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Folk music in Edinburgh?
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Subject: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: GUEST,The Celtic Bard Date: 27 Jun 02 - 09:27 AM I'm going to be in Edinburgh for the next 2 1/2 weeks and I would love to find someplace with some good folk music. I'm staying at St. Christopher's Inn above Belushi's on Market Street. Does anybody know of anything close to that or any place that's particularly good? Thanks. Rebecca <>< |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: weepiper Date: 27 Jun 02 - 03:30 PM Well hey, you'll be spoilt for choice. I think the nearest to you is The Hebrides Bar on Market Street, which can be a little gem but can be a bit rough too... worth a look. Sandy Bell's on Forrest Road (go up the Mound, along George IV Bridge and turn right when you get to the fork in the road) is pretty much guaranteed to have a good session any night you go in. The Ensign Ewart at the top of the Royal Mile/Lawnmarket, just below the Castle, is good on a Saturday night. The Antiquary bar on St Steven's Street is a five minute taxi ride away and if you can get there tonight (Thursday) you'll find a good session there too. The rest are within easy walking distance of you. Sessions in Edinburgh generally start at 9pm. Have fun! |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Murray MacLeod Date: 27 Jun 02 - 06:18 PM The "Royal Oak" in Infirmary Street, and the "Tass", on the corner of the High Street and and Jeffrey Street are two others within walking distance, where singing rather than instrumentals are the order of the day. Personally, I would steer clear of the "Hebrides". More alcoholics per square inch there than anywhere else in the country. (I mean the pub, not the islands) Murray
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Scabby Douglas Date: 28 Jun 02 - 06:11 AM No, it's a well-known fact that there are no sessions in Edinburgh.
Nothing to do in Edinburgh at all.
Glasgow, on the other hand has lots of stuff going on. Cheers Steven |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Declan Date: 28 Jun 02 - 07:51 AM Public warning - Frequenting "The Royal Oak" late at night can seriously damage your health. But health is a bit over-rated anyway. I haven't been to Edinburgh for a couple of years, but I'm hoping to get there for a few days in August. I was sorry to hear a while back that "The Tron" was no longer a music pub. Is there still music in Whistlebinkies ? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: weepiper Date: 28 Jun 02 - 02:34 PM Murray, re: the alcoholics per square inch bit, the same could be said for the Oak... they're mostly quite pleasant alcoholics though (hic). I take the point about the Heb though, I haven't been in there for a while. Scabby Doug: :-) Declan: 'Binkies still has music of sorts but I don't think it's of the session variety, more of the onstage singer/songwriter sort with amplification. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jock Morris Date: 28 Jun 02 - 02:41 PM Good session in the Tass on Tuesday evenings. Whistlebinkies does still have music. If you see someone at a session with a concertina then it may well be me:-) Scott |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Cappuccino Date: 28 Jun 02 - 04:33 PM May I enquire whatever happened to the Waverley Bar, down the high street? Bert Jansch started there, I recall, and I used to play there in the 70s... the fee was two pounds a night!!! - Ian B |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Murray MacLeod Date: 28 Jun 02 - 06:20 PM As far as I am aware, the Waverley doesn't have music upstairs any longer. Alex Walker died, as I am sure you are aware, and his brother Ian still runs the place. The demise of the Waverley as a music venue is such a shame, I thought it was a great venue with a lovely intimate atmosphere. Ian, I suppose you will also remember Bill Fulton, Maddy Taylor, Harry Cullen who all used to play there? I used to play a couple of songs during the interval sometimes .... Murray |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: GUEST,Jim I Date: 28 Jun 02 - 09:27 PM There is apparently still something (?) in the Waverley on Thursdays. I was in there two weeks ago for a reunion with about 6 other old Waverleyites from the late 60's early 70's. Most of us hadn't met since then but it was as if we had never parted. And yes I well remember all you those you mention Murray. I can even still play the first two chords of Bill Fulton's "If I had an Umbrella - I'd use it every day-ay-ay". I remember Dick Gaughan playing there one night and offering a barrel of beer to anyone who could join in a chorus - He sang "Here's Good Luck to the Pint Pot" to a silent pub. The following week he sang it again (without the offer) and the whole pub joined in!! Happy days Jim |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: GUEST,The Celtic Bard Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:30 AM Thank you very much! I appreciate it. I'll definately try to get to some of the places that you recommended. In my hostel is about three doors down from "Hebrides." I'm not sure if I'll go there after what some people said though. I've passed "The Tass" several times and I'll definately give it a try. Again, thank you. Rebecca <>< |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Declan Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:38 AM The last time I was in Edinburgh was at festival time August 1999 (I think) and the Waverly upstairs was a fringe venue with gigs run by Allan Johnston. I don't know if they've kept the music up since then or not. