The May 17, 2010 Jam

Hi All:

This week's jam seemed like a Thursday night in NYC during the summer - we caught everybody still in town, but getting ready to come or go!

It took me a couple songs to realize that that was Leslie playing right next to me, leading "Mr Engineer" - she's back for the summer - and meaner than ever (on the mando, that is)!

It couldn't be Cinco de Mayo, she missed that (plus we all know that she celebrates that holiday in October) - it must be the upcoming 2nd Ave. Mountain Boys summer season...

Bassist Dan shocked everyone, except himself, by leading "Don't This Road Look Rough & Rocky" - and then announcing that he's outta here for the summer, along with Cynthia for better times in Asbury Park - thanking all of you jammers and promising to be back for Grey Fox and then at B & B in the fall.

Before leaving though, he invited a Princeton, N.J. bluegrasser (and beyonder, it turns out) up for a look at what we're doing. Bill (who mysteriously went by the name of Jim throughout the evening) proved his Bluegrass & Beyond mettle by leading both Hank William's "Jambalaya" and "Friend Of The Devil".

If you want to hear some good bluegrass & beyond (...like, maybe you're home sick one Monday night), check out his Riverside band's website, with the unambiguous url: www.BluegrassBand.com - check out their cool arrangements of "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" and "Cumberland Blues".

Kim continues to prove himself a great addition - this week exciting co-host Bill with Ricky Nelson's "Goodbye Heart" and an obscure Elvis song - which I'm sure Elvis doesn't even remember doing.

Bill immediately followed that up with his own Elvis - "Too Much"; and earlier, had led a rousing version of the Band's "Up On Cripple Creek", complete with some poor yokel's local yodelling!

Liz, getting ready for Grey Fox, I guess, pulled out Crooked Still's version of "Shady Grove" (who needs minor chords for a mountain song?).

Banjo Mike, after an early successful "John Henry", had the misfortune of leading "Newton Grove" during the Yankee's 9th inning heroics over the Red Sox - completely flummoxing me, at least (my break coming right after the walk-off homer). Note to self: don't get distracted during that song again!

Bob was back, leading Hank's "Lonesome Homesick Blues", Lester Flatt's "Why Don't You Tell Me So" - and comparing the loudness of his Martin with Princeton Jim's (darn, did it again... Bill's). Unfortunately for me, I was in between them at the time. I felt like Russell Crowe in "Master And Commander".

Speaking of Bob (one of my favorite targets, I know, but for all the right reasons): I don't get why he's always cracking up (along with my wife, or Karen, or anyone else he happens to be standing next to) whenever I'm singing or playing - it's like he's never heard a New Hampshire yodeler, "skinning the cat" on his dobro before, all the while telling a joke (usually about Bob - unless Scotty's there, too)!


(Poor Scottie, he's not even there this week and he still gets it...)

All right, so maybe my version of the Delmore Bros. "Weary Lonesome Blues" was a little over the top, but Carl Perkin's "Gone, Gone, Gone" was pretty good I thought - Sam Phillips would like it!

Sarah did a little B & B with Iris Dement's "I've That Old Time Religion In My Heart" and Merle's "Sing Me Back Home". 

Co-host A.J., after recovering at the bar from his early evening leadership role, came back to lead the Stone's "Sympathy For The Devil".

Soon after this, the "Mystery Woman" appeared (name unknown) to lead Kris Kristofferson's "Me And Bobby Magee" - pretty much sounding like Janis! (and bringing out the dart players from the back for a rare appearance). I hope you averted your eyes when she modulated in public - I know I did. She took a B & B card, so we may see her again, and catch her name...  

Non-Mystery Sound Man, Craig, followed that with the Dead's " Monkey And The Engineer".

By then, I was spent (my ears still ringing from the earlier Martin cannon broadsides) - so who knows what happened after midnight... Scottie had just arrived, Mike was coming back in...

SyFy's Ghost Hunters At Paddy Reilly's Stirs Up Our Poster Poltergeist Yet Again!

For those of you from another planet, SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" crew came to Paddy Reilly's just before St. Patrick's Day to investigate ghost sightings throughout the bar and building!


We could have told them something about it ourselves from our own two earlier incidents - the December 14th original poster visitation , and the January 4th second poster visitation.


Nonetheless, the results were broadcast on SyFy March 17, 2010 - and things haven't been the same since...


