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What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

I've worded this question so that it should be as inclusive as possible. Therefore, you might wish to mention your favourite gig, festival, recording, session, meeting, tune you learned, good craic experienced or whatever(even discussions from this board are a possibility :-) )

Probably my highlights include seeing Tommy Peoples live for the first time in 30 years and eventually having the patience to master "The Bucks"(the essence of all diddley?) in its entirety. You can argue whether the latter was worth if it, as you will. :-)

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by Johannes J

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Good man John. It's now time we had a tune together

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by llig leahcim

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

In one, coming to London and sitting in on the most amazing sessions. Maybe that's too general though... specifically, then: the Dave Williams Weekend in Slough. The Crown and Cushion sesh rates pretty highly too :-D

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by Q

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Mine has to have been the Durham Folkworks week, followed closely by seeing Lunasa at Trowbridge festival. Oh, and of course meeting Q ;-)

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by NeilC

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

All-night session with Dow in October
Or, drinking and dancing crazy dance with Harry Bradley, Paul O'Shaughnessy and Seosamh Ó Neachtain in March

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by slainte

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

There were SO many great moments this year (including many great sessions in town), but a few specific ones that stick out to me as being my favourite moments:

1. The Old Songs Festival in Altamont, NY - Brian McNamara was there and he was just amazing. But the best moment was probably watching John Whelen chase a little girl through the audience while playing a brilliant reel set on his accordion. I don't think I've ever laughed that hard at an Irish trad concert.

2. The Mick Moloney & Friends concert that was a benefit for St. Malachy's in Philadelphia. Not only did we get to see Mick Moloney, John Doyle, and Billy McComiskey (among others) in concert, but I got a chance to meet and chat with Ed Reavy's son.

3. Just recently we played a gig for a local Irish dance school - non-competitive, doing it for the love of the music and the dance. It was truly enjoyable playing for them and they were probably the most appreciative audience I've ever played for.

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by Crysania

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Mmm. Crown and Cushion sesh's WAY up there, for sure, as was my entire London trip with all the London gang. Rooming with Conan, Jase, and Brides at E. Durham was great, as was roaming NYC with everyone.

Playing at the Ft. Collins session with John Carr and crew has had some fantastic moments, and watching Dirk's toddler "play" his little toy guitar alongside our backer George at one of our regular sessions was priceless. And the Scruffy Murphy's sessions have been fun this year and...geez, they're all going to make the list if I don't stop. :)

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

For me, it was sitting in a session at Zoukfest in New Mexico. That particular session had John Carty, Matt & Shannon Heaton, Randal Bays, Roger Landes, Luke Plumb, and a half empty bottle of Jameson's.

It was a night of mighty tunes, even though much of it was beyond my ability to join in.

Or maybe it was the Jameson's ;-)

Pete

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by Reverend

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Yep, Matt, Zinafest at the Crown and Cusion was probably it for me. Don't anyone take this the wrong way, but it hasn't been too exciting a year musically. Most of the Blythe sessions were pretty reasonable as well though.

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by xyz

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

This will be easy for me. It was when Patrick Eagan showed me how to use the phantom button last summer.

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by Phantom Button

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

This has been a truely amazing year. I've been lucky engough to go to two Tionol's, several outstanding house concerts, three unbelieveable Irish festivals and attend workshops with Tommy Peoples, Kevin Burke, Patrick Ourceau and Randal Bays! I've had the good fortune to play in sessions from East Durham to Phoenix with awesome players. Best of all, this year is not over yet! There two days left!

Picking a favorite from all of that is really impossible but if pressed to it, I'd have to say it was the first night at a new session here. There were just four of us playing - it was spot on pure craic.

I have to say I'm a very lucky guy.

Ken

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by RogueFiddler

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Defintiely going to Ireland for the first time for Willie Week and voluntarily drowning in its loveliness..... Maaaaan......... ::sniff:: GOOD TIMES =[

Cheers,
Armand

# Posted on December 29th 2005 by fiddlinviolinin

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Meeting Zina.
:-)

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Ottery

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

*blush* :) 'Twas nice meeting Jerry too.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Playing at a session in Mayo with a crowd from manchester, and McGoldrick didn't turn up.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

the donegal fiddle school week in august and the friday night session at Biddy's in glencolmcille despite several appearances by the gardai.
that and all the deleted threads on this site!

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by biggus dave

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

It's not been a year stuffed full of Irish musical highlights, life's been too chaotic for any music highlights really, but the Kilkenny Tavern and Blythe Hill sessions in London are the clear winners. I don't get out much at all, and to get to sessions overseas and meet folks was something I didn't think I'd ever do.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Tish

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Here are my highlights:

Meeting and playing with Zina. Meeting and hanging with Helen. Laughing and laughing some more with Joyce.

