I went to this session for the first time. The pub was packed, both punters and musicians, even though the weather was heavy rain. Only caught the last hour but i'll definitely go again.
I was a customer in the Dispensary on the sunday of the 5th of september and i was thoroughly enjoying the music when an argument erupted between the ;spoon player and the whistle/fluteplayer as far as i was concerned the music had been pretty good all night I have never seen anyone be so rude to a fellow musician.he not only swore at the whistleplayer quite a few times but he threatened him to leave the pub.who does the spoon player think he is.He is not only very rude and very arrogant he is not that great on the spoons either.
the rest of the musicians were great especially the accordian player and the two banjo players and the other bodhran player.
I hope not to see extremely bad manners from a muscian if i ever go there again to listen.
Well, I was a customer in the Old Dispensary on Sunday the 5th of September and was witness to the event that donicha mentions above...... and, as usual there are two sides to every story.
Some time before this argument started, the (whistle/flute) player who was now attempting to play the bodhran (very badly in my opionion) was asked by the spoon's player (who in my opinion was very good) to "please refrain from playing that as it's not sounding good".
Later in the night the whistle/flute player attempted to play along with another tune on the bodhran and this is when the spoon's player lost his patience.
It was all a bit of a storm in a teacup and didn't detract from a great night's music.
i wasnt there on the 5th
but i have been there a few times.
it is actually a pretty good mixed session, a good venue, an appreciative crowd. some good tunes, some raucous songs.
good players
(including a decent bodhran player, i dont think they need any others)
if the spoons player is the one i'm thinking of, he's quite good, and threw no wobblies that i saw.
its a pretty good mixed night.
i only post this because the stuff already posted might put you off. dont let it, this session is worth going to.
This session officially runs from 6pm till 9pm;
There are usually enough stragglers to keep it going much later than that
This is definitely not a ploddy session, but it ain't blazing saddles either.
Repertoire: Plenty of well known tunes (if you know *Dows List*, you will be able to join in), but also less obvious tunes.
As stated by others above, the punters do like a song, but they *love* a tune. you want to play in a session where punters actually jump and dance to the reels? get thee down here.
----
Its very near the main crossroads at Camberwell Green; easy to get to, loads of bus routes in all directions.
eg 20 mins to West End or the City;
its a 5 minute bus ride to Oval Tube station, which is 2 stops from Waterloo.
Six players, four banjos. No fisticuffs. "Blazing saddles"? Way too fast for the players' ability level. You could tell they were struggling to keep up a reckless pace which sucked all tunefulness out of the music. My advice? Keep 'er nice and steady, boys and girls. Less of the mad flailing. Listen to the piper. He was playing at a far steadier rate and it was a pleasure to listen to those sets which he kicked off. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for some of the banjo-led sets. By the way, just in case anyone thinks I'm anti-banjo (or banti-anjo), for the record I play banjo myself and was on the verge of bringing my yoke along on Sunday. Thankfully, I had the foresight to check the place out before I chanced my arm on sitting in. Five banjos?!
i'm glad you agree,i kept telling aidan,pat and paul to slow down so i could play within my ability level and stop dragging them down to our level galtee.but they were having none of it.do you know of any other sessions around that play at our level galtee?if so could you drop me a line and i'll pop along if you'll have me.i see by your bio that your local but i'd take the personal bit out if i was you.i'd never put that on the net if that was my family,no wonder you don't like it fast after that experience...speak soon and thanks again for sticking up for us learners
I visited this pub again on Sunday last and the session was in full swing when I got there at 6.30 with many excellent tunes on button box and banjo, with sympathetic backing from guitars. One of the young ladies also sung some nice songs. This session appears to have moved on from its earlier problems and the hosts welcomed other musicians as they arrived later in the evening. I will certainly return again and would recommend this venue to anyone looking for good music on a Sunday evening in South London
The wonderfully talented Alana McLoone is back from Australia and will be joining me, Helen Mullen (accordion, fiddle and whistle) and my brother Noel Mullen (guitar and bodhran) every Sunday 6-9pm at the Old Dispensary. All are welcome to join in, was a brilliant session tonight glad to have her back!
Dear regulars
you could do with being a bit friendlier to occasional participants like myself. If this is a gig, please advertise it as such. If it is a session, it is as well to act in a more relaxed fashion. You are good enough players but let's face it you're not exactly De Danaan are you? So come down from your high horse, otherwise the pub will get *even emptier* when you play.
