miserable

Subject: miserable
From: mindblaster
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 03:37 AM

Why are traditional (english) folk session players such a miserable lot? Funny 'cos their music is usually uptempo joyous stuff. But there they sit, with long faces, their beards dipping into their real ale. Try and drum up a conversation and all you'll get is a look of bewilderment or if your lucky a contentious grunt. Come on folks cheer up!

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 03:49 AM

sod off.

eric

Subject: RE: miserable
From: GUEST, Hamish
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 04:51 AM

Harumph!

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 04:54 AM

Come on , Eric , you're not at a session now ! Mindblaster , we look serious at sessions because most of us have to concentrate too hard on what we are playing , and we dont talk while we are playing because , being mere males (Most of us , anyway!) we have difficulty doing two things at the same time . Sometimes , I have trouble walking and talking at the same time !!

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:11 AM

Nowt so funny as FOLK

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Davetnova
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:13 AM

I'm not English, I'm allowed to be grumpy.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:37 AM

You should toddle along to our Investment Group - some truly magnificent curmudgeons there.

Treasure them.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: jacqui.c
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 07:08 AM

1. Most of them will be listening to the person singing to check that they get the words and the tune right.

2. How would you feel when yet another Child ballad of 48 verses gets going?

3. The beer's the thing!

Mindblaster - what sessions have you been going to? I've only ever been to one that might come close to your description. Most are one hell of a lot of fun!

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Dipsodeb
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 07:15 AM

It must be the company your keeping LOL

Subject: RE: miserable
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 07:59 AM

try offering to get in a round and see how quickly they will brighten up...;)

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 08:50 AM

Hi Mindblaster,

I'm not a traddie myself, but I do run a club, and perhaps I can help.

I would say that you will be unlikely to get a response if you are talking while someone is performing. They are passionate about their love of music, and will be giving all their attention to that. Not, I hasten to add, checking on the performance, but simply enjoying the song and, of course, being polite and respecting the performer.

If, however, you received that response in the interval, then I would say you were unlucky to have chosen a club which doesn't deserve your support. It certainly would not happen at my club, and I don't find it happening at the many clubs I visit.

Please don't stop going to folk clubs, as I think you will find that the majority are good fun, but I would suggest that you strike off your "To visit" list the ones that do turn out as you describe.

Don T.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: mindblaster
Date: 24 Mar 05 - 06:38 PM

No - this is a club I have gone to for years. I would never try to speak when the musicians are playing, I have also got many a round in.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Mar 05 - 04:57 PM

This sounds like a session not a club. And it must be instrumentalists, not singers.

We had some in our local for St Patricks night - not a "group", but about a dozen regular attenders at the monthly session there. They sat in a corner (not the separate room they usually occupy) and played irish jigs and reels all night. They never smiled, never engaged (or even acknowledged) the other customers they were supposed to be entertaining.

A singer is always trying to communicate with his/her audience, but these "serious musicians" play only to please and impress each other, and despise the very concept of an "audience"

And there won't be much real ale in a session. Singers will knock back gallons of the stuff in an evening, but instrumentalists know that their capabilities decline rapidly after the second pint. So low alcohol lagers, or soft drinks are the order of the day.

Joy has no place in music making and must be eliminated. Leave it to those toadying charlatans who prostitute their sacred art by singing to people who have not been initiated into the exclusive priesthood.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 02:52 AM

Ooh a contentious grunt.. what I wouldnt do to get a contentious grunt...

Subject: RE: miserable
From: GUEST,breezy
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 10:33 AM

not all session instrument players are as you describe.

99.9% maybe

Subject: RE: miserable
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 10:49 AM

If I'm playing, I find it hard to either talk or sing or do much else at all at the same time. Of course, I do play a trumpet.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: treewind
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 02:43 PM

That's the reason why we like to play in sessions - so we can avoid having to make conversation!

Anahata

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 02:50 PM

Didn't know you were miserable Anahata :-)

Les

Subject: RE: miserable
From: Once Famous
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 02:55 PM

mindblaster

What you describe is the complete opposite of the bluegrass players in America. They are joyous to be with, have a great time playing together and enjoying comraderie.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: woodsie
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 05:44 PM

Exactly!

But for some reason the ebglish session players have always got these long faces and dont welcome strangers.

Subject: RE: miserable
From: mindblaster
Date: 29 Mar 05 - 05:48 PM

I would never try and talk to somebody while they are playing - I'm talking about trying to communicate with these people when they first arrive, or when they are at the bar, or in the break. They will always accept a pint, mind you a lot only drink lemonade. Don't get me wrong, the music is great, but why are the players miserable?