Another great Tuesday night... at St. Stephen's Green Pub!
03/07/09 09:52
Tuesday
night rolled around again... and tons of folks braved
the thunderous, rainy skies that covered the evening...
seeking NOT only the great Guinness... but the
friendly, cheerful atmosphere at St. Stephen's Green
Pub... Tripping up
the Stairs Jig set
Here is Hugh – the owner of the pub; Jessica, the wise maid; and Karen, the maid behind the bar…
New friends and old friends gathered... folks here all the way from Ireland, and locals, as well as vacationing families - who all joined the fun... talking and laughing while the music kept lots of toes tapping... and several dancers dancing... Legacy Set - Whistling Boys of Lietrum
ENTER the stage... one Kelly Brother... to the jovial equivalent of "NORM!" on the old tv sitcom "Cheers"...
then... ENTER the stage - Kelly brother #2... with his darling Maria... who delighted everyone again this evening… with their beautiful, figurine like waltzing... moving gracefully around the pub to our music - and delighting the other patrons...
Several folks over the past few weeks… have approached me after session… and said this is just the most pleasant, and friendliest pub they’ve ever been to… and I agree! We have such a wonderful group of friends we play music with… and great friends we get to see each week who come out to hear us play… Thank you all for being so much fun… and making each Tuesday night – so special. King of the Fairies - Lads of Laios
JUST LOVE you guys!
Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!
Have fun! Be safe!
and Always have a designated driver!!
Read More...
Here is Hugh – the owner of the pub; Jessica, the wise maid; and Karen, the maid behind the bar…
New friends and old friends gathered... folks here all the way from Ireland, and locals, as well as vacationing families - who all joined the fun... talking and laughing while the music kept lots of toes tapping... and several dancers dancing... Legacy Set - Whistling Boys of Lietrum
ENTER the stage... one Kelly Brother... to the jovial equivalent of "NORM!" on the old tv sitcom "Cheers"...
then... ENTER the stage - Kelly brother #2... with his darling Maria... who delighted everyone again this evening… with their beautiful, figurine like waltzing... moving gracefully around the pub to our music - and delighting the other patrons...
Several folks over the past few weeks… have approached me after session… and said this is just the most pleasant, and friendliest pub they’ve ever been to… and I agree! We have such a wonderful group of friends we play music with… and great friends we get to see each week who come out to hear us play… Thank you all for being so much fun… and making each Tuesday night – so special. King of the Fairies - Lads of Laios
JUST LOVE you guys!
Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!
Have fun! Be safe!
and Always have a designated driver!!
Read More...
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A Wild Night at St. Stephen's Green last night! June 9, 2009
10/06/09 17:03
Session
at
St. Stephen’s Green last night
was a real blast… We were soooo happy to have
our dear heart...
Frank Curran with us
again, bringing lively songs and lilting flute and
whistle tunes… and our adorable
Rich Brautigam - and all
his boyish charm... adding a wonderful, cheerful,
bouncing banjo accompaniments to the music of the
evening… So to have BOTH the boys with us last
night was a real treat! 
By accident… the Mp3 recorder was left on 'record'… and so this most delightful evening was then recorded – unbeknownst to the band… So... upon this delightful discovery this morning... I’m posting some of our last evening’s tunes here for you to enjoy…
Jennifer Mylod kicked off a reel set… swinging into "Pigeon on a Gate" so here's - Jennifer Mylod on fiddle… Bob Higgins on lead guitar, Lyn Higgins on Bodhran, Phil Mylod on Uilleann pipes, Frank Curran on Whistle/flute and Rich Brautigam on Banjo.
Pigeon Set
Frank Curran brought us his awesome version of “Whiskey in the Jar” … we ALWAYS have fun with this tune! Frank on guitar, Jennifer Mylod on fiddle accompanyment... and mostly the same folks on same instruments! Whiskey In the Jar - Frank Curran
Legacy Jig set is Frank Curran & Phil Mylod aka The Whistling boys of Lietrim
on dualing whistles…
with
Jennifer Mylod on Bodhran
with Lyn. 
Legacy Set - Whistling Boys of Lietrum
Frank Curran sings us “Match in the Making” and plays guitar, while Jennifer Mylod supplies fiddle accompaniment.
Match in the Makin' - Frank Curran
Jennifer Mylod starts up a lively jig set... "Tripping up the Stairs"… Same folks… same night… same fun as always! I love these guys!
