Dec. 20, 2010 - The "Sort of a Holiday" Jam (with lots of great hats)

Congratulations to everyone who came last night to Bluegrass & Beyond for giving our last jam of the year such a warm, communal evening.

Tony even bought me a whiskey at the end of the evening to toast the great last year (and he doesn't even like me!).

We had both sets of Scotts and Steves, Zubie was there in fine form (representing for the 19th Century), Izzy and Brenda came for the first time in a year (I wonder if she ever found that pick?), Danny was in from Israel, Liz showed up again (taking a hiatus from the old-time scene) and, as I mentioned before, Mr. T and I decided to finally bury the hatchet (luckily for me, he missed...). And we had a quite appreciative full bar which didn't hurt the atmosphere any.

Where to begin? Perhaps with changes at Patty's itself. Since the last blog, we've lost our favorite bartender Eileen (although Steve M. would argue this back in London) - to the world of 9 to 5. In her place, we've welcomed her friend Chris, who seems to be enjoying himself working both of the Paddy's bluegrass jams - even threatening to bring own "ax" (I think he saw Tony's hatchet)!

This jam really had a nice feel to it... Starting with AJ's version of "Merry Christmas From The Family" by Robert Earl Keen, and ending with Scotty Claus passing around a beautiful, quiet instrumental version of "Silent Night".

In between, a smattering of holiday tunes, (Scotty's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree", Steve's "Blue Christmas", Craig's version of Dar Williams' "The Christians and the Pagens" and John Prine's "Christmas in Prison" from Lynn) along with Judy's home-baked holiday cookies and Steve's CDs (all left over from Tony's Sunday jam) made for a festive jam with a quirky twist.

Oh, and the hats... Danny (probably because he was wearing one!) wanted me to mention the hats. Quite a collection last night, young Steve, Danny, mystery banjo man (Steve's friend, looking like Bela Fleck noir on his "Drive" CD cover), and Cynthia (not to mention Sarah, who had just bought a new hat earlier that day, and probably should have left it on for the jam) all were playing in style. Did I miss anyone?

(Oh, no... I'm having a vision of Scotty in one of those organ grinder monkey's fez hats with the tassel playing "Sweet Georgia Brown").

Zubie, making a rare appearance, was on fire last night (even prompting a brief imitation from Scotty - nobody gets that!). He did three numbers, one of which was #4 in 1830 I think he said, but he made one mistake - "Down Yonder" is definitely from the very early 20th Century. Tony liked that one.

Zubie left with some reflective remarks about last year, and promised that next year "would be the best ever"!

Tony (once the MNF game ended... about the 2nd quarter) gave us Steve Goodman's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name". (I'm not sure he knows my name either, because he does call me a lot of other things...).

Izzy and Brenda were a big hit with "West Virginia" from Hazel Dickens and "Green Pastures" (a request from Jeanne). We'll take those two anytime we can get them (and the parking meters allow).

Danny tried Django's "Minor Swing" but I think one of the ropes broke, 'cause that swing came falling down quick. Keep it up big guy, we're always looking for new stuff at B & B! (Sarah and I were ready for a little "jazz manouche", having just listened to Rudolphe Rafalli in a nightclub in Paris last week). Hey, but you did have a great hat!

Speaking of crashing and burning, Liz (at our request) tried a unique three-part version of "Cumberland Gap". We should be careful what we wish for, I think we made it through two of the parts pretty well - though we never quite made it through that final "Gap". Sorry, Liz - we're like the Donner party of old-time here at Bluegrass & Beyond.

Jeanne brought a couple of traditional old-time fiddle tunes as well.

Scotty led a nice version of "Dixie Breakdown".

As for the co-hosts (and Sarah), we all pandered to the bar crowd - rocking with "Friend Of The Devil" and "You Ain't Going Nowhere" (AJ), "So Far Away" and "Should I Stay Or Should I Go?" (Sarah), and "That's All Right Mama" and the yodeling "Honky Tonk Woman" (Dave).

Cynthia only did one song, Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" - but that was enough to earn her a rare Scotty outburst of joy at her picking prowess on her break.

Scott #2 and Steve #2 went Bluegrass And Beyond with "Sophronie" and "Dead Flowers" respectively. Steve is a great flat-picker, especially on the rock numbers - and Scott will eternally be on my good side for bringing into B & B the Delmore Brothers' "The Word Broadminded Is Spelled S-I-N".