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Mikey joe Date: 02 Jul 02 - 11:22 AM sandy bells, the antiquary and the hebrides and the castle are all good |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: GUEST,IanB as Guest Date: 02 Jul 02 - 11:30 AM Murray, not only do I remember Maddy Taylor... I was married to her for about twelve years! We're still mates, she in Dunfermline, me in Oxford. Bil Fulton (he preferred one L for some reason) is someone I haven't seen since... oh, the 1970s. All the best, - Ian B |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Murray MacLeod Date: 02 Jul 02 - 12:40 PM I heard today from a usually reliable source that the music sessions in the "Tass" have been discontinued, which amazes me. I don't know if this is permanent or not, but I will try to find out more tonight .... Murray |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jock Morris Date: 02 Jul 02 - 01:29 PM The Tass sessions are still going strong; Cy Laurie has sold his other pub the Castle Arms, so it is the sessions there that have been discontinued. Scott |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: GUEST,Scabby Doug at home Date: 02 Jul 02 - 03:35 PM Scott, Cy Laurie has died, I believe.. fairly recently. I'll see if I can dig up the obituary. Cheers Steven |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: weepiper Date: 02 Jul 02 - 04:09 PM No! Seriously? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Diva Date: 02 Jul 02 - 04:32 PM Cy Laurie the Jazz person and not THE Cy Laurie...mentor and singer of ballads Diva
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jock Morris Date: 02 Jul 02 - 08:18 PM I'm afraid to report that Murray heard correctly; the Tass no longer has any live music sessions. Seems their licence was up for renewal and the owner of the flat above objected on noise grounds, so they no longer are allowed to have music in the pub. The Tass singaround session on Tuesday evenings will live again; in 2 months time it will start up at at the Royal Oak. Till then it looks like being by invitation only at the houses of various of the session regulars. Scabby Doug, it wasn't Cy who owns the Tass that died, it was as Diva said a famous Jazz person of the same name. Scott |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Goodfellow Date: 02 Jul 02 - 11:28 PM I was in Edinburgh two weeks ago but with bad timing to hear music in pubs that weepiper suggested. I noted that there is a pub on the Royal Mile just a ways past Bank Street walking towards Holyrood that claims to have Folk Music every Monday Night. I inquired in a music shop about good places to hear live traditional music and was told alas there are none but several places that put on bad shows for tourists. My trip to Scotland was wonderful with lots of time spent in the the green rainy countryside and wonderful evenings with twighlight lasting until late at night. All the music I heard was bad 70s american pop or country western. I did pick up some good CDs of traditional music in Edinburgh, that I'm listening to while commuting. The people in Scotland were very friendly and the coasts and castles and roads winding through the green hills won't be soon forgotten. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Scabby Douglas Date: 03 Jul 02 - 04:41 AM re Cy Laurie - I stand well and truly corrected.... thanks for the info. That'll save me from mentioning this to someone else and getting it wrong again. I was unaware that there were 2 Scottish Cy Lauries both with involvement in music ... Cheers
Steven
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Diva Date: 03 Jul 02 - 08:27 AM Gave me a fright when I saw the obit posted on the Cat!!! But I can report "Uncle" Cy and the boys were at Orkney for the festival. I am hoping they'll brave the trip south for Newcastleton this weekend. Diva |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jock Morris Date: 03 Jul 02 - 09:26 AM Godfellow, while there certainly are some 'bad shows for tourists' this is not the case with any of the pub sessions; these are genuine gatherings of musicians and singers performing for their own pleasure, and if anyone else enjoys it then that's a bonus. Scott |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Declan Date: 23 Aug 02 - 07:43 AM Just back in Dublin from a trip across the water. There's certainly plenty of good music (and craic) to be had in Edinburgh. Spent a lot of time in Sandy Bell's and (despite my warning above) the Royal Oak. I was also at sessions in The Central on Leith Walk (Thursday @ tea time) and the Harbour in Newhaven (Weds night). Thanks to all the musicians & other great people I met on this trip. I hope I won't leave it as long again to renew my acquaintance with this amazing city. Same goes for all the fine people I met at Cambridge, Sidmouth and in London. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jim McLean Date: 24 Aug 02 - 04:25 AM Any one remember The Howff run by Roy Guest in the 60s? Jim McLean |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: andymac Date: 24 Aug 02 - 03:57 PM Scabby Doug is right. Get yourself to Glasgow! Good singing sessions on Wednesdays in St. Andrews in the Square. Great folk club on Thursdays, good music sessions most nights in the Vicky and a music/occasional singing session in Babbity Bowsters on Saturdays. Thankfully, he is wrong about Cy!
