Banned to the Shed?
The Meagre Origin of the Shed Session.
Not wishing to be the archetypal male chauvinist and indulge too much in the divergent characteristics of men and “the better sex” achtttt…. …..but this business with sheds has to be exposed and examined for its psychological significance. Why is it that our other halves find it within them, with all the apparently sincere generosity of a Christmas gift offering, to suggest that taking up residence in a garden shed might be something we men might consider? I mean, for crying out loud, what’s wrong with the kitchen, the dinning room or even, that bastion of male-hood, the bathroom throne!? Could it just be rumour that one local optician
Kirriemuir Tuesday Session
If you fancy going to Kirrie on a tuesday for singers session Angus Folk, a traditional singing group based in Kirrie are running one.
Word has it from Dave Adams and Kat Liley (of Skelpaig) that this session has a few tunes going too. The session is on Tuesday nights in the "three bellies" pub in the centre of Kirrie. They're in the process of getting a website together, so watch this space!
Life and Death
I found out almost a month later, but it was very sad to hear of the death, at 54, of Michael O Domhnaill. He is probably my favourite musician and the one who I listen to the most. Founding member of the Bothy Band, he introduced the ever popular DADGAD guitar tuning into irish traditional music, and is often associated with the port a beule, Fionnghuala. For me, though, it is his later albums and particularly "Portland"
History of the Fishermans Session
A Potted History
This session has been running in Broughty Ferry for the best part of 30 years, every Thursday. Originally it started in the "Old Anchor Inn" in King street. The old proprietor appreciated the music, but not so much the clientele! The story goes that if a bus of tourists pulled up outside, the owner would shut the bar, as they looked far too much like work. I can empathise with that. After a few years the session moved to the upstairs bar in "The Ship." This was very much a Golden period for the session. It was packed every week (obviously the owners were very different from in the Anchor!!) Regulars in those days were the likes of Mike Ward, Arthur Gibb and other members of Ceolbeg, with other notable worthies including Kenny Hadden and Pete Forbes.