JULY JAM ON THE SHENANDOAH (Page 5 of 6)

We're doing it again in August on the New River.  I hope you can make it to that one Big Jim.  Dirty Ed had some good things to say about you over the weekend, and it's just made me that much more eager to meet you in person.

- Zurf

Ok folks, download this folder:  https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?ci … 7720C!356, grab a few beers or a Jack and Ginger (My husband made it up), or a Jack and Coke, or perhaps a Rum Punch, or even just a plain old Coke or cup of coffee and listen to your hearts content and pretend you're there.... this "album" shall now be my relaxation go-to music!

I don't mean to disappoint you, but Jim did not make up Jack and Ginger.  I've been drinking those for many years now.  Except now I use Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon in place of Jack.  It's tastier and about half the price.  Here's a suggestion for making the highball even better.  Start with a slice of orange in the bottom of the glass.  Add the bourbon and ice and muddle gently.  Then pour in a splash of ginger ale.  The ginger ale should be just enough to make for bubbly bourbon.  Stir gently.  Try that and see if you don't love the results. 

Thanks for the recordings. 

- Zurf

Looks and sounds like everyone had a blast. Really wish I could have made it. Thanks for posting the pics and audio!

I listened to every audio cut. What a perfect jam. Everybody sounded wonderful. The recording quality was quite good, I think.
That's how to pass a good time, boys and girls.
toots

I just scanned all the songs from Amy's post. Everyone that I just listened to better not have said they were a beginner in the "how do you rate yourself musically" thread. You ARE NOT beginners. You kinda make us feel bad. If a beginner sounds like that, then I just plain suck. I didn't check each name and their rating, but go ahead and change your rating to intermediate, good, or something like that.

Thank you Zguitar for your kind comments. 

Amy feels bad that she had to follow Dirty Ed, but have no pity on her.  We were all impressed by her musicality.  Who you should feel sorry for is me, because I had to follow Amy.  Jim was sitting there with his guitar but nearly every round "Pass", and then a silent profanity in my head because I did NOT want to follow whatever gem MKM had just laid on us.  In fact, that got to be a bit of a joke during the night.  Everyone played and sang well I think, but at some point each person did a song that just perfectly suited them and someone would laugh and say, "Now follow THAT!"

- Zurf

My buddy Kent who joined us alongside the Shenandoah is a semi-pro photographer.  He's posted his photos and is offering them for free downloads through August.  Here's a C&P of his e-mail to me. 

_____________

All,

I uploaded what pics I had onto my website into a private (password proected) gallery. There are definitely some good ones of kayaking and fishing as well as nice ones of some of the wildlife and scenery...The website urls are

15th Friday  http://www.oesphoto.com/pri.php?gid=493 … l=ty5l0vef    password   JRJ15
16th Saturday  http://www.oesphoto.com/pri.php?gid=494 … l=6nvqj6ny   password   JRJ16
17th Sunday   http://www.oesphoto.com/pri.php?gid=495 … l=y5n39nkr   password   JRJ17

Feel free to pass the links around to whomever. Electronic downloads are free for now... [Note from Zurf: This is me passing the links around to whomever.]

I plan to remove the people pics and turn the remainder into pay downloads (public gallery) at the end of August, so if you want a pic, download it now or for ever hold your pee...

...and I had a blast. Thanks to all that were there... Shame I have to miss the August kayak rodeo...

Cheers,

Kent

I still stand by the comment that I don't play well. Just as MKM thinks her voice covers for her picking inadequacies, I think my songs hide my guitar playing shortcomings. Bass Viking will attest that among the guitar players at our smallmouth fishing "rodeos" I wouldn't rate very high. However, I thank everyone for their kind words.

As Zurf said, it seems everyone had their "moment" and the person playing next in the circle had a tough act to follow.  Several times Jets60 played one of his original tunes and I found my self scrambling to find a song that wouldn't be too far below the bar he set.  Of all of us Jets had the worst position in the circle - following Norm the Guitar.

DE

Funny thing is that you two are impressed by Normtheguitar's playing (rightfully so), but the whole way back to my house and for most of the rest of his visit, he kept saying how jealous he was of the songwriting talents you two had displayed. 

I guess it's quite a mutual admiration society.

Now Jim seemed to bust on himself, but I thought he did pretty darned well.  He did an awful lot better than I did at my first campfire a few years ago.  Plus his singing was very well suited to the rock songs he picked.  That "Cover of the Rolling Stones" was a lot of fun. 

Thanks for the kind words on my playing Jeff.  I've been working at it and just today bought a book that is designed to help me with my flatpicking and a couple days ago picked up a simple tab book that I hope with practice will help me to play lead "signature" licks in and among the strumming.  Normtheguitar has made me rethink my overall approach to covers.  I still may not do them as a straight cover, but it would be nice to have the option.

Dino - you are very welcome!  I'll put together something on Youtube with a few of the sound files so you and those others that can't get the downloads can at least get a sample of the samples I have! 

Zurf - please pass along to Kent my great appreciation of his work!  AMAZING pictures!  While Normtheguitar has those fish in his hands that he's just caught, doesn't he just look like a kid in a candy shop???!!!  LOVE IT!  Beautiful pictures, truly!

As for the "Fire Circle Gang" ... it seems everyone has been truly impressed and blessed by everyone else there.  Zurf has it right, "Now follow THAT" was going around quite a bit.  In fact, I'm going to look now for chords/words to Jet's Granddaughter's song that he wrote as I've had it stuck in my head for days now (I hope he's posted it in the songwriting section).  I agree wholeheartedly with BassViking's words about DE, "If you are or have made mistakes, your confidence and your own words so overshadow them..."  It is so true!  DE is a natural born story teller and is comfortable performing (if he's not, he sure does fake it very well!).  My husband really did quite well considering.  That IS the first time I have even heard him play and sing at the same time, so the fact that he did it in the group is truly impressive!  Zurf just looked as comfy as could be picking away as though there was no effort required.  Normtheguitar... well, I will say it again, I want to grow a few more fingers so that I can play like he does.  The man just strums away and it sounds like rhythm and lead in one and I can NOT for the life of me figure out quite how he does it (and his fingers go 90 miles per hour along the fretboard while his rhythm is grooving along). 

The one thing that I can say with certainty is this, each person has their own unique style which was appreciated and admired by each other person there.  Now THAT is something that just puts me in awe.  I'd say it makes me speechless, but clearly I rarely am at a loss for words!  LMAO!