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: GUEST Date: 19 Sep 15 - 07:35 AM The glory days of the late sixties and early seventies are no more. the owners have found it necessary to rename the Forrest Hill Bar as Sandy Bell's, The Yellow Carvelle is no more, The Holyrood Tavern no longer has lines of guinness-swilling Irish labourers joining in with every republican corus, The Est End and Royal Hotels no longer have heaving sessions on a Sunday lunchtime. The Waverley Br, however, is unchanged. Stand by the pillar and look up, you may not be able to read it but take it from one who remembers it when new the poster is the original pasted there in 1970, the year of the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. These were the days; I remember Dick and Davy Arthur, then a pimply faced youth, Harry Cullen, subsequently of Rebus fame, Harry Dawson, Bert Scott, Andy Ramage and many others. I even met my wife there and we're still married. Ian was middle aged then, to a teenager he was positively ancient. His hair may be more silvery now and he has learned to smile but otherwise he's still the scary guy who with brother Alex barred the way upstairs every weekend night - bar full by seven o'clock and when full there was no chance of geting upstairs as nobody left before ten o'clock. Then there were the parties, every Friday and Saturday as I remember - over which a viel must be cast. I'm in The Borders now and would love to hear from Waverley regulars from that era - Christie Woods is still around I hear and Ronnie of beautiful wife and Blue Suede Shoes fame,at least n eof the Ramages was in Glenfarg last time I heard where's everyone else? |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jack Campin Date: 19 Sep 15 - 08:29 AM I have tried to get sessions going upstairs in the Waverley Bar - two very different kinds of music. The owner let us do it for a few weeks and then told both groups to bugger off. He tolerates the storytellers once a month and that's it. He has a lively and intellectual Polish barmaid who could do a much better job of dealing with the public if he'd just retire and let her get on with it. The Royal Oak is much the same as it always was. Not my kind of place. I am usually in the Captains Bar on Sunday night. Even smaller than Sandy Bells, with a session every night of the week and a few afternoons as well. It gets a much younger crowd and the audience actually listen. The Holyrood Tavern was a lively place for a while. Not much music but other nights you could find a Linux user group and a bondage/sadomasochism society. It also had a resident fencing club. Some great opportunities for crossovers that never happened. The Antiquary in Stockbridge has sessions every Thursday night. There is quite a bit happening down the Royal Mile most nights (including the Tass, which has renamed itself again and has smaller-scale sessions). Edinburgh Folk Club and Leith Folk Club keep on keeping on. LFC never posts here but doubtless our delegate from EFC will be along shortly. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Tattie Bogle Date: 19 Sep 15 - 01:23 PM Interesting to see what was going on in 2002, or even the 1970s: sorry I wasn't in Edinburgh then, so can't help Guest on that. In the meantime, sessions have come and gone, and many have had to move house on an almost regular basis as new managements come in and decide they don't want folk music any more or can make more money out of the big screens and football supporters. Jack has summarised most of what's on in Edinburgh at the moment, but there are other things out in west and East Lothian and Midlothian. And does the Guid Grack Club still meet in The Waverley Bar? The Canon's Gait has mainly Scots Music Group players on Weds nights, and the Slow Session people go to Leslie's bar in Causewayside. And the Hebrides still has a tunes/singing session on Mondays from 4-7pm, followed by another session with an accordionist. The Tass is now called No 1. If visiting Edinburgh, pick up a free copy of The Gig List from city centre pubs, which tell you where it's at for all types of music. |
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Subject: RE: Folk music in Edinburgh? From: Jack Campin Date: 20 Sep 15 - 05:17 AM You mean the Gig Guide. It's available on the web: http://www.gigguide.co.uk/index.htm A few other mainly-Scottish ones I can think of: the first Monday of the month back-room session at Stagg's (The Volunteer Arms) in Musselburgh (usually small but friendly and flexible) and the Wednesday evening one at the the Diggers (Athletic Arms) in Gorgie/Dalry (not very welcoming to outsiders and starts ridiculously late). There is also the Shetland Fiddlers session twice a month at the Royal Scots Club (very un-pub-like atmosphere even though the place does have a bar; it feels like the sort of club where M might have met Bond for a briefing). The Reverie Bar in Newington has just closed, without warning. It used to have a session led (if that's the word) by the woolly Angus Grant Jr. - started late and lackadaisically but could get a fair head of steam up by midnight. Given how popular that place was as both a pub and a restaurant, something weird must have happened. Usually that kind of closure is the result of either massive embezzlement or a serious drug bust. |
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