“Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…

Subject: RE: “Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…
From: GUEST,Rob Mad Jock Wright
Date: 28 Dec 24 - 02:38 AM

We are veering off the subject somewhat.... however at least in Rugby when the referee tells a player off , for whatever reason , the player a six foot six pile of muscle looks the five foot f#@£ all referee in the eye and says ‘sorry sir’ and walks away., accepting his punishment with grace even if he is sent off.

Fiddlers on the other hand simply launch into another set of jigs and reels for twenty minutes ignoring the highly talented guitarist who has sat patiently for hours trying find the opportunity to sing a song.

Subject: RE: “Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…
From: GUEST,Rob Mad Jock wright
Date: 28 Dec 24 - 02:39 AM

Some of my best friends are fiddlers.

Subject: RE: “Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 28 Dec 24 - 05:38 AM

They were probably cracking on with their jigs and reels as tightly as possible to keep out the confounded guitar player, not to ignore him. I've seen more sessions ruined by an entitled guitar owner who's been unwisely encouraged than by any other instrument, and certainly more than I've seen football matches ruined by what we footie fans called shithousery. The latter is at the most sporadic behaviour and is usually exacerbated by weak refereeing, for which Premier League football especially is notorious.

As for tellies vs sessions in pubs, a little forbearance is required here. Let's not forget that the word "pub" is short for public house, and that far more people enjoy watching telly, including football on telly, than enjoy diddley sessions, and that the landlord has to make a living. This should be about negotiation, not puerile sniping. I've seen that done successfully many times.

Subject: RE: “Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 28 Dec 24 - 07:25 AM

If you are attending "Sandy`s" over the Christmas period keep your ears tuned for Geoff Doel, on of our most knowledgeable Folk Music scholars.

Subject: RE: “Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 28 Dec 24 - 07:38 AM

I was thoroughly wrongfooted by that post. Where I live, good singers get invited to sing the odd song during a night of music. Because that's what they do they are singers. In my world 'highly talented guitar players' play guitar. If you get my drift.

Subject: RE: “Lamentable Fiddlers” in Sandy Bell's Bar…
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 28 Dec 24 - 10:32 AM

And in a very recent report in the Edinburgh Evening News there is a list of 19 “buzzy pubs” in Edinburgh: they are deemed to be “must visit” pubs, only a few of them what you might call “music pubs”. Think I have visited around half of them over the nearing 40 years that we’ve lived here. This is apparently decided in the gospel according to The Good Pub Guide, though no idea who makes these decisions.
And top of the list?…………………………drum roll……………………… Sandy Bell’s!

Meanwhile, elsewhere, on Facebook, a friend has posted a photo of a blackboard on the door of said pub, with the following interesting messages:
Live Music Every Day - 6pm - 12.30.am weekdays, from 2pm Saturdays, from 4pm Sundays.
Nae Bairns (Sorry)
Nae Fannies
Nae Student Discount
Free Pub Etiquette Lessons Provided
( They missed the bit about nae lamentable fiddlers?!)