The Usual Suspects - Musicians
Paul Campbell - Guitar
I use an open tuned guitar which is fairly unique DADDAD. er ehm thats about it really...I try to fingerpick some tunes, but fortunately nobody can hear that. How I came upon DADDAD is a long story which might bore anybody! Needless to say "the Thief of Dadgad", Pierre Bensusan is a major influence, as is Tony Mcmanus, check them out in the links section. Another man that gets a nod from other regulars is Nic Jones. His Penguin eggs album of 23 years ago is a seminal album without a weak track. To cheer you up here is picture of me with a bad case of hat hair.
Mike Ward - Fiddle
Mike was really responsible for the session in the ferry getting started 30 years ago. He is a phenomenal player. I know really good players that will drive 2 hours in the car to see him in the session and then drive back again. The Irish reels he is playing now I think are up with the very best recordings you will hear from anybody. That said the Scottish pipe tunes are outstanding too. Ah but ... yes I'm afraid there is a but. Mike usually does not appear at the session until 12:30 a shame yes. But his playing is worth waiting for. He now runs Vintage strings in Dundee. an acoustic music shop.
Kevin Findlay - Fiddle
Kevin is a great musician who knows loads of tunes. Indeed, he tried to learn the whole of O'Neills once, but unsurprisingly soon resorted to other methods! He plays regularly with the well known cajun band Boogaloosa, and the really quite "Mad Parrots Ceilidh band". Kevin is also musical director of the Tayside Young Fiddlers, from whom the session gets much new musical talent.
He has also been seen recently with a mandolin and a banjo and picks up a guitar if all the other guitarists have died following a particularly yeasty beer!
The Tayside Young Fiddlers
This "uber" cool group of musicians are a recent arrival to the Fishermans and have given the session a new dynamic and lease of life (especially in the view of those favouring tunes over 5 guitars in a row). ;) Unlike some people, the TYFs get to the Fishermans in good time, bringing with them a varied and complementary repetoire, and we are hoping that none of this lot get into any universities other than Dundee.....
From left to right are: Douglas, Jilly, Lucy, Eilidh, Lara and Roz
Karen Hannah - Fiddle
From one Tayside Young Fiddler to another, Karen started coming to the session 10 years ago at 16. She is a strong player with a wealth of Scottish and Irish tunes to her name. She is somebody the session is always the better for seeing. Having recently moved to Lower Largo in Fife, we see her less that we used to, which is a shame....
She plays in Randan with Mike Kelleher and Tom Roche.
Mike Kelleher - Guitar, Voice
Mike is from Cork originally ("up Kilkenny" hehe) and plays a Simon and Patrick guitar. He is a great player and knows some fantastic songs; particular favourites of the session include "The Pill" and the "Fisherman's Blues". Always a great accompanist he enjoys a good trip down the "Mountain Road" as long as its nowhere near the "Jolly Tinker"!!
When Tom Roche is down, they play some great slides and polkas! Member of Randan with Karen Hannah and Tom.
Peter Gilmore - Guitar, Voice
Peter is a great and charismatic singer. He spent a few years in Shetland where he learnt a huge amount of material and knows a wealth of Scottish songs - good man to have at a party!
He was greatly responsible for the introduction of "the Claw" to the session. This song of "Trowies" is from Shetland and is quickly becoming a session theme tune....
Doug - Banjo, Guitar and Fiddle
I have never heard any guitar played with such clarity and tone. The "Gitane" sings when it is in his hands. Doug also plays G banjo, fiddle and brings a new dimension to the session. He is also an artist of some repute.
Doug tends to come down early where you might hear some superlative finger pick style guitar playing.
Graeme Robertson - Guitar, Bouzouki, Pipes and Drums
Graeme is another multi talented individual who plays bouzouki, pipes, guitar and percussion. In fact, he also sings! However, Graeme is the only consistent percussionist to visit the session, and his bodhran playing gives serious punch to a lively set of reels!
Much to his liver's concern he frequents the Pipers gatherings organised by Ian Kinnear in Glenclova. Ouch!
