There's an idea I like very much, learned from the fiddler, yodeller and organizer Alan Kaufman of Boston, MA. Alan for a while ran themed Old-Time sessions, as in one week it might be a Tommy Jarrell theme, another week it might be the Skillet Lickers, and so on. The idea was everyone would listen to their Skillet Lickers records and be on the same page about playing a bunch of those tunes. People loved it.
So, has anyone tried this at ITM sessions? Paddy Canny week, or Liz Carroll week, John Doherty Thursday, or Paddy O'Brien Sunday? How did it work?
Don't like the sound of that. A bunch of Irish people doing their homework? Being organised? Following the plan? Forget about it. Funny foreign notions.
The only such thing I've run into in Irish music is a Carolan session. I think that is a good idea. some people feel Carolan gets scant attention in most sessions, others think any attention is too much. An announced Carolan session satisfies both, with the latter group heading elsewhere.
We have Hawaiian-themed sessions twice a month at my local. We wear bright Hibiscus-patterned shirts, shorts and sandals, sunglasses -- the works. We play ukuleles and slack-key steel guitars.
I wonder if it would hold up through a three-hour (8 - 11 pm, say) session without the tunes running out or the particular genre, rhythms etc. getting tedious.
I contemplated getting a group together to re-enact soldiers from the Irish brigade from the Civil War. We would show up at re-enactors encampments and other historical celebratory events and places dressed in authentic uniforms and play time appropriate tunes. Uniform cost, however, is prohibitive for now. But I think all that would be fun and, perhaps, educational.
We have Irish themed sessions every week!
In the summer, we also dress in beach clothes like Hawaiian shirts, t-shirts, shorts and sandals. Because we live near the ocean, though, not because it is a theme. Once a tourist actually said to me, "You don't dress like you're Irish." What did she expect, that because we were playing jigs and reels, we should all of us be wrapped in heavy fisherman's sweaters even in the dead of summer??!!??
A few times a year our session leader will ask if we want to do this. In the past we have done "Spooky Tunes" in October "Waltzes" in February, for exampe. Anyone can call any tune, and some are compelled to react rather than join in (fast and furious rather than a waltz, and we had a lot of Hag songs at Valentine's day). It's just a harmless way to encourage people to search out some new tunes, or dust off ones that have been neglected. If you don't like it, don't do it. But we're not a very serious group. We're welcoming to newbies, sometimes have more backers than fiddles, and have never thrown anyone out.
I am all for the local sessions' most versatile piper bringing Highland war-pipes down to one of the sessions and blasting the place out, but he demurs. A head-banging GHB-based session would have been therapeutic...
Um, would people (apart from the Hawaiians, natch, who got it) consider bringing a little more imagination and a little less self-righteousness to bear on the discussion, perhaps?
I'd agree with tracywag:
> It's just a harmless way to encourage people to search out
> some new tunes, or dust off ones that have been neglected.
And people themes are only the beginning, although I know that at some NYC sessions, every week is Michael Coleman week.
For example, Paddy tunes: Paddy Kelly's, Paddy Killoran's, Paddy's Trip to Scotland, Rakish Paddy, etc., etc.
Bird tunes: the Skylark, the Lark in the Morning, This Chicken's Gone to Scotland, The Blackbird, etc., etc
I did an entirely chicken-themed radio show a couple of weeks ago, about half Old-Time and half Irish, and the possibilities for themes are surely endless....
"Um, would people (apart from the Hawaiians, natch, who got it) consider bringing a little more imagination and a little less self-righteousness to bear on the discussion, perhaps?"
Has nothing to do with it. It just doesn't sound terribly interesting to me at all.
SWFL Fiddler, if I ever show up at the pub on Sunday afternoon, I will be sure to bring my Irish brain cells and leave the old-time and bluegrass brain cells at home.
Brad who Silver Spear?(just kidding)
AlBrown, at our local sessions, we do our best not to dress as if we are Irish--except for the rare occasions when someone shows up wearing a kilt and that is supposed to be Scottish.
Tracywag, at the local session yesterday evening, we had more backers than melody players but we still managed to have a good time.
A "chicken-themed radio show" ewallace? That sounds like a fowl idea to me.
Particularly considering that you *did* actually ask if anyone would like to try it
"no, not really" appears to me to be a reasonable answer to that question.
So to expand on my earlier response:
No I think it is is a frankly awfull idea for an irish session, at in the format proposed in your initial post.
