Royal Oak - Edinburgh

Subject: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: old git
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:29 AM

I was in Edinburgh for the weekend and "stumbled across" the Sunday teatime session in the bar. What a great place!! Hardly room to swing a cat,but a great atmosphere and some fine music from all the psrticipants (particularly the fiddle playing). It was worth going just to hear the banter from the Billy Conolly look (and sound) -alike behind the bar. And I got to sing a song! Too many single malts meant I didn't make the "Wee Folk Club" on Sunday night ,but I was happy after the teatime experience.If any of them are on Mudcat...thank you..or if any catters are acquainted with them than please pass on the message. Oh...and if you go to Edinburgh,this place is a must!!
geoff turner

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:53 AM

That session has been going for a few years now and I've never been to it. That's because I'm one of the core regulars at the Scottish trad session in Sandy Bell's that happens at the same time (3.30-8pm). We tend to feature quieter instruments than the Royal Oak crowd, I think (there is usually an accordionist but she knows how not to drown out other people). We maybe do a wider range of non-Scottish stuff.

A pity because by all accounts the Royal Oak one is good too. As a visitor you can try both.

It would be nice if we got more singers. I don't know if the Oak's getting them all, but we had a more even balance between singing and instrumentals a few years ago. If you fancy singing with a large and colourfully instrumented backing band ("the Sandy Bells Philharmonic" as one of us put it), be it anything from blues to Parisian cafe songs, do drop in.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST,Bill the sound
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 12:21 PM

It's a long way from South Wales but I go there whenever I'm in Edinburgh, it's a great venue, but you were lucky if you just stumbled into it, Infirmary Street is not high on the tourist agenda.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: old git
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 12:54 PM

To be accurate...I had been told about this place...but I was lucky enough to get there when there was a session going.
geoff t

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Zen
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 02:18 PM

A Sandy Bell's occasional here. I've never been to the Royal Oak but have noted down the details for the future.

Zen

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: DebC
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 02:46 PM

Nerxt time I'm in Edinburgh, Jack, I'll be there!

Singer Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 03:05 PM

Won't be in Edinburgh again till July...but will try and make it to Sandy Bell's as well next time
geoff t

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Cats
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 03:32 PM

Jon and I made it to the Royal Oak last summer when we went to Edinburgh for the weekend. It was a superb evening, quiet at first as Runrig were playing at the castle, but very full downstairs later on. We got to sing as well and found everyone there incredibly friendly. As an aside, Jon was seen outside the pub by friends from another part of the country as they drove past. It wasn't until a few weeks later when we met that they said was that you? When we said it was they didn't bat an eyelid that it was the other end of the country from Cornwall and just added, well it must have been Kathy singing downstairs then! A must visit for all singers

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: domo
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:21 PM

While you visit the Royal Oak, make sure to read the plaque on it's wall when you are out having a smoke. It appears the Pub is built over a tunnel that was used by resurrectionists Burke and Hare to do their dirty deeds. Had two great nights there

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:26 PM

The other thing about the Oak is that they dispense the Deuchar's IPA (and a guest) through fount rather than handpump - the best pint of the best pint in the country!

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Maryrrf
Date: 03 Mar 09 - 07:37 PM

I was lucky enough to get to the Oak (and to perform at the Wee Folk Club) when I was in Scotland. It really is a very warm and welcoming place, and the Folk Club is very nice too. True to its name it is small, but comfortable and pleasant.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST,KP
Date: 04 Mar 09 - 09:32 AM

Last hogmanay we had no child care responsibilities (for the first time in 20 years!) and so headed into town on a whim, ending up in the Royal Oak for a great (albeit crowded) evening. Quite memorable!

Jack, I had always thought your Sunday session at Sandy Bell's was mostly tunes, which is why as a singer/guitarist I never came along. And the sheer speed and dexterity of all those melody players is quite intimidating to us '3 chord trickers'...Perhaps I'll drop by and check things out.
cheers
KP

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: old git
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 05:55 AM

And if you're an Ian Rankin/Rebus fan...there's a connection here too

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 06:26 AM

I thought Rankin's (or Rebus's) local was the Oxford Bar in Hill Street, in the New Town? - that has had sessions or singarounds at various times over the years, sometimes quite successfully, but I don't think it does now. Bars seem to compete for a Rankin/Rebus connection the way cafes do with Rowling and Harry Potter.

KP: we do like playing along with singers, and 3-chord stuff means you'll get more people joining in. I particularly like it when singers some back for repeat visits so I get to know their songs and can work out a backup line that really fits. The Wednesday night session at Bell's would also be a good time to go for a singer, or sometimes Friday night (the other times are mostly high-speed Irish).

