Musical interlude

As someone who enjoys playing Irish music it has become increasingly difficult to find sessions in SE London that run consistently and for more than a few months before they cease and pubs seem to insist on showing sports on large screen televisions which can seriously interfere with the music making. Before smoking in pubs was banned, as a non-smoker, being in one for a couple of hours to play music resulted in every item of clothing and one's whole body reeking of cigarette smoke which was very unpleasant necessitating stripping off and showering on returning home.

A few years ago, some of my music making friends decided that having the odd 'session' at home was probably a good idea and for the last couple of years I have hosted three or four a year. Our last one was a pre Christmas event in December and this one was organised as a post Antiopdean gathering. Eight musicians, including myself, gathered in the late afternoon with lots of catching up and exchanging of news especially with regard to our recent trip to Australia.

Collectively, there were three guitarists, one mandolin player, two whistle players, a singer and percussionist; more than enough variety to get a good sound. Two fiddlers who used to come to these sessions recently moved to Bulgaria and we miss their contribution to the sound.

We generally play mostly Irish inspired music but there are a fair number of French, Scottish and occasionally Eastern European tunes and some self composed songs, especially from Tony who used to be a member of a small band in which I played, named Cacophonix.

It was a very social event with lots of chatter and music making and there were nibbles. I enjoy feeding folk and providing some food at these musical soirées provides an opportunity to try out some different things. The Lamingtons that Gennelle had cooked whilst we were with them on the Gold Coast and for which she had provided the recipe were on the memu and enjoyed by those who tried them. I also made a couple of dips, one for the first time and not based on a recipe but on a product we purchased from the supermarket chain of Woolworths whilst down under. It was a balsamic beetroot dip with feta cheese that turned out to be very tasty, fairly close to the product we purchase but with a little more bite. The other dip was one I make regularly, a spicy humus, the result of using smoked paprika and a little cayenne pepper.

Anyway, good music, food and company, what more can one ask for on a Sunday afternoon and evening.

 

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