March 29 and April 5, 2010 - The "Mets-ican Hat Dance" Jam

It's good to be back in New York, B & B ers:


During my two week absence, co-hosts Bill and A J (and a host of others) kept the lights burning for me.

Not only was March 29th the beginning of Passover, but it was right during the torrential rain storms that practically submerged Rhode Island (sorry about that Pat and Jill) - and had Paddy's bailing out with buckets in the back room as well from a persistant roof leak.

But a few staunch supporters waded in (see Mary's photos here), and as A J reported in an e-mail to me: "the turnout was small, due to inclimate weather but it was solid with Bill, Mike, Scott, & myself . We hung out till Tuesday and it was OK. Round2 on Monday."

Round two indeed, the April 5 jam was the opposite, with great weather and the National Championship Game (with a packed, and apparently inebriated bar - Liz, did you have anything to do with that?).

Warren Peace checked in via e-mail to comment on Gary's version of "Meet The Mets" - bluegrass-style, no less:

"Wow! you missed a Wild and Cra-a-a-zy time, we had a slightly deranged and extremely drunk Mets fan, who wanted us to do Meet the Mets, Gary fortunatly knew the words, but that barely registered with the drunked sot.  Who then proceeded to take his Mets cap off his head, displayed the Mets logo all around and then threw his hat on the floor.

I'm thinking Wow! a Mets-ican Hat Dance. 

I'm proud to say that this barely fazed our intrepid Beyonders, they took it all in stride.

Other than that a great time was had by all, as always."

Mets-ican Hat Dance! Not bad Warren (and Gary)! Where was Mary to photograph all this?

Finally, those of you who follow this blog know that one of the joys in my life is constantly kidding co-host Bill about his utter and complete lack of sports knowledge.

Well, another intrepid B & B correspondent (Jonathan) e-mailed me this one  about Bill:

"If you missed last Monday's jam you also missed the one opportunity you will ever have to witness Bill watching a sporting event. That's right, Bill turned his attention to the last 13 seconds of the Duke-Butler game and seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself for the limited amount of time."

That's about it, except that I really missed a lot while I was away - the Paddy's Country/Bluegrass Idols finals, the 2nd Ave. Mtn. Boys at the Canal Room for a Hall and Oates Contest and Paddy's performances by both Triboro and the 2nd Ave. Mtn. Boys. 

But, I won't miss the next Bluegrass and Beyond!

See you soon,

Dave Comins

www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com

March 15th, 2010 - The "Irish" Jam

Good day to you, lassies and laddies:

Well, being a bluegrass-based jam in an Irish Pub has it's moments - usually surrounding St. Patrick's Day in NYC! But, being appreciative of owner Steve's continuing support, we again did our bit for the Irish this week.

We started a half hour late, as we walked on a full-fledged Irish pub crawl / singalong to Raylene's IPod - which apparently was programmed in Dublin.

Even Scotty couldn't compete with that... although he later tried (along with half the bar).

Co-host A J really bailed us out this jam - with his enormous repertoire including enough Irish songs to keep the place rocking all night. We did 'em all (with a lot of help) - "The Irish Rover", "The Fields Of Athenry", "Whiskey In The Jar"...

Scotty pitched in with "Danny Boy" and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" - duetting with about 20 others (while A J waltzed with a pretty lass - ah, the things he does for Ireland!).

Co-host Bill, Mike, Jon and I did the best we could to contribute on the instrumental side - leading "Red-Haired Boy", "Whiskey Before Breakfast" and a host of others to keep the atmosphere festive. 

Bill actually scored the second biggest hit of the night with that old Irish classic "Love The One You're With" - they loved it! We even did an encore ending for the bar - and they nailed it again - da-da-da-da-da-da,  da-da,  da-da-da...

In between all this, we even had a jam...

Sarah got a good response with U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" - hey, it's Irish.

Karen's "Handsome Molly" didn't hurt either.

Craig ("Mr. Sound") picked a good night for his B & B debut - laying down "Dead Flowers" for me - and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" for everyone else.

Lee made his way up from Washington Sq. Park and did the Stones" "Factory Girl".

I got some reaction with "Honky Tonk Woman" - although it seemed to be more like laughter at my yodelling prowess. I'm sure my Carter Family's "No Depression" knocked 'em dead as well (I wisely didn't yodel on that one!).

Sarah also did her great version of Washington Phillips' "Denomination Blues" - sans zithers.

Jon did a request for Lyle Lovett's "If I Had A Boat" (it wasn't from me this time).

Jon also was involved with me in Scotty's theatrical production of the night . Perhaps in recognition of the Ides Of March (March 15th) - Scott came up with "That's Amore!". Jon and I provided the falsetto background singing for that one - sounding straight out of one of Jon's old high-school production numbers (see The "Wedding Singer" Jam blog entry for their "Fiddler On The Roof" ).


Yes, I can see it like it was yesterday, a young Jon (as Brutus) stabs Caesar (a young Scotty?), and they break into song with "That's Amore!".


Mystery man Tony ("Mr. T") sang us a great waltz-time country number - which he introduced as having no title, and written by no one. That's why we call him the mystery man.

Bass player Dan took the evening as a whole in stride - Irish and all - and is getting called on more and more frequently for bass solos, I've noticed. I suspect Cynthia isn't far from leading a song soon as well.

Finally, a note from Andrew, laboring away in the N J political world: "Dave - This article mentions the B & B. You're viral!"  Thanks for remembering your people Andrew - we'll see you this year at Grey Fox!

Dave Comins

www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com

The March 1, 2010 Jam

Hello All,

Well the March 1st jam is in the books.

Co-host Bill, possibly inspired by Neil Young's Olympic Closing Ceremony performance, gave us "Rockin' In The Free World" - bringing down the house.