Mairead Murnion - Fiddle, Voice / Jamie Wilson - Fiddle
Mairead, from the Mourne mountains, is not only a great fiddle player but is a superb Gaelic singer too. In a noisy pub, people will stop to listen when she plays a slow air (Planxty Eleanor Plunkett particularly) or sings a Gaelic song like Coinleach Ghlas An Fhomhair. Big Liz Doherty fan too!!
Jamie has been coming to the session for about 4 years. His work commitments have allowed him to "study" tunes all over the place (e.g. Portree in Skye, Uist and over the water to Cork). His playing is great.
Ian Jarvis - Fiddle and Pipes
Ian, an Optician by trade, lives closest to the Fishermans. Lucky. He plays some great fiddle and is particularly fond of Scottish pipe jigs. Indeed, he also plays the pipes! Matt Cranitch tunes are a favourite with him, but (and we think this appropriate), the copperplates don't go amiss!
Another string to his bow is that he organises classical music in Dundee. All power to him.
Andy and Helen
Time to put a picture of Andy and Helen up on the Usual suspects. They have been such a welcome addition over the last 18 months. Here they are giving it laldy during one of the many the sessions at Jamie and Maried's wedding. Hailing from south of the border they have settled in Perth but still drive all the way to the Fish for a tune.. good on them. Andy First. He plays Button box, Bazouki but you would have to say his first instrument is Banjo. He knows a huge number of tunes. Rumour has it that he completed a 14 hour stint at Girvan this year in the Ferry Inn. We don't know if he repeated a tune but I suspect not..Helen plays Fiddle. A very fine player. I have had the pleasure of their company at the inauguaral shed sessions at my house and you can see that on the video page..
David Adam
David is one of the best pipers of his generation. Just stunning. His playing quite unmistakable. He has a liking for Erdinger beer and a head banging jive that has to beseen to be believed. A musician of the first order.
Other Regular Visitors Include:
- Gregor MacMaster & Catherine Brown
- Barry Oliver
- The Young Tayside Fiddlers
- Arthur Gibb and many others! 22.01.2007. 17:37
now as i mentioned earlier i think the 'tayside young fiddlers' who attend the seesion deserve to be listed with names rather than the unfortunate group name we were given so long ago..
anyway the new(ish) site is lookin good.Good idea. Have you got a good group mug shot you can send me, and I'll put a blurb with all the names attached (though I dn't know them all yet)!!!!
emmm possibly somewhere, i'll have a look for one...there are few with us all - someone is always missing due to taking the photo. ach dont worry bout not knowing the names - hahah i still get the wrong (only been friends with these people for 6yrs)
cmon 4 puddings you offered the pictures ages ago
Well im sorry your just going to have to try and be patient arent you? my silly computer died, along with all my photos so i have to wait till it gets back from the shop. when it does i'll send over pictures and the recording from glen isla.
for goodness sake i will send someone the photos! i need someone's email address first. neville is
useless! USELESS!i will send the photo seeing as neville just can't get her act together! i need an email address first though.
Excellent:
Ideally the best thing to do is to register and log on to the forum, and attach the pictures to a message, and I'll get them from there! Copy and paste the URL below into your browser.
http://www.acousticecosse.org/Forum/register.php?0
That will avoid putting an email address on the web that tend to become the focus of spammers. Any problems, just feed back here, and i'll give you a temporary email address to send the pics to.
cheers,
ji would have got the photo to you eventually..my good do you people have no patience...sake
it looks like i might have to send you this photo seeing as neville is so useless ... sake ... i need an email address before i can do anything though!
You seem to have managed fine without the email. I'll write a blog and get the photo uploaded shortly!
jbarry oliver is the best
How pathetic is lucy!
thankyou for that Lara....it was harsh and random... you cut me real deep!
That picture's horrible. Who took it so I can hunt them down?
It's okay Jamie, David's already your pal...
What....
Oh, I see a new picture. It wasnae me who posted it i'm afraid!You guys need to come and see Brian McNeill at the Marryat Hall Saturday May 24th 2008 1100am
Tickets are only £4-50 - A steal!
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