I don't know of an Edinburgh pub that does traditional music sessions with a Harry Potter connection. Perhaps there ought to be one. In fact with the number of tubular things I normally bring along, a Quidditch broomstick would fit in just fine.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: DebC
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 09:57 AM

I have the dubious distinction of being the only woman who has ever sung in the Roseburn Bar. At least that's what Harry told me. He could have just been giving me a wind-up though and it was one song.

Yes, Rankin (Rebus's) local is the Oxford, also the local of my friend, journalist Dan Buglass. I've sung in there as well.

When I lived in Edinburgh, I found singers to be welcome at most sessions I went to, which is very different from many sessions here in the US. In many sessions I have attended (unless it was a singing session), singing was either discouraged or the pub/bar noise was so loud that a singer couldn't cut through. I have a pretty strong voice and have, in the past quieted a noisy pub. But I recall going to a pub session in Boston, MA many years ago and the noise was so bad neither I nor Margaret Christl, who was with me could make a go of a song.

But getting back to the Sunday session in Bells: this was the very first session I ever went to in Edinburgh, almost 14 years ago. It was my first introduction to a Scottish session and I do recall that I did sing. Jack and the lads there are welcoming and the music is always great.

BTW-who is running the Wednesday nights at Bells now and is Allen Johnston still doing Thursdays?

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 10:22 AM

Wednesday is Adam Jack and Ewan Forfar, both of whom you probably know - used be George Duff on guitar until recently, I'm not sure what he's doing musically these days.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: DebC
Date: 05 Mar 09 - 12:50 PM

Just heard from George. He's retired from the University and is playing music. He's still running the singing session at the Tass

I do know Ewan and Adam both. Haven't seen Ewan since I libed there and saw Adam a couple of years ago with George in the Tass.

Deb

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 06 Mar 09 - 09:34 AM

Yes it is a great place. we always pop in and give a song or two if we are in town. Well actualy I just carry the guitar Angie does the singing. She has appeared as a guest in the folk club down stairs on several ocassions and intends on doing a few more.
Very frieendly crowd, even when it is packed and noisy the crowd is listening!!
Next visit sometime in April then July and August of course when there is a concert on every night of the month.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Mrs Banjiman
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 04:13 PM

This sounds great - I'm booked at the Wee Folk Club on Sunday 29 March and I am now wondering if I can do a hat-trick by singing at the afternoon singaround at the Royal Oak AND the Sandy Bell's session too?!

Might as well make use of my time since I'll have driven up from North Yorkshire and will probably be ready to warm up my guitar and voice for the club later on.

I must confess that the last time I sang in Edinburgh I was stood on a table in a pub somewhere in the New Town after Scotland had beaten Wales (many, many years ago!!!) and I had partaken of a bit too much liquid refreshment. (This was in my pre-folksinger days I hasten to add...just in case Paddy starts to panic about who he's booked for the end of the month!)

Wendy (www.wendyarrowsmith.com)

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 04:45 PM

There is also a session on Sunday afternoons at the Dalriada on the promenade at Portobello, so you could try for four in a day.

OK by us if you want to stand on the musicians' table at Bells, but you should realize that the licencing conditions specify a maximum skirt length.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Mrs Banjiman
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 04:58 PM

Four in a day...whew! Wonder what the world record for the most folk club/sessions that one individual has scooped in a day is?

Don't worry - I'll leave the miniskirt at home (lol!!!)

I need a map of Edinburgh to plot out my route. Are the Royal Oak and Sandy Bell's within easy walking distance, and where would you recommend I park the car? (I haven't driven in the centre of Edinburgh much for years and when I did just last month it seemed most of it was being churned up for the trams!)

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST,kp
Date: 09 Mar 09 - 05:13 PM

Sandy Bells and the Oak are barely 10 minutes walk apart even going slowly. See
Infirmary Street and Forest Road

The Oak is on Infirmary Street, and Sandy Bells is on Forest Road. Go straight up Chambers St, past the museum, and bear left at the end. On a Sunday you can probably park either in some of the back streets between Infirmary and the Pleasance. Read the parking restriction signs carefully though!. If you are not carrying too much, park out in the suburbs and catch a bus - £1.20 flat fare.
Good playing!
KP

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Banjiman
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 02:55 PM

Thank you for the map - very helpful! I'll take it with me in case the satnav runs out of juice.

