A Session Diary

Whither Sessions? There are sessions happening all around us it seems but some are unfeasibly far away (Sheffield!) or I think Lewes is probably  a tad far especially at this time of year although some hardy souls will travel great distances to sessions and God bless them. The local sessions are really a bit of an oddity and definitely have ‘flavours’ or shades. Much like the protestant church, all believe in ostensibly the same thing but like to do it their way. You can imagine the Methodist sessioneers with fire and brimstone hurling damnation on those who stray from the straight and narrow through to the evangelists sessioneers – the happy clappy brigade who bring cheer to every gathering and are more likely to be accompanied by dogs on string and some avant garde approaches to what we might call music.  I prefer to claim agnosticism.

Just as with the church, there is a definite polarisation to these prayer meetings so that the crossover is not great except at the great synods of Broadstairs or Sidmouth and a little occasional community work in between. Note to self. Must get out more.

There was a definite news embargo from the Shackled Yak (or Well Intent) for a while. From the Hops festival until now really. The press secretary asked for a cloak of secrecy while the Watershed Band caterpillar went into a chrysalis and emerged as ….. the caterpillar Abbey Capers. Without Six String Shelagh from what I gather. Also, I am forbidden to mention in these humble pages when they who must not be named will be away as it apparently might attract burglars. Of course that includes any Thursday night as everyone knows. Doh! I’ve given the game away.

The Bear Cubs go from strength to strength and the Conyer Session (at Teynham) on a Tuesday is well received and attended. There is a bit of a flux with some of the sessioneers and part of that may be the format, although I have to say that those who have started coming recently like Pip and Jo, regard it as a proper session so are not gurt afear’d to dive in with a set of gorgeous tunes when the fancy takes them. Once that happens, others follow suit.

The Festival Band has done couple of Charity Evenings recently which have been good fun. Burmese Orphans at St Margaret at Cliff and Help for Heroes at the QE School. I really enjoy the big band sound with Bass, drum and Lead guitar. Thanks to Larry Klatzko for introducing me to the Mackie SM150 personal monitor / active speaker. Now I can hear myself whatever the mix on the foldback is doing!

What of the Irish sessions? Well, they continue to hang on by their fingertips and refuse to give up. The regular George at Molash (The Startled Stoat) is precariously balanced, depending as it does on people who live some distance away. The Sunday sessions are strange though. By far the nicest of them is the Unicorn at Bekesbourne. Very relaxed but some good music especially when Andy Renshaw and Fred Holden come along which is quite often at the moment. The Phoenix is Ok but hasn’t really got any take off yet and of course the Well Known Spoonerism is as we know due to shut again quite soon so I doubt there will be another session there. They vary by locale and who can make it on a Sunday night so each one is different.

Well here we are safely on the other side of St Patrick’s night. It’s a bit like the proverbial bus. Some years there are none and then the next year two come along at once.

That’s what happened this year. Both the regular sessions held a St Patrick’s night ‘do’. Both with Irish Stew (yes, fill in the joke to which this is part of the punchline. All together now…). So it was a traditional Irish night at the Startled Stoat – and the last for it hath movéd – back to the Unfortunate Spoonerism in Ingham where it hath been these two weeks since. Not entirely sure that this was a good move as we’ve now lost John the flute as well as Ian the piper (while he’s studying) and Andy the banjo (hopefully only temporarily – get well soon and come back playing!).

The session in the Well Intent (or Shackled Yak) was a different beast. More Irish music than I imagined coutesy of Chris, Graham, Shelagh, Barbara, George and myself (sorry if I missed anyone) and accompanied by the other regulars. More songs this time too which is fine for a Paddy’s night entertainment. 

Well, numbers are still low at the Irish session whether it be the regular Wednesday evening or one of the two Sunday slots (2nd Sunday Unicorn at Bekesbourne, last Sunday Ship at Ospringe) but it keeps going defiantly.

If anybody is interested, for a bit of social fun, there is a facebook page – Fans of the Bear Sessions. Please join and say hi. Add a photo, tune, comment – whatever.