Musicians: Playing mostly Irish Traditional Music…Jigs, reels, hornpipes, mazurkas, etc

I’m really delighted that my old friend from microbiology days in the socialist republic of Sheffield, Danny Mackay, is not only coming to the party but also bringing his musical friends. I actually remember Danny buying his first penny whistle over 33 years ago and in fact I followed his example soon after. He was good then and I wasn’t and you will be very pleased indeed that I am not bringing mine to the party…..

Danny writes about his compadres:

Danny Mackay, from Glasgow, resident in SE London.

Helps out in microscopy and histology research at Guys Med School, which he hopes will keep him off the streets till he retires.

Plays:  Flute: blackwood Rudall Carte Boehm-system contraption with as many buttons as a typewriter.  Whistle: played – possibly too long - since maybe 1975 or 76.  2-row button accordion: Dino Baffetti Black Pearl….it looks good anyway.  Bodhrán, the Irish goatskin drum: If there’s one rolling around, he may take the occasional thump at it.

Seisiuns: He was, many years ago, a regular attendee at many North London seisiuns hosted by the likes of Brian Rooney and Paddy Hayes, whom Danny says he had the stupidity to sit in with. When he emigrated to South East London, amidst various suburban ephemeral sessions, Danny and some others finally established and hosted The Woodman session in Lee Green in the 90’s. In 2003, with the help of some refugees from the, by then, moribund Woodman, he re-established the session at The Blythe Hill Tavern, Forest Hill so that it became a regular Thursday night affair which has gone on ever since. The “Blythe” started with a bang and burned with a bright flame for a few years but these days its embers just emanate a comforting glow.

Max Fishel, originally from Liverpool, expert in the didactics of chemistry.

Plays: Whistle and blackwood flute.

A source of many tunes and great contributor to the repertoire of the ensemble, Max has played for many years at many seisiuns and gigs at a high level and was a regular at the Woodman seisiun before it petered out. He was also a co-founder of the present Blythe Hill Tavern session. Max can also compere completely competently employing his incomparable Scouse rhetoric, he retains all his own hair and is house-trained. He has been known to sing, so if he is treated with courtesy and dignity who knows….

Paul Gross, Fiddlemeister.

Plays: Fiddle, piano. Fiddle only on this occasion….

Veteran of an untold number of sessions, gigs and barndances, Paul has been central to both the English and Irish traditional music community in London and beyond for many years. He was a founder member of The Rakes, the legendary English Barn Dance group, who presently play regular Ceilis in Cecil Sharpe House, Camden. Paul and The Rakes, with Reg Hall and Bob Davenport, have made several recordings and are widely respected as guardians of the tradition. Paul has probably played with most of the great figures in the history of Irish traditional music in London in the 70’s and 80’s. An inscrutable English gentleman, he never takes bribes, never swears and has always subscribed to the protocols of the Geneva Convention.

Billy Thompson, MI6 operative.

Plays: Tenor Banjo.

AKA “Machine Gun Billy” of the Thompson Guns, this dangerous character can deliver a deadly series of high-speed triplets on any string you fancy, in any key you fancy. Billy is of course in reality a gentle soul who has great dedication to his craft…and is also a mighty banjo player, specialising in jigs….but also specialising in reels, hornpipes…. and whatever else he can think of. Billy also plays mandolin but it is widely believed he feels the mando a bit too quiet for a Kerryman. Billy also likes butterfly collecting, embroidery and needlework.

And then all four playing together:

Danny, Max, Paul and Billy - we cant wait to see you and enjoy fine tunes in a wood on what is going to be a fine day ! Thanks so much for coming!