Full Circle at the Merry Muse Folk Club, Canberra

After stepping off the plane in the morning back in Australia, my band had a gig that night at the Merry Muse Folk Club in Canberra, Australia. My body was telling me it was 07.00AM and I hadn’t slept all night, despite it being 9.00PM in Canberra. But it was a good crowd and we fired well off each other to make a good show. The audience was larger than usual and the evening had a really good feel to it. We were supported by vocal harmony group Humbug.

We played a great version of Farewell to Chernobyl and Trip to Pakistan - good Celtic tunes - and the folk club was nearly full - quite a contrast to some previous occasions.

It’s good to be home again after a fairly hectic two weeks away in Canada and USA, but it was also great to play in some wonderful sessions overseas.

Cheers
Jerry

 

Washington DC session - Nanny O’Brien’s

Last night saw me at a great session in Washington DC at Nanny O’Brien’s Pub on 3319 Connecticut Avenue NW. The session started at 9.00pm and there was a good mix of tunes I knew and new tunes to learn. They were warm and welcoming and the session leader, internationally renowned Brendan Mulvihill is a real gem - and he sure can play! His warm welcome and handshake showed him to be a true Limerick gentleman.

Again there was lots of curiosity about my pochette fiddle - playing the sessions is certainly a great way to meet people - and several recommended that I came along tonight to the McGinty’s pub - so, yes I’ll be there. Rob, one of the musicians even offered to bring along a spare violin as he found my pochette a little quiet at the session. And at the end of the evening I was given a lift back to the hotel.

At the end of the session I stopped and chatted with Brendan Mulvihill about Australia, the fiddle, the craic and Irish music - and I’ve told him the tea kettle’s always on if he should ever visit Canberra. Truly a great night

Cheers
Jerry

 

The Silver Spire

This Irish tune is driving me nuts - but it’s the next one on my list to learn after Paddy Ryan’s Dream which I’ve nearly learnt.

Last week it was the Fleur de Mandragore - a great tune that I heard at the National Folk Festival this year. I’m still having trouble with Tommy’s Tarbukas - but I’m getting there on that one too

Cheers
Jerry

 

Pochette - at the National Folk Festival in Canberra

My box-style pochette (travel fiddle) attracted quite a lot of attention when I took it to the National Folk Festival in Canberra. I’m still thinking through some further modifications, and no I’m not going into commercial production - others like Rickert and Ringholz already make fine box pochettes - but here is mine being played by Sydney fiddle player Tony Pryzakowski

Cheers
Jerry