I'm not a big fan of sets lifted from cds, particulary from the latest trendy offerings.
Most of the tunes I like and play I have learned because someone I know has played them and they caught my fancy. My main musical inspirations have been the people I have known, and whilst I do enjoy listening to the odd cd, comercial recordings generally come a poor second for me.
A traditional session themed to be "tribute band of the week" sounds like a bollux of an idea to me, pretty much the worst idea i've heard in a long time. Sorry if that isn't the answer that you wanted, but I prefer real cream to artificial.
Some of the other answers took theme to mean dressing up etc. That isn't really my cup of tea either in general (though I would have liked a bit more of an effort from the attendees at my "wren boys" party ). But dressing up sounds like a much more acceptible idea to me that many would find fun. At least it wouldn't artificially constrain the music.
I didn't feeel at all sefl righteous until your latest posting. Ironically enough it was your own self righteous tone that provoked the same mood in myself. Funny how these things set each other off like dominos.
There's something wonderful about just letting the music take over. When you don't know what tune might come up next.
Sure, a few will flop & fizzle. That happens too. But then; a grand tune starts up & you just get caught up in a good session.
Maybe a session themed round the Brisbane Cockroach Races (subject of an earlier thread).
The proud emotions of the cockroach owners - the passions of the punters - the demi-monde of pickpockets, cockroach sabotage et cetera going on, and the growl of the banjos making the cockroaches go, go, GO...!! What a theme for an extended musical exploration!
I assume there is a twenty-foot painting of this in Brisbane, like "Derby Day" or "The Blaydon Races" in England...
Fidkid, have you ever been unfortunate enough or so desperate for a cheap thrill that you have attended a "filksing" at a Star Trek convention or science fiction convention?
Never been to a filkfest <shudder>. I love both SF and music, and when they go together like “Space Oddity” or “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” it’s fantastic. Maybe I’ve just never heard GOOD filk. Dunno. It’s just not for me.
I think if a session needs a theme beyond good music, good friends and a drink or two then something’s wrong.
Fidkid, I am glad to read that you have never been to a filkfest and I recommend that you continue to avoid them because they have very little appreciation or understanding of instrumental talent or abilities. Filkers are more interested in clever songs about science fictional subjects and one-upmanship. They aren't much interested in cooperation and making music together with other people whether or not they are accompanying or just playing melody or singing.
I attended some filksings at various science fiction conventions because I like to read science fiction when I am not pretending to be a musician. However, I prefer playing music at Irish Sessions and various other music "jam sessions" because I get to do more playing and less listening to some fool who is trying to show off how clever he or she is with their songs (which is typical of a filksing at a science fiction convention).
Themed sessions?
Themed sessions?
There's an idea I like very much, learned from the fiddler, yodeller and organizer Alan Kaufman of Boston, MA. Alan for a while ran themed Old-Time sessions, as in one week it might be a Tommy Jarrell theme, another week it might be the Skillet Lickers, and so on. The idea was everyone would listen to their Skillet Lickers records and be on the same page about playing a bunch of those tunes. People loved it.
So, has anyone tried this at ITM sessions? Paddy Canny week, or Liz Carroll week, John Doherty Thursday, or Paddy O'Brien Sunday? How did it work?
Anyone want to try it?
Edward
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by ewallace
Re: Themed sessions?
Don't like the sound of that. A bunch of Irish people doing their homework? Being organised? Following the plan? Forget about it. Funny foreign notions.
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by Hammurabi Breathnach
Re: Themed sessions?
The only such thing I've run into in Irish music is a Carolan session. I think that is a good idea. some people feel Carolan gets scant attention in most sessions, others think any attention is too much. An announced Carolan session satisfies both, with the latter group heading elsewhere.
Dan
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by curamach
Re: Themed sessions?
We have Hawaiian-themed sessions twice a month at my local. We wear bright Hibiscus-patterned shirts, shorts and sandals, sunglasses -- the works. We play ukuleles and slack-key steel guitars.
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Themed sessions?
ahhhhh, no thanks
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by lastnitesfun
Re: Themed sessions?
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Themed sessions?
I wonder if it would hold up through a three-hour (8 - 11 pm, say) session without the tunes running out or the particular genre, rhythms etc. getting tedious.
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Themed sessions?
Cripes, I have to beat the old timey and bluegrassers off with a stick already, now you want to invite them?
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Themed sessions?
