Hey All, I'm going to be in Boston for much of the summer on my way from Chicago to Israel. I'm hoping to be joining in in Boston sessions while I'm there and want to make sure I have a few local tunes in my repertoire. So I ask you all:
10 tunes most likely to be played in a Boston Area session (if particular to a specific session, do let me know) and if it helps, I'll be staying in the Newton area.
10: The Kesh Jig
9. Dingle Regatta
8. The Irish Washerwoman
7. Turkey in the Straw
6. Dueling Banjos
5. "That song from Titanic"
4. Danny Boy.
3. Danny Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy.
2. Ashokan Farewell.
...And the number one tune most likely to be played at a Boston session:
1. "Start spreadin' the noooooooos. I'm leavin' todaaaaayyyy...."
I hope that's not true, an old buddy of mine from HS still lives there and goes to sessions pretty often (and I've already asked him the same question) and says they are a fairly good time, so I hope that reports to the contrary are blown out of proportion.
Prior to coming to Boston, I was told the same thing, but as far as my experience goes, I've had a great time! Anything negative that anyone has told me about the Boston scene have been wrong so far. I think it's because the repertoire of tunes are definitely somewhat unique to Boston... ish.. Maybe. Some people have told me that Boston musicians HATE standard tunes or something along those lines, but uhh.. I've heard a good deal of standards in the mix. Could probably vary from session to session..
If there's one session to go to, it's the Brendan Behan Session [Saturday 4:30-7ish]in Jamaica Plain. The people are friendly, welcoming, [hyper at times], and just really damn good at what they do. The repertoire is a mix between standards and Boston tunes [duh.] There's also the Cross Roads Pub [Mondays 9-12] on Beacon St right off of Mass Ave before you cross the bridge to Cambridge.
As for tunes most likely to be played..
Josie McDermott's
Twelve Pins
Chattering Magpie
Sport
Spike Island Lasses
Monaghan Twig
Black Haired Lass
Tom Billy's
Star Above the Garter
Rolling in the Ryegrass
Those are just a handful of the many off of the top of my head..
Chances are, if they're somewhat standard tunes, then they'll know 'em.
Hey, nice to see another person come to the area -- send me an e-mail and let me know whereabouts in Newton you're going to be!
I'll heartily endorse the comments about The Green Briar and The Brendan Behan, and add another recommendation: PJ Ryan's in Somerville, Sundays at about 8 p.m. (Although it may be preempted if the Red Sox are playing at night). Small, welcoming, and a good overall feel. I need to start going there more often myself!
The Crossroads is back again, after a fairly long hiatus.
There are dozens of sessions around the Boston area, covering a wide range of tastes and attitudes. How competitive, friendly, open, or musically picky they might be is mostly a function of who plays there. People tend to play with people who share their aesthetic, and Boston has plenty of options when it comes to Irish music.
If you're new in town, your best bet is to go to a few of them, and see where you feel comfortable. But going to the Green Briar on a Monday night is a good place to start.
Boston Sessioners
Boston Sessioners
Hey All, I'm going to be in Boston for much of the summer on my way from Chicago to Israel. I'm hoping to be joining in in Boston sessions while I'm there and want to make sure I have a few local tunes in my repertoire. So I ask you all:
10 tunes most likely to be played in a Boston Area session (if particular to a specific session, do let me know) and if it helps, I'll be staying in the Newton area.
# Posted on May 3rd 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: Boston Sessioners
10: The Kesh Jig
9. Dingle Regatta
8. The Irish Washerwoman
7. Turkey in the Straw
6. Dueling Banjos
5. "That song from Titanic"
4. Danny Boy.
3. Danny Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy.
2. Ashokan Farewell.
...And the number one tune most likely to be played at a Boston session:
1. "Start spreadin' the noooooooos. I'm leavin' todaaaaayyyy...."
Have a great time! Let us know how it goes!
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: Boston Sessioners
It doesn't look like jwv is being terribly helpful
I'm told that Boston sessions are terribly competitive and kind of less-than-fun.
Is this true, I wonder?
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by morning star
Re: Boston Sessioners
I hope that's not true, an old buddy of mine from HS still lives there and goes to sessions pretty often (and I've already asked him the same question) and says they are a fairly good time, so I hope that reports to the contrary are blown out of proportion.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: Boston Sessioners
You're probably right.......
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by morning star
Re: Boston Sessioners
Morning Star,
Prior to coming to Boston, I was told the same thing, but as far as my experience goes, I've had a great time! Anything negative that anyone has told me about the Boston scene have been wrong so far. I think it's because the repertoire of tunes are definitely somewhat unique to Boston... ish.. Maybe. Some people have told me that Boston musicians HATE standard tunes or something along those lines, but uhh.. I've heard a good deal of standards in the mix. Could probably vary from session to session..
If there's one session to go to, it's the Brendan Behan Session [Saturday 4:30-7ish]in Jamaica Plain. The people are friendly, welcoming, [hyper at times], and just really damn good at what they do. The repertoire is a mix between standards and Boston tunes [duh.] There's also the Cross Roads Pub [Mondays 9-12] on Beacon St right off of Mass Ave before you cross the bridge to Cambridge.
As for tunes most likely to be played..
Josie McDermott's
Twelve Pins
Chattering Magpie
Sport
Spike Island Lasses
Monaghan Twig
Black Haired Lass
Tom Billy's
Star Above the Garter
Rolling in the Ryegrass
Those are just a handful of the many off of the top of my head..
Chances are, if they're somewhat standard tunes, then they'll know 'em.
Cheers,
Armand
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by fiddlinviolinin
Re: Boston Sessioners
1) save your Monday nights
2) click on my screen name
3) go to my Tunebook
4) that's the core repertoire of what we play at the Greenbriar
Let me know exactly where in the Newton area you are staying; I teach in the Newton schools. You are going to have a great summer here in Boston.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Boston Sessioners
Did the Crossroads session start up again? I thought it died out some time ago with the change in ownership.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Steve L
Re: Boston Sessioners
Hey, nice to see another person come to the area -- send me an e-mail and let me know whereabouts in Newton you're going to be!
I'll heartily endorse the comments about The Green Briar and The Brendan Behan, and add another recommendation: PJ Ryan's in Somerville, Sundays at about 8 p.m. (Although it may be preempted if the Red Sox are playing at night). Small, welcoming, and a good overall feel. I need to start going there more often myself!
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by sts
Re: Boston Sessioners
Hey everyone, thanks so much! Looking forward to hopefully meeting you all in a couple of months
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by matan_fiddler
Re: Boston Sessioners
The Crossroads is back again, after a fairly long hiatus.
There are dozens of sessions around the Boston area, covering a wide range of tastes and attitudes. How competitive, friendly, open, or musically picky they might be is mostly a function of who plays there. People tend to play with people who share their aesthetic, and Boston has plenty of options when it comes to Irish music.
If you're new in town, your best bet is to go to a few of them, and see where you feel comfortable. But going to the Green Briar on a Monday night is a good place to start.
# Posted on May 4th 2007 by Georgi