Is it always the music that brings people to sessions?
The reason for my question stems from the fact that I attended our weekly session the other night purely for the grub (it was two days to payday I was broke and hungry - In my defence I played tunes for a couple of hours before I hit the jackpot) Has anybody else turned up at a session with a motive totally unrelated to the music?
No, it's always the music and nothing else. No one ever goes just for the drinking, eating, talking, flirting, skirt lifting, wandering hands, kissing....ahem, pardon me, what were we talking about?
I've always gone for the music, but I have to say that when I was living in the dorms, it was definately one of the highlights of my week to be able to go and eat some good free food!
I usually go for the nude babes dancing on stage... and the private lap-dances are great too. The drinks are way too expensive though, and they never have food. (I'd be afraid of it if they did) Oh... were you guys talking about sessions?
This gives rise to a more interesting question, given a choice would you go to a session where the music was mediocre but the food and drink were excellent or to a session where the music was top class but there was no food or drink?
What type of session were you talking about Jack? Oh! ITM sessions, yes. I go for altruistic and Platonic reasons related to the music only as a service to humanity and tsunami relief. Do you have the phone number?
Years ago, just after finishing a session at Spec's in North Beach, we were walking past The Condor when a barker tried to lure us inside. I asked jokingly if there was a session inside. He said there was (of course) and opened the door. I asked if the barman would give us free drinks like we got at Specs if we played a few tunes. He said he'd work it out for us -- so in we went.
I always go for the music, but sometimes stay for the drink, then maybe the food. I like to arrive in the pub right when the food hits the table, then I can sneak a few tunes in while Danielle is having her dinner. : P
Jack should visit us on a Wednesday, and he can jump across the street for the lap dance when the session gets boring.
Speaking of which - how would Irish lap dance? Irish dance is such a stand up-vertical thing. Has the King of Dance Flatly developed a technique yet? Jack: you need to start a lap dancing thread to see how many offers you get. Bodhran Bliss just got 144 posts on that Irish for the Irish thread. Who knows, it might be close competition.
What's the record for the thread with the most posts here?
400!!!!! Wow! That must have taken time to build up that far. I would try to open this thread, but I think my old computer will get frightened and tell me I'm performing an illegal operation. Impressive!
Yea, I think I had only been a member of this site for about a week before I found the raw nerve and touched it. The entire Internet whinced that day I think. The lesson to be learned is never to use "public performance" and "session" in the same sentence... or same thread for that matter.
If in the rare event I stumble across a Session when I am out of town or something I go for the music. Last time I didn't even get free food or drink but I have quite a few times for playing GHBs in bars.
Kerri: In light of the fixation here on lap dancing, do you want to clarify your statement about going to look down your nose at everyone that wasn't doing it right? Just a second thought.
Michael Gill and Bodhran Bliss might have had a chance at the record with one single thread with a few more provocative wind ups. Maybe that is Bliss' secret agenda. 400 is the mother of all verbal tsunamis. Did everyone wear out for awhile after that?
(Warning: serious response) I would actually jam with others for the fun of it, call it a session or not.
As a total purist it's the music only. I was in that place Jack mentioned and by the time I left, 45 minutes, most of the lap dancers were passable on viola.
We all go because there is a session, but for all the ingredients, not just the music.
Anybody says different is a liar.
Maybe I'll get 1,4000 posts saying "You calling me a liar". But I doubt it.
hmmm- I've noticed most of you who've posted on this are in America. I don't know if its the sessions I've tried in Britain but theres generally not a scrap of food in sight here- its all music and alcohol. If anyone can tell me any different then please do! I go for the music but I wouldn't say no to some grub at times.
What's interesting is when someone brings some sort of sticky finger-licking type food to a session -- it just sits there.
On the other hand, I've always enjoyed the sandwiches they put out for the musicians at Hughes during a session. It soaks up the Guinness suds and makes it seem like there's room for another two or three pints... lovely.
I can think of two or three local sessions where it's worthwhile to show up early and have a meal first. At one of them it's free for musicians even.
The Plume of Feathers in Bristol usually provides sandwiches for the troops towards the end of the evening. Another Plume of Feathers in Somerset used to host an excellent fortnightly Sunday evening session, but that unfortunately is no more. The management there fed us with a good cooked supper. It is noteworthy that both pubs provide food for their customers, so it's no great trouble (although much appreciated by the musicians) for them to feed us at the end of the evening.
Trevor
Getting back to the main topic. For the musicians, the music is always the main thing. However, the punters(Sorry, I know that many of you don't like that term) will be attracted to a session for a variety of reasons. Often, they can (maybe not) make but they're always capable of breaking a session.