Happy Holidays to all from AJ, "Banjo" Mike, Bill, Sarah and Dave, and see you next year.


www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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November 1, 2010 - The "Banjo Mike Takes The Reins" Jam

Hello B & Bers (or, at least those of you few beyond help cases who've nothing better to do than read these blog entries),

Well, as any past or present co-host can tell you, riding herd on a Bluegrass & Beyond jam can be like trying to control a pack of wild kittens. We throw the yarn ball out and some of you go fetch, others stare blankly at our empty hands, and most of you just wander off in myriad directions, paying us no attention whatsoever.

Welcome to co-hosting, "Banjo" Mike!

He actually had to work pretty hard on his first night (it may be his last, I haven't heard a report from him yet...). AJ was derailed by the MTA, I was recovering from a stomach ailment  on antibiotics (my jokes sounded like I felt) and unofficial host Sarah was working late - but "Banjo" Mike took it all in stride.

Tony wasted no time in making Mike feel right at home. The big guy was seen crawling around the floor on hands and knees at "Banjo" Mike's feet - apparently prostrating himself to the new co-leader. We couldn't quite hear what he was mumbling down there, but it was either, "Hail to the His Royal Banjoness, King Mike!", or "I dropped my finger-picks, I hope Dave doesn't step on them again...".

Ex co-host, newly retired Co-Founder Emeritus, Bill wasted no time in claiming a new prime seat on the stage next to Mike, and complaining that he was working harder filling in for AJ and Mike than he ever did before.

His complaining didn't last long however, because Bob handed him his 12-string and requested "Walk Right In" - surely one of Bill's all-time favorites. Judy and Gail helped out with that one.

Bob, who has the loudest Martin this side of Nazareth, Pa., apparently decided that we needed even more volume at B & B (next time he's bringing a bull horn with strings).

He did give us a collection of 12-string hits, including Creedence's "Lodi" - although I was a little disappointed that he refused my suggestion of a sing-a-long to "Kum-Ba-Ya".

I have to say that Scotty and Tony were red hot last night. We're lucky to have them both - it's like having our own "dog and pony" show - a "Scott and Tony" show!

Mr. T and The Bluegrass Buddha. It sounds like one of those guy's night out buddy movie things - complete with wisecracks and all. They certainly do appreciate each other's humor - especially concerning certain co-hosts. I'm just lucky that Bob left earlier...

Sometime after midnight, after packing up my instruments, I was listening to Tony's "Walls Of Time" - and some incredibly intense picking going on, holding only a drink. Tony, of course, calls me for a break, and him and sidekick Scotty decide that that's the funniest thing that's ever happened at Bluegrass & Beyond.

I will grant them that it was the first break I've ever (not) taken where I didn't make any mistakes!

Tony also did an incredibly swing-y version of "Nine Pound Hammer", when he wasn't amusing himself at my expense; and Scott, led a great Halloween inspired "Love Potion #9" and Fleetwood Mac's "Sweet Dreams" (no doubt wishing that I'd already packed up for the evening).

Jon, coming early to support his band-mate's ascension to the center of the NYC jam world was also particularly "on". Leading off with the Dead's "Scarlet Begonias"? Whoa... big guy. He followed it up through the evening with "Way Downtown", On & On", I'm On My Way To The Old Home" - and a couple more.

His Emeritus, Bill, used his time off constructively, coming in with a new gospel number from early Flatt & Scruggs - "A Million Years Of Glory".

Judy besides giving us a blues rhumba, and a blues shuffle - got everyone going with Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good".

Kim, when he wasn't helping Judy with the rhumba, covered the Louvin Brothers' "Long Time Gone", and Gail, responding to the B & B Halloween e-mail, brought in the Delmore Brothers' "Gotta Have Some Loving" (she didn't wear her mask though - maybe she couldn't decide which one to come as).

I almost forgot "Professor" Pete - he was still there when I left after midnight. He apparently was doing songs all night from ex-Bill Monroe sidemen, who became better known for their own work. The only one I recognized was "Satisfied Mind" - but I wouldn't have it any other way - that's why he's the "Professor".

New co-host "Banjo" Mike obviously impacted the instrumental side of things at Bluegrass & Beyond. He started off with Rob Block's version of "Cluck Old Hen" - it sounded to me like the hen swallowed a "Cripple Creek" CD, and that's why she was clucking!

He also encouraged Dave's "St. Anne's Reel" and "Red Haired Boy", Scotty's "Gold Rush", "Big Mon" and led a ripping "Fireball Mail". If you didn't know who Earl Scruggs or Tom Adams were before Mike's ascension to co-leader, you will soon. The Johnson Mountain Boys' "Newton Grove" threatens to become the new B & B theme song...

Craig, proving that losing a guitar is no problem to a real musician, played mando all night - leading "Body And Soul", among others.

