In the course of this blog I have this as a reference on how to better myself playing drums and mentioning what goes on during those jam sessions. I had a sobering conversation the past couple days pending to the now deleted post called Changes and had one of my good jam buddies gave me the comment that made me take a deeper look into things. But he still managed to like my music page after all. Thank you Terry for being a good friend.
While Terry was a bit more kinder, my co hort Geoff Redding was a bit more blunt, saying that I'm much better than that for making a very misguided blog and that when you go to jams, you're there to have fun, not complain about what songs to play. His words: "If you're not having fun, go elsewhere or stay home, it might have been funny the first time while complaining about Wonderful Tonight, after the fifth time it makes you look petty and "you're much better that that". Usually a man of few words Geoff did say in uncertain terms that I crossed the line and became sounding like a pampered diva. He also leveled a few choice words at Martin Daniels too about professionalism. "Don't go around social media saying that owning certain songs on the music circuit or the other musicians got served. They won't notice till you keep harping and then they will take notice and they come back and serve you in a different way. He said a few other things along the way but by then the point was taken. It should be put to rest effective now.
While Terry did become another supporter of the music page, a certain bass player that shall be nameless unliked the site. It was easy to tell since only 8 people like it and I hardly ever mentioned the site. Of course I bookmarked the page just in case he needed to get a hold of me when we were getting that band going last year and I couldn't remember his name. I'm still friends with him on other social media outlets. His work ethic is lax, but he can play the bass with the best of them. When he wants to.
I gotta hand it to Mr. McDowell, he's back helping out another reunion of Justin Case, one of the better bands of the 90s and early 2000s. Terry will be doing the beats for that band. Hardest rocking dude out there, other bands he's in are FLEX, Toxic Blonde, Thereshold, The Mutts and probably a couple more I don't know about. The man's living a dream. I probably could draft him for a band project if I ask him.
It was a year ago The Wiley Kats dissolved, probably around the same day that certain bass player unliked our music site. To honor his wishes, his pictures were taken off the music site. I don't mind jamming with Wiley Kat Tim, but he's free to find replacements for his band.
As much as it was fun going over some new songs with Russ for the first time in many many years, I still hold reservations if this is going to work. I can point out the arrangements and show him how I do songs and would love to see him surprise us all by showing up at jams but since this is not a paying job and done for fun, and it all comes down to if we traded stage anxieties. He was certainly more out in front during the Paraphernalia Tyrus years. I hope our time together hasn't passed us by.
At the end of the month I always put something together when people ask me questions on the Townedgers' Face Book Site and other observations, but it has gotten to the point of being obsessive. And since I do keep busy with jams and writing about the results and highlights perhaps the EOM thoughts are pointless as they come. Even my A and R man hardly reads them. But I get asked about ex band members and who my favorite musicians in town are and I am happy to post them. But I tend to look back in the past and looking for something worthy to remember by. In the future I will continue to post lyrics and comment about the albums that you the reader ask about.
Even if they don't sell.
On the subject of Jon Wilson, he does endorse Sabian Cymbals.
In the past I have played Paiste cymbals (2007-2014) and still have them in storage somewhere. My ideal lineup are Zildjian K dark crashes. They blend into the music and not overpower the songs. I hardly use power crashes anymore. The story goes that in 1980 when I was buying off the wall brands (Zym and Camber) I was looking to compile a Paiste cymbal lineup and couldn't think of the name, I told Dick Dott at West Music they were a funny sounding name and he thought it was Zildjian, I did find a Paiste 404 but in 1981 all the Cambers and garbage can lids were jettisen for Zildjians . Mostly old medium thin crashes and crash rides. The lineup was a 16 inch Thin Crash, a 16 inch medium thin crash, two 18 inch crashes, a 20 inch Pang and a 21 inch rock ride. That lineup was used during the Paraphernalia era.
Later on after somebody ripped off about four cymbals I used the basics, but in 1985 purchased a Z Power Crash and some Impulse Cymbals, which were the answer to Paiste Rudes but in theory were a cheaper line of cymbals. The 16 inch was great to crash and the 18 inch was better to ride but was a poor crash. The Impulse High hats were awful and I just gave mine away. Over time, I would add the Oriental Crash Of Doom for a china and then gradually moved to dark crashes. And replaced my Impulse ride for a 19 inch Armand Ride which works as a crash cymbal too.