Although, upon reflection - probably not. This IS the same Bill who thinks luge in a city in Belgium, skeleton is something that politicians find in their closet, and curling is something you do when you put your hand around a Guinness. 

But the choice was inspired nonetheless!

Bill later also pulled out a fun one for the audience, with the Stone's "Get Off My Cloud" - glad I didn't have to do a banjo solo on that one... I think Mike went and got a beer.

Scottie went old country on us with Mac Davis' "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me".

Tony went country country on us with "The Perfect Country Song" - David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" - written by Steve Goodman.

"...WELL, I WAS DRUNK THE DAY MY MOM GOT OUT OF PRISON,

     AND I WENT TO PICK HER UP IN THE RAIN;

BUT BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE STATION IN MY PICKUP TRUCK,

     SHE GOT RUNNED OVER BY A DAMNED OLD TRAIN."

Hum-m-m... Mom, prison, pickups, trains - if it wasn't for bad luck, wouldn't have no luck at all - that's as country as country gets.

War-ren ("Mr. Post-It") Peace gave us some hard core bluegrass with "Teardrops In My Eyes".

"Slow Jam" Sue came to check out the competition, and show off her new versions of "Salt Creek" and "Bill Cheatem".

Sarah did a beautiful number - a version of "The Blackest Crow" via Uncle Earl.

Co-host A J did a traditional one with "Leavin" Home" and finished off his co-hosting half of the night with Peter Rowen's "Midnight Moonlight".

Jon and Mike did some nice numbers during the course of the jam - of course, I can't remember any of them - can you say Ginko Biloba?

At least I remember what I did (I think). 

"I'll Cry Instead" went swimmingly, until I gave everyone the wrong chord during Scotty's break on the bridge; and during "I'm Knockin' On Your Door", I don't think Karen ever stopped laughing at my opening Peter Rowan imitation. I was, actually, trying to be serious!


Karen also caught co-host Bill and I with our fingers in the cookie jar, when she walked in on our version of her favorite "For What It's Worth" by Steven Stills.


We had come up with a funky version that we were going to try out behind her back. So, after posting look-outs all up and down 2nd Ave., we decided to give it a go. Of course, no sooner had the first harmonics rung out - when Karen snuck in through security - it WAS fun to watch Bill squirming all through the remainder of the song.


Karen joined in with us and took it in stride... although that's the last time we'll pay off our look-outs with Guinness!


We'll have better luck next jam,

Dave Comins

www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com

Feb. 15, 2010 - The "Wedding Singer" Jam

Hi Everyone,

This last jam was quite a barn-burner - lots of old, familiar faces showed back up again, Bob, Karen, Phyllis, Warren - and with plenty of good material. I half expected "California" or Andrew to walk into the room...

I, myself, had a slow night. 

I don't know about you, but I'm won't be sleeping properly again until the last stone from the Curling medal round has been sent down the ice. It takes me an hour to get to sleep after each match (just like Bluegrass & Beyond). Not knowing whether the stone will begin curling too late - Will the sweepers will be allowed to do their work? - Is the stone thrown with the right weight? 

I've got no fingernails left. My wife can't live with me! What will I be like during the Skeleton events?

Luckily, you guys don't have to live with me, and Sarah pretty much ignores me - which explains how she was able to come in with songs like U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and Peter Frampton's "Baby I Love Your Way" (Scotty loved that one!).

Karen got the bar rockin' as well with a reprise of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth".

Judy proved that she beats to a "Different Drum (Mike Nesmith)" by doing Dolly's "I Will Always Love You".

She also brought in some leftover chocolate birthday cake, which we proceeded to eat while Bob led a bluegrass "Happy Birthday" to both Karen and Judy.

Bob (when he wasn't pointing out the political incorrectness of my "More Pretty Girls Than One"), led a couple of good ones, including the standard "Ashes Of Love". 

Lynn answered my song about womanizing with Kitty Well's "I'm Thinking Tonight of That Great Speckled Bird Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". (I think that's a mixed-up metaphor).

Phyllis called on Kris Kristofferson to "Help Us Make It Through The Night" - although I doubt that even he could help.

Warren led "All The Good Times Are Past And Gone". Well, he should watch the Olympics with me - I defy him to sing that one during the Biathlon!

Gary went back to 1919, and Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller, for "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate".

Thanks to Dan for the bass playing and cool solo -  and I want to mention Mary, who's photos are starting to adorn the Bluegrass And Beyond Web Site.

Co-host AJ, reveling in all the good singers available - had an easy night leading the jam, but, still managed to squeeze in "The Weight", before turning it over to co-host Bill.

Bill was on fire, with Elvis' "Too Much", the Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", "Big Sciota" - and ending with a slowed down version of CCR's "Bad Moon Rising". Or, as we at Paddy's affectionately call it - "There's A Bathroom On The Right"...

He was also a contributor to my "Pickaway" and Banjo Mike's "John Henry" - before playing a part in the strangest part of the evening...

Scotty was showing off his sun tan from the Jewish wedding that he'd just returned from playing at in Florida, when I asked him for a sample. Well, Scotty started in on the whole she-bang -  and, co-host Bill joins in on banjo!

Just when I thought I was in a production of "Fiddler On The Roof" - I WAS...

All of a sudden Scotty starts in on "Sunrise, Sunset", and Jon, of all people starts singing it! It turns out he was the lead in his high school's production of it...

Oy vey, such problems did Earl and Lester never have...

A great jam, see you soon. (Oh, and Bob, you were right, if you had sung "More Pretty Girls", you never would have heard the end of it).

Dave Comins

www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com

The Feb. 1, 2010 Jam

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

www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com