Aff the Cuff: The Sessions

Aff the Cuff: Session 116

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 20:17:01 GMT

Ever wondered what it would sound like if you took 6 or 7 guys playing a range of instruments and you told them not to pay attention to the lead player/singer in terms of timing or chord progressions? Well………… this is what it sounds like. Matt McGinn, Scottish folk singer-song writer and poet, came up with the perfect word to describe a night like this - 'shite'! There are nights when 'lousin' time' just can't come quick enough!!

Andy Keir:1954 - 2009

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:15:38 GMT

Here are just a few of the tunes and songs that Andy played and sang during his all too short time with Aff the Cuff. These should bring back good memories of the man and his music to the many friends who shared Andy's life. 'Irreplaceable' aptly describes the man.

Aff the Cuff: Session 115

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:19:22 GMT

From a historical perspective, folk music had these characteristics: It was transmitted through an Oral tradition. Before the twentieth century, ordinary farm workers and factory workers were illiterate. They acquired songs by memorising them. Primarily, it is not mediated by books, recorded or transmitted media. Singers may extend their repertoire using broadsheets, song books or CDs, but these secondary enhancements are of the same character as the primary songs experienced in the flesh. The music was often related to national culture. It was culturally particular - from a particular region or culture. In the context of an immigrant group, folk music acquires an extra dimension for social cohesion. It is particularly conspicuous in the United States, where Polish-Americans, Irish-Americans and Asian-Americans strive to emphasise differences from the mainstream. They will learn songs and dances that originate in the countries where their grandparents came from. They commemorate historical and personal events. On certain days of the year, such as Easter, May Day and Christmas hoe, particular songs celebrate the yearly cycle. Weddings, birthdays and funerals may also be noted with songs, dances and special costumes. Religious festivals often have a folk music component. Choral music at these events brings children and non-professional singers to participate in a public arena, giving an emotional bonding that is unrelated to the aethetic qualities of the music. As a side-effect, the following characteristics are sometimes present: Lack of copyright on songs There are hundreds of songs from the nineteenth century have known authors. However, they have continued in oral tradition, to the point where they are classified as "Traditional", for purposes of music publishing. This has become much less frequent since the 1970s. Today, almost every folk song that is recorded is credited with an arrangement e.g. "Trad arr Dylan". Fusion of cultures In the same way that people can have a mixed background, with parents originating in different continents, so too music can be a blend of influences. A particular rhythmic pattern, or a characteristic instrument, is enough to give a traditional feel to music, even when it has been composed recently. It is easy to recognise the presence of a bagpipe or a tabla in a piece of music. The young are usually much less offended by the dilution or adaptation of songs this way. Equally an electric guitar can be added to an old song. It is a matter of personal taste as to whether this is an enhancement to the music, or a cheap gimmick. The relevant factors may include instrumentation, tunings, voicings, phrasing, subject matter, and even production methods. Non-commercial. Celebrations of cultural identity are occasionally performed without any profit motive. The absence of financial reward for the organiser was much more common in the past.

Aff the Cuff: Session 114

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:16:40 GMT

It's a big night for smallpipes!!!

Aff the Cuff: Session 113

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:56:54 GMT

It's a night of hot Christmas string action. Eclectic must be an anagram of Aff the Cuff??????????

Aff the Cuff: Session 112

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:51:38 GMT

It's a night of multicultural mayhem for the boys as they travel the world with their tunes and songs.....................

Aff the Cuff: Session 111

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:58:15 GMT

At last - a host of predominantly Scottish tunes and songs - with a few Irish tunes thrown in for good measure............

Aff the Cuff: Session 110

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:25:00 GMT

The name-droppers' session with lots of things to listen to............

Session 109

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:13:53 GMT

It was a piper's night.. lively and there!

Session 108

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:16:03 GMT

It's late at night and most people have gone....................

Aff the Cuff: Session 107

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:11:06 GMT

The Credit Crunch Session If your equity has taken a serious knock then become a scriphologist! Scripophily is the study and collection of stocks and bonds. A specialized field of numismatics, scripophily is an interesting area of collecting due to both the inherent beauty of some historical documents as well as the interesting historical context of each document. Some stock certificates are excellent examples of engraving. Occasionally, an old stock document will be found that still has value as a stock in a successor company.

Aff the Cuff: Session 106

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:36:19 GMT

It's an eclectic night at the Aboukir session with The Cuffies, The Ryans, The Penny and Roger the Box!

Aff the Cuff: Session 105

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:35:07 GMT

Finally.......... welcome back to the Aboukir Hotel. Tonight we are joined by good friends the Ryans and Jim Penny for a cracking session!

Aff the Cuff: Session 104

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:29:01 GMT

Leonard Night at The Aboukir Hotel with some fine fiddle tunes..................

