Crikey!
Last Nights Fun at the Lund session in Sweden involved no less than 6 flute players, all with different makes of instruments. I never saw so many flutes in one place!
There was Steampacket with his beautiful Wilkes, Jens_Hoppe with his Copley flute, me & my Cotter, an 8-key Grinter, a Murray and one other flute (didn’t ask what brand).
Although a session in full swing is probably not the best environment to hear the finer nuances of a flute, I did get to try them out. Amazing how different they all play. Had a bit of a longer go on the Murray, and was very impressed with how responsive it was, especially in the second octave. It might have been to do with the setting of the cork. Jens mentioned that it was flat at the bottom.
Would be nice to compare these flutes in a quieter setting…
The session went from moderate speed, to good clip to galopping.
At the end reels were flying all over the place
There were some very fine musicians present - which is always inspiring to me.
Then at the end (gallop now changed to chase ) a busload of (female) students poured into the pub and surrounded the session table; hooting and clapping … it was surreal…
Then there was an old friend who came to show off his new (full?) sets of Copeland and Abell whistles! It was seriously too much to take in on one evening (I knew you’d understand). Apparently Chris Abell started making Low G whistles; and doing a mighty job at it. That man is some awesome crafts person!
By the way, Steampacket: I saw you took some pictures. How did those turn out??
Well, as you mentioned, a session in full swing is not the ideal environment to have a go at a new flute. For all I know, what I perceived as a flat bottom D on that Murray might just as well have been the interference from the other instruments playing and the surrounding noise.
Steampacket, I’d really be interested in seeing those photos of yours!
That sounds great. Too bad there arn’t any good sessions in my direct surroundings . There are probably some nice ones in Stockholm (not that far away), but I don’t know the people playing IRTrad there. Looks like I’ll have to get into the community soon. I’ve been playing for almost four years (I admitt, not that long) and been giving some small concerts here for over two years, mostly backup band for some more well known folk musician, but never played a single session in Sweden, and don’t know any IrTrad musician exept for those I play with here. Pretty depressing. But mabey I shouldn’t be in such a hurry, since I’m probably under aged for most of the session type pubs in Sweden anyway
There are probably some nice ones in Stockholm (not that far away), but I don’t know the people playing IRTrad there. Looks like I’ll have to get into the community soon.
Hi Henke !
I don’t remember exactly where you were living, but be sure to check out
Henrik Norbecks site www.norbeck.nu for sessions etc in Stockholm.
I began visiting the monthly session at Bishop arms inn (downtown) a while ago
and have started to know some of the regulars there and it’s a nice experience.
But from what I have read here etc the sessions in Lund/Malmo/Helsingborg seem to play in an own league though
One of the flute players was actually visiting from Stockholm. He was one of the finest fluters I have heard in a long time. Obviously good command of the intrument and a good feel for The Music.
I can’t imagine a guy like that wouldn’t regularly meet up with others to play.
In all my excitement about the flutes i forgot to mention that there were other instruments as well (as much as I like flutes - a flute-only session would be pretty lame).
At some point I counted 18 musicians around the table!
There was this box player who really sorted the boys from the men… there was a tendency to speed up, but when he started a set, he kept on playing and did not give an inch What is it about box players that makes them so assertive? (no box playerjokes please, this is a serious question) I’ve tried sitting next to Anders Trabjerg in a session - it’s like the tunes are pounded into your head; heavy boot stoming the beat and tune steady and strong from beginning to end.
Nice though…
Thanks for reminding me about the photos from the Lund session. I haven’t looked at them yet!! Happened to have the camera with me and just took some snaps. I’ll get them sorted and put them up so folks can see them. Very interesting to see and hear flutes by six different makers.
