Feb. 7, 2011 - The "B.Y.O.C(hair)." or The "Mand-inator" Jam

Hello from Paddy's:

Some interesting things at last night's jam ... and I don't just mean Kim playing the wrong chord on a 1-chord song (which sounds remarkably like something I would've done - no wonder I like him). Luckily for us, he knew the chords to his own songs like Grandpa Jones' "It's Raining Here This Morning".

Cynthia made a grand entrance carrying a chair (what?) along with her guitar. That's right, Twin Peaks had their "log lady" and we've got our very own "chair lady". Along with her folding foot rest, she had quite a comfortable set-up, promising us a cup holder, wine cooler and picnic basket next time! I offered to sell her a permanent "parking space" next to the stage... marked on the floor with a Barca-lounge chair symbol. She politely declined...

She led some great songs (and played some nice solos), when not getting comfortable... EmmyLou's "If I Could Be There" and Hazel Dicken's " Don't Bother To Cry". Dan, although he didn't bring a chair, played some solid bass all night - and is rumored to be working on a killer Soul Stirrers' gospel number. Brother Bill watch out - it's got a 1-2-1 change in it!

The next surprise was Danny, rattling into the jam with a huge sounding resonator mandolin. Sarah thought I must have popped a hub cap during my earlier chase of "Maybelline" - and that Dan had found it and decided - "what the heck?". Meanwhile, Bob and I were having a heated discussion about whether you have to oil it, how many miles it gets to a gallon and do you take it to an auto repair shop for a set-up?

His version of Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" however, showed us what that thing can do.

My wife, Sarah, always loves to kid me about discovering 70's glam and 80's arena rock at Bluegrass & Beyond - apparently I spent most of my younger days listening to Woody, Roscoe and the like. Luckily for me, and my music education, I have Scotty - although Bill ("Mr. Garage Band") comes in a close second!

Scott has totally taken up the "Beyond" banner at B & B... last week, Bread - this week, T-Rex's "Bang A Gong" (I knew neither the song, nor the group) and Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" (heard of them...). And we all learned some maj7 and sus4 chords.

Susie keeps bringing in interesting stuff. This week it was Kasey Chambers' "Sweetest Waste Of Time" - while Robert, apparently deciding his fingers weren't small enough for that little 18" inch electric bass he brings - brought out a nice camera and spent the night photographing the jam. Facebook anyone?

Bob led a couple with his usual Bob style - I liked Johnny Bond's "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight?". He left early though, probably tired of smelling the exhaust fumes from Danny's mando!

Dave #2 (gotta be #2 at this jam) led his first song that I can remember and it was a good one - Townes Van Zandt's "The Ballad Of Pancho & Lefty" - causing quite a stir with both "Banjo" Mike and Scotty (that's some high-powered stirring right there).

"Banjo" Mike also caused a stir with his "double time"  break on Sarah's version of "I'm Going Down" by Springsteen. She also led an earlier "Orphan Girl" beautifully. What she sees in me, I'll never know...

AJ, hosting the earlier half of the jam with songs like "Big River" and Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go", so seamlessly passed off the hosting to "Banjo" Mike that Bill, catching me yawning, accused me of being bored during my own jam.

What can I say? Guilty, I've got nothing to do anymore - AJ and Mike are too good! I don't even know who's leading the jam anymore half the time - and very time I open my mouth, I get Mike's "you're not the boss of me!" or Sarah's micro-management lecture. Hey, Bob doesn't even laugh at my jokes anymore!

Brother Bill ("Mr. Emeritus"), enjoying his retirement, and perhaps hearing the same gospel rumors about Dan that I heard, decided to stir a few souls of his own with a new "Keep On The Firing Line" - balancing that in fine Bluegrass & Beyond fashion with The Band's "Up On Cripple Creek". Bill, got room in your retirement home for one more?

Instrumentals? We had 'em... Jeanne's "June Apple" medley, Bill's "Angeline / Old Joe Clark" medley (in different keys), Mike's "Salt Creek" (I left at midnight, so I probably missed another hour or so of 'em - Jon had just pulled in).