Since I enjoy playing both old timey and bluegrass music, does that mean I can't come to your session, SWFL Fiddler?
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Themed sessions?
Oh hey Mr. fauxcelt, you can enjoy whatever you like! Knock yourself out!
However on Sundays, at pub, we have an Irish Traditional Music Session, so please play appropriately...
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Themed sessions?
'the' pub, of course. A little afternoon coffee wouldn't do me any harm, obviously. [yawn]
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Themed sessions?
We have theme nights occasionally
The theme for wednesday's desh in the Oran Mor this week will be:
"Topless Night"
Emily, can you tell the two Catherines & Anna?
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Themed sessions?
Actually the whole idea of a themed session sounds really rather horrible
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Themed sessions?
In that case I fully expect to see you, Tam, Ali, and Paddy suitably shirtless. We are for equal-opportunity nudity.
;)
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by TheSilverSpear
Re: Themed sessions?
I am well into the stage where the more I leave to the ladies' imagination the better. No topless nights for me!
Dan
# Posted on April 13th 2009 by curamach
Re: Themed sessions?
I contemplated getting a group together to re-enact soldiers from the Irish brigade from the Civil War. We would show up at re-enactors encampments and other historical celebratory events and places dressed in authentic uniforms and play time appropriate tunes. Uniform cost, however, is prohibitive for now. But I think all that would be fun and, perhaps, educational.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by feardearg
Re: Themed sessions?
We have Irish themed sessions every week!
In the summer, we also dress in beach clothes like Hawaiian shirts, t-shirts, shorts and sandals. Because we live near the ocean, though, not because it is a theme. Once a tourist actually said to me, "You don't dress like you're Irish." What did she expect, that because we were playing jigs and reels, we should all of us be wrapped in heavy fisherman's sweaters even in the dead of summer??!!??
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by AlBrown
Re: Themed sessions?
Aye, but all the fellas at the session in question look like Brad Pitt.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by TheSilverSpear
Re: Themed sessions?
A few times a year our session leader will ask if we want to do this. In the past we have done "Spooky Tunes" in October "Waltzes" in February, for exampe. Anyone can call any tune, and some are compelled to react rather than join in (fast and furious rather than a waltz, and we had a lot of Hag songs at Valentine's day). It's just a harmless way to encourage people to search out some new tunes, or dust off ones that have been neglected. If you don't like it, don't do it. But we're not a very serious group. We're welcoming to newbies, sometimes have more backers than fiddles, and have never thrown anyone out.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by tracywag
Re: Themed sessions?
(actually that might sound differently to american ears, but I'm sure SS knows what it means)
- chris
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Themed sessions?
I am all for the local sessions' most versatile piper bringing Highland war-pipes down to one of the sessions and blasting the place out, but he demurs. A head-banging GHB-based session would have been therapeutic...
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Themed sessions?
Um, would people (apart from the Hawaiians, natch, who got it) consider bringing a little more imagination and a little less self-righteousness to bear on the discussion, perhaps?
I'd agree with tracywag:
> It's just a harmless way to encourage people to search out
> some new tunes, or dust off ones that have been neglected.
And people themes are only the beginning, although I know that at some NYC sessions, every week is Michael Coleman week.
For example, Paddy tunes: Paddy Kelly's, Paddy Killoran's, Paddy's Trip to Scotland, Rakish Paddy, etc., etc.
Bird tunes: the Skylark, the Lark in the Morning, This Chicken's Gone to Scotland, The Blackbird, etc., etc
I did an entirely chicken-themed radio show a couple of weeks ago, about half Old-Time and half Irish, and the possibilities for themes are surely endless....
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by ewallace
Re: Themed sessions?
"Um, would people (apart from the Hawaiians, natch, who got it) consider bringing a little more imagination and a little less self-righteousness to bear on the discussion, perhaps?"
Has nothing to do with it. It just doesn't sound terribly interesting to me at all.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by lastnitesfun
Re: Themed sessions?
SWFL Fiddler, if I ever show up at the pub on Sunday afternoon, I will be sure to bring my Irish brain cells and leave the old-time and bluegrass brain cells at home.
Brad who Silver Spear?(just kidding)
AlBrown, at our local sessions, we do our best not to dress as if we are Irish--except for the rare occasions when someone shows up wearing a kilt and that is supposed to be Scottish.
Tracywag, at the local session yesterday evening, we had more backers than melody players but we still managed to have a good time.
