I am an American Irish fiddler who'll be living in Brentford (London) for the next 6 months, and am looking for a regular session to attend. Is Mick O'Connor's session at Molly Malone's in Kew still happening? That would certainly be convenient, since Brentford is just on the other side of Kew Bridge.
I am also curious about session etiquette in the UK. I've played regularly in NYC sessions, and there, the polite thing to do was to bring your tape recorder and record a few sessions first before showing up with your fiddle. Does the same hold true across the pond? Some of my favorite tunes include Rights of Man, The Kesh, Morrison's jig, Drowsy Maggy, Banish Misfortune, Julia Delaney's, Musical Priest, The Banshee, Kid on the Mountain etc. etc. Are these tunes familiar to folks out here? Of course, every session has its favorites and I'm going to have to learn new tunes anyway, but just curious.
Most of my session visits outwith Aberdeen in the UK are one-offs and I'm usually accepted OK.
With that list of tunes I'd guess you'd be OK to dive in and play along for at least a couple of tunes on the first visit, speaking generally, because I don't know that particular session.
Still it wouldn't hurt to chat to a couple of sessioneers when you first get there, explain where you're coming from musically, before firing up your fiddle. I'm sure they'll welcome you with open ears.
I suspect most UK sessioneers would agree that taping a few visits before you even start to play is a bit over-cautious, even if preferable to barging in . Most (well, all really) UK sessions I've been to are very social and they are not too precious about with whom, what and when you can play. Even if you're crap, they'll tolerate you for a (very) short while!
No the Molly Malones one doesn't take place anymore.Used to be a good one as well.Don't know of anymore that might be around that area,perhaps someone else might.There are a few listed on the sessions section of this site based around Hanwell which would be fairly convenient to Brentford.Good luck!
Very disappointed that the session at Molly Malone's has been cancelled, since that was within walking distance! However, thank you very much for the e-mails and links. Any chance I'd catch any of you at a London session?
Im sure if you put the word out you will find one close enough to you. You could always jump on a Ryan Air flight to Dublin and make a weekend of it! You shouldn't worry to much about bringing your instrument along on the first night, bring your recorder too. You will find that some of the players at the table would love to know as many tunes as you do.
Ali - Come to the Duke of York, Hanwell, on a Monday Night (see 'Sessions'). It's a short bus ride from Brentford. You might find me hiding behind a beard and a mandolin. Mick O'Connor's sessions, as you will know, are usually very warm and welcoming, so I wouldn't worry too much about 'rules'. If you know the tune, play it - if not, listen, record, or go to the other side of the pub and talk at moderate volume.
There's a session in Twickenham as well - unfortunately that's also on a Monday.
Here's another one easy to get to ... Friday nights has a session at Jack Stamp's (pub) on Chiswick High Street, a short bus ride from Brentford. Last time I was there it went on until 2am or so.
That's most of the week covered I think! Sometimes I wish I still lived in London...
Thank you all so much for such great suggestions! Captain Morgan's pub is just up the street from me, I know *exactly* where that is, but I never would have guessed that they have a session. Definitely count me in. I'll also check out the Duke of York next Monday (and I'll look for you, Mountain Goat , and the one at Jack Stamp's too. Soooo excited! Can't wait!
Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Hi there:
I am an American Irish fiddler who'll be living in Brentford (London) for the next 6 months, and am looking for a regular session to attend. Is Mick O'Connor's session at Molly Malone's in Kew still happening? That would certainly be convenient, since Brentford is just on the other side of Kew Bridge.
I am also curious about session etiquette in the UK. I've played regularly in NYC sessions, and there, the polite thing to do was to bring your tape recorder and record a few sessions first before showing up with your fiddle. Does the same hold true across the pond? Some of my favorite tunes include Rights of Man, The Kesh, Morrison's jig, Drowsy Maggy, Banish Misfortune, Julia Delaney's, Musical Priest, The Banshee, Kid on the Mountain etc. etc. Are these tunes familiar to folks out here? Of course, every session has its favorites and I'm going to have to learn new tunes anyway, but just curious.