Ah Jack - Can't we at least have an audio track of Irish Lap Dancing? If it is Irish Dancing ON someone's lap, it has got to be ...."ooch! ouch! ooch! ouch!" JohnJ: I can live with "Punter" if it isn't said affectionately I haven't seen a session "break" by fact of people there NOT for the music. Maybe others have had the experience.
I do not drink beer or eat sandwichs, and do my musical socializing at open mics or in private homes, as they present more opportunity for doing so, so, yes, I'd say I go to sessions just for the music.
Which I am more inclined to listen to, study and just plain enjoy than participate in.
When they start offering free 50 year old Hennessy I might be inclined to modify my behavior.
But, dont you ever feel left out? Not joining in the session? It would kill me. I have been known to hijack peoples whistles in my youth rather than just listen, I`m addicted to the musical high you see. Perhaps you`re immune. But the best part about sessions is the ability to mix socializing and music together.
Maybe you being a man of mystery and all that is camafloge for the fact that really in your spare time you`re a musical genius.
Not from not drinking beer, not from not eating sandwichs, and not from not playing in the session, no, I don't. How can be "left" out when I am "out" by my own choice? I do not take my self image from the acceptence of others. I take it from myself.
What's more, on a more subtle level, I do not think it's fair to say I do not participate in the session, I simply do not often participate as a *player.* I am there for the music, and my role is quite active, even if I'm quietly blending into the crowd at the back of the room hoping that noone will recognize me and ask me to play. When I am induced to play I try to do so in a manner that adds something to the session (i.e. my abscence would be noticed), but does not intrude into the music (my presence is not noticed).
This is difficult for me, since I'm really a very poor session player. You learn what you practice.
"I`m addicted to the musical high you see."
So am I, and have already posted that the day I stop playing music is the day that I have effectively died. Emergency measures to restore my life or pulling the plug would be called for. I simply recognize that a session is not the only way to play music, not even the only way to play music with a group, and not a very *good* way to play music as a social event. I'm afraid the "folkies" do that better, at least for me.
I can get my musical high perfectly well just skipping down the sidewalk playing my whistle for myself, or playing fiddle on the back porch for my cat, or , perhaps best of all, while sitting under a 200 year old tree by the Battenkill river passing time until the evening rise.
Different craic for different . . . .ummmmmm, folk (is there a Gaelic word for "folk" that rhymes with "craic"?)
"Maybe you being a man of mystery and all that is camafloge. . ."
I thought it was obviously camouflage for something, as well as a notice that the whole thing not be taken overly seriously, since the phrase implies "a doofus with bad teeth."
But some people feel "left out" at the hint of a secret. I guess that's why there are tabloids.
Is it always for the music?
Is it always for the music?
Is it always the music that brings people to sessions?
The reason for my question stems from the fact that I attended our weekly session the other night purely for the grub (it was two days to payday I was broke and hungry - In my defence I played tunes for a couple of hours before I hit the jackpot) Has anybody else turned up at a session with a motive totally unrelated to the music?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Fudge
Re: Is it always for the music?
Yes -- usually to either drink, or hang out with friends, or both.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
No, it's always the music and nothing else. No one ever goes just for the drinking, eating, talking, flirting, skirt lifting, wandering hands, kissing....ahem, pardon me, what were we talking about?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: Is it always for the music?
I've always gone for the music, but I have to say that when I was living in the dorms, it was definately one of the highlights of my week to be able to go and eat some good free food!
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by DTE
Re: Is it always for the music?
Jesus, Will. I gotta get back up to Helena. ;)
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
I go to look down my nose at everyone who isn't doing it properly. If I want "music" I'll go listen to my old Michael Coleman LPs, thankyou very much.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Is it always for the music?
I usually go for the nude babes dancing on stage... and the private lap-dances are great too. The drinks are way too expensive though, and they never have food. (I'd be afraid of it if they did) Oh... were you guys talking about sessions?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
And you're yanking my chain about MY thoughts? Tut tut tut.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
This gives rise to a more interesting question, given a choice would you go to a session where the music was mediocre but the food and drink were excellent or to a session where the music was top class but there was no food or drink?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Fudge
Re: Is it always for the music?
Yes, always for the music. But the complimentary food and beer is nice too.
Jack, I worry about you. No wonder you can never remember the tune names.
Will, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Jim
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Worldfiddler
Re: Is it always for the music?
You left out the choice about sessions with private lap-dances, Fudge.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
Fudge, how hungry am I? And can I play an hour or two for the food and then go to the other one later?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
John, I know ALL the girls names... I MEAN TUNES. Uh... tune's names. *ahem*
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
LOL. Hiya, Jimmy James Jim, I'll be back in a bit!
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
What type of session were you talking about Jack? Oh! ITM sessions, yes. I go for altruistic and Platonic reasons related to the music only as a service to humanity and tsunami relief. Do you have the phone number?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
The pub's on Broadway near Columbus, Michael.