Rudall I think is now a gig and has been for quite some time. Have'nt been in this pub much in the past year myself as the music seemed to go drastically downhill when most of the players stopped turning up. The pub is advertising this gig as "Irish Music" but whats being played now is far removed from what I know as Irish music. Even the couple of musicians who are left always look bored with what they are playing. Perhaps a bit of imput from some new blood might liven things up a bit again (if it were welcomed) and get the music back to what it used to be.
All musicians are welcome to join in! Provided of course that they are not excessively drunk or rude. Due to the large crowd we get in this pub, this session is amplified. Tunes that are frequently played can be found in my tune book.
Hi.. just to flag-up that the OD session is under new management, and we are trying to get a really good trad session going here again,,, with all tune players and singers welcome,,
(well only the good ones..obviously !!]
Dann Kenningham
For the last few months the long time running 'Old Dispensary Sunday Night Trad Session' has been under new management; the session welcomes a mix of tunes and songs. We have currently a strong core group of 4-5 musicians playing: Banjo, Whistle, Bouzouki, Guitar and Bodhran, and a great singer.
The Old Dispensary is a very friendly and welcoming venue, with great Guinness and free Irish stew.
Good Tune players are welcome.
feel free to contact me on dskenningham@hotmail.com
This session
This session is turning into a song session - the punters seem to want Athenrye, Old Brigade, Spancil, etc.
Max
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by cyber-bullying is a criminal offence
Max if you don't like the way a session is going vote with your feet. Just don't go. It's easy. Take it from me.
# Posted on February 9th 2009 by Rudall the time
I went to this session for the first time. The pub was packed, both punters and musicians, even though the weather was heavy rain. Only caught the last hour but i'll definitely go again.
# Posted on February 12th 2009 by sashiko calico
Music
I was a customer in the Dispensary on the sunday of the 5th of september and i was thoroughly enjoying the music when an argument erupted between the ;spoon player and the whistle/fluteplayer as far as i was concerned the music had been pretty good all night I have never seen anyone be so rude to a fellow musician.he not only swore at the whistleplayer quite a few times but he threatened him to leave the pub.who does the spoon player think he is.He is not only very rude and very arrogant he is not that great on the spoons either.
the rest of the musicians were great especially the accordian player and the two banjo players and the other bodhran player.
I hope not to see extremely bad manners from a muscian if i ever go there again to listen.
signed anon?
# Posted on September 11th 2009 by donicha
Music
Well, I was a customer in the Old Dispensary on Sunday the 5th of September and was witness to the event that donicha mentions above...... and, as usual there are two sides to every story.
Some time before this argument started, the (whistle/flute) player who was now attempting to play the bodhran (very badly in my opionion) was asked by the spoon's player (who in my opinion was very good) to "please refrain from playing that as it's not sounding good".
Later in the night the whistle/flute player attempted to play along with another tune on the bodhran and this is when the spoon's player lost his patience.
It was all a bit of a storm in a teacup and didn't detract from a great night's music.
# Posted on September 11th 2009 by peanut
i wasnt there on the 5th
but i have been there a few times.
it is actually a pretty good mixed session, a good venue, an appreciative crowd. some good tunes, some raucous songs.
good players
(including a decent bodhran player, i dont think they need any others)
if the spoons player is the one i'm thinking of, he's quite good, and threw no wobblies that i saw.
its a pretty good mixed night.
i only post this because the stuff already posted might put you off. dont let it, this session is worth going to.
# Posted on September 30th 2009 by hiatus
This session officially runs from 6pm till 9pm;
There are usually enough stragglers to keep it going much later than that
This is definitely not a ploddy session, but it ain't blazing saddles either.
Repertoire: Plenty of well known tunes (if you know *Dows List*, you will be able to join in), but also less obvious tunes.
As stated by others above, the punters do like a song, but they *love* a tune. you want to play in a session where punters actually jump and dance to the reels? get thee down here.
----
Its very near the main crossroads at Camberwell Green; easy to get to, loads of bus routes in all directions.
eg 20 mins to West End or the City;
its a 5 minute bus ride to Oval Tube station, which is 2 stops from Waterloo.
see you there...............