The high hats of note were K Quick Beats, 14 inch side. In 1988 after giving up playing drums and basically leaving my old Zickos out for the garbage man to pick up, I purchased a K/Z hat set and used that from 1988 to 2015 till I found a a used pair of Quick Beats for 95 dollars and snapped them up. For the most part the cymbal line up is my old 16 inch Rock Crash to go with the Medium Thin A Crash and 18 inch K Dark Crash to go with the Armand Ride and Oriental Crash Of Doom. I still have plenty of cymbals laying around for jams or putting them to use on various projects.
Does having a FB site to promote my concerts and jams do much to bring in more people in?
Answer: No. I think it makes the 9 people who like my site know that something is going on, but in all honesty it has very little effect. It gets the word out but that's about all it does.
I think I need to quit blogging more often. I am making too many mistakes and forget to put words in where they're needed.
That pretty much concludes this month of more misguided thoughts and comments. To which one more question was thrown at me.
Friday 31 March 2017
Thursday 30 March 2017
Checker's Acousta Jam 3/29/17
Songs:
Baby Wanna Dance
No Expectations
For What It's Worth
Werewolves Of London (Greg Mein: lead vocal)
Dead Flowers
With:
Mike Frederick
Jay Devore
Skip Richards
Donna Jo Eisner
Greg Mein
Lorie Parker
Cathy Hartman Spina
Julie Jules Gordon
Tom on Congas
Belinda Christensen-James
Mark Randolph
And about five others.
Three months into this acoustic phase, and things really have taken off. While the crowd was somewhat smaller, by the time I took the stage, about 10 more jammers showed up and even Belinda and Mark made a special trip into the rain to come down to support the cause.
For those who expected a Paraphernalia reunion, that didn't happen. But Skip Richards was there with bass in hand and as always did a fine job, so did Jay Devore, who's been a bit more instrumental into being a part of the acoustic jams and part of the band when I get on stage. While I did only five songs, we had more jammers and things expanded when Greg Mein joined up on keyboards. Greg is not a stranger to the jams, I have played alongside him at some Rumor jams as well. A pretty good keyboardist and guitar player. Tom (don't know his last name) usually plays the congas on nights I'm not there, he did the bulk of the playing, including all of the songs that I did. Like the last Checker's jam I have been expanding the songs to include keyboard and guitar solos, to which Jay and Greg added some nice leads as well as some of the guys out on the crowd. I didn't intend to expand No Expectations but since Greg popped up on stage playing keys I thought he would helped. We also really expanded For What Its Worth to about five minutes long. No Expectations and Werewolves Of London were done for the first time, the latter, Greg did vocals, Donna Jo popped up on percussion. I like the loose knit jams of the songs all the way to Dead Flowers. And on Werewolves Of London, the crowd alive, plenty of dancing on the floor and in the video you can hear me shout Alabama since Sweet Home Alabama is close to Werewolves in chord progression.
By adding more songs, it has helped me stay away from getting too complacent and rely on the same two or three songs over and over. For What Its Worth has been a favorite for those who jammed too, even as Jay added mandolin to it. And Dead Flowers is Dead Flowers, easy to play, easy to sing along if I know the words. I think this is the first time I haven't sang If I Were A Carpenter, I didn't need to. But by adding new songs, I make things unpredictable and I enjoy doing songs that nobody plays. It's tiring to go to bars and seeing bands play the same thing over and over. I guess that will not bring any job offers to play in other bands, but then again I work nights and have to plan for time off just to play. I'm sure my place of employment wasn't too happy about me taking the night off since we are short handed but I wanted to be there last week and couldn't make it. Therefore I made the promise to show up. And the reason why Belinda and Mark showed up, I admire them for making the trip from Vinton in the pouring rain just to hang out for the two hours they were there. The jam was so fun that we didn't quit till 10:45. While Tom did a fine job playing hand drums, Belinda and Mark wanted me to keep the beat to Fever, one of the trademark songs that we do. This song goes back to last year when Belinda popped in a Rumors and Terry McDowell asked me if I wanted to help her, to which I did. And we had a good bunch of players in Tommy Bruner and Dan Johnson and maybe Tim Duffy played keyboards. I know he did play bass on another session. This has started a nice friendship between me and Belinda and Mark too. We're all late to the party in terms of playing together but in our time together they have been an inspiration for me to play acoustic guitar and singing. As well as Cathy, Julie and Lorie, the Acousta Kitties, they make it fun. And it would be nice to have them play on a Sunday, but with Rumors having one jam and Cooters another, it probably wouldn't work. But Checkers has their own folks and jammers and I'd be the first to sign up for A Sunday Checker's Acoustic Jam. The clientele and musicians at Checkers' are one of a kind.
