Just Jamming

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Comment by CALVIN B. STREETS on March 10, 2009 at 10:26pm

this next one is in d natchal

Comment by Terrapin Tim Volem on January 1, 2009 at 12:00am

Hey Cyndy Hall- Seems to me you hosted a pretty good jam session in that house upon the bluff at the Fort last summer. I remember some excellent music and some gracious hosting, including a Corona in a small bottle. Pleasing to read your reminiscences of your Portland jams and to have your voice joining in the jam group conversation which has been top-heavy with male voices. Here's wishing you more time to play music in '09! - T.Tim

Comment by Cyndy Hall on December 31, 2008 at 8:32pm

After the 2007 Country Blues Workshops, I started a monthly acoustic jam ay my house in Portland, to "keep the blues alive" in my life, and to meet more acoustic Blues players in Portland. I didn't know what the heck I was doing that first night, as strangers started coming through my door with lots of guitar cases! Luckily, some of them were veterans and we managed to pull off a successful evening of good Blues music. From September to February I hosted a jam at my house on the second Friday of each month. I learned a lot about keeping the jam rolling, and making sure that everyone felt at home. It really takes a leader to direct and inform the group... what are we playing next, what key is it in, who brought music to share, who knows the chord changes to xyz song??? (anybody know Stormy Monday) I met some incredible musicians, and singers, and recorded some of the jams. I'd still be doing it if I was still in Portland. It was all good, all the time. I love jamming, it's the best way to get steeped in the rhythm and feel of acoustic Blues. Now if I could just get my life back from my day job in Seattle to attend more of Slim Jimmie D's jams, all would be wonderful!
Much love to all! Cyndy and Nadine (my mando).

Comment by jeff 'cadillac" aker on December 21, 2008 at 12:26pm

yeah,
i remember that guy. i wanted to hit him with somethin"***.
didn't he get arrested ? he was wack.
i almost got arrested, myself, when "angus" and i were walkin' back from saturday's performance. we weren't drunk, just drinkin'. anyway it was strummin' dogg's fault for hollarin' out an expletive from a car window...
we had to reciprocate...i'm not at liberty to discuss any behind the scenes
activity,or am i?---------cadillac

Comment by Mike Howell on December 20, 2008 at 6:04pm

Son Jack.... You have dislodged a forgotten memory,, which was hilarious... even revisited,, over the top as it were !!!!!!!! I can't think of a "jam buster" to top that... over my shoes in snow,, and enjoying the great indoors...... Mike

Comment by Son Jack Jr on December 20, 2008 at 3:35pm

"Maybe Cadillac or Son Jack can think of a few more things that I like to do at jams".
Mark, you are nothing if not thorough and I can't thank you enough for this handy little compendium :-)

There is one addition I'd like to make which happened repeatedly at this years jams. Are you ready? ok here it (some of you will remember this chap):

shuffle up to someone who's playing or even just hanging out and just stare at them. when things feel sufficiently uncomfortable it's time for you to talk and you should say something profound like "how can there be a universe if infinity exists?". Then ask them if they have any spare booze. Then go back to your room and bring out the Sax and play free form Jazz in the corner loudly. Ask the nearest person if they have any spare booze. Go back to your room and lug the drumkit over. Setup just behind the jammers and play, like really, fast. .

Every year there's something to learn at the jams...

Comment by Terrapin Tim Volem on December 19, 2008 at 9:21pm

Jammers- A whole lotta conversation going on re the fine art of. Some loose talk too. Strikes me that George Rezendes in Port T., summer of '07, had some pretty good skinny on jam etiquette. Anyone remember? That Guitar George, he knows all the chords... And another thang... where have all the ladies gone? So far the converse has been high on the testosterone... I've observed that the jammin' at Ft. Worden, in the late night social lounge,has been dominated by the guys, with not a whole lotta sensitivity to the femmes. What up with that, guys? What would Bonnie or Susan think? - T. Tim

Comment by Mike Howell on December 19, 2008 at 6:35pm

Mark,, Of course our good friend "Rev Gary Davis" fixed us up with a few collector items,,,,, in 2007,, aftermath of summer 06.. Missed you the last few sessions... been busy,, traveling,, reading, remodeling,, practicing,,,, A little jammin,, up at Jimmy D's which are a lot of fun,, and a small group of 3 get together here at home fairly regularly ,, piano, 12,string, dobro, and rhythm/singer,,, we have about 10 songs pretty tight,, I have done my best to convert them to "acoustic country blues" and am having some success.. Mike

Comment by Mark McDonald on December 19, 2008 at 6:21pm

Hey Mike. Shoot man I forgot about you. What's up guy? Did they ever make you a tee shirt celebrating, uh well, celebrating...

Mark

Comment by Justin Lundquist on December 19, 2008 at 6:16pm

Marks tips seem VERY helpful... I guess I will have to print them out and try them one at a time. It is VERY strange he is not being invited to jams anymore... Does everyone have your correct phone and address???

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