And Craig, what's the name of that Dixie Rose song you do?

See you next time, perhaps I'll bring my own recliner - I might as well be comfortable while doing nothing! I guess I could go out in the street and steal hub caps for Danny...

Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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The Jan. 31, 2011 Jam

Nice jam last time, everyone!

Well, it turned out that our little Face-book discussion on the various uses of a banjo in the colder climes was prophetic. It started snowing halfway through the last jam, and by the time we left at 1:30, I needed all my instruments to get home... it must've made for some interesting tracks, wearing a banjo on one foot and a dobro on the other!

Karen, who made it in from the 'burbs, has the right answer for handling winter - 2 trained kids, who shovel for cheap - she always gets here. Hmmmm... I've got to get me one of those! Where do you get them? Do they come with shovels, or do I have to buy them separately?

Thinking ahead to the spring, as I'm sure most of you are by now, Paddy's owner Steve has announced the celebrations surrounding the 25th anniversary of Paddy Reilly's Music Bar will take place during March and April. For our part, we'll be having no jam on April 18th - instead mark your calendar for a special fun event for our jam participants - a Bluegrass & Beyond Showcase Night. More details forthcoming.

As for the latest jam, I can't help but think that my wife, Sarah, was a bit of a star - starting off doing a duet with Phyllis on "Please Help Me I'm Falling", following it up with Ralph Stanley's "The Darkest Hour Is Just Before The Dawn", and finishing with a rockin' version of "I Asked For Water" (Chester Burnett via Lucinda Williams - herself a major song-writing talent, just ask our Cynthia).

Dan, graciously giving up his bass for long periods to Robert and Joe, made good use of his down time, grabbing a Martin and playing lead on Cynthia's version of "Poor, Poor, Pitiful, Me". Cynthia however, didn't need any help on Hank's "I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You".

AJ, hosting the early part of the evening got things rolling with Johnny Cash's "Big River" and Dylan's "Buckets Of Rain".

He had lots of help early on. Judy led a couple of good blues numbers, while Jon kept the bluegrass fires burning with "On & On", before giving us "Rosalie McFall". (Neither him, nor AJ, can seemingly go through a night without a Dead tune...)

Bill ("Mr. Emeritus") used Dan's rockabilly bass for Elvis' "All Shook Up", and Reno and Smiley's "Love, Please Come Home".

Newbie Susie kept it coming with her own version of "The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore" and a another good one - "Runaway Train".

Scotty, as usual, was ever vigilant in his pursuit of "Beyond" - but after an early scare with a song by Bread, came back down to Earth with Don Reno's "Long Gone".

"Banjo" Mike handled the later hosting chores, and after making sure that everyone else had gone, unleashed a barrage of his greatest hits - Tom Adam's "The Village Bear", Bill Monroe's "Kentucky Mandolin" and Richard Underwood's "Newton Grove" - all in the course of an hour! Chris behind the bar, was seen pulling out the CPR kit - just in case.

By the way, Craig, I know you were there, but since I can't remember any of your songs from Monday, I will compliment you on "The Hobo Song" that you led at Tony's jam on Sunday.

We had some late arriving first-timers as well, Corby gave us "Way Downtown" and Casey, besides some fine flat-picking sang "The Cuckoo" and "Down In The Willow Garden" (anyone that picks on a sunburst Martin always gets my attention!). They were still there (along with Jon, Bill, Mike, Scotty, Craig and myself at 1:30 - so they must've enjoyed themselves...).

And finally, just because I let AJ and "Banjo" Mike do all the work at B & B, don't think for a moment that I was relaxing. I got everybody "All Prayed Up" early on, got the bar "Running Down A Dream" midway through the evening - and fell in love with my wife all over again when "I Saw Her Standing There"!

Oh, did I mention that owner Steve was still there at 1:30 as well, buying drinks for everyone? Combined with my naturally declining memory skills and staying out late on work nights, having people buy you drinks in the early morning (see Tony from last jam) is probably not the most conducive for blog writing...

But it sure is fun trying!

Dave Comins
www.bluegrassandbeyondnyc.com
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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
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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

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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