Baby Wanna Dance
No Expectations
For What It's Worth
Werewolves Of London (Greg Mein: lead vocal)
Dead Flowers
With:
Mike Frederick
Jay Devore
Skip Richards
Donna Jo Eisner
Greg Mein
Lorie Parker
Cathy Hartman Spina
Julie Jules Gordon
Tom on Congas
Belinda Christensen-James
Mark Randolph
And about five others.
Three months into this acoustic phase, and things really have taken off. While the crowd was somewhat smaller, by the time I took the stage, about 10 more jammers showed up and even Belinda and Mark made a special trip into the rain to come down to support the cause.
For those who expected a Paraphernalia reunion, that didn't happen. But Skip Richards was there with bass in hand and as always did a fine job, so did Jay Devore, who's been a bit more instrumental into being a part of the acoustic jams and part of the band when I get on stage. While I did only five songs, we had more jammers and things expanded when Greg Mein joined up on keyboards. Greg is not a stranger to the jams, I have played alongside him at some Rumor jams as well. A pretty good keyboardist and guitar player. Tom (don't know his last name) usually plays the congas on nights I'm not there, he did the bulk of the playing, including all of the songs that I did. Like the last Checker's jam I have been expanding the songs to include keyboard and guitar solos, to which Jay and Greg added some nice leads as well as some of the guys out on the crowd. I didn't intend to expand No Expectations but since Greg popped up on stage playing keys I thought he would helped. We also really expanded For What Its Worth to about five minutes long. No Expectations and Werewolves Of London were done for the first time, the latter, Greg did vocals, Donna Jo popped up on percussion. I like the loose knit jams of the songs all the way to Dead Flowers. And on Werewolves Of London, the crowd alive, plenty of dancing on the floor and in the video you can hear me shout Alabama since Sweet Home Alabama is close to Werewolves in chord progression.
By adding more songs, it has helped me stay away from getting too complacent and rely on the same two or three songs over and over. For What Its Worth has been a favorite for those who jammed too, even as Jay added mandolin to it. And Dead Flowers is Dead Flowers, easy to play, easy to sing along if I know the words. I think this is the first time I haven't sang If I Were A Carpenter, I didn't need to. But by adding new songs, I make things unpredictable and I enjoy doing songs that nobody plays. It's tiring to go to bars and seeing bands play the same thing over and over. I guess that will not bring any job offers to play in other bands, but then again I work nights and have to plan for time off just to play. I'm sure my place of employment wasn't too happy about me taking the night off since we are short handed but I wanted to be there last week and couldn't make it. Therefore I made the promise to show up. And the reason why Belinda and Mark showed up, I admire them for making the trip from Vinton in the pouring rain just to hang out for the two hours they were there. The jam was so fun that we didn't quit till 10:45. While Tom did a fine job playing hand drums, Belinda and Mark wanted me to keep the beat to Fever, one of the trademark songs that we do. This song goes back to last year when Belinda popped in a Rumors and Terry McDowell asked me if I wanted to help her, to which I did. And we had a good bunch of players in Tommy Bruner and Dan Johnson and maybe Tim Duffy played keyboards. I know he did play bass on another session. This has started a nice friendship between me and Belinda and Mark too. We're all late to the party in terms of playing together but in our time together they have been an inspiration for me to play acoustic guitar and singing. As well as Cathy, Julie and Lorie, the Acousta Kitties, they make it fun. And it would be nice to have them play on a Sunday, but with Rumors having one jam and Cooters another, it probably wouldn't work. But Checkers has their own folks and jammers and I'd be the first to sign up for A Sunday Checker's Acoustic Jam. The clientele and musicians at Checkers' are one of a kind.
Monday 27 March 2017
Rumors 3/27/17-All Is Well
Lineup:
Joe Hutchcroft-Lead Vocals
Kevin Simnacher-Guitar
Layne Goldsberry-Bass
Peter Cacioppo-Keyboards
Terry McDowell-Host and Drums (I Want You To Want Me)
Me-Drums on China Grove, Day Tripper, air drums on I Want You To Want Me
Songs:
China Grove
Day Tripper
i want you to want me
(L to R: Layne Goldsberry, Joe Hutchcroft, Me, Kevin Simnacher) Photo; By Kevin Simnacher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiRfw0nIyOY
Rumors had a large crowd for the Justin Case reunion, Karl Hudson was still feeling under the weather, but was doing much better today than when he had to cancel the acoustic jam yesterday. I had doubts of keeping a slower beat on I want you to want me, so I defaulted over to Terry and as usual he did a fine job. Surprise guests were Jay and Mike Fredericks from the acoustic jams and Belinda and Mark showed up later but didn't play. Jay and Mike did do about 5 songs with Randy Combs. I think Logan Arnold really had a manic stage presence, he did bring new meaning to Any Way You Want It and Superstition.
