PATTAYA, Thailand –The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) hosted a vibrant musical morning on January 29, that had the audience tapping their feet in delight. The performance, featuring a talented quartet, blended Irish and American folk traditions, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
The ensemble included Peter Airey (England) and Herb Wolff (USA) on violins, Gerry Holmes (Australia-Ireland) on accordion and tin whistle, and Pauli Ruhanainen (Finland) on guitar. Together, they delivered a seamless and spirited performance, staying true to the Irish session tradition—where musicians play in continuous sequence, learning by ear rather than sheet music, often playing purely for enjoyment rather than an audience.
Peter shared personal anecdotes about learning Irish tunes from a young fiddle player in Bristol and his friendship with Irish musician Mick Maloney, who raised funds for an orphanage in Bangkok.
The morning began with an energetic set of jigs, including “The Black Rogue,” “Whelan’s,” and “Tenpenny,” quickly drawing the audience into the rhythm. Songs such as “Marie’s Wedding” and “The White Cockade” encouraged audience participation, with lyrics displayed on the big screen for a sing-along. The group followed with a series of reels, including “Tam Lyn” and “Julia Delaney,” showcasing their versatility and technical skill.
A highlight of the session was a rousing rendition of “Whiskey in the Jar,” a beloved Irish classic that had the crowd singing along. Other Irish favourites included “King of the Fairies” and two lively polkas, “The Ballydesmond” and “I’ll Tell Me Ma.”
Adding a historical touch, Peter introduced two tunes composed by Turlough O’Carolan (1670–1738)—“Fanny Power” and “Madame Maxwell”—sharing insights into the famous Irish harpist’s legacy.
The performance concluded with “Dirty Old Town” by Ewan MacColl, a nostalgic ballad about Salford, England, bringing a fitting close to a thoroughly enjoyable session.
Following the musical presentation, MC Ren Lexander provided updates on upcoming PCEC events before opening the floor for the Open Forum, where attendees discussed aspects of expat life in Pattaya.
For more information about PCEC, visit https://pcec.club. To relive the performance, watch the video on PCEC’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDZ_5w0e580.