True story time...
Years ago, just after finishing a session at Spec's in North Beach, we were walking past The Condor when a barker tried to lure us inside. I asked jokingly if there was a session inside. He said there was (of course) and opened the door. I asked if the barman would give us free drinks like we got at Specs if we played a few tunes. He said he'd work it out for us -- so in we went.
How do you think the story ended?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
Is this a family rated web site?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
I always go for the music, but sometimes stay for the drink, then maybe the food. I like to arrive in the pub right when the food hits the table, then I can sneak a few tunes in while Danielle is having her dinner. : P
Jack should visit us on a Wednesday, and he can jump across the street for the lap dance when the session gets boring.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Jode
Re: Is it always for the music?
Jack - now I know your reason for posting at this web site.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Really? What is it? I've been wondering that for a while now.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
Speaking of which - how would Irish lap dance? Irish dance is such a stand up-vertical thing. Has the King of Dance Flatly developed a technique yet? Jack: you need to start a lap dancing thread to see how many offers you get. Bodhran Bliss just got 144 posts on that Irish for the Irish thread. Who knows, it might be close competition.
What's the record for the thread with the most posts here?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
You *don't* want to know.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: Is it always for the music?
"What's the record for the thread with the most posts here?"
See the "individualism" thread.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
400!!!!! Wow! That must have taken time to build up that far. I would try to open this thread, but I think my old computer will get frightened and tell me I'm performing an illegal operation. Impressive!
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
Yea, I think I had only been a member of this site for about a week before I found the raw nerve and touched it. The entire Internet whinced that day I think. The lesson to be learned is never to use "public performance" and "session" in the same sentence... or same thread for that matter.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
Er, that *was* a teachable moment, eh?
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: Is it always for the music?
Jack --- try same county, maybe? ;) Quite a thread that was.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by sara g
Re: Is it always for the music?
If in the rare event I stumble across a Session when I am out of town or something I go for the music. Last time I didn't even get free food or drink but I have quite a few times for playing GHBs in bars.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: Is it always for the music?
Jack, you used the words "performance" and "session" in the same sentence above. How could you?
Don't you know they are not the same thing?
What does anyone else think about this??
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by grego
Re: Is it always for the music?
Save time and just yell at Jack now.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
Kerri: In light of the fixation here on lap dancing, do you want to clarify your statement about going to look down your nose at everyone that wasn't doing it right? Just a second thought.
Michael Gill and Bodhran Bliss might have had a chance at the record with one single thread with a few more provocative wind ups. Maybe that is Bliss' secret agenda. 400 is the mother of all verbal tsunamis. Did everyone wear out for awhile after that?
(Warning: serious response) I would actually jam with others for the fun of it, call it a session or not.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
As a total purist it's the music only. I was in that place Jack mentioned and by the time I left, 45 minutes, most of the lap dancers were passable on viola.
We all go because there is a session, but for all the ingredients, not just the music.
Anybody says different is a liar.
Maybe I'll get 1,4000 posts saying "You calling me a liar". But I doubt it.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Is it always for the music?
You calling me a liar? One. Just ribbing as usual.
# Posted on March 31st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
You liar. (Hah, there, got that out of the way....)
Two.
Umm, wouldn't an Irish lap dance be kind of painful. I mean, those shoes they wear....
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Michele Sims
Re: Is it always for the music?
Not to say anything of the fact that the feet come down quite hard over and over again, on the balls of the foot. Could do some serious damage.
Are you calling me a liar?!? Three.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
I dunno, some slides, a nice polka...
LIAR! Four.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Jode
Re: Is it always for the music?
hmmm- I've noticed most of you who've posted on this are in America. I don't know if its the sessions I've tried in Britain but theres generally not a scrap of food in sight here- its all music and alcohol. If anyone can tell me any different then please do! I go for the music but I wouldn't say no to some grub at times.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Caraaz
Re: Is it always for the music?
What's interesting is when someone brings some sort of sticky finger-licking type food to a session -- it just sits there.
On the other hand, I've always enjoyed the sandwiches they put out for the musicians at Hughes during a session. It soaks up the Guinness suds and makes it seem like there's room for another two or three pints... lovely.
I can think of two or three local sessions where it's worthwhile to show up early and have a meal first. At one of them it's free for musicians even.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
I'll describe as best I can what an Irish lap dance is below.
[CENSORED]
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
The Plume of Feathers in Bristol usually provides sandwiches for the troops towards the end of the evening. Another Plume of Feathers in Somerset used to host an excellent fortnightly Sunday evening session, but that unfortunately is no more. The management there fed us with a good cooked supper. It is noteworthy that both pubs provide food for their customers, so it's no great trouble (although much appreciated by the musicians) for them to feed us at the end of the evening.