I got there late. For the first time since 2009, I was showing my best friend Russ on the songs that I figure to play at the next Checkers Acousta Kitties Jam. For the first time ever I played guitar to Russ playing bass and it was a different feel. A very unorthodox style of guitar playing, I have never warmed up to playing with other musicians on guitar and still remain guarded of who I play alongside, but in my quest to do acoustic songs I invited him along. It's nice to have a bass player helping out on Everybody's Talking and If I Were A Carpenter, the latter version, with Russ around it sounded much closer to the Bobby Darin version so I didn't use the guitar lick till the very end. If Russ decides to hang with me, I'll may just leave it at the end.
The songs I showed him were the ones I have done the most, For What's It Worth, Carpenter, Dead Flowers, we even messed around with Jet Airliner and Rockin Me, chances are they will be on the B list And also (to his displeasure) Cocaine, but again that's not on the playlist unless somebody throws a 20 dollar bill our way. We did strum along to Come Together and Cuts Like A Knife and threw a couple ideas here and there for further get together's. Unlike I/O which I left him in charge of songs, I was finally letting him into my world of music and what I played. I do admit that I have shut him out of The Townedgers projects. I didn't think he would that interested in the music and songs, now's the time to get him involved into defining the next chapter of my musical adventures. I rather not call whatever we do The Townedgers, that would be returning more to originals rather than covers and me being totally in charge, but I believe it would a great chance to return under the Paraphernalia banner. For now, Russ has done a fine job following my guitar riffs to make the songs what they are. He thinks it's a challenge to figure out how I play guitar, it's not typical and if anything it's like me playing drums; I have no idea where I'm going and it looks like the wheels are ready to fall off but he's managed to stay on board. For Come Together we can do the song but I rather have somebody else more capable to sing it. Belinda Christensen James has said she has been singing it recently, I might tap her to sing the song or Julie Gordon. But we also working on Werewolves Of London which has practically the same chord pattern as Sweet Home Alabama (to which Kid Rock took noticed and make a hit single called All Summer Long a few years ago). Another song to polish up to do for a future jam.
So I'm getting lots of ideas and songs during the past three months of guitar playing. Continuing to refine and define and polish up songs and add better ones to replace the so so songs has shaped up to have a nice bunch of songs to do. So far I have come up with 30 songs of note in the three months of playing and a few more and we can probably book a date or two at some winery or bar. That will take a while but as long as we have acoustic jams and chances to do four or five should do for now. And I should consider not to get too critical of myself and the jams and go with it and just have fun.
I think I'll do that.
Comments from Russ
So Rodney Smith showed up to go over some of the songs he does for acoustic jams. Hopefully soon we'll be doing them at the Acoustikitties jams at Checkers. I'd almost forgot how much fun it is to sit down and try to work up songs in an ensemble. I was a little disappointed that my frankenbass still may need some work, atleast I found out before it was the only bass available because I left Number One at home. Number One is as reliable as ever. Rod always surprises me with how eclectic he can be.
Joe Hutchcroft-Lead Vocals
Kevin Simnacher-Guitar
Layne Goldsberry-Bass
Peter Cacioppo-Keyboards
Terry McDowell-Host and Drums (I Want You To Want Me)
Me-Drums on China Grove, Day Tripper, air drums on I Want You To Want Me
Songs:
China Grove
Day Tripper
i want you to want me
(L to R: Layne Goldsberry, Joe Hutchcroft, Me, Kevin Simnacher) Photo; By Kevin Simnacher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiRfw0nIyOY
Rumors had a large crowd for the Justin Case reunion, Karl Hudson was still feeling under the weather, but was doing much better today than when he had to cancel the acoustic jam yesterday. I had doubts of keeping a slower beat on I want you to want me, so I defaulted over to Terry and as usual he did a fine job. Surprise guests were Jay and Mike Fredericks from the acoustic jams and Belinda and Mark showed up later but didn't play. Jay and Mike did do about 5 songs with Randy Combs. I think Logan Arnold really had a manic stage presence, he did bring new meaning to Any Way You Want It and Superstition.
I got there late. For the first time since 2009, I was showing my best friend Russ on the songs that I figure to play at the next Checkers Acousta Kitties Jam. For the first time ever I played guitar to Russ playing bass and it was a different feel. A very unorthodox style of guitar playing, I have never warmed up to playing with other musicians on guitar and still remain guarded of who I play alongside, but in my quest to do acoustic songs I invited him along. It's nice to have a bass player helping out on Everybody's Talking and If I Were A Carpenter, the latter version, with Russ around it sounded much closer to the Bobby Darin version so I didn't use the guitar lick till the very end. If Russ decides to hang with me, I'll may just leave it at the end.
