It seems like only yesterday that co-host Bill and I conceived our plan to lure John McEuen to our humble jam by convincing him that "Will The Circle Be Unbroken: Vol. 4" was being recorded at Paddy's last Monday.
Anyway, this Monday, Sept. 7th - Labor Day - 7:30 at Paddy Reilly's Pub (SW corner of 2nd and 29th), B + B staggers and reels onward (and I did confirm the date with Bob before embarrassing myself again).
I'm a little speechless after last week's jam, because it was by far the best jam yet in our, soon to be, one-year existence.
Just a few comments, because in my opinion, everyone rose to the occasion to make for a special jam (even Warren, with the world's largest "Post-It").
In case you still don't know who the bearded stranger was (or are under 40), say hello to John McEuen - co-founder of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band ("Mr. Bojangles", etc.) and the guy who approached Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Mother Maybelle Carter in 1972 and offered them the chance to make a triple album with a bunch of West Coast hippies. Fortunately, they saw the logic of his absurd request and convinced most of the Nashville greats to participate - and the rest is history. Currently, he's just produced Steve Martin's new banjo album "The Crow" with guests like Dolly Parton and Vince Gill.
I thought John was simply great, giving an amazing impromptu clawhammer demonstration after I'd mentioned that both co-host Bill and Liz played that style as well. He never tried to dominate the jam and answered tons of questions later at the bar. He'll be playing at the City Winery on Sept. 14th with David Amram and our own Jen Larsen among others, with a workshop before (also BB King's in Oct. with the NGDB).
I thought co-host Bill did a great job of keeping the jam going around what was obviously a very special visitor, making sure that various people got to shine during John's stay (I'm thinking of Mike's playing "Newton Grove", basically teaching the tune to John, who later joined him with a great break; and John's running back in to grab a banjo when Bob started "Some Old Day", the old Flatt and Scruggs number).
Last week also brought prodigal son "California" Ray back to NYC until the holidays. Unfortunately, he's home again this week because of the L. A. wildfires raging a few miles from his ranch. Our thoughts are with Ray and Kim.
Also, Amy was back again after a long, long absence (she thought that she'd been missing quite a jam all this year - I told her that we had Ralph Stanley last week - and she believed me!
There were dozens of highlights, so I'll just end by saying that the singing behind my own banjo version of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" was something. It seemed like everyone in the room was singing (including the whole bar and owner Steve - front and center). It was like our own version of the "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" finales - and far better than the Viennese Boys Choir (thanks AJ and Sarah).
See you Monday,
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