Jan. 17, 2011 - The "Women's" Jam

Wow, the 3rd great jam in a row - we're in the midst of a hot streak to start the new year.

The first thing that Sarah and I noticed was return of the prodigal jammers - Howard, Phyllis, Karen, the Professor, and Bob (well, he's not really so prodigal) - where have you been? We missed you...

Then Phyllis, before launching into her first song, made the astute observation that the jam was loaded with women - as if the guys hadn't already noticed!

Co-host AJ had his hands full right from the get-go (suspiciously eyeing Howard as he pulled out his uke) - mostly involving the "Great 2011 Electric Scare". That's right, new jammer Robert showed up with an electric bass - there, I said it - electric! Luckily, channelling my inner Hillary Clinton, I offered him diplomatic immunity and steered him over to Dan, who making nice, shared his stand-up all night.

I think Dan actually enjoyed the time off, taking the opportunity to play the "Martin horizontal 6-string bass", while leading "Don't This Road Look Rough And Rocky".

Cynthia got rave reviews from Scotty for her version of Linda Ronstadt's "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me".

Robert's co-newbie companion, Suzie, didn't bring anything electric, but she produced some electricity with her great voice on Utah Phillips' "Rock, Salt & Nails" and another great song about gambling.

Karen, back from the 'burbs, gave us a bluegrass version of Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe" via Johnny Cash.

Sarah got Phyllis' attention with  "Please Help Me I'm Falling" from the 60's, after which Kate followed with "Wagon Wheel".

Wow, there were a lot women there (and Lynn didn't even lead a song).

Scott #2, sporting a new buzz cut for work, unfortunately is taking a leave of absence from B & B for a while, but not before he gave us "Little Cabin Home In Tennessee" - leaving yours truly to wonder if he'll ever hear "The Word Broadminded Is Spelled S-I-N" again! 

Co-founder Bill, speaking from experience, actually thought Scott's hair might be a little too long for the banking world! Hey, I could've putted on that hair if it was a little flatter. Get back here soon, Scott.

Bob showing up unarmed, but still ever dangerous, borrowed a guitar for a song or two.

Bill again took advantage of Dan's bass playing for an Elvis number "Too Much" and Tony followed it up with a be-bop-a-lupin "Boppin' The Blues".

Co-founder Bill didn't disappoint on the gospel front either, coming in with yet another new (old) one, Ralph Stanley's "Home Far Away".

I finally got the name of co-host "Banjo" Mike's hot new banjo piece - "The Village Bear" - why couldn't I remember that? Next time, I'll find out where it came from. Do I really want to know?

Howard, besides providing really hot guitar solos all night, sang a beautiful ballad "The Bramble And The Rose" - and then raised a few eyebrows with his lighting fast ukulele break on Banjo Mike and Scotty's "Gold Rush". Yeah, I said ukulele!

Scotty was busy, as usual. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" gave Howard, Tony, Bill and Kim ample room to stretch out on. Later, after the jam, the unlikely hillbilly duo of Scotty and Dave combined for an ad hoc harmony duet on "Rocky Top" - causing a minor commotion at the bar (and with Kim).

But, this is where it gets interesting... how many jammers can follow up "Rocky Top" with Bach's "Prelude #1"? Well, Scotty can (and no, Segovia never played "Rocky Top, Tennessee" - as least while sober).

Jon, as usual, shone at the after jam - premiering a new bluegrass tune or two.

Co-host AJ, Professor Pete, Craig, Bob, Kim and Phyllis all did great songs - I just can't remember them. Oh, did I mention that Tony was buying me whiskeys at 1:30?

See you in two weeks, and thanks all for coming - from co-hosts AJ, "Banjo" Mike and,

Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
Facebook / Bluegrass & Beyond NYC

The January 3rd, 2011 Jam

Happy New Year, B & B ers:

Well, we had to compete with a mighty blizzard and holiday hangovers last week, but the place was rocking with a crowded jam, a full bar and a rowdy dart crowd to start the new year.

Scotty, Tony and Jeanne really rose to the occasion, literally serenading some Brasilian tourists at the bar with requests for "The Girl From Ipanema", "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I've got Rhythm".