Warren after threatening to do "Werewolves of London", settled for "Ashes Of Love".

As for yours truly. In my weakened state, sans alcohol, and facing ceaseless verbal abuse - I still managed to bring in "Sweet Sunny South" and "Little Sadie".

I don't know if "Banjo" Mike can top his opening jam performance next week, but it'll be fun to try.


Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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A Changing Of The Guard At Bluegrass & Beyond

No, you can only wish - I'm still here!

But the big news is that co-founder and co-host Bill Giles wants to step down from the responsibility of leading each and every jam, because of increased work commitments. Talk about misplaced priorities... and I thought I knew him?

Of course, after 2 years of building the jam and getting to work with me every second week, it's hard for him just walk away - so he wants to continue on as an occasional guest host - not to mention gracing our masthead and poster as co-founder emeritus (and I thought that you had to be, like, a 100 years old for that honor).

Co-host AJ was willing to carry the load, Atlas-like, along with my meager help, but, fortunately, we have good news for all (especially AJ).

Through a combination of various Bluegrass & Beyond search committees, market research groups and advanced computer algorithms, an exhaustive nationwide scouring for qualified co-hosts turned up only one obvious choice.

And right under our noses, at that.

Please welcome our newest Bluegrass & Beyond co-host - "Banjo" Mike Mulhollan (He's currently undergoing an intensive 24-hour training session to be ready to step in and help out co-host AJ tomorrow night).

I, of course, will continue in my useless, non-capacity as color commentator, Scotty's straight man and occasional DobroCop (as Sarah sometimes chastises me with).

See you Monday, Mike et al,



Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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October 18, 2010 - The "Paddy's Pirates of Kip's Bay" Jam

Yo-ho-ho, Mates,

I must've been watching too much Johnny Depp while being sick last week because when I walked into Paddy's the other night night, I felt as if I was aboard a ship in Frenchman's Cay in the 1700's - instead of a bar in Kip's Bay, 2010.

Co-host AJ greeted me wearing his new pigtail, bandana and facial hair - and as I looked around all I could see was ponytails, pigtails, beards and stubble (and that was only the women...). And so began the Kip's Bay Pirates Of Paddy's jam...

Craig (who would fit in sailing under any Jolly Roger) started us off with "You're No Longer A Sweetheart Of Mine" - surely a pirate classic.

Long, tall Steve didn't lead any songs, but certainly fit the image sporting his new stubble. Give him a cutlass and he'll pass.

Scottie, who would have to be the cook on our ship (with the obligatory mischievous monkey) - sailed into uncharted bluegrass waters with Elvis Costello's "Allison" (in F - I guess his compass was broken) and James Taylor's "Fire And Rain". 

Cabin boy Scott (...the younger), stayed the bluegrass course with "Little Girl Of Mine In Tennessee" and "Molly And Tenbrooks".

Judy, who would probably stay ashore, gracing a seedy sailor's joint in some hellish pirate port, gave us a little Spanish flavor with a bluesy rhumba. Scotty helped her with that one (I haven't reached the "Latin Rhythms" chapter in my Scrugg's book yet). She also pumped out "Got Your Mojo Working" - almost working the crew into a mutiny.

Even a pirate ship needs a "Professor" (look at Gilligan's) - and our's has "Peg Leg" ("Pistol") Professor Pete, who forgot to wear his bandana, but came instead with numerous barely known country songs from who knows where (but ask him, and he'll tell you... at length). His voyage started with Harlan Howard's "Too Many Rivers", veered into the doldrums with The Stewart Family's "Just Out Of Reach (Of My 2 Open Arms) and he lowered his sails with Charlie Walker's "Who Will Buy The Wine?".

Bob doesn't need an eye patch or a hook, nobody'd mess with Bob on our ship - he's seen it all. Although while he led "Are You Tired Of Me, My Darling?" - I couldn't help thinking that a bright-colored parrot would look good with that Martin. Ay-y-y-y-y...

Cynthia would be carved in wood as our mast head - long hair flowing in the Carribean breeze - cutting through the waves, just like her voice cuts through the bar with EmmyLou's "Montana Cowgirl" or Warren Zevon's "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me".

Co-host (and First Mate) AJ, along with helping Sarah out of trouble with "Dallas", when her sails floundered, contributed Johnny Cash's "Big River" and a crowd-pleasing "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?".

It's too bad that "Banjo" Mike and (2nd Mate) Mr. T were serving time in the brig and missed this one - they would've fit right in, having enough hair between them for a whole motley crew. I always pictured Tony on the bar, with a barrel of rum hoisted on one shoulder, waving a sword in his other hand leading the bar in "A Pirate's Life For Me".

