Stream of Consciousness Saturday -Jam Session

At Bob and Chris’s place Saturday was a get together jam session featuring whoever showed up. Bob and Chris’ repertoire featured many Irish, Scottish and folk pieces which they sang to Bob’s guitar accompaniment. I can still see them gazing loveingly into each other’s eyes as they sang. Bob ultra serious and Chris with a radiant look on her lovely face.

The jam, included our friend Billy, me, and any other performers who were in the Balitmore area. Chris’ friend Roger, and family members visiting from Boston were also frequently there. In the early days their son Robby would creep out of bed, sneak into the doorway, and hope he wouldn’t be seen out of his bed. But when Chris sang it was hard for anyone to ignore her.

The Jam was actually more of a round robin. One person starting, another picking up, and a third adding to the theme with their song. Bob was a very accomplished guitarist, and could play almost anything you might come up with. The evening often started out with Bob and Chis singing a duet, then perhaps I might do a blues. We would all follow in turn as the spirit and inspiration dictated. Things could get a bit raucous along the way. We might perhaps do a risqué version of Washington at Valley Forge.

As the night rolled on and beer was consumed, we became more adventurous. Someone might offer part of a work in progress. Eventually, some mood would take hold: sad, joyous, or ribald. The mood would guide the selection of material. There would also be long interludes in which stories were told. Some of these were oft-told tales polished by frequent retelling but still very enjoyable. My friend Bill and I, road bums that we were, could relate our adventures on cue. Robby, at that time, Bob and Chris’ only child, was often the source of hilarious stories.

A really good evening could serve as a basis for a “second coming” on Sunday. Although most had work on Monday and it was much shorter in duration.

It seemed at times that Saturday jam sessions would roll on into eternity.