Trevor
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Is it always for the music?
You calling me a liar
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Is it always for the music?
psssst... hey BB.... if you want your thread to clock 400 talk about sessions and public performances... this liar business wont cut it.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Phantom Button
Oh wait... this isn't your thread... nevermind.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Is it always for the music?
Getting back to the main topic. For the musicians, the music is always the main thing. However, the punters(Sorry, I know that many of you don't like that term) will be attracted to a session for a variety of reasons. Often, they can (maybe not) make but they're always capable of breaking a session.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Johnny Jay
Re: Is it always for the music?
Ah Jack - Can't we at least have an audio track of Irish Lap Dancing?
If it is Irish Dancing ON someone's lap, it has got to be ...."ooch! ouch! ooch! ouch!" JohnJ: I can live with "Punter" if it isn't said affectionately 
I haven't seen a session "break" by fact of people there NOT for the music. Maybe others have had the experience.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
Getting back to the topic of this thread, Jack has trouble remembering what to call the tunes because they're always giving him fake names.
(I just love it when people who can't think of a wiseass remark of their own try to drag us all back into a serious discussion.)
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by Kerri Brown
Re: Is it always for the music?
They ain't Irish but they are lap dancing, CeolCairdeas.
http://www.rimpparemmi.com/theatre.php?lt=1
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by ∅
Re: Is it always for the music?
Personallly I think the guy in the suit is particularly authentic!!
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: Is it always for the music?
I just say the new Japanese robot, Asimo. Maybe we could just get a group of Asimos for the session and just hang out with the food and booze.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
Laitch: you need to capitalize the "l" in lap, as it refers to ethnic (Finnish) Lap dancing. )^: )^: )^:
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
I once knew a Finnish carpenter.
She didn't capitalize lap.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by ∅
Re: Is it always for the music?
Wouldn't that be called "Lap lap dancing." (Being a Grammar Nazi here). Sounds a bit redundant doesn't it. Was she?
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Is it always for the music?
I do not drink beer or eat sandwichs, and do my musical socializing at open mics or in private homes, as they present more opportunity for doing so, so, yes, I'd say I go to sessions just for the music.
Which I am more inclined to listen to, study and just plain enjoy than participate in.
When they start offering free 50 year old Hennessy I might be inclined to modify my behavior.
KFG
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by KFG
Re: Is it always for the music?
God. KFG.
That must be great craic..................
But, dont you ever feel left out? Not joining in the session? It would kill me. I have been known to hijack peoples whistles in my youth rather than just listen, I`m addicted to the musical high you see. Perhaps you`re immune. But the best part about sessions is the ability to mix socializing and music together.
Maybe you being a man of mystery and all that is camafloge for the fact that really in your spare time you`re a musical genius.
# Posted on April 1st 2005 by wreckin` rea
Re: Is it always for the music?
Don't go encouraging him, Rea!
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Is it always for the music?
"But, dont you ever feel left out?"
Not from not drinking beer, not from not eating sandwichs, and not from not playing in the session, no, I don't. How can be "left" out when I am "out" by my own choice? I do not take my self image from the acceptence of others. I take it from myself.
What's more, on a more subtle level, I do not think it's fair to say I do not participate in the session, I simply do not often participate as a *player.* I am there for the music, and my role is quite active, even if I'm quietly blending into the crowd at the back of the room hoping that noone will recognize me and ask me to play. When I am induced to play I try to do so in a manner that adds something to the session (i.e. my abscence would be noticed), but does not intrude into the music (my presence is not noticed).
This is difficult for me, since I'm really a very poor session player. You learn what you practice.
"I`m addicted to the musical high you see."
So am I, and have already posted that the day I stop playing music is the day that I have effectively died. Emergency measures to restore my life or pulling the plug would be called for. I simply recognize that a session is not the only way to play music, not even the only way to play music with a group, and not a very *good* way to play music as a social event. I'm afraid the "folkies" do that better, at least for me.
I can get my musical high perfectly well just skipping down the sidewalk playing my whistle for myself, or playing fiddle on the back porch for my cat, or , perhaps best of all, while sitting under a 200 year old tree by the Battenkill river passing time until the evening rise.
Different craic for different . . . .ummmmmm, folk (is there a Gaelic word for "folk" that rhymes with "craic"?)
"Maybe you being a man of mystery and all that is camafloge. . ."
I thought it was obviously camouflage for something, as well as a notice that the whole thing not be taken overly seriously, since the phrase implies "a doofus with bad teeth."
But some people feel "left out" at the hint of a secret. I guess that's why there are tabloids.
KFG
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by KFG
Re: Is it always for the music?
Wow!
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Is it always for the music?
You can say that again.
KFG
# Posted on April 2nd 2005 by KFG