Playing at several (Lord knows how I did it--I barely can do it at sessions at home--I was hanging on by a thread and a prayer!) sessions when I was in Ireland. ( I was touched by the warmth and welcoming friendliness which was given to me while I was there.)

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Andee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Milwaukee Irishfest: Seeing Jean Butler dance onstage 10 feet from me; that Sunday afternoon session in the Lakefront pub with the group from near Chicago ; the session in the Gaeltacht tent after that.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by mmelec

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Seeing Planxty live in January in the Barbican, London...amazing. Also Celtic Connections was really good this year with all the big names.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by ecidralla

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

* Crown & Cushion session - kudos Danny.
* White Horse Wake at The Bohola - kudos Doily and Tom.
* Being welcomed by other London sessions after the Horsh died.
* Playing at The Woodbine with folk I hand't seen for decades.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Orson Carte

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Cheers Orson, but the playing from you, leftheris and the Mulvey were central to the success of the C&C that night.
BTW, the Blythe last night was probably the best of the year, maybe not so much for the quality of the music (which was pretty good anyway) but for the general level of craic, bonhommie and just general good-time drunkenness. This morning The Good Lady asked me what time I'd got in at. I made a stab at maybe 2.30am? Nope, her and some freinds were still up at 3.00am chatting. So God knows what bliddy time it was when I crawled up the hill. Great fun.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by xyz

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

I havn't done much this year. I enjoyed going to the local session the odd week but there were no main gigs or people I met. I really have to get out on my own soon!!!

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by PaddyCmusic

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Oh I dunno, Danny -- the musicians-formerly-known-as-Horsheens may have been our alpha musicians for the evening, but I'd say that enjoyment of each other from everyone was the real formula for success that night! And it wouldn't have happened if you hadn't gotten it together. :)

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

My favourite moment was when I re-classified my instrument as a complete plank - I am now forever absolved of any responsibility for mistakes in my playing.
Free at last, thank God almighty.....
Best wishes for the new year to all.

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by hurleystick

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

LOL, I can see it now. Master Hurley brings his certified Strad down to ye olde violin emporium for an appraisal. They open the case. "Och, aye, what ye've got chere is a right fookin plank, ye boyo." Master Hurley then goes on to wide acclaim as a virtuouso planker (not to be confused with plonker)....

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Will CPT

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Oooo, I wanna be a virtuoso planker! Me! Me! :)

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Don't worry about the confusion, Master Harmon, as I am currently working on unifying the two into a natural, symbiotic whole - "Simplify, simplify, simplify" (not that I'm trying to think about what someone else thinks, God forbid).
And Zina, in that case we should start a band - perhaps with Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Liam O'Flynn, and Christy Moore. But what on earth would we call it????????
Regards, and this is only meant in jest of course...

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by hurleystick

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

*smirk*

# Posted on December 30th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

That may be so, Zina. As I said in our emails, I didn't really do too much, just phoned up John the governor. Perhaps John is the real hero of the event. I agree, though, it was the meeting up that really stole it. Meeting yourself, Ottery, Geoff, Jerry, Neil and (consciously) Leftheris for the first time was something else - sensory overload! Then it's always a large charge being priveleged to be in the company of Orson, Conan, Mulvey, Helen, Q; Johnny Gaughan and Christian; thon Crossey fella (god, were the pair of us not shcutterred last night?); and of course no monumental session night would not be complete without the presence of Bernard. Ach, it was a faq'n perfect night altogether.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by xyz

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Don't forget Polly, I thought she was lovely. And of course Mrs. Ottery. But you're right, John probably really is the real hero, what a spread that was!

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

I didn't forget Polly, and she is lovely, and,
wot. a. player.
I was thinking of people round here. But then, that train of thought falls flat as Christian doesn't come on here......

So, Poly as well!

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by xyz

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Erm,

...Polly.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by xyz

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Oh Yeah. Nearly forgot. You should have kid[s] Zina. Real or adopted. You'll make a wonderful mum. Easily much better than many goin around now. And you'd love it. I know you would. Trust me.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by xyz

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Begining to feel like I'm intruding by even reading this thread now.... Er, well ... ahem. Anyway, i had a great time at the Crown & Cushion, depsite spending most of the time with my flute in my lap. It was a fantastic testament to the general bonhomie and good nature of the people who frequent this site that I felt at home amongst you despite having little to say or play. And if Polly were here I'd thank her too - she was the first to arrive and very easy to talk to. And as you say Danny, played beautifully.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by NeilC

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

LOL -- Kate is the most wonderful and understanding of all women, and I hope to the heavens above that you appreciate her, David (which I know you do). Gloucester Cathedral will remain one of my fondest memories *ever* despite having to cower by the tower door while you and Helen larked about the battlements.