Others who got big reactions from the audience included Sarah's "Can't Let Go" (Randy Weeks via Lucinda Williams), Danny's "House Of The Rising Sun" and co-leader AJ's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

But, by far the biggest hits of the evening came from founder emeritus, Bill - who enjoying his leisure time away from co-hosting, has become a veritable song machine. This week he came in with Eddie Cochran's "Twenty Flight Rock" (although he credited bass player Dan as well) and later gave the bar a shot of good old-fashioned religion with "Crying Holy" - and believe me, some of them were on that one. Good going Brother Bill!

I don't know if I can take credit for getting the place rocking, but I did have one extremely loyal fan take a break from the dart match to help me out loudly on Ray Wylie Hubbard's "Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother". All right, he was only one person, but if you were there, you know that he made Paddy's sound like the Armadillo World Headquarters for one song. We sang so well... so well... SO WELL!

By the way Leslie, being from Texas, was helping us out as well - albeit in a more lady-like fashion.

Bass player Dan, when he wasn't inspiring Bill's rockabilly, gave us a rare treat when he dueted with Cynthia on "Once More" - sounding a little like George Jones and Melba Montgomery - even inspiring Scotty to direct the B & B  band behind their singing.

Scotty produced another interesting moment when he led Neil Diamond's "Song, Song, Blue" - it was pretty funny watching the bluegrass picker's faces during that one!

Now, before you worry that we've changed our jam name to "... & Beyond" - rest assured that there was plenty of bluegrass picking going on as well.

Leslie, Jon, Bill and co-host Mike, by evening's end, conspired to give us most of the 2nd Avenue Mountain Boys repertoire. I love Jon's version of Grandpa Jones' "Eight More Miles To Louisville" and "Banjo" Mike brought in a new hot banjo tune to rival "Newton Grove" and "Kentucky Mandolin". I'll get the name next time - I know we'll be playing that one a lot. Leslie did a nice version of "On And On", but, I have to admit, I still miss the old Leslie of "La Bamba" fame!

Craig earlier, started off the Grandpa Jones segment of the evening with "It's Raining Here This Morning" and Scott 2, besides bringing his cool fedora wearing friend Chris 2, gave us "Molly And Tenbrooks".

Chris 1 finally got back to basics - quit playing sideways on his guitar - and knocked off Wayne "The Train" Hancock's "Thunderstorms And Neon Signs" (probably just to quiet me down for a jam or two). He also gave me the quote of the night when he told me: "... that bass player is almost too good for bluegrass, he's got to hack it up a little more to sound authentic...".

Believe me Dan, he was complimenting you! Between Chris, Bill, Scotty and Cynthia, we'll have start printing tee shirts: "I'm a Dan Fan"! Hey, you already have a band leader...

Cynthia, by the way, did pretty well without Dan as well - doing Emmylou's "Wyoming Cowboy" and Jeanne and Tony together played a beautiful version of the "Lonesome Moonlight Waltz".

Tony did a number of good ones, but I always like his version of the semi-autobiographical Merle Haggard classic "Mama Tried" (and I'm referring to Tony, not Merle).

Which brings me to my closing argument for my fellow members of the Bluegrass & Beyond Bar Association (and you know what "bar" I'm talking about).

I didn't mind it too much when a second Scott appeared on the scene - nobody would ever mistake Scotty for Scott; but then, a second Steve appeared at the jam! I know, you can say that one's tall and young, etc. - but the point remains that the blogging is becoming harder and harder. Not to mention that I still often confuse Scott 2 with Steve 2 to this day (and I won't even mention Danny and Dan)! But I've been dealing with it...

Fast forward, and now we get Chris 2, brought in by Steve 2 (see how complicated it gets?). When will it stop? I'm thinking proposing a limit of 3 on each name... and how do I refer to them all? Chris 1, 2, 3?; Scotty the Elder?, Steve the Slender? Nicknames? The "Hat", "Bass Man" or The "Bluegrass Buddha"?

Why can't everyone have a name like Zubie or Izzy? Do you think they have trouble getting good User IDs? (Zubie4001?)

Maybe we can implant the offenders with bar codes and I can scan you before your breaks?

Well, I've managed to avoid therapy so far, but don't any of you even think about inviting another "Dave" to B & B - I already have to wear a name tag to remind myself who I am!

See you next time, and check out Mary Parker's photos of the Dec. 20th, 2010 jam on Facebook (you don't have to be a member to look).


Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
Facebook / Bluegrass & Beyond NYC