the poster oft this thread just got away with the title by the skin of their teeth. It could so easily been "Best Irish Session musicians". Ho Ho
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Thanks a million for the post lanefest rec. There were always good tunes at the Con Curtin fest.
Con returned home to Brosna some years ago after his time in London and it was decided by the parish that they would not wait till his demise to celebrate this great man so the 'Con Curtin memorial festival' was born. He still enjoys it himself every year and hopefully will for many more.
'Mungo' O'Connor, a fleadh veteran, is playing bodhran, and don't forget Moya Fitzgerald on the fiddle.
The first tune is from Donegal and I think its called 'The Red Crow'.
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by banjoburger
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
I wasn't tryin ta make it a competition, was really just tryin to find the names of the tunes and thought I would get some responses this way! And i did.
And i thought everyone should listen to that clip cause they are great musicians.
banjoburger - When ya comin to Louisiana - We need a gud session here!
Tell all i said Hello - from an old Fleadh Bunny!
# Posted on January 28th 2009 by lanefest rec.
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Ireland is absolutely full of wonderful, "some mute Miltons", who no-one will ever hear off. Every village and town has them, and many of them are better musicians than many "famous" people.
That is simply the nature of the genre, many see it as a night's craic with friends, doing something they like doing. They are not interested in being famous.
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by bodhran bliss
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
i could take a stab at naming a couple of personal prefs if only this question did not include the word "session." only here would people make it a question of "session" musicians. i don't care about "session" musicians, only about itm musicians. there are tons of musicians in ireland who are as good or better than "big name" irish musicians and/or, who many of us would prefer to "name" musicians. some of them are out at sessions, many are not.
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by ceemonster
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
We're just a bunch of friends who dont all get together often enough, surely you can see we've been on the whiskey, i think all they had was paddy powers in the the bar that afternoon, happy times. I hadn't seen that one before, its funny.
Had a great time and met some lovely musicians in Brosna that weekend and hope to have many more.
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by Kathryn35
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Thats right John Grover...Wow, a long time ago.
Lost touch with John and Martin, seen Nic a few times over the years. But would love to get in touch again.
Sorry about the nostalgic rambling but it made me think, for those of us who have been doing this for a lot of years, and still have the same passion for the music that we always had, dont we all wonder sometimes how all those great friends we have known and played music with in the past are getting on, if they're alive or dead, you know, the ones we said we would always keep in touch with -- but didn't..... Just a late night thought.
Oh and nice one bodhran bliss, thats pretty well how it is!!
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by banjoburger
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Kathryn, 35? I thought you were older
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by llig leahcim
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
ha ha ha Michael you're funny, get you back for that on Tues.
# Posted on January 29th 2009 by Kathryn35
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
I like the shot of Moya demonstrating the (now presumably lost) art of playing with a ciggie firmly held in the bow hand. The ability to do this increased in direct proportion to the amount of alcohol consumed. A long set resulted in a trip to the nearest burns unit
# Posted on January 30th 2009 by deeor
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
I vaguely remember there being some bevvy consumed that weekend? great tunes, great people, great laugh! ;oP
# Posted on January 30th 2009 by Petros Thoumireo
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Bewy? Shurely shome mishtake there.
# Posted on February 1st 2009 by dafydd
Re: Best Session Musicians in Ireland.
Ish shat Sean Connery in thish dishcushion?
# Posted on February 2nd 2009 by Kathryn35