The songs I showed him were the ones I have done the most, For What's It Worth, Carpenter, Dead Flowers, we even messed around with Jet Airliner and Rockin Me, chances are they will be on the B list And also (to his displeasure) Cocaine, but again that's not on the playlist unless somebody throws a 20 dollar bill our way. We did strum along to Come Together and Cuts Like A Knife and threw a couple ideas here and there for further get together's. Unlike I/O which I left him in charge of songs, I was finally letting him into my world of music and what I played. I do admit that I have shut him out of The Townedgers projects. I didn't think he would that interested in the music and songs, now's the time to get him involved into defining the next chapter of my musical adventures. I rather not call whatever we do The Townedgers, that would be returning more to originals rather than covers and me being totally in charge, but I believe it would a great chance to return under the Paraphernalia banner. For now, Russ has done a fine job following my guitar riffs to make the songs what they are. He thinks it's a challenge to figure out how I play guitar, it's not typical and if anything it's like me playing drums; I have no idea where I'm going and it looks like the wheels are ready to fall off but he's managed to stay on board. For Come Together we can do the song but I rather have somebody else more capable to sing it. Belinda Christensen James has said she has been singing it recently, I might tap her to sing the song or Julie Gordon. But we also working on Werewolves Of London which has practically the same chord pattern as Sweet Home Alabama (to which Kid Rock took noticed and make a hit single called All Summer Long a few years ago). Another song to polish up to do for a future jam.
So I'm getting lots of ideas and songs during the past three months of guitar playing. Continuing to refine and define and polish up songs and add better ones to replace the so so songs has shaped up to have a nice bunch of songs to do. So far I have come up with 30 songs of note in the three months of playing and a few more and we can probably book a date or two at some winery or bar. That will take a while but as long as we have acoustic jams and chances to do four or five should do for now. And I should consider not to get too critical of myself and the jams and go with it and just have fun.
I think I'll do that.
Comments from Russ
So Rodney Smith showed up to go over some of the songs he does for acoustic jams. Hopefully soon we'll be doing them at the Acoustikitties jams at Checkers. I'd almost forgot how much fun it is to sit down and try to work up songs in an ensemble. I was a little disappointed that my frankenbass still may need some work, atleast I found out before it was the only bass available because I left Number One at home. Number One is as reliable as ever. Rod always surprises me with how eclectic he can be.
Saturday 18 March 2017
3/18/17 Dad Hartman's 80th Birthday Bash
Playlist:
A Stranger To Himself
U Can't Touch This (snippet)
Everybody's Talking
Listen To Love
Cocaine
First Cut Is The Deepest
Midnight Rider
For Whats Its Worth
Baby Wanna Dance
If I Were A Carpenter
Belinda Christensen-James Backing vocals on the songs that she knew
At the tail end of the celebration of Cathy Hart's dad 80th birthday I managed to pop in at Checkers to sit in I was basically kind of a loss of what to do, but judging by how many songs I did sing I'm surprised I sung that many. A lot of debuting of new songs, in fact five of the songs were not attempted till tonight, including the much overplayed Cocaine. But nobody seems to play that one much anymore (but they will of Wonderful Tonight)
This time I was trying to do a bit more improvising on the songs, notably For What Its Worth and Cocaine, in order to cover up the mistakes I simply played the blotched chords twice or four times in a row. I was working up on the arrangement of Oh Death but I didn't want to play it at a birthday celebration of somebody. I may hold off singing that song till maybe a solo gig.
A Stranger To Himself has become stuck in my mind recently as I continue to fiddle around with it. I can't do the Fairport Covention arrangements, nor the Traffic but the capo at the forth fret has giving the song a whole new meaning. Since Listen To Love is being promoted as my new single from Jubilee, I decided to play that one as well as Baby Wanna Dance for original songs. I think the original songs are better since I know the words and not have to rely on cheat sheets to sing the lyrics. Midnight Rider I can't sing the high notes but rather go for a more unconventional growl, but I'm not sure if I will dust that one off anyone than I have to. First Cut Is The Deepest was another debut, very rough indeed but polish it up and it might work in a future jam.