As for the rest of you (including me, I'm afraid) - shape up, or ship out! You look like a bunch of landlubbing port dwellers who've never scraped a barnacle in your lives... Paddy's doesn't have a plank to walk, but if you've never seen the basement - beware, it's just as scary!

Not that the rest of us didn't try to get aboard...

Karen led great versions of "Rain And Snow" and "Rider" - although keel-hauling her would be too good for leading it in the key of E.
 
Chris finally put down his dobro for a song (at least I know one person reads these things) and led Elvis' version of "Blue Moon Of Kenturky", while later Gary led "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane".

Kim and co-host Bill led a nice "Arkansas Traveler" (with Scotty providing the harmonics at the end... What?? I'd like to see him do that with a hook!). Steve led the Stone's "Dead Flowers" - say, didn't Keith have a part in one of those Depp movies?

Sarah pulled out a new one, Lucinda William's "Howling At Midnight".

I managed Vince Gill's "Give Me The highway" and almost started more mayhem with Sam The Sham's "Wooly Bully". We lost a couple overboard on THAT one...

We'll be back in port in two weeks, see you then - who knows what the crew'll look like by then!

May the trade winds be at your back, and your cutlasses stay sharp,


Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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The Oct. 4, 2010 Jam

Hi folks,

Well, thanks to the miracle of being married, I'm able to reconstruct the last jam from Sarah's copious notes - even at this late date, and after being under the weather... as well as showing early signs of dementia.

Sarah's notes claim that I even enjoyed myself. Even though I only led one song all evening, it was a winner - "Sinner Man" - with a raucous reaction from the crowd. I guess finding sinners at a bar is about as hard as fishing with dynamite in a pond. You're bound to find a few!

My fellow co-hosts really stepped up big to compensate for my overall uselessness. (Some would argue that this is the normal state of things at B & B).

Bill, besides practicing his German with Zubie's wife, Ingrid, did Ralph Stanley's "Hallelujah, I'm Ready To Go", and one of the hits of this, or any night - Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World".

AJ, not to be outdone, gave us John Prine's "Angel From Montgomery" and the Carter Family's "Gospel Ship".

Sarah lead off the evening with Lucinda Williams' "Crescent City" and later did her "Get Right With God" as well.

Am I the only one seeing a mini gospel theme here? Is Bluegrass & Beyond really home to that many sinners?

No wonder we always have such a good time!

And speaking of repenting, Scotty showed no signs of it last time - starting off with Bread's "Guitar Man", veering off into BJ Hooker's "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" for no apparent reason, and then culminating in a 1 chord wonder song "Rock On" (Hey, kids roll and roll...) from the 70's. I was almost able to play on THAT one, but I couldn't find the chord...

Zubie made a rare appearance, showing off for his wife, with "San Antonio Rose", "Down Yonder" and "The 1919 Flu Epidemic" (or was it 1918?).

Speaking of showing off, Liz's boyfriend borrowed a guitar and led John Prine's "Paradise" - with some help from Liz on fiddle, Craig and co-host Bill.

Despair and sorrow were well represented as usual with Gail's version of Jimmy Martin's "Steppin' Stone", Jonathan's Stanley Brothers' "Highway of Regret", Steve's covers of Merle's classic "Mama Tried", along with George Jone's "The Race Is On" - not to mention Judy's 1930's "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out".

And if you weren't sad enough after all that, Craig pulled out John Prine's "Christmas In Prison". I don't know what's more depressing, being in prison, or the fact that there are only 68 more shopping days until Christmas!

On a more positive note, Kim did Tim O'Brien's heartwarming "Nellie Kane".

Instrumental to the jam, literally, were Dan's "Cherokee Shuffle", Banjo Mike's "Hucklin' The Berries", Bill's "Big Sciota" - and, as I was leaving, a weird double banjo version of "Cluck Old Hen" with Bill and Banjo Mike, helped by Scottie and Danny on fiddle - sounding like a mix of "Zorba The Greek", "Arabian Nights" and the Stone's "Paint It Black".

By the way, I have to point out on an instrumental note, that Chris - even though he knows he's breaking my heart by not leading any more Wayne "The Train" Hancock songs - is really kicking on the resonator guitar these days.

As I walked down 2nd Ave. late after another fine jam, I heard the melodious strains of Tony (talk about sinners!) wafting into the night air - "I'm only walkin' after midnight, searching for you..."

Well sinners, you don't have to search at all... every odd Monday at Paddy's... Bluegrass & Beyond...

See you next time, let's raise some hell! (and repent in song...),

Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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