Tripping up the Stairs Jig set
Pam Pertgen came and sang for us in her pure, crystalline voice “The Fields of Athenry” with Bob Higgins backing her on guitar, and Jennifer Mylod singing harmony behind her… not bad for off the cuff! Fields of Athenry - Pam
Tom… ohhhhhh what can we say?
Our dear, adorable Thomas Geary came to the pub last night… to celebrrate his Birthday… he came with his friends and we sang Happy Birthday to him… Then, (after his G string debockle&hellip
he delighted us all with several
songs… one making everyone laugh -
“If
I only had a Brain”…
If i only
had a brain - Tom
and the other – “Wild Rover” in his quirky – Irish Rap way… lol… we love you Tom! Wild Rover - Tom
Here’s also – one of our old standards… “The Polka set” we have remnants from the Barn Burners Band… Polka Set 1
We played “Jessica’s Set” – a couple reels we named after our regular waitress… Jess… the first is “Wise Maid” & the second is “Maid behind the Bar”… Jess is a doll!
Jessica's
Set - Maids
Here’s “King of the Fairies” into “Lads of Laois”… Jennifer Mylod on Fiddle, Bob Higgins backing on guitar, Rich Brautigam on Banjo! Frank Curran on flute... Phil on lively whistle!
King of the Fairies - Lads of Laios
Lyn hates pics... but.... i just had to put this in here... sorry Lyn...
So…. If this isn’t proof in the pudding that sessions there are a blast… come out for yourself… dance a jig or a reel for us… try some of St. Stephen’s AWESOME food… (they have a great new chef who’s taking the world by storm!) and bask in the fun yourself… I guarantee you won’t be able to NOT tap your foot!
Read More...
By accident… the Mp3 recorder was left on 'record'… and so this most delightful evening was then recorded – unbeknownst to the band… So... upon this delightful discovery this morning... I’m posting some of our last evening’s tunes here for you to enjoy…
Jennifer Mylod kicked off a reel set… swinging into "Pigeon on a Gate" so here's - Jennifer Mylod on fiddle… Bob Higgins on lead guitar, Lyn Higgins on Bodhran, Phil Mylod on Uilleann pipes, Frank Curran on Whistle/flute and Rich Brautigam on Banjo.
Pigeon Set
Frank Curran brought us his awesome version of “Whiskey in the Jar” … we ALWAYS have fun with this tune! Frank on guitar, Jennifer Mylod on fiddle accompanyment... and mostly the same folks on same instruments! Whiskey In the Jar - Frank Curran
Legacy Jig set is Frank Curran & Phil Mylod aka The Whistling boys of Lietrim
on dualing whistles…
with
Jennifer Mylod on Bodhran
with Lyn.
Legacy Set - Whistling Boys of Lietrum
Frank Curran sings us “Match in the Making” and plays guitar, while Jennifer Mylod supplies fiddle accompaniment.
Match in the Makin' - Frank Curran
Jennifer Mylod starts up a lively jig set... "Tripping up the Stairs"… Same folks… same night… same fun as always! I love these guys!
Tripping up the Stairs Jig set
Pam Pertgen came and sang for us in her pure, crystalline voice “The Fields of Athenry” with Bob Higgins backing her on guitar, and Jennifer Mylod singing harmony behind her… not bad for off the cuff! Fields of Athenry - Pam
Tom… ohhhhhh what can we say?
Our dear, adorable Thomas Geary came to the pub last night… to celebrrate his Birthday… he came with his friends and we sang Happy Birthday to him… Then, (after his G string debockle&hellip
he delighted us all with several
songs… one making everyone laugh -
“If
I only had a Brain”…
If i only
had a brain - Tom
and the other – “Wild Rover” in his quirky – Irish Rap way… lol… we love you Tom! Wild Rover - Tom
Here’s also – one of our old standards… “The Polka set” we have remnants from the Barn Burners Band… Polka Set 1
We played “Jessica’s Set” – a couple reels we named after our regular waitress… Jess… the first is “Wise Maid” & the second is “Maid behind the Bar”… Jess is a doll!
Jessica's
Set - MaidsHere’s “King of the Fairies” into “Lads of Laois”… Jennifer Mylod on Fiddle, Bob Higgins backing on guitar, Rich Brautigam on Banjo! Frank Curran on flute... Phil on lively whistle!
King of the Fairies - Lads of Laios
Lyn hates pics... but.... i just had to put this in here... sorry Lyn...
So…. If this isn’t proof in the pudding that sessions there are a blast… come out for yourself… dance a jig or a reel for us… try some of St. Stephen’s AWESOME food… (they have a great new chef who’s taking the world by storm!) and bask in the fun yourself… I guarantee you won’t be able to NOT tap your foot!