Lorie Parker was kind enough to bring her congas so I got to hold the beat for the Acousta Kitties and when Rick Gallo and Dan Hartman took the stage. Highlights was Daddy Hartman singing along to You Never Call Me By My Name. It's sad to see him being confined to the wheelchair and not being able to dance to any of the songs but very cool to see him sing along. It makes you take a look at life and realize that be it 56 or 80 it still a short time to be here on this planet and I do thank God for the gift of playing music, even if it's rough as sandpaper. As always thanks to Cathy Hartman Spina, Lorie Parker and Julie Jules Gordon for their love and support and of course Mark Randolph and Belinda.
(Jeff Craft, Kenny Webb, R.Smith, Kevin Simnacher playing Spooky: Photo: Kevin Simnacher)
NO POPCORN JAM-Rumors 3/19/17
With:
Terry McDowell-Host
Jeff Craft-Lead Vocals Harmonica and Keyboards
Kevin Sinmacher-Lead Guitar
Kenny Webb-Bass Guitar
Nick Lnenicka-Harmonica
Songs:
Who's Been Talking
Born In Chicago
Spooky (ARS version)
https://youtu.be/CpT7nlQ1YVY
Notes: Tim Wiley was up there but didn't jam. We talked about the disappearance of Ben Benard who moved to Illinois and left everybody behind. There's more to that story but it's not worth repeating. Joe Hutchcroft was also there but didn't play nor did Kevin Faulkner or Tim Canfield. Jeff stuck with a bit more blues songs and I basically did a staggered four/New Orleans Shuffle beat on both Who's Been Talking and Born In Chicago, I didn't figure a straight blues beat would work. Then Herm showed up but I stayed to watch Iowa lose to TCU in overtime and then went off to the Nature Center to do a bit of walking. It's getting too nice to waste the whole day after my turn on drums is over. It's always fun to jam with Kevin and Kenny Webb is always fun to watch when he plays bass. Only wish I could have a couple more songs to jam with him on.
PS: Dueling Harmonicas part 2, Jeff and Nick traded licks on Born In Chicago and Who's Been Talking
A Stranger To Himself
U Can't Touch This (snippet)
Everybody's Talking
Listen To Love
Cocaine
First Cut Is The Deepest
Midnight Rider
For Whats Its Worth
Baby Wanna Dance
If I Were A Carpenter
Belinda Christensen-James Backing vocals on the songs that she knew
At the tail end of the celebration of Cathy Hart's dad 80th birthday I managed to pop in at Checkers to sit in I was basically kind of a loss of what to do, but judging by how many songs I did sing I'm surprised I sung that many. A lot of debuting of new songs, in fact five of the songs were not attempted till tonight, including the much overplayed Cocaine. But nobody seems to play that one much anymore (but they will of Wonderful Tonight)
This time I was trying to do a bit more improvising on the songs, notably For What Its Worth and Cocaine, in order to cover up the mistakes I simply played the blotched chords twice or four times in a row. I was working up on the arrangement of Oh Death but I didn't want to play it at a birthday celebration of somebody. I may hold off singing that song till maybe a solo gig.
A Stranger To Himself has become stuck in my mind recently as I continue to fiddle around with it. I can't do the Fairport Covention arrangements, nor the Traffic but the capo at the forth fret has giving the song a whole new meaning. Since Listen To Love is being promoted as my new single from Jubilee, I decided to play that one as well as Baby Wanna Dance for original songs. I think the original songs are better since I know the words and not have to rely on cheat sheets to sing the lyrics. Midnight Rider I can't sing the high notes but rather go for a more unconventional growl, but I'm not sure if I will dust that one off anyone than I have to. First Cut Is The Deepest was another debut, very rough indeed but polish it up and it might work in a future jam.
Lorie Parker was kind enough to bring her congas so I got to hold the beat for the Acousta Kitties and when Rick Gallo and Dan Hartman took the stage. Highlights was Daddy Hartman singing along to You Never Call Me By My Name. It's sad to see him being confined to the wheelchair and not being able to dance to any of the songs but very cool to see him sing along. It makes you take a look at life and realize that be it 56 or 80 it still a short time to be here on this planet and I do thank God for the gift of playing music, even if it's rough as sandpaper. As always thanks to Cathy Hartman Spina, Lorie Parker and Julie Jules Gordon for their love and support and of course Mark Randolph and Belinda.
