Savage Salem Session

I left the Vineyard for Boston on Thursday night, reluctantly leaving the painting and gardening projects behind, and thinking it would be a quick turn-around and that I would only be focusing on preparing for my Saturday morning gig - for the first time, ever, I did not pack my fiddle and bouzouki.

On Friday morning, however, I got an e-mail from Nik Apollonio, up (or down, as they say) in Maine, who said, "I'm going down to Bob's session in Salem, want to come?" Damn! I sent back my regrets - of all the days to leave my instruments home. I was dying to see both Bob and Nik (especially since it was Nik's birthday), so of course the gears were turning, and within a few minutes I wrote back and said, "Don't you have a house full of fiddles? Could you bring me one - I'd love to join you guys."

What a great night it was. The session is hosted by the fantastic Larry Young, and also featured the likes of  the very talented Emerald Rae, whom I had not seen since the Tommy Doyle days, as well as my buddy Bob Denton, a mainstay at my Edgartown summer sessions. Add in Bob and Jen Strom whom I know from various Boston sessions, and the birthday boy, as well as a full assortment of other musicians, and it had all the makings of a mighty, mighty night of music; really - the place was packed, the energy was high, and the music was downright savage.

It was Nik's birthday, but it felt like my own, as this was pure, unadulterated joy.

I have to laugh - I can't imagine what my kids must be thinking with photos from various pubs rolling by in my FaceBook stream.

Thanks, everyone - I hope I see you all again very soon.



O'Neill's, in downtown Salem. Hey - how'd Nik get that premium parking spot?




I will soon be sporting one of these tees, as well as an Apollonio gui-zouk.



Jen (right)



Terry



Daisy



Bob (left)



Daisy



Nik







Terry











Jen and Lisa.



Bob, Jen, Nik.



Bob, Larry, Emerald, Nik.








Jen









Lisa




(Glad to get a few shots of myself for a change. These were taken by Grace with my phone. Thank you!)Here, with Nik and Bob.








Larry and Emerald


Ha ha - right around 3:08 is where I couldn't take another minute of not playing and set the camera on someone's case so I could get in on at least the last bit of the Silver Spear.