Hosted by Helga

A Night of Hats, Newcomers, and Great Music
For years – in double figures - I have been a regular player at the Bells, but this night was the very first time I was hosting the open mic all by myself (standing in for Tambourine Laura). Understandably, I felt a bit nervous. So, I came in my black jazz hat with red, orange, and blue feathers, which immediately gave me extra confidence and a ‘new persona’. Terry and Chris also wore their performance hats, which was great!

Noteworthy also is that we had three newcomers: Paul with tuneful Fisherman’s Songs; Will with impressive versions of Tougher than the Rest (Bruce Springsteen) and Fulsom Prison (Johnny Cash); and Lynn – singing publicly for the first time - who gave us a beautiful rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now. A special welcome to you and we look forward to having you with us again!

Summer, Sun, and Seasons were a strong theme of the night, not surprising after such a long, cold, schleppy winter! We enjoyed interpretations of Summertime (George & Ira Gershwin, DuBois Heyward), Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone (Bill Withers), Shine on, Harvest Moon (Nora Bayes & Jack Norworth), Hotel California (Eagles), Diamonds in the Rain (Jeannie Riley), Sunrise, Sunset (Jerry Bock). Thanks Jason, Helga, Mike, Heather, Frank, Hugh, Manus, Nelson, and Steph!

Current Issues and General Problems were ably addressed in Running out of Time (Bells’ songwriter Chris), Insomniac’s Dream (another Chris song apparently inspired by the actor and comedian Robin Williams), Human Beings are not very Bright and Southern Water Pollution Calypso (Bells’ songwriter Emma with sardonic wit), It Ain’t Me Babe (Bob Dylan), Born Under a Bad Sign (Albert King), and Miss this Sweet Old World (Lucinda Williams). Thanks Chris, Emma, Frank, Helga, Hugh, Manus, Terry, and Simon!

Finally, Positive Future Visions made an uplifting final theme: Simple Smiling Face (written by Jason), Black Lives Matter and White Socks (Bells’ songwriter Lance), Down the Highway (Bert Jansch), I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton), Chance (written by Nelson King), Ticket to Paradise (Bells’ songwriter Simon), and a Traditional (Robert Burns). Thanks Jason, Lance, Hugh, Manus, Mike, Nelson, Simon, and Steph!
A raucous Blues in E Jam brought this great evening to a crowning finale. Thanks Mike, Jason, Helga, Frank, Terry, and Will!

I look forward to my next open mic hosting! It would be great if you can try and wear a hat, Helga

Hosted by Jason

“Collaboration Night"
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We start with the hammer
Flute swaying, swinging with the Blues
Sunshine ain’t but shining
When a man loves a woman is news
 
Dancing to the end of love
With Sebastian a story of a life
If you see him, say Hello
He might be longing for a wife
 
Cool breezing in from the South
They sing of their love under the moon
And with the art of the Botticellis
Such musical beauty is over all too soon
 
Rocket fires into the night sky
As we love the simple prairie town
Silent sounds never helpless, but hoping
Even Blues can lift you when you’re down
 
Summertime is coming, as it always will
Sunny afternoons abound for us once again
San Francisco Bay be where we found our love
Songs we sing and let us never refrain . . .
 
Jason, poem, May 2024
Thank you Helga, Lance, Mike, Manus, Hugh, Kat, Andy, Frank, The Botticellis, Simon, Ella, The Low Profile, and my wonderful Lisa for singing with me yet again. Another lovely evening of music and friendship.