(Jeff Craft, Kenny Webb, R.Smith, Kevin Simnacher playing Spooky: Photo: Kevin Simnacher)
NO POPCORN JAM-Rumors 3/19/17
With:
Terry McDowell-Host
Jeff Craft-Lead Vocals Harmonica and Keyboards
Kevin Sinmacher-Lead Guitar
Kenny Webb-Bass Guitar
Nick Lnenicka-Harmonica
Songs:
Who's Been Talking
Born In Chicago
Spooky (ARS version)
https://youtu.be/CpT7nlQ1YVY
Notes: Tim Wiley was up there but didn't jam. We talked about the disappearance of Ben Benard who moved to Illinois and left everybody behind. There's more to that story but it's not worth repeating. Joe Hutchcroft was also there but didn't play nor did Kevin Faulkner or Tim Canfield. Jeff stuck with a bit more blues songs and I basically did a staggered four/New Orleans Shuffle beat on both Who's Been Talking and Born In Chicago, I didn't figure a straight blues beat would work. Then Herm showed up but I stayed to watch Iowa lose to TCU in overtime and then went off to the Nature Center to do a bit of walking. It's getting too nice to waste the whole day after my turn on drums is over. It's always fun to jam with Kevin and Kenny Webb is always fun to watch when he plays bass. Only wish I could have a couple more songs to jam with him on.
PS: Dueling Harmonicas part 2, Jeff and Nick traded licks on Born In Chicago and Who's Been Talking
Sunday 12 March 2017
No Popcorn Jam 3/12/17 Dueling Harmonicas
Terry McDowell: Host
with
Chad Johnson-Vocals (Simple Man)
Tommy Bruner-Guitar and Vocals (For What Its Worth, Superstition)
Jeremiah Murphy-Bass
Nick Lnenicka-Harmonica (Simple Man, For What's Its Worth)
Bob Gleason-Harmonica (For What's Its Worth)
R.Smith-Drummer
Songs;
Simple Man
For What It's Worth
Superstition
Before the snow came barreling into town I did manage to return back to Rumors to help Terry out and for the first hour was the only other drummer besides Terry. That changed soon afterward. This jam was the first for Jeremiah Murphy (who plays in a Steely Dan tribune band) in reality, not a lot of jammers showed up, except for drummers of course. Basically both Tommy and Jeremiah played through the 2 and hour jam showcase. For the first time we had more harmonica players than guitar players and Bob and Nick did some dueling harmonica leads, one on the Buffalo Springfield song and then Midnight Rambler and a jam based on Lay Down Sally. Chad Johnson dedicated Simple Man to his son who was there as well and for that I basically laid down a very simple and not overpower beat. Same way with the next two songs, nothing flashy and nothing too crashy except for a few exchanges with Tommy on the lead to Superstition but it was fun hearing Bob and Nick duel it out.
Down the road at Cooters I heard it was a packed crowd and Julie Gordon made it to that one, probably of the fact that one of her favorite musicians Ryan Paul was playing keyboards there. Since I had to work Saturday I couldn't do the acoustic jam at Whittier which bummed me out, nor the Gilligan's acoustic jam earlier in the afternoon. The busy season has begun at work and I was needed there. Overall, I did okay on the songs, but at least it wasn't Wonderful Tonight again.
Notes: Tommy sings and plays For What It's Worth in the key of A whereas I do the version in E, easier to sing for me that way. On Tommy's version and style it's better fitted to be in a more lighter and somewhat jazzier way and not to overplay. With The Townedgers, I tend to go with the flow and direction of song when Geoff Redding starts raving up on guitar up to a crescendo and then back to a more quieter ending. Sometimes a more basic and economical beat is much better than going commando. With Terry's cymbals I cannot go bash and crash on them, He uses only the splash and 16 inch crash. So I use them sparingly.
with
Chad Johnson-Vocals (Simple Man)
Tommy Bruner-Guitar and Vocals (For What Its Worth, Superstition)
Jeremiah Murphy-Bass
Nick Lnenicka-Harmonica (Simple Man, For What's Its Worth)
Bob Gleason-Harmonica (For What's Its Worth)
R.Smith-Drummer
Songs;
Simple Man
For What It's Worth
Superstition
Before the snow came barreling into town I did manage to return back to Rumors to help Terry out and for the first hour was the only other drummer besides Terry. That changed soon afterward. This jam was the first for Jeremiah Murphy (who plays in a Steely Dan tribune band) in reality, not a lot of jammers showed up, except for drummers of course. Basically both Tommy and Jeremiah played through the 2 and hour jam showcase. For the first time we had more harmonica players than guitar players and Bob and Nick did some dueling harmonica leads, one on the Buffalo Springfield song and then Midnight Rambler and a jam based on Lay Down Sally. Chad Johnson dedicated Simple Man to his son who was there as well and for that I basically laid down a very simple and not overpower beat. Same way with the next two songs, nothing flashy and nothing too crashy except for a few exchanges with Tommy on the lead to Superstition but it was fun hearing Bob and Nick duel it out.