Read More...
Island Beach State Park adventure!
25/05/09 13:37
Besides playing my music… fiddlin’, gigs,
and leading the Irish music session up at St.
Stephen’s Green Public House in Spring Lake, NJ -
I’m an avid cyclist.
Weather permitting, I do about 20+ miles a day. On one particular ride, I ventured down to Island Beach State Park – where I saw a fox - who’s physical condition alarmed me. I stopped at the gate house on my way out of the park and spoke to the Naturalists there. I was assured that the fox I saw – was a “Momma fox” and that she’d been pulling her tail and hind fur out - to pad, and soften her bed in preparation for the babies she was expecting!
Well, sure enough, I was in the park on May 21, 2009 and I saw this little “Momma Fox” again… But this time, she was standing – rather splayed out - on the side of the road… It was strange, and the awkwardness of her stance drew my attention… but then, as I got closer, I saw – amazingly - that she had 3, little fluffy, orange babies, nursing beneath her!!!!! I grabbed the camera as fast as I could… (I actually HAD it!) and filmed her!!!!!!! The babies had tumbled off, before I could video them nursing… but it was amazing and thrilling to be able to witness such a beautiful thing… Here’s the video link if you want to see!
http://www.islandbeachnj.org/Nature/animals/red-fox.html
Thanks to Dave – the website ‘creationist’ for the IBSP’s website - who posted my video and writings on the website there – in the “Red Fox” section of the Nature section! He also even linked my site here and plugged my music!
Thanks Dave!
Read More...
I’m an avid cyclist.
Weather permitting, I do about 20+ miles a day. On one particular ride, I ventured down to Island Beach State Park – where I saw a fox - who’s physical condition alarmed me. I stopped at the gate house on my way out of the park and spoke to the Naturalists there. I was assured that the fox I saw – was a “Momma fox” and that she’d been pulling her tail and hind fur out - to pad, and soften her bed in preparation for the babies she was expecting!
Well, sure enough, I was in the park on May 21, 2009 and I saw this little “Momma Fox” again… But this time, she was standing – rather splayed out - on the side of the road… It was strange, and the awkwardness of her stance drew my attention… but then, as I got closer, I saw – amazingly - that she had 3, little fluffy, orange babies, nursing beneath her!!!!! I grabbed the camera as fast as I could… (I actually HAD it!) and filmed her!!!!!!! The babies had tumbled off, before I could video them nursing… but it was amazing and thrilling to be able to witness such a beautiful thing… Here’s the video link if you want to see!
http://www.islandbeachnj.org/Nature/animals/red-fox.html
Thanks to Dave – the website ‘creationist’ for the IBSP’s website - who posted my video and writings on the website there – in the “Red Fox” section of the Nature section! He also even linked my site here and plugged my music!
Thanks Dave!
Read More...
Killkenny House Session was a blast!!!!! Good Job Rich
07/05/09 09:17
Wednesday night
- Last night... May 6 - A raging storm of wild Irish
music was kicked up at the Kilkenny House Irish Pub in
Cranford, NJ where we hosted the new found Irish
session...
As the night progressed, a storm of wind and rain raged outside as well, but the music and song continued in the cozy and solid pub!!! We got there a tad early and enjoyed a fine dinner and a splash of wine... chatted with the regulars, and couldn't help but laugh at the keen sense of humor of the manager, Damian.
We were joined by the great... and often 'late' Frank Curran on whistle and flute... and our dear, Rich Braughtigan on banjo/guitar.. who organizes and runs the new session there... We had the pleasure of playing with some wonderful and talented friends - some traversing there from ('the Mother Ship') - St. James Gate... It was good to see Peggy,
and always delightful to visit and play tunes with Dublin Paul with his Foley - lending steady rhythm to the tunes, and songs to the evening. Steve - another Dubliner... played a skilled bodhran and sang for us... and most delightfully I was thrilled to see our dear, sweet Noreen come in with her whistle... and her cheerful smile and twinkling eyes...
She finally brought her son and fine fiddler - BRENDON! Haven't seen him since East Durham Irish Arts week... so that was a treat!!! It was so much fun to get to play with all the dear friends we don't usually get to see and the night flew by on the wings of music!
Thank you so much all... for making the night such a blast! Thank you Rich... for inviting us up!
Read More...