Here are the UTube links (part 1  and part 2) of SyFy Channels "Ghost Hunters" episode called "Shamrock Spirits".


Observant viewers will note, in part 1, that the Bluegrass & Beyond poster is visible, and clearly unaffected, at both 2:38 and 3:32 during the program.


Things stayed quiet for most of April, but on May 3rd, two new sightings were made on the official Bluegrass & Beyond poster.


Most of the jammers weren't scared, comforted by owner Steve's assurances on the program that, "If we did find any spirits at Paddy Reilly's, I can assure everybody that they're all very friendly spirits..."


I can't argue with you there Steve, it looks like a friendly ghost to me.


On the other hand, I have to disagree with Steve's comment that, "I don't know if it looks like Gene Hackman or not..."


Steve, it sure looks like Gene Hackman there, waving at us from above the dobro!


Oh well, you be the judges. Here's the evidence (fleeting as it is):

The April 19, 2010 Jam

Well, it appears that co-hosts Bill and A J kept the jam fires burning while I was gone, because last night's jam was "one of our absolute best" - according to no less of a source than our own co-host Banjo Bill.


Of course, someone less modest, less humble than myself MIGHT speculate that the awesome turn-out was for a fondly remembered returning host.


In any event, the bar had never been so full on a Monday night - apparently owner Steve's appearance on SyFy's "Ghost Hunters" series ("Shamrock Spirits") - has brought forth an cavalcade of spirit-chasing tourists from all over.


Wait until they discover the haunted Bluegrass & Beyond poster (now sporting a St. Patrick's Day hat-wearing Casper the Friendly Ghost - who mysteriously appeared right after the March 17th TV airing)!


Anyway, for whatever reason, everybody was there Monday night...

Even Tony, who I used to think came only to make great music, but who I caught red-handed copying down jokes to use at his own Sunday soiree (oddIy, I don't think he borrowed any of my Tony jokes... and those are the best ones).

Scott dipped back into his Elton John pool to do a beautiful "Love Song", and later, did a short classical set with Mike (the "Banjo Bach") that sounded an awful lot like Masterpiece Theatre (Mouret's Rondeau).

Paddy's sound man Craig (who someone kept calling Mike, or was it "Mic"?) openly pandered to yours truly by doing Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" - and later got Scotty (and all the rest of us) excited about Louden Wainright's "Dead Skunk In The Middle Of The Road". Funny, I didn't think Scott had a car - and where would you even find a skunk in NYC?

Bob took a while to warm up (I didn't want to tell him that the fireplace that he was standing next to was a fake!) - but when he did, watch out - "Take This Hammer" was just the beginning.

Some of the other regulars did their part as well - Karen led "Handsome Molly" and Jon did a couple of good ones - The Dillards "Old Home Place" and "Eight More Miles To Louisville". It was fun listening to Jon explaining to Scott that: "No, it wasn't his Grandpa who wrote it..." (Grandpa Jones, Scotty).

Dan (with Cynthia in support) did a great tag team bass job with Vinny, who showed up just minutes after Dan's departure. I'm not sure that they missed a beat - although they certainly missed each other!

Chris showed off his dobro playing (he's getting serious), and Liz just plain showed off - leading a fiddle tune (on fiddle) after playing for only two months. She can add this to her flat-picking guitar, clawhammer and Scruggs style banjo, mandolin and, apparently, piano playing. Did I miss anything Liz?

Mark re-appeared and led two songs - who ever said that he was shy about singing?

Newbie Kim proved that he understood the B & B concept by knocking off the Stanley Brothers "Midnight Train" and a couple of Beatles songs.

Steve and Scott #2 (big shoes to fill with a name like that at our jam) both contributed with traditional songs "Swing Slow Sweet Chariot" and "Nine Pound Hammer".

And lastly, you all know that I don't like to brag - being a quiet, unassuming, retiring "legend in my own mind" - but co-host Bill and I kicked butt last night.

Bill led "Drive My Car". "All Shook Up" and a seemingly 10-minute version (with Scott and Sarah's help) of the Allman Bros. "Midnight Rider" - fast, slow, medium and back again - it was like being in the United Palace Theatre.

My meager contribution to the evening was Sam The Sham's "Wooly Bully" on banjo - afforded a rare Paddy's encore later in the evening - including an energetic young dancing patron (no, not Tony...) - I thought I was on "Shindig"!

It's gonna be hard to top, but we'll try again in two weeks,

Dave Comins

www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com

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