The Stockholm guy’s flute is a Hamilton with a wooden lip plate, a left hander, forgot his name, he s originally from Lund and told me he started playing flute around 1981. I believe Michael Spångfort & Derry flute player Paddy O’Neill were his teachers back then. Michael is in Helsingborg, and I think Paddy is teaching in San Francisco these days. The Murray is a nice one, belongs to Sofia Karlsson who is a very fine singer and a big (famous) name in Swedish folk music, Sofi sings also in the band Groupa. http://www.sofiakarlsson.com/ The guy on the fiddle, great musician is Esbjörn Hazelius is Sofia’s man. These are professsional musicians so it’s not so surprising they are are good on their instruments
18 musicians was pushing the limits as it became hard to hear the melody folks were playing at the far end of the tables at times, still it was an enjoyable evening. Your flutes, the Cotter & the Copley were sounding good - hope to see you at the Mick O’Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh workshop/concert weekend in Copenhagen - I’ll go for the sessions, my girlfriend will do the Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh fiddle class.
Hi!
Seems like you all had a great night in Lund, I’m looking forward to see some pictures.
Esbjörn is a very talented multi-instrumentalist and plays ITM with Kevin Ryan and Marco Pollier
in the group “anEitre” and in “Quilty”. Great live bands both of them.
Henke mentioned in another reply that there are quite a few Scandinavians here at C&F.
Maybe its time for a “Chiff & Fipple - Up North - GetTogether” ???
Henke! Just give Henrik a call or mail, he is a nice guy and always knows what’s going on around Stockholm.
Thanks Marcus and others . I think it’s a great idea to have a gathering of some sort. We should do that soon. Problem, as I mentioned earlier, I’m probably one of the youngest members of this board, turning 18 this year, and I’d imagine that most of the pubs here in Sweden that has got a session friendly enviroment would allow 21+ only. I probably need some more experience before I hit a session anyway. Kevin Ryan promised to get together with me this summer and give me some lessons. That’ll be great.
I’ll check with Henrik N as soon as I get time.
I’ve cobbled together a page with a couple of photos from the Lund session on it. It’ll take 2 min or so to load using a 56 V 90 modem. Couldn’t remember the Stockholm guy’s name ? - sorry, got your name wrong too Pixyy, I’ll correct it tomorrow evening
"Come on TJ ‘Bobby Casey on box’ what were you thinking? " Peter
Hi Peter - It’s the only name I could think of at that time of night 1.30 AM -Bobby Gardiner sounds prehaps better? I’ll sort it tonight all being well. The “Stockholm guy” on flute is called Jonas I’ve been told.
Thought it must have been something likethat. Gardiner seems more plausible somehow, Casey has been dead too long to play the accordeon. Hope you’re well, say hello to Helena from me.
“Thought it must have been something like that. Gardiner seems more plausible somehow, Casey has been dead too long to play the accordeon. Hope you’re well, say hello to Helena from me.” Peter
Yes, will do. Mick Crehan said that the box player was Bobby Gardiner the day after, it’s starting to come back now. Always best to document pics straightaway while they are fresh. I was photographed myself while playing at Rathnew cemetry last year, however I’m not sure about putting up such a photo on the net before getting the go-ahead from the relatives.
Helena says hello back and best to Sanna and Guus too. Helena will be doing Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh’s fiddle class this weekend. I’ll go for the sessions and to hear Mick & Caoimhín play at the concert.
. There are probably some nice ones in Stockholm (not that far away), but I don’t know the people playing IRTrad there. Looks like I’ll have to get into the community soon. I’ve been playing for almost four years (I admitt, not that long) and been giving some small concerts here for over two years, mostly backup band for some more well known folk musician, but never played a single session in Sweden, and don’t know any IrTrad musician exept for those I play with here. Pretty depressing. But mabey I shouldn’t be in such a hurry, since I’m probably under aged for most of the session type pubs in Sweden anyway 
I’ve tried sitting next to Anders Trabjerg in a session - it’s like the tunes are pounded into your head; heavy boot stoming the beat and tune steady and strong from beginning to end.
. I think it’s a great idea to have a gathering of some sort. We should do that soon. Problem, as I mentioned earlier, I’m probably one of the youngest members of this board, turning 18 this year, and I’d imagine that most of the pubs here in Sweden that has got a session friendly enviroment would allow 21+ only. I probably need some more experience before I hit a session anyway. Kevin Ryan promised to get together with me this summer and give me some lessons. That’ll be great.