So this week it’s all about music about pubs and bars. What about music in pubs and bars? There is a pub in Exeter called the Welcome Inn that, when I was living there (in Exeter, not the pub), had regular Sunday lunchtime bring your own instrument and join in sessions. The flavour was distinctly Celtic, and maybe more Irish than anything else, but they were damn good sessions. We got into the habit of popping the roast in the oven at twelveish, going down to The Welcome for a pint or two, enjoying the music (occasionally joining in) and then going home, cooking the veg (previously prepped) and rounding off a good musical lunchtime session with a good meal. Fond memories.
I’d like to know if any of you have favourite places to go to just to enjoy impromptu music or if you have stumbled (or staggered) into a public house just to be blown away by an unexpected musical experience. (Name dropping of acts not famous at the time actively encouraged here). Just how strong is the link between the Public House and music? How often have you been down the pub more for the music than the beer? Pray tell.
At least get the photo the right side up!
On reflection you may have a point!
Well, I don’t go out to bars much anymore, but one of the local bars gets some spill over acts from the city gigs, who come down to the beach bars to play afterwards. Had Johnny Winter, Steel Pulse, NRBQ, Andrew Tosh, Roomful of Blues, and more.
But your mention of Celtic music made me think of the Black Rosein Boston, which we stumbled into (literally) when up to see the marathon one year. Live Irish music every night.
When I was younger and living in London I used to go to see bands in pubs all the time.
Highlights include;
Man at The Greyhound in Fulham Palace Rd
Ian Dury and the Blockheads at the Hope and Anchor in Islington
Dr Feelgood at The Kensington
Various bands at The Nashville – Soft Boys, Saints, X-Ray Spex, early Ultravox etc
More punk at the Red Cow in Hammersmith
Used to see loads of pub bands – The Nervous Brothers used to play in The Golden Lion in Fishponds every Sunday lunch time, they were sort of psycobilly (?) – great fun – we used to go down at lunch time and get home long after closing in the evening. The barmaid used to give Mr M money for the pool table so she could chat to me at the bar – good times, good fun.
Also used to see Keith Warmington and Steve Payne at the Kings Arms on the top of Blackboy Hill – excellent blues / folk. KW now has a programme on Radio Bristol, I think.
And many, many more.
Having read your post properly – there was a pub in Windmill Hill where my friend and I went for a ‘join in’ session – I think we took our recorders. I can’t remember a lot about it except sitting on the kerb outside with my friend saying “Did we really drink all that Guinness?” and the landlord coming out and saying what a great night it had been and please would we come back next week.
Also remember trying to play a bodrhan (spelling?) in the local pub here, when we first moved up here – sadly the pub has changed hands now so no more Irish folk nights.
If I lived in Bath it would be The Bell on Walcot Street. My brother lives in Bristol so I do get in there for Sunday sessions a couple of times a year. Great pub.
Otherwise, London pubs still make space for folk and improv meaning a good nights music can be had for a few quid. Planning to catch Groanbox at the The Oval Tavern when I get back from the Hammill tour.
Name dropping, you say?
I saw Ween when they were just a pair of whackos in WWI biplane flyer helmets. At the Court Tavern of pub quiz post fame.
Now I see them all the time because they hang out at the bar where I work.
When I lived in Norwich (a pub for every day and a church for every week of the year) there was a choice of pubs to go to for folkie join in evenings (and other types I expect). Used to have a lot of fun at the pub at the end of my road, name sadly forgotten and several others, the Black Cat maybe? Don’t think anyone famous frequented them, but there were some wonderful versions of Lark in the Morning played with a large variety of instruments and much real ale was imbibed.
Thanks for reminding me of it with your post maki
I have a friend with a gorgeous, Kate Rusby-ish singing voice, and we used to have regular sessions in the pub-where-I’m-best-known (see BOTWQ); then she moved down to Southern germany and we all cried. Whenever she’s back up this way, we gather for a session (that’s the once or twice a year I get let out!), although recent visits have proved tricky – do we want a singalong or do we want to catch up on gossip? Maybe we should just sing the gossip, Fado style from table to table (there’s always a lot of talking going on in the background anyway). The only time the pub has absolutely quietened and listened with awe was when an unknown Irish visitor just got up and started to sing – it was amazing!
I saw most of the Flying Nun bands in pubs, though only a few of those were really very enjoyable places to be- such as the original Bar Bodega in Wellington, long since demolished to make way for the Motorway bypass. However they moved around the corner and are still doing business.
Here in Stuttgart the pub vibe (and the beer) is generally more conducive to music listening. Probably the only band we’ve seen while it was still relatively unknown was Fanfare Ciocarlia, in 1997 on their first European tour. They still play the same venue here, though it tends to sell out almost immediately. They would probably be my all-time favourite pub band, too.
The Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City still has semi regular bluegrass nights in which folks show up to play. Haven’t been to one for awhile but they’re fun. In my Navy days I was stationed in the Jacksonville, Fla area. There was a venue at the beach where they had local bands play. This was ’68. one of the bands was called the Second Coming & a few of us became rabid fans. One night the bass player said they liked to jam at this placed called the Forest Inn on sunday evenings & it was open to all comers. My buddy Dan was a pretty decent rock guitarist & had played in bands back in Ohio. We went a few times & Dan took his guitar to sit in. the 2nd night the Second Coming guitarist showed Dan a blues progression & said they were gonna do a song by a guy who knew the blues from a to z, Blind Willie Mctell. They did a nice jam riffing off of it & 2 other guitarists & the bass player joined in. It was just amazing! After a couple more tunes Dan came over for a drink. Sweatin’ & smilin’ I still remember what he said. These guys are so good they scare me. In the Second Coming were Dickie Betts – guitar, Barry Oakley – bass & Butch Trucks drums. one of the sit in guitarists was this blonde guy named Duane. We followed them around till the Second Coming broke up to form a new group. Got shipped overseas & was home on leave & my best friend played an album for me by someone named the Allman Brothers Band. One of the best times of my life.
In Stony Stratford, where I used to live, the pubs are full of live music (and the streets too, quite often). There’s a Sunday lunchtime jam session in the Cock on Sundays, there’s mumming, there’s Morris dancing, there’s jazz, blues – it’s wonderful.
The town (allegedly) gave birth to the expression ‘a cock and bull story’: Stony was a coaching town, and the Cock was posher than the adjacent Bull; tall tales told in the bar of the Cock would be retold and made even taller in the Bull. The Cock And Bull Band come from Stony, anyway – that much IS true. (Well, not the Frenchman, obviously.)
Just heading down the local* now for a session – a group plays every fortnight, just mucking about, really. Open to all comers; lots of popular songs from sheets, probably too many strummers-along (inc me!), but I get to do a blues spot, ‘cos their Brazilian lead guitarist likes it.
*Cafe du Cerf in Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Some great reminiscing here! I think I’m envious (in a good way) of just about everyone! Ali, I’ve had that sitting on a pavement moment more than once! Carole, you saw a lot of bands in places I would have loved to. Got to see a lot of them later but in bigger venues, but it’s not really the same, is it? Debby, I love the way you write and your fado idea could catch on! Fintan, the Allman Brothers, wow! Amy, Steen, TY, Tfd and Nilpferd thanks, too. I think we’ve enjoyed music in bars pretty much all around the world!
Everyone! Thanks for sharing. Bethnoir, I’m glad it brought back good memories. It was the good memories that made me post this!
Williamsbach – I’m on my way! Will I get there before closing time?!
Oh and Tin, thanks for the help with the photo!