Mick’s fifteen comments

Playing is sometimes very fast at London sessions, which might not be ideal if you’re learning. Mick O’Connor’s sessions tend to be a little slower, & they are very welcoming. Details here: https://www.wraggletaggle.com/sessions. more…

Restored Wheatsones can be worth £thousands as well. more…

Tunes by Ed Reavy often visit 3 different octaves, e.g. Johnny McGoohan’s or Maudabawn chapel. more…

I agree that there is a lot of boom-chick, but I think there are some exceptions, e.g. Ryan Molloy, Catherine McHugh (who I think plays on Theresa O’Grady’s Banjoista album) and Jack Talty. more…

We have four people who sing (after a fashion as far as some of us are concerned) & who also play acoustic instruments with pick-ups. We usually play in pubs or small halls. more…

It will be difficult to find a recording with all four of your instruments. I’d recommend the Queally sisters’ recent album (Beyond the Bellows & the Bow). It lacks a flute but has your other three instruments. more…

A lot of the Catholic parish records for births & marriages are now available free online at NLI: https://registers.nli.ie. more…

I’ve got one of Paul Hathway’s. It has a pick-up but no volume control. Good quality, & it sounds good through a PA. They’re available directly from him in London, & also tend to be in Hobgoblin shops. more…

There will be a session at the Park Tavern (https://thesession.org/sessions/3676) tomorrow Friday. I hope to be there myself. more…

I have a flat-back bouzouki which was bottom of the range when I bought it 25 years ago - the label says it’s a Musikalia from Italy. It doesn’t sound great, which might be partly because the strings are about 20 years old. more…