Neil, you got to sit and talk to Polly all on your own? I don't know who to envy more, you or her. :)

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by Zina Lee

P.S.

(Another one.) Danny, what, are you MAD?! LOL -- pity the poor child in my hectoring grasp.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Irish Arts Week in East Durham. Music lessons on the box with Jackie Daly.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by hughor

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

2 things: First, flitting about the NE US with Zina, Brides, Conan and company this past summer, even though I'm not very good at recognizing train stations or understanding how it takes certain people so long to get ready in the mornings ;).

Second, being asked to sit in and play at a recent ceili. Still psyched about that.

Fun year musically for me. Looking forward to '06.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by Jason G

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

*smirk* Silly man. And here I'd forgotten ALL about that SNAFU. hehehe. And you better not be talking about ME in the mornings, I thought I did well enough on the Jason Impatience Scale! But you're forgiven for the view out your grandmother's window over the lake at dawn. And for not snapping my head off for having a conversation about said view at dawn while you were still mostly asleep. :)

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Whatever hasn't been forgotten (those were a few crazy weeks) is definitely forgiven. All is good with the world :).

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by Jason G

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Quite a few great moments for me:
1. Pub sessions with Jackie Daly, Edel Fox and others in Milltown Malbay in January.
2. A house session with Kitty Hayes and Josephine Marsh in Mullagh in January.
3. A concert at my house with Brian McNamara in June.
4. A concert at my house with Jackie Daly, Edel Fox, and Paul DeGrae in July.
5. A concert at my house with the Kane Sisters in September.

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by GaryAMartin

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

the abbeygael festival in whitby, discovering this site, and actually going to sesisons : )

# Posted on December 31st 2005 by flisstle

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Listening would have been when I saw Liz Carroll and John Doyle. Playing, we have had a few times when the local session really clicked together, and a great time was had by all. No special guests, just good friends having fun.

# Posted on January 2nd 2006 by AlBrown

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Friday Harbor was a pretty fun time this year, and Lark Camp was wonderful, too. Kevin Crehan taught fiddle at both music camps this year.

But I think I had the best time meeting Helen and Conan in London, and going to sessions with them, especially the one at The Narrowboat pub. That was almost a whole year ago! Hi, Helen! Hi, Conan!

Zina and I had fun going to the Kensington session, of course! Hi, Zina!

Hope to see many more of you this year.

Happy New Year from very rainy N Cal,

Bob

# Posted on January 2nd 2006 by Laughtonb

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Seeing Liz Carroll, Karen Casey, John Doyle, and Eamonn Coyne play a concert on St. Patrick's Day in Boston. Non-Irishwise (not that you asked), it would have to be seeing Lucinda Williams play at the Vic in Chicago this past fall. Also hearing Mary J. Blige sing "One" by U2 on a benefit concert on TV for Hurricane Katrina victims. She sang it much better than Bono ever did, and I wish I had taped it so I could hear her sing it again.

# Posted on January 2nd 2006 by Roe

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

My favorite had to be a session I attended in the wild north country of Michigan. I heard about a session in Traverse city. If you look at the back of your left hand T.C. is located at the tip of your pinky. During the summer the tourist make for a mostly normal population. In the winter however the "normal" people go away leaving a very friendly and interesting group. The session I attended had singers (some really good ones in fact), dancers and more players than could fit on the stage. The other dulcimer player and I had the time of our lives swapping tunes. It was hell driving back that night (three hours in crappy weather) but worth every minute. I taped the session enjoying it twice!

# Posted on January 3rd 2006 by jrathbun

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Hi everyone! For me the Crown & Cushion session was definitely one of my 2005 highlights, and I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who was there, I'd only ever been to a few sessions before that and everyone everyone being so friendly & welcoming definitely gave me more courage to go to more! Thank you Zina, Neil and Danny for saying such nice things about me on this discussion, I'm really touched! Neil you were very easy to talk to too!
: )
See you all soon!

# Posted on January 4th 2006 by Pollyanna

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

Oh lord, she found us. Now we can't talk about her behind her back anymore. :-/

Welcome to the dark side of the tunes, Pollyanna.

# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Q

Re: What was your favourite moment or event(Irish music wise) in 2005?

*smirk* Welcome to The Session, Polly -- hope to see you round often!

# Posted on January 5th 2006 by Zina Lee

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