Aff the Cuff: Session 103

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:58:23 GMT

Yee Haaaaaa! The one with Western flavour!!!

Aff the Cuff: Session 102

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:02:56 GMT

What needs to be said?

Aff the Cuff: Session 101

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:54:06 GMT

Wild, wild, wild was the night and dark the beer.......................

Aff the Cuff: Session 100

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:50:15 GMT

Featuring the Prima Donna Polka and the Clawhammer Cha Cha, it's bound to be a night for real men!!!!

Aff the Cuff: Session 99

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:55:37 GMT

The one with the small faces..........

Aff the Cuff: Session 98

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:33:37 GMT

I have been given a caution by the police. Does this mean I have a criminal record? A caution is not a criminal conviction, so if you are asked whether you have any previous convictions you may say no. However, the police will retain records of your caution in the Police National Computer. This record will normally be stepped down after 5 years but will never be deleted.

Aff the Cuff: Session 97

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:25:02 GMT

hapeshifting is a common theme in folklore, as well as in science fiction and fantasy. In its broadest sense, it is a change in the physical form or shape of a person or animal. Other terms include metamorphosis, morphing, transformation, or transmogrification. There is no settled agreement on the terminology. Still, the most common usages are: shapeshifting indicates changes that are temporary[1] metamorphosis indicates changes that are lasting[2] transformation indicates changes that are externally imposed[3] Shapeshifting is distinguished from natural processes such as aging or metamorphosis (despite shared use of the term), the body contortions of animals such as the Mimic Octopus, and illusory changes. Instead, shapeshifting involves physical changes such as alterations of age, gender, race, or general appearance or changes between human form and that of an animal, plant, or inanimate object.

Aff the Cuff: Session 96

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:28:28 GMT

Aboukir in Blue(s) Lots of singers tonight, especially the blues brothers. Also, as a special treat, Andy Davis' latest tune, the reel 'Sir Bob of Doigness' or' Maybe's Aye, Maybe's Naw!'. Attention all you pipers out there - if you want the dot's for this and other Andy Davis tunes, contact him at: yintao4u@yahoo.co.uk

Aff the Cuff: Session 95

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:12:35 GMT

On the scrounge with Aff the Ckuf.

Aff the Cuff: Session 94

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:17:12 GMT

Frequent flying can be hard on the body New York - Airplane crew and passengers who frequently fly between several time zones face a number of health problems including disruptions in a woman's menstrual cycle and even short-term psychiatric disturbances, researchers from the United Kingdom warn in a report published on Thursday in The Lancet. There seems to be no getting used to long-haul flights, according to researchers who report that flight crews who regularly take long journeys are not protected from the effects of jet lag such as poor and interrupted sleep, mood changes, irritability, stomach problems, and decreased brain power.

In Memory of Big Pete

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:59:27 GMT

This session is in memory of Peter Walters, a traditional music stalwart who played with Aff the Cuff for several years before becoming unwell. A flute player and Uilleann piper who formerly played with An Teallach Ceilidh Band, Peter will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Aff the Cuff: Session 93

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:58:56 GMT

A melange of melangeries. No new episodes for the next few weeks - off on tour de France!

Aff the Cuff: Session 92

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:30:09 GMT

The Dirty, Dirty Andy Session with the crazy wumman from Leeds!

Aff the Cuff: Session 91

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:46:06 GMT

The adjectively challenged session with added Marr!

Aff the Cuff: Session 90

Aff the Cuff — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:37:03 GMT

Another fine night of music and mayhem and a good dose of Andy Coogan at the end. Google 'Andy Coogan' and you'll find his jig - Derek and Sarah Hoy with Dave Francis: Missinyersel / The Olympian / Andy Coogan's Jig.

Aff the Cuff: Session 89

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:06:16 GMT

A mountainous heap of tunes and songs...................