Down the road at Cooters I heard it was a packed crowd and Julie Gordon made it to that one, probably of the fact that one of her favorite musicians Ryan Paul was playing keyboards there. Since I had to work Saturday I couldn't do the acoustic jam at Whittier which bummed me out, nor the Gilligan's acoustic jam earlier in the afternoon. The busy season has begun at work and I was needed there. Overall, I did okay on the songs, but at least it wasn't Wonderful Tonight again.
Notes: Tommy sings and plays For What It's Worth in the key of A whereas I do the version in E, easier to sing for me that way. On Tommy's version and style it's better fitted to be in a more lighter and somewhat jazzier way and not to overplay. With The Townedgers, I tend to go with the flow and direction of song when Geoff Redding starts raving up on guitar up to a crescendo and then back to a more quieter ending. Sometimes a more basic and economical beat is much better than going commando. With Terry's cymbals I cannot go bash and crash on them, He uses only the splash and 16 inch crash. So I use them sparingly.
Wednesday 1 March 2017
Checker's Acousta Jam 3/1/17 From What I Remembered
Song list:
My Babe
Cant Just A Book By Its Cover
Sundown
For What's It Worth
U Can't Touch This
If I Were A Carpenter
With:
Cathy Hart
Julie Gordon
Lorie Parker
Steve Black Wolf
Donna Jo Fairley Elsner
Jay DeVore
Mike Frederick
I really don't recall much of tonight's jam or the song list. The version of Sundown was sloppy and I was playing the wrong chords but Lorie and Julie did a fine job singing background. Nice to see Tim Canfield stop by and applaud on Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover. I went to the Chiropractor this afternoon and took a couple of muscle relaxers in the process. Basically I was somewhat stoned during the whole thing, it didn't help that I went on a empty stomach. I later stopped at Perkins for pancakes to see if that helped. It really didn't.
For the most part I did took the night off from work although I didn't plan to do the acousta jam tonight. I did give Steve Black Wolf the number of the packaging boss for future excuses to come to the jam. U Can't Touch Dis was a kinda of a gag. It's funny to watch Lorie try to do the hammer dance. But I doubt if I'll do that song again. Just a bit of nonsense to pass the time.
For the first time since he started chemo Steve did about 4 songs and did them quite well. I can count on him doing Knockin On Heaven's Door. Abigail continues to sing songs better as a 10 year old then most drunk chicks at karaoke bars. And Julie helped me out by doing some percussion work and Lorie Parker playing congas too. Basically, the crowd was smaller than last week's although Mike Fredericks showed up. John didn't play congas and Skip Richards went home early during my set. I have heard disgruntled folks talking not too highly of the Stone City Sunday Jams, the host being a asshole. Think I will take a pass at that till a later time. But I'm still taking time off from the Rumors Sunday Jam till the fall maybe. If ever. But I'm sure I'll be back up there sooner than I think.
My Babe
Cant Just A Book By Its Cover
Sundown
For What's It Worth
U Can't Touch This
If I Were A Carpenter
With:
Cathy Hart
Julie Gordon
Lorie Parker
Steve Black Wolf
Donna Jo Fairley Elsner
Jay DeVore
Mike Frederick
I really don't recall much of tonight's jam or the song list. The version of Sundown was sloppy and I was playing the wrong chords but Lorie and Julie did a fine job singing background. Nice to see Tim Canfield stop by and applaud on Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover. I went to the Chiropractor this afternoon and took a couple of muscle relaxers in the process. Basically I was somewhat stoned during the whole thing, it didn't help that I went on a empty stomach. I later stopped at Perkins for pancakes to see if that helped. It really didn't.
For the most part I did took the night off from work although I didn't plan to do the acousta jam tonight. I did give Steve Black Wolf the number of the packaging boss for future excuses to come to the jam. U Can't Touch Dis was a kinda of a gag. It's funny to watch Lorie try to do the hammer dance. But I doubt if I'll do that song again. Just a bit of nonsense to pass the time.
For the first time since he started chemo Steve did about 4 songs and did them quite well. I can count on him doing Knockin On Heaven's Door. Abigail continues to sing songs better as a 10 year old then most drunk chicks at karaoke bars. And Julie helped me out by doing some percussion work and Lorie Parker playing congas too. Basically, the crowd was smaller than last week's although Mike Fredericks showed up. John didn't play congas and Skip Richards went home early during my set. I have heard disgruntled folks talking not too highly of the Stone City Sunday Jams, the host being a asshole. Think I will take a pass at that till a later time. But I'm still taking time off from the Rumors Sunday Jam till the fall maybe. If ever. But I'm sure I'll be back up there sooner than I think.
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