Live Blues at 2650

Well, turns out the Selby Grandparents going to Camp St. Christopher for a retreat led by Fr. Bob Ott (I'm just going to play that one straight up) and Lynda and Isabelle heading for Brooklyn somehow acted as a catalyst in God's plan with the result being a music jam the likes of which have not been seen in many a year. Before getting to the description, I apologize (yes, I, the one who recognizes (as I did in this case (btw, how many sub parentheses can you have)) that this was going to be a unique photo/video opportunity and it was my job to obtain those pics) for the fact that there is NO VIDEO. Or even pics. But you know, sometimes the moment is just too good to stop. So, what happened?

Normally a detailed description of our dinner (Uncle Henry, Aunt Cindy, Hank, Bayne, John, and Aunt Beka) would follow, but for now I will just say burgers cooked on Selby Jr grill without incident - okay, little incident - John lit fire, it stayed very small - John banged on burners - Uncle H banged on burners - Uncle H removed and reattached hose from propane tank - B, Uncle H, and J all scratched chins and said "hume" (which Jim Hanna told me was the sound of thought - when I was 8) - and the fire sprang to life. Uncle H wanted it on high, no doubt in a second attempt to help his brother collect on insurance money from a house burned down, but wiser heads prevailed. Okay this is getting long. John cut tomatoes and onion, Beka did stuff, Aunt C did stuff, Hank checked out Webkinz on computer, and then we ate. Great meal and conversation (including a story of how Uncle H discovered the beauty of English - as in school).

Soooooo, after dinner B and J were keen to show Uncle H one of their recent muscial accomplishments (Almost Cut My Hair, CSNY, 1970, Decca Records) and part of the group adjourned to the living room. The PA system was set up so B could sing at the piano and a fair rendition of the song was rendered - note for note guitar intro by J with most of the solo being the Neil Young portion rather than Stephen Stills. Uncle H was so moved that he picked up an acoustic guitar and began playing _ yes, did the young people know that was another of his many talents. (Why is there an underline back there instead of a dash, well no going back).

This led to B requesting H to play some older stuff which he did while John adlibbed solos. For some reason most of his songs had completely unsubtle drug references which did not impress the father (B) with his 19 yr old college freshman son present. Oh, who am I kidding. We never listen to lyrics. Now, as we crescendo this performance - harmonies began to appear. Songs long forgotten were remembered, by Uncle H no less (Comin' in to Los Angeles, Arlo Guthrie !?!?!!?). Then it was time to go to Gma's (her rap name) most requested guitar song, Teach Your Children, even though she was not present. This, as you may know, is in the key of C. It was well done, but then led to a medly of key of C songs (one of Uncle H's strong points on guitar).

Somewhere in the middle of all this, Aunt B came in to the living room and sat in one of the winged back chairs. She enjoyed, clapped, sang some, and told John "good guitar, John .... good guitar, John .... GOOD GUITAR JOHN", "Thanks Beka". But then, the key of C medley and all around good vibe possessed Aunt B to rise from the chair, go to the piano, and select a key of C harp (harmonica for you unitiates). This went unnoticed by the 3 guitarists until they realized in the middle of a song that a new instrument was sending melodic and timely and complimentary sounds into their jam. At this point words fail me. Again, a video would have been golden, but you'll have to use your imagination. Suffice it to say that no one wanted to stop. Aunt B on blues harp, J on electric guitar, Uncle H on Washburton acoustic guitar, and B on the Yamaha "around the country in 2 months and 2 days" acoustic guitar. The jam took off, sweat poured, and the music flowed. sometime later, exhausted and happy, all retired to respective places of rest and had sweet dreams.

Epilogue

The following night the Bluffton Selbies had returned to, well, Bluffton. John was working late. B and B went to Los Arcos for enchiladas and then home to try some Guitar Hero II, mano a mano. It was not there. A text to young J indicated it had gone to a friend's house and he would retrieve soon. Searching for something else to do, B suggested a mini jam on guitar and harmonica. No urging was needed. Since the PA system was no longer needed for vocal, it was moved next to the winged back chair. Aunt "Sonny Girl" Beka Selby then played harp into the microphone while Bayne played acoustic. Wanting to break new ground, they tried blues in the key of G (guitar plays in key of G, harp player uses C harp). Wow! Suffice it to say that J showed up 10 minutes later and said "can I join in?". He got on electric and a completely worthy encore to the previous evening was had. B would sing (make up) a verse, Beka would take a solo verse, John would take a solo verse, repeat. Of course it wasn't long before the instrumentalists took a couple of verses (B's extemporaneous song writing is somewhat limited). I have to say John was as on playing the blues improv solos as I have ever heard him. And Aunt B, she could wring more emotion from a long drawn out D9 (draw in on the 9th hole) then Eddie Van Halen could ever get from a 220 mph searing guitar riff. Yes, I know you all can't wait - and you won't be disappointed. But as we know, these things just have to happen, they can't be forced. So, keep your eyes open, tune your ears up, and be patient (and I'll keep a video instrument charged up). Until then, God Bless.