A "chicken-themed radio show" ewallace? That sounds like a fowl idea to me.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Themed sessions?
ooooh that's a bit grumpy ewallace.
Particularly considering that you *did* actually ask if anyone would like to try it
"no, not really" appears to me to be a reasonable answer to that question.
So to expand on my earlier response:
No I think it is is a frankly awfull idea for an irish session, at in the format proposed in your initial post.
I'm not a big fan of sets lifted from cds, particulary from the latest trendy offerings.
Most of the tunes I like and play I have learned because someone I know has played them and they caught my fancy. My main musical inspirations have been the people I have known, and whilst I do enjoy listening to the odd cd, comercial recordings generally come a poor second for me.
A traditional session themed to be "tribute band of the week" sounds like a bollux of an idea to me, pretty much the worst idea i've heard in a long time. Sorry if that isn't the answer that you wanted, but I prefer real cream to artificial.
Some of the other answers took theme to mean dressing up etc. That isn't really my cup of tea either in general (though I would have liked a bit more of an effort from the attendees at my "wren boys" party
). But dressing up sounds like a much more acceptible idea to me that many would find fun. At least it wouldn't artificially constrain the music.
I didn't feeel at all sefl righteous until your latest posting. Ironically enough it was your own self righteous tone that provoked the same mood in myself. Funny how these things set each other off like dominos.
- chris
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Themed sessions?
There's something wonderful about just letting the music take over. When you don't know what tune might come up next.
Sure, a few will flop & fizzle. That happens too. But then; a grand tune starts up & you just get caught up in a good session.
Themed session, eh?
Interesting ;)
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by Random_notes
Re: Themed sessions?
I dunno fauxcelt, that sounds dangerous! If you're like me, you need all your brain cells in one place, and at the same time!
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Themed sessions?
Bugger that,themed pubs are bad enough.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by dafydd
Re: Themed sessions?
Maybe a session themed round the Brisbane Cockroach Races (subject of an earlier thread).
The proud emotions of the cockroach owners - the passions of the punters - the demi-monde of pickpockets, cockroach sabotage et cetera going on, and the growl of the banjos making the cockroaches go, go, GO...!! What a theme for an extended musical exploration!
I assume there is a twenty-foot painting of this in Brisbane, like "Derby Day" or "The Blaydon Races" in England...
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by nicholas
Re: Themed sessions?
My wife tries to tell me the same thing about my brain, SWFL Fiddler.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Themed sessions?
I thought "Topless Night" meant that I am not supposed to wear my hat while I am playing, ramblingpitchfork.
# Posted on April 14th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Themed sessions?
Oh, and I forgot to mention our "Star Trek Thursdays".
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Themed sessions?
Fetish feis.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by jwvansteenwyk
Re: Themed sessions?
Ooo, kinky! Talk about "The Flogging Reel" eh? Hoo wee.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Themed sessions?
some of our regulars are slightly dislexic, and confusing "topless night " with "topples night" drink till they topples over.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: Themed sessions?
Fidkid, have you ever been unfortunate enough or so desperate for a cheap thrill that you have attended a "filksing" at a Star Trek convention or science fiction convention?
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by fauxcelt
Re: Themed sessions?
Never been to a filkfest <shudder>. I love both SF and music, and when they go together like “Space Oddity” or “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” it’s fantastic. Maybe I’ve just never heard GOOD filk. Dunno. It’s just not for me.
I think if a session needs a theme beyond good music, good friends and a drink or two then something’s wrong.
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by fidkid
Re: Themed sessions?
Filk is a new one by me, sounds fascinating though, glorious and splendid in its nerditry!
# Posted on April 15th 2009 by SWFL Fiddler
Re: Themed sessions?
Fidkid, I am glad to read that you have never been to a filkfest and I recommend that you continue to avoid them because they have very little appreciation or understanding of instrumental talent or abilities. Filkers are more interested in clever songs about science fictional subjects and one-upmanship. They aren't much interested in cooperation and making music together with other people whether or not they are accompanying or just playing melody or singing.
I attended some filksings at various science fiction conventions because I like to read science fiction when I am not pretending to be a musician. However, I prefer playing music at Irish Sessions and various other music "jam sessions" because I get to do more playing and less listening to some fool who is trying to show off how clever he or she is with their songs (which is typical of a filksing at a science fiction convention).
# Posted on April 17th 2009 by fauxcelt