Mrs B

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 03:10 PM

Forrest Road, if you need to google. It's named after the Lord Provost of Edinburgh James Forrest, best known in song for failing to turn up to meet Queen Victoria when she arrived off her yacht in 1842:

Hey Jemmie Forrest, are ye waukin' yet
Or are your Bailies snoring yet?
If ye were waukin', I would wait,
Ye'd have a merry, merry morning.

The frigate guns they loud did roar,
But louder did the Bailies snore,
And thought it was an unco bore
To rise up in the morning.

And syne the Castle thunder'd loud;
But kipper it is savoury food,
And that the Bailies understood,
Sae early in the morning.

The Queen she's come to Granton Pier,
Nae Provost and nae Bailies here?
They're in their beds, I muckle fear,
Sae early in the morning.

The Queen she's come to Brandon Street,
The Provost and the Keys to meet,
And div ye think that she's to wait
Your waukin' in the morning.

My Lord, my Lord, the Queen she's here,
And vow, my Lord he lookit queer -
And what sets her sae soon asteer?
It's barely nine in the morning.

Gae bring to me my robes o' state;
Come, Bailies, we will catch her yet.
Rin, rin, my Lord, ye'll be o'er late,
She's been through the town this
morning.

Awa' to Dalkeith ye maun hie,
To make your best apologie.
The Queen, she'll say, O fie! O fiie!!
Ye're lazy loons in the morning.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: old git
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 07:48 PM

I'm pretty sure that you can park for unlimited time in front of the museum on chambers street on a Sunday.
geoff t

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 Mar 09 - 08:13 PM

True, but during the Festival they reserve the whole street to park coaches taking punters to the Tattoo, and parking can be entirely coned off for "security reasons" at any time during the summer.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: GUEST,Rob the Roadie
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 08:16 AM

I have always found a space next to the Royal Oak itself. Not many spaces but I might have been lucky.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 09:30 AM

I need an answer from all you experienced Edinburghers, please:

Where is the Tass, is the singing session there still going, and at what day and time?

I'm off to Scotland next month and would like to look in on it. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: DebC
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 10:49 AM

It's on the Royal Mile down the hill from St. Giles on the way to Holyrood. The session is on Friday nights. Not sure what time it starts, but the last time I was there, it had to end at 11:00, due to the upstairs neoghbors. George Duff runs that session.

Debra Cowan

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Drumshanty
Date: 14 Mar 09 - 06:27 PM

I was in the Tass last night but I think it was too early for any music. I've an idea it doesn't start until 8pm, possibly 9pm.

I must say, though, I've never thought of the Friday night thing as a session per se, because it's only ever the same crowd who play and sing, and in many visits there, I've never seen anyone asked to join in or give a song. Not that it matters; it's an excellent way to spend a Friday evening.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Mar 09 - 07:28 PM

Mrs Banjiman, I forgot to ask, how many pubs did you manage to sing in?

I went to the concert at the Royal Oak - Wendy is magnificent. Wonderful voice and absolutely committed to her songs. And as a songwriter, uses her own family for subject matter with terrific imagination and comes up with tunes with such archaic power you'd think they must have gone into the tradition long before Burns was born.

<old-fart-mode>The only singer I can think of who she really reminded me of was Alison McMorland early in her career, and they don't come better than that.</old-fart-mode>

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Banjiman
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 12:25 PM

Phew Jack, that's some review of Mrs B. I'm not going to tell her though, she'll be unbearable..........you should hear her when she has the banjo player in tow (or maybe not!!!!!).

Do you know of anywhere on the web that I can hear Alison McMorland, I'm not familiar with her.

Thanks

Paul

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Drumshanty
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 12:44 PM

Some clips of her at Coda Music here.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Mrs Banjiman
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 05:00 PM

Golly! Feel a bit embarrassed (tho' delighted) by Jack's generous praise!

I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Paddy and the audience at The Wee Folk Club at the Royal Oak for a brilliant club night on Sunday. It was an honour to be their first "Ceilidh Culture" guest for the 2009 season. A lovely club, a lovely welcome and lovely memories to keep till next time :-)

Also, big thank you to you, Jack, and all the crowd at Sandy Bells for welcoming in a stranger for an hour or so to sing you a couple of songs.

I didn't make it to any other of the Sunday afternoon sessions in Edinburgh but would recommend anyone to try out both the locations I've just mentioned.

Wendy x

Subject: RE: Royal Oak - Edinburgh
From: Rasener
Date: 01 Apr 09 - 05:26 PM

>>and if you go to Edinburgh,this place is a must!!
<<

Don't you mean a mist Geoff?

LOL Teach you to drinketh the whisky's

Les