# Posted on November 21st 2009 by i heart mars bars
Banjotastic
Six players, four banjos. No fisticuffs. "Blazing saddles"? Way too fast for the players' ability level. You could tell they were struggling to keep up a reckless pace which sucked all tunefulness out of the music. My advice? Keep 'er nice and steady, boys and girls. Less of the mad flailing. Listen to the piper. He was playing at a far steadier rate and it was a pleasure to listen to those sets which he kicked off. Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for some of the banjo-led sets. By the way, just in case anyone thinks I'm anti-banjo (or banti-anjo), for the record I play banjo myself and was on the verge of bringing my yoke along on Sunday. Thankfully, I had the foresight to check the place out before I chanced my arm on sitting in. Five banjos?!
# Posted on December 8th 2009 by Seamie Lyons
Thanks
i'm glad you agree,i kept telling aidan,pat and paul to slow down so i could play within my ability level and stop dragging them down to our level galtee.but they were having none of it.do you know of any other sessions around that play at our level galtee?if so could you drop me a line and i'll pop along if you'll have me.i see by your bio that your local but i'd take the personal bit out if i was you.i'd never put that on the net if that was my family,no wonder you don't like it fast after that experience...speak soon and thanks again for sticking up for us learners
# Posted on December 14th 2009 by billy
By the way
there is normally only two maybe three banjos but aidan turned up,he's a great banjo player and thats probably why it got a bit faster......cheers
# Posted on December 14th 2009 by billy
By the way again
just to say pat and paul are great players aswell....
# Posted on December 14th 2009 by billy
By the way
Will ye stop yer slagging Hips sure your no learner, you could keep the session going yerself. Up Kerry.
# Posted on December 15th 2009 by Mustard
Excellent Evening
I visited this pub again on Sunday last and the session was in full swing when I got there at 6.30 with many excellent tunes on button box and banjo, with sympathetic backing from guitars. One of the young ladies also sung some nice songs. This session appears to have moved on from its earlier problems and the hosts welcomed other musicians as they arrived later in the evening. I will certainly return again and would recommend this venue to anyone looking for good music on a Sunday evening in South London
# Posted on March 23rd 2010 by peanut
Is that because of no spoons?
# Posted on March 23rd 2010 by 'S dat you, O'Flibberty?
Alana's Back!
The wonderfully talented Alana McLoone is back from Australia and will be joining me, Helen Mullen (accordion, fiddle and whistle) and my brother Noel Mullen (guitar and bodhran) every Sunday 6-9pm at the Old Dispensary. All are welcome to join in, was a brilliant session tonight glad to have her back!
# Posted on February 21st 2011 by Celtic Crunch
Dear regulars
you could do with being a bit friendlier to occasional participants like myself. If this is a gig, please advertise it as such. If it is a session, it is as well to act in a more relaxed fashion. You are good enough players but let's face it you're not exactly De Danaan are you? So come down from your high horse, otherwise the pub will get *even emptier* when you play.
# Posted on May 16th 2011 by Rudall the time
Session or Gig
Rudall I think is now a gig and has been for quite some time. Have'nt been in this pub much in the past year myself as the music seemed to go drastically downhill when most of the players stopped turning up. The pub is advertising this gig as "Irish Music" but whats being played now is far removed from what I know as Irish music. Even the couple of musicians who are left always look bored with what they are playing. Perhaps a bit of imput from some new blood might liven things up a bit again (if it were welcomed) and get the music back to what it used to be.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by peanut
All musicians are welcome to join in! Provided of course that they are not excessively drunk or rude. Due to the large crowd we get in this pub, this session is amplified. Tunes that are frequently played can be found in my tune book.
Helen
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by Celtic Crunch
Excuse me. I can't imagine how you expect to have a good session if you discourage people who are 'drunk or rude'! They are usually the best players.
# Posted on May 17th 2011 by yhaalhouse
OD session,, new management
Hi.. just to flag-up that the OD session is under new management, and we are trying to get a really good trad session going here again,,, with all tune players and singers welcome,,
(well only the good ones..obviously !!]
Dann Kenningham
# Posted on August 20th 2011 by dannkenn
Session under new management
For the last few months the long time running 'Old Dispensary Sunday Night Trad Session' has been under new management; the session welcomes a mix of tunes and songs. We have currently a strong core group of 4-5 musicians playing: Banjo, Whistle, Bouzouki, Guitar and Bodhran, and a great singer.
The Old Dispensary is a very friendly and welcoming venue, with great Guinness and free Irish stew.
Good Tune players are welcome.
feel free to contact me on dskenningham@hotmail.com
# Posted on November 13th 2011 by dannkenn