Looking forward to fiddling again,
Ali
# Posted on December 30th 2004 by titania_iii
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Ali
Most of my session visits outwith Aberdeen in the UK are one-offs and I'm usually accepted OK.
With that list of tunes I'd guess you'd be OK to dive in and play along for at least a couple of tunes on the first visit, speaking generally, because I don't know that particular session.
Still it wouldn't hurt to chat to a couple of sessioneers when you first get there, explain where you're coming from musically, before firing up your fiddle. I'm sure they'll welcome you with open ears.
I suspect most UK sessioneers would agree that taping a few visits before you even start to play is a bit over-cautious, even if preferable to barging in . Most (well, all really) UK sessions I've been to are very social and they are not too precious about with whom, what and when you can play. Even if you're crap, they'll tolerate you for a (very) short while!
# Posted on December 30th 2004 by Bren
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
No the Molly Malones one doesn't take place anymore.Used to be a good one as well.Don't know of anymore that might be around that area,perhaps someone else might.There are a few listed on the sessions section of this site based around Hanwell which would be fairly convenient to Brentford.Good luck!
# Posted on December 30th 2004 by cunnla
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Check Mick Bailey's website at http://www.belsizesquare.freeserve.co.uk/
he lists a few sessions in West London.
You should be able to get out to Slough for the Herschel Arms session from Brentford by train.
# Posted on December 30th 2004 by Paul_draper
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Very disappointed that the session at Molly Malone's has been cancelled, since that was within walking distance! However, thank you very much for the e-mails and links. Any chance I'd catch any of you at a London session?
# Posted on December 30th 2004 by titania_iii
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Im sure if you put the word out you will find one close enough to you. You could always jump on a Ryan Air flight to Dublin and make a weekend of it! You shouldn't worry to much about bringing your instrument along on the first night, bring your recorder too. You will find that some of the players at the table would love to know as many tunes as you do.
# Posted on December 31st 2004 by compaqjohn
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
There is a *great* session at Captain Morgan's (Brentford) on Thursday nights ... here's a map link :
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=518717&y=177959&z=1&sv=518750,177750&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
The guys there are friendly and know all the local sessions if you want more.
# Posted on December 31st 2004 by ReubenH
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Forgot to say... the Captain Morgan's pub is a 5 minute walk from Brentford High St, or 10 minutes from Brentford railway station.
And I don't know why it's not in thesession.org's database... I thought I'd put it in there myself!
# Posted on December 31st 2004 by ReubenH
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Ali - Come to the Duke of York, Hanwell, on a Monday Night (see 'Sessions'). It's a short bus ride from Brentford. You might find me hiding behind a beard and a mandolin. Mick O'Connor's sessions, as you will know, are usually very warm and welcoming, so I wouldn't worry too much about 'rules'. If you know the tune, play it - if not, listen, record, or go to the other side of the pub and talk at moderate volume.
There's a session in Twickenham as well - unfortunately that's also on a Monday.
# Posted on December 31st 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Another Magnificent Beard?!
# Posted on December 31st 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Mick O'Connor also does the Prince Albert, Whitton (nr. Hounslow, Twickenham) on a Thursday night.
# Posted on December 31st 2004 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Here's another one easy to get to ... Friday nights has a session at Jack Stamp's (pub) on Chiswick High Street, a short bus ride from Brentford. Last time I was there it went on until 2am or so.
That's most of the week covered I think! Sometimes I wish I still lived in London...
# Posted on January 1st 2005 by ReubenH
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Thank you all so much for such great suggestions! Captain Morgan's pub is just up the street from me, I know *exactly* where that is, but I never would have guessed that they have a session. Definitely count me in. I'll also check out the Duke of York next Monday (and I'll look for you, Mountain Goat
, and the one at Jack Stamp's too. Soooo excited! Can't wait! 
# Posted on January 5th 2005 by titania_iii
Re: Session at Molly Malone's still on?
Oh, and one more thing: normal starting time is ~ 9:00 pm, right?
# Posted on January 5th 2005 by titania_iii