Recently went to a Sunday night session in a well-known Dublin traditional music pub. Great music, with a fiddle, box, flute and guitar.
As the night wore on, a man walked in (probably early to mid 50s), sporting a grey ponytail, earrings, and rings on his thumbs. He was carrying a circular leather bag. It looked ominous. After a while, he indeed produced a bodhrán from the bag and proceeded to join. Granted, he was a reasonably good player, but some of the tunes just didn't need it.
Anyway (and I'm sure you've all seen something similar) he was getting a bit restless as time went on. Eventually, after some gentle 'persuasion' he was called upon to do a sole piece. He then proceeded to sing a Paddy Cole-type medley of jazz and country numbers, all the while accompanying himself on the bodhrán! One of the songs was 'Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home'.
It's one of the most unusual turns I've seen at a session. Don't know what it was all for, but he could at least get a medal for some form of originality!
I remember a guy been called to do a song one night at a session and he sang the old Nat King Cole number 'Unforgettable' It seemed out of place at the time, yet when you think about it, there are no rules that say what type of song a person may sing. We were all looking at one another with an uncomfortable look yet if he sang eg: The Good Ship Kangaroo nobody would have gave a sh*t.
I remember a mad session in Co Clare (or was it Crossmaglen?) where some guy kept us all entertained with a great old traditional song entitled "I like eating meeces". Anyone know more about this ancient ditty?
I saw a melodeon player at a house concert one night do Johnny B Goode as an encore and it brought the house dowm(metaphorically).
I have a version of the 70s moog synthesiser tune "Popcorn" that I play on tenor banjo, but none of the record companies are interested. Neither is anyone else.
Thats nothing! just last month Ihear a wonderful version of "Kung Foo Fighting" at a session, on fiddle and guitar, with a button acordian to round it out. the whole place was in hysterics by the time they got to the "ohhhhhh ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhs"! whew, funny
Bore-on
Bore-on
Recently went to a Sunday night session in a well-known Dublin traditional music pub. Great music, with a fiddle, box, flute and guitar.
As the night wore on, a man walked in (probably early to mid 50s), sporting a grey ponytail, earrings, and rings on his thumbs. He was carrying a circular leather bag. It looked ominous. After a while, he indeed produced a bodhrán from the bag and proceeded to join. Granted, he was a reasonably good player, but some of the tunes just didn't need it.
Anyway (and I'm sure you've all seen something similar) he was getting a bit restless as time went on. Eventually, after some gentle 'persuasion' he was called upon to do a sole piece. He then proceeded to sing a Paddy Cole-type medley of jazz and country numbers, all the while accompanying himself on the bodhrán! One of the songs was 'Them Old Cotton Fields Back Home'.
It's one of the most unusual turns I've seen at a session. Don't know what it was all for, but he could at least get a medal for some form of originality!
# Posted on December 15th 2009 by amhrán
Re: Bore-on
I've heard 'Ring of Fire' accompanied by banjo and bodhrán at a session in Portlaoise. Beat that!
# Posted on December 15th 2009 by molaoch
Re: Bore-on
Paddy Cole? You're showing your age, amhrán!
# Posted on December 15th 2009 by MacCruiskeen
Re: Bore-on
I remember a guy been called to do a song one night at a session and he sang the old Nat King Cole number 'Unforgettable' It seemed out of place at the time, yet when you think about it, there are no rules that say what type of song a person may sing. We were all looking at one another with an uncomfortable look yet if he sang eg: The Good Ship Kangaroo nobody would have gave a sh*t.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: Bore-on
I remember a mad session in Co Clare (or was it Crossmaglen?) where some guy kept us all entertained with a great old traditional song entitled "I like eating meeces". Anyone know more about this ancient ditty?
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Bore-on
I saw a melodeon player at a house concert one night do Johnny B Goode as an encore and it brought the house dowm(metaphorically).
I have a version of the 70s moog synthesiser tune "Popcorn" that I play on tenor banjo, but none of the record companies are interested. Neither is anyone else.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Tony O'Rourke
Re: Bore-on
I like eating meeces? Is that like the B Kliban poem:
Love to eat them mousies,
Mousies what I love to eat.
Bite they little heads off...
Nibble on they tiny feet.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by ethical blend
Re: Bore-on
Some great stories. And yes Floss, I am of that age!
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by amhrán
Re: Bore-on
Didn't you like this gadgy with the pony tail, ear rings, and rings on his fingers?
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by gedpipes
Re: Bore-on
That's the one, ethical blend!
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Bore-on
Thats nothing! just last month Ihear a wonderful version of "Kung Foo Fighting" at a session, on fiddle and guitar, with a button acordian to round it out. the whole place was in hysterics by the time they got to the "ohhhhhh ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhhhhhhhhs"! whew, funny
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by reaghan
Re: Bore-on
The Sid Vicious version of "My Way" would be one of our regulars.
No bodhran on it, too busy pogoing.
# Posted on December 16th 2009 by bodhran bliss