Aff the Cuff: Session 88

Aff the Cuff — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:52:44 GMT

Carnoustie was the site of the legendary Battle of Barry in which the Scots, supposedly led by Malcolm II, defeated a Danish invasion force in 1010 AD. The history of this event relies heavily on tradition, much of which is fanciful, and it is unclear whether any serious archaeological study has ever been carried out. The scale and importance of the battle, and indeed it's historical authenticity is unknown. The Scots army is supposed to have gathered at Barry Sands and, from there, ambushed the Danish Army who intended to take Dundee. The exact location of the battle is unknown, but the Lochty burn is said to have run red with blood for three days following it. No record of the event is found before that written by Hector Boece in the sixteenth century. It is reasonable to suspect that Boece transcribed the story from oral tradition, being originally a local from Panbride. In favour of its historicity, a number of tumuli are reported to have been found during the early building of Carnoustie and a number of fragments of armaments were uncovered at Pitskelly in 1812[4]. Suffering heavy losses, the leader of the Danes, Camus, is said to have fled the battlefield, but was pursued by Robert de Keith, who caught up with him at Brae Downie where, it is said, the Camus Cross was erected in memory of him. It is important to note, however, that there is no other record of Camus and many believe the cross is more likely to mark the grave of a local chieften. The etymology of the name 'Carnoustie' is ultimately unknown, but is sometimes said to derive from 'Cairn of Hosts' in memory of the battle. Other possibilities include the gaelic 'Car na fheusta' (The rock of the feast or pinewood) or that it is a combination of the prefix 'Car', meaning 'rock' common in the area and the Old Norse term 'noust', meaning 'boat beaching place', also common in parts of Scotland. A local legend has it that, following the Danes defeat at the Battle of Barry, the Norse gods cursed the area with a plague of crows, and the town became known as 'Craws Nestie'. The name predates the town itself by several hundred years and Carnoustie House (spelt Karnousty) can be seen on maps as early as the 16th century.

Aff the Cuff: Session 87

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:39:50 GMT

A racing fast session - thanks to the banjo player!

Aff the Cuff: Session 61

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 18:28:09 GMT

The one with Cleetus and the Baaaaar!

Aff the Cuff: Session 60

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:32:32 GMT

A selection of second-rate songs and tunes brought to you by the Kings of Mediocrity................

Aff the Cuff: Session 59

Aff the Cuff — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:47:46 GMT

Some songs, some jokes and lots of music. Tonight's sessions includes: * O'Rourkes Reel and Electric Chopsticks * Calton Weaver * The Rambling Pitchfork * The Roses O' Prince Charlie * Father John McNeil of Barra * The Flowers of Edinburgh and A Soldier's Joy * She Moved Through the Fair We hope you enjoy the session.

Aff the Cuff: Session 58

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 30 May 2007 18:59:46 GMT

There's a fine traditional selection in tonight's session, even Hard Times, which was penned in the 19th Century. *Eileen Og *Road to Banff; Maureen's Jig; Jig Runrig and more... *She Walked through the Fair and more... *Seaman Staines *A Roving *Shoals of Herring *Small Pipe Medley *Calton Weaver *The Barnyards o Dalgety *Hard Times If you like the small pipes and want your own set then check out: http://www.scottishsmallpipes.com/ . If you like the fiddle and want to learn more the visit: http://www.scotsfiddlefestival.com/

Aff the Cuff: Session 57

Aff the Cuff — Sat, 26 May 2007 09:17:39 GMT

Welcome back to the Aboukir Sessions. Tonight features another fine range of tunes and songs including old favourites such as 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere', Yellow on the Broom', 'Say You Love Me', Hard Times' and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down'.

Aff the Cuff: Session 56

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 16 May 2007 18:36:15 GMT

Tonight’s session features a selection of well-known songs and tunes including Twa Recruitin' Sergeants; Calton Weaver; Ramblin’ Rover; Say You Love Me; The Leaving of Liverpool; Whiskey in the Jar, I’ll Tell me Ma; Fisherman’s Blues and Star o the County Down.

Aff the Cuff: Session 55

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:25:22 GMT

A very clean evening with a host of unusual songs and tunes - well they're unusual the way we do them. We hope you're hot for the smarts!

Aff the Cuff: Session 54

Aff the Cuff — Mon, 07 May 2007 13:57:07 GMT

Another fine selection of songs and tunes for you from The Aboukir Hotel in Carnoustie.

Aff the Cuff: Session 53

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:23:29 GMT

Tonight's session brings a very mixed bag of tunes and songs.

Aff the Cuff: Session 52

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:05:37 GMT

Welcome back the The Aboukir Hotel in Carnoustie after a short Easter break. The usual suspects are here tonight with a range of tunes and songs, weel kent and no sae weel kent.

Aff the Cuff: Session 51

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:35:20 GMT

Tonight brings a fine selection of delicately distilled favourites for you to savour late at night in front of a roaring log fire with a body warmed whisky and a warm bodied woman.

Aff the Cuff: Session 50

Aff the Cuff — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 19:10:33 GMT

It was one of those nights when just about everyone was working with their own internal metronome - and no one could blame the drink. Let this be a lesson to all sessioneers about the importance of keeping to the same speed!!!!! Or at least playing quietly!!!!!!

Aff the Cuff: Session 49

Aff the Cuff — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 20:28:12 GMT

It was a night of mixed emotions as Celtic played Milan only to go out in the San Siro in the final minutes of the game - Jim was going to sing!

Aff the Cuff: Session 48

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:44:24 GMT

Tonight's session is live from the world famous Murray's Bar in Dundee and features a host of popular tunes and ditties!

Aff the Cuff: Session 47

Aff the Cuff — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:36:58 GMT

Aff the Cuff are joined by a new face tonight - a man with a box.