We had a Pot Luck Open Jam tonight. And as with every one before it, the one thing that held true is that it was different from the ones that came before. Tonight we gathered at my friend Jerry’s house in Manassas, VA. It was a long haul out to his place, and I think too long a haul for most of my friends – because of that we had mostly Jerry’s friends, a group much less focused on my own singer/songwriter sensibilities and more focused on sing-a-longs and covers. A difficult environment for me, unfortunately – but a Lovely one to watch Heather bask in. She can sing along with anything, finding beautiful harmonies and getting to play with some of the James Taylor tunes that she grew up with. A lot of stuff that was totally alien to me….
I think I’d like to have another PLOJ out there – but with a little more focused effort on getting some of my other people out that way – balance it with a bit more original material. I Loved listening to it and I’m adept enough to jump in on some of the simpler stuff, but without someone calling chords, I’ve just never heard the songs before and damn the folk peeps if they don’t use every chord they know… I just don’t have the knowledge! It makes me feel kind of pathetic, frankly – not being able to keep up like that.
Kristen did well too, flitting from tune to tune on cello as if she’d spent hours practicing all of them in advance. I don’t even get to use my ignorance of the individual songs as that great an excuse – it’s truly ignorance of my instrument and the theory that exists behind its frets. I’m a bad rob.
It was an early end – a long drive before us and perhaps too many kids at Jerry’s house (not all Jerry’s kids, though – ha!) saw us trying to get on the road by 11pm and we’re listening to We’re About 9 and Richard Shindell on the highways, homeward bound.
Okay, I SORT of remember this day – being there too early so I went and photographed weeds. Joining up with my old friend Jonathan Mitchigan and Mike Duck from the old Java House…. Otherwise known as DiHybrid Cross! Somewhere on the eastern shore where Jonathan’s congregation is… Dihybrid Cross was one of the other regular acts at the Jahva House open mic in Ellicott City all those years ago. Unlike ilyAIMY, We’re About 9 and Cupajo, DHX sort of petered out and drifted apart. Friday, June 25th saw them doing a reunion show as a benefit for a friend suffering from cancer. It was great to see them all together, and a lot of fun to hear some old material mixed with some new material…. Duck and Reverend JTron plus drums and sax – a good time was perpetrated. They even threw me into a song with heady company.
Both good artists for driving – but such different souls from my own. Brian Gundersdorf and Richard – both such amazing writers, both such interesting masks and exquisite storytellers with unknowable souls. I’m not a storyteller after all – I burn things and throw things. I’m a tantrumteller, a screamer and dancer, full of passion and inarticulate for all my pain.
PLOJ at Jerry’s place! PLOJ somethin somethin in Manassas, VA. A dramatically different mix than many before, but I guess the one thing you can always say about the PLOJes is that each one is different. Jerry playing bass!
And joy. Incoherent for all my joy. Don’t forget the joy.
The music pouring through the stereo encourages a further feeling of incompetence. Tales that I could never tell with voices that I can never have. There’s a new sound in the background of one of these songs that I’ve never heard before… some sort of interesting whisper that I can’t quite grasp.
PLOJ somethin somethin in Manassas,VA attracted a bunch of slightly different sounds including two horn players, a pianist and two sullen teenagers watching their dad shred the FUCK out of an aging Yamaha. Oh, Damian.
Whenever I wish for someone else’s talents I think of Terry Pratchett and his words about how funny the world would be if we were all the same. It’s not always a comfort though, because damn do I wish I could add a couple of things to my repertoire of skills. I need some time. And some money. To spend on some lessons.
I see advancement all around me. Passing by. I’m sitting still and stagnant and I’m a bit afraid that this is all I am.
But I DID work out this morning. And I did everything I’d meant to. So tomorrow I’ve and check everything off….
Add to money and time… willpower, please.
I think most of these photographs are from my friend Damian Diccox! PLOJ June 2010