As the night progressed, a storm of wind and rain raged outside as well, but the music and song continued in the cozy and solid pub!!! We got there a tad early and enjoyed a fine dinner and a splash of wine... chatted with the regulars, and couldn't help but laugh at the keen sense of humor of the manager, Damian.
We were joined by the great... and often 'late' Frank Curran on whistle and flute... and our dear, Rich Braughtigan on banjo/guitar.. who organizes and runs the new session there... We had the pleasure of playing with some wonderful and talented friends - some traversing there from ('the Mother Ship') - St. James Gate... It was good to see Peggy,
and always delightful to visit and play tunes with Dublin Paul with his Foley - lending steady rhythm to the tunes, and songs to the evening. Steve - another Dubliner... played a skilled bodhran and sang for us... and most delightfully I was thrilled to see our dear, sweet Noreen come in with her whistle... and her cheerful smile and twinkling eyes...
She finally brought her son and fine fiddler - BRENDON! Haven't seen him since East Durham Irish Arts week... so that was a treat!!! It was so much fun to get to play with all the dear friends we don't usually get to see and the night flew by on the wings of music!
Thank you so much all... for making the night such a blast! Thank you Rich... for inviting us up!
Read More...
St. Patrick's - the recooperation is in effect! WHEW!
22/03/09 16:11
We ran all
through this 'green - shamrock season'... much
like wild, crazy, possessed Leprecon's!!! It seemed we
played endless jigs, reels, and yes, hornpipes and
waltzes... all traditional Irish music and songs -
through the days - and well into most of the nights...
Our beloved St. Stephen's Green - as always - was hoppin' most of the month of March... and we had various folks singing with us - It's always a thrill when our friend/patron Pam - comes up and brings us songs in her pure, crystaline voice... (pic below of Pam! and Jennifer - who's in the goofy hat!)
Pam always turns heads when she's singing!!! We had folks dancing jigs... and little children who just couldn't contain themselves... moving their little feet to the music... and even some romantics (yes... YOU Mr. Kelly and Maria) who enchanted us all with their beautiful waltzing... They seemed to be moving as if on air, through the pub, to the pleasure of the patrons... They dance beautifully together!
The library engagements went smashingly well... the Lavallette Library was wonderful as usual, and it was so good to see the friends we'd met last year there, who came back out to hear us play again, of course the staff there is wonderful!!!
We made a few news papers... and got some good coverage at our gigs...
The Howell Library was eventful as well... they put up a lovely sign for us... haha... that i just HAD to snap a pic of...
and from there, we voyaged over to our beloved St. Stephen's Green - for a special, Sunday evening session with our friends... bringing along more than a few 'library attendies' - who came meandering along - after us... so the party raged on in the beautiful, and cozy atmosphere of St. Stephen's Green...
The full day of the 17th... was spent up at Chimney Rock Inn, in Gillette, NJ with all our gang from Tuesday nights… and OHHHH what a night! It was such fun, and we were asked back for next year – as well as their ‘half way to St. Patty’s’ party too!
So the month, the days – and evenings - were a great success… now it's time for a NAP!
Read More...
Our beloved St. Stephen's Green - as always - was hoppin' most of the month of March... and we had various folks singing with us - It's always a thrill when our friend/patron Pam - comes up and brings us songs in her pure, crystaline voice... (pic below of Pam! and Jennifer - who's in the goofy hat!)
Pam always turns heads when she's singing!!! We had folks dancing jigs... and little children who just couldn't contain themselves... moving their little feet to the music... and even some romantics (yes... YOU Mr. Kelly and Maria) who enchanted us all with their beautiful waltzing... They seemed to be moving as if on air, through the pub, to the pleasure of the patrons... They dance beautifully together!
The library engagements went smashingly well... the Lavallette Library was wonderful as usual, and it was so good to see the friends we'd met last year there, who came back out to hear us play again, of course the staff there is wonderful!!!
We made a few news papers... and got some good coverage at our gigs...
The Howell Library was eventful as well... they put up a lovely sign for us... haha... that i just HAD to snap a pic of...
and from there, we voyaged over to our beloved St. Stephen's Green - for a special, Sunday evening session with our friends... bringing along more than a few 'library attendies' - who came meandering along - after us... so the party raged on in the beautiful, and cozy atmosphere of St. Stephen's Green...
The full day of the 17th... was spent up at Chimney Rock Inn, in Gillette, NJ with all our gang from Tuesday nights… and OHHHH what a night! It was such fun, and we were asked back for next year – as well as their ‘half way to St. Patty’s’ party too!
So the month, the days – and evenings - were a great success… now it's time for a NAP!
Read More...