Hello Everybody,
Well, before I begin this week, I'm sad to report another loss to our Bluegrass & Beyond family - Andrew - who's been a stalwart contributor both to the jam and the website (see his "Bluegrass Tao" and "Fiddle Tune Chord Sheet").
He wrote to say that he's taking a new job in New Jersey and was moving there - I thought he was taking a paper route or some such job as I would get - but it seems that he had something more important in mind - something about being N.J. State Treasurer!
Hardly an excuse for missing Bluegrass & Beyond, but everyone has their own priorities... I'm sure going to miss him at Grey Fox this year - as I wrote last year: "Highlights included... Andrew's fashionable handling of the rain wear dilemma - he should be the cover model for the new "Grey Fox" line of camping wear and fashion accessories".
Maybe we will see him this year - he'll have the only mud-covered black limousine in the parking lot - and a chauffeur to carry his instrument cases. What a life!
Speaking of recent departures and Grey Fox, with an irony that would make Ray ("California") smile - after teasing him mercilessly about wreaking Mike's "Cherokee Shuffle" at last year's Grey Fox campsite by mistakingly playing "Bill Cheathem" in the middle three times in a row - I committed a similar offense myself. And it even involved Mike again!
Returning from the back room, I proceeded to play a "Fireball Mail" break two times through when called - unfortunately being the only one in the room not aware that Mike had instead earlier called "John Henry". Well, at least I didn't do it 3 times in a row - R a a a y! But I DID get a look from Mike...
Banjo Mike's going to think the bluegrass world's against him - with friends like these...
It didn't really pick up from there for me, as I spent most of the time during my version of Charlie Monroe's "When The Angels Carry Me Home" trying to figure what other song it reminded me of. Co-hosts A.J. and Bill promptly picked up with "Mountain Dew" as my last banjo note faded... thus putting me out of my misery.
I've got to hand it to both my co-hosts though, they always bring their "A" game to pick me up when I'm down.
Bill came in with The Young Rascals' "Good Lovin" and Neil Diamond's "I'm A Believer" (via The Monkees) - both in most lists of the top 100 singles of all time.
A.J., taking his leadership role seriously (as opposed to yours truly), brought it on with Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" and Emmylou's "Satan's Jewel Crown".
Sarah got Scottie worked up to a frenzy with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" from the Motown era .
Isn't it nice to have Scottie? Any time you need an extended break on a song in whatever key - there he is - the Bluegrass Buddha... waiting patiently, smiling...
During "Midnight Moonlight" did played both Jerry and Vassar's parts (on the guitar) during the endless "Bb - G" break, and the fade out on Tom Petty's "Runnin' Down A Dream" - "Eb - F - G"? No problem (we just added the whoo - whoos). Eventually he ran out of frets and we ended the song!
Kudos to Lynn for her attempting Alison Krauss' "Endless Highway" - a song that we should make a Bluegrass & Beyond standard. Look it up - it's only got 4 chords - I told her to do it again next time, when more people know it.
Jonathan, perhaps being in a bluegrass state of mind these days, what with the 2nd Ave. Mountain Boys and all (Friday, Feb. 5th, 8 pm @ Paddy's), brought in a plethora of standards in "Rosalie McFall", "Let Me Love You One More Time" and "I Feel The Blues Movin' In" - leaving me waiting yet another jam for Parts 2 and 3 of the Dead's "Terrapin Station Suite"...
Liz did a nice "Sitting On Top Of The World', and Warren (without his usual GIANT wall-sized "Post-It" note) did "Rocky Top".
Recent newbie Steve contributed with a swingy version of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".
A nice jam (hopefully I'll be a little sharper next time) and Andrew, if the State needs a loan - don't call me!
Dave Comins
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