As those who follow my blog, or keep up with me on Facebook, would know I go out to listen to or play Irish music every night. I have missed a couple of nights in the past 18 months. To some that might sound dull and one dimensional but so be it. I have my regulars and favourite haunts and musicians I just love playing with and I try and get there every week. Why, you ask? Surely it would just be the same and get boring. Well I’m here to tell you that that is what is so wonderful about sessions in Ireland. Same musicians, same venue yes but totally different night each time. The tunes are never the same, the session dynamics are different with different visiting musicians, and the ambience is different with a different crowd.
An example. Last night at the Cornerstone in Lahinch. The session was led by Yvonne Casey and Brid O’Gorman two local Clare musicians. That is normally enough for me as I love the combination of fiddle and flute. Eoin O’Neill on bouzouki was missing so immediately it was different. Tonight there was no backing the tunes had to stand on their own. On a personal note these kinds of sessions bring out the best in my playing. There’s nowhere to hide. No offence meant Eoin!. Brid’s sister (fiddle) and her son (concertina) joined us for a while and that was great. Unfortunately another regular Severin had jammed her fingers and couldn’t play. The boy sung a lovely song about a set of leaky bagpipes which brought the house down. I sung a few songs to an attentive and appreciative audience. It was just a lovely session and normally that would have been enough. But you just never know what is around the corner in an Irish pub.
Please see full article here: https://singersongblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/irish-sessions-and-the-hungarian-connection/
