Pickin’ in the Pinelands.
Last night, I did something I’ve wanted to for quite some time, which was to check out the Albert Music Hall and see if I could do a bit of pickin’ there.
As you can see from the website, the place has become a cultural institution in New Jersey. I had been to the old location many years ago, before it burned down. Back then, I went into the theater to see the show, which I enjoyed very much. However; what intrigued me most about the place was the musical action that was taking place in the parking lot. People playing all sorts of instruments (mostly stringed) clustered in groups and just played and sang for themselves and anyone who felt like watching – and many did.
The spontaneous parking lot “concerts†became part of the tradition, so when the new building was built, a “Pickin’ Shed†and a porch were included for those who show up with instruments and want to play (there are photos on the website).
So, I decided to give it a shot. I put my guitar (not the Gibson) in the trunk and headed over there to see how the pickin’ thing works. When I arrived, there were already about ten people playing in the Pickin’ Shed. Not knowing the “rules†(e.g.Was some minimal level of competence required? Does it cost anything? Do you need someone’s permission?), I asked one of the peeps, “Can anyone play?â€
Answer: “Sure.â€
With that, I took the guitar from the gig bag, watched people’s hands to see the key of the song everyone was playing and started right in. There were about a half-dozen guitar players, a couple mandolin players, a guy playing the dobro, a guy way older than I playing harmonica and even a guy keeping time with brushes on a share drum. After playing about ten songs, the guy who seemed to be the main guy looked in my direction and said, “The fella over there in the green shirt strumming that guitar… [i.e. me] … Would you like to sing one?â€
Of course, I did not refuse. I sang one and then sang another couple tunes over the next few hours. I learned that players and spectators come in and out all night. Later in the evening, an absolutely amazing fiddle player showed up. He was kind of a goofy, happy guy who had no problem doing a bit of a crazy dance while he played. Truth is, I heard him play some serious stuff outside the shed, and I’m convinced that he must be an accomplished violinist who does the “fiddle†thing for shits and giggles.
I closed out the night by moving to the porch to play. It is my impression that the porch is where more serious players seem to congregate. The guy playing banjo was great. I just stayed on the fringe doing my damndest to keep up with the rapid-fire chord changes in bluegrass tunes I had never heard before.
My fingers are sore today, but it was a great way to spend Saturday night. Hell, I may well become one of the “regulars.â€
Note: Be sure to click on the Video link on the website for background on the Albert Music Hall. You can also see the video by clicking here.
I’m jealous. After finding a group here in Charleston, they went all-in for a long term gig at a restaurant. It did get the J.R. hooked, though. You should hear him sing “Wagon Wheel” or “Willin'”.
I miss the pickers down in St. Augustine. Had a mess of ’em there and even foreigners would show up and play auld Irish jigs and reels and. . . oh, *sigh*
Glad you got hooked on it, Jimbo!
Comment by Joan of Argghh! — June 13, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
How fun is that???
BTW, I left something for you at my place. No need to read through the crap in my head, just scroll down to the last piece. A picture and everythin’… 🙂
Comment by Bou — June 13, 2010 @ 6:47 pm
Hey that’s great, I’m really glad it worked out well.
Comment by Mike R. — June 13, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
Oh how I’d love to just go there and sit and watch. I can’t play and I can’t remember the words to songs so singing would be out – but I can be an appreciative audience. LOL.
Comment by Teresa — June 13, 2010 @ 11:44 pm
Jim
You should try this group…the Old Time Fiddlers…they have a show in Honesdale, PA on July 22
which is about an hour past the water gap…. a nice town to walk around in too to make it a nite!
The fiddlers work the same way….all ages…folks bring the fiddles….and great music!!! Just great show and such talented regular folks!!!
Comment by Peggy — June 14, 2010 @ 7:36 am
When I was a kid, I used to be a regular visitor to George and Joe’s house in the pines out off route 539. My uncle was a long time hunting friend of the Albert brothers and he used to take me along when they were out scouting out places for tree stands and generally just mooching around in the deep pine barrens. (Which were deep and dark and seemingly endless back in the early sixties). After George passed away, we’d go visit Bill quite often, especially in the fall when it was deer season. He adopted a young buck he named “Bucky”, we’d bring huge plastic bags of acorns and corn for him to eat. Bill would put an orange collar on him so no one would shoot him, most people would respect that back in those days. After a while Bill fenced in part of the property right by the house and keep him in there during the season. Bucky would come right into the kitchen to get something to eat. Damnedest thing.
Comment by gregor — June 14, 2010 @ 7:51 am
Hey Jim! Paul and I are planning on stopping there soon. We’ll look for ya! My mom’s boyfriend “works” there by selling the 50/50’s..
Comment by Kate — June 14, 2010 @ 7:53 am
Damn, I have to start drinking coffee again. I was thinking about my Uncle Bill when writing that comment and meant to say Joe in several instances, not Bill. See what happens when you have a clear, caffeine free mind?
Yikes…
Comment by gregor — June 14, 2010 @ 1:23 pm
Jim, That sounds awesome. I remember you talking about that place when we were in Fort Myer’s. It sounds as if you really enjoyed yourself. I wish I wasn’t so far away, I would love it too.
Comment by Randy — June 15, 2010 @ 12:24 am
Jim, that sounds like a total hoot. Next time you’re planning on going let me know; I’ll drive down!
Comment by Mr. Bingley — June 15, 2010 @ 9:11 am
Sweet!!! As you know, I was born and raised in Nashville…you Yankees have a little mountain in you. We need to sneak a bottle of BBBC in there.
Comment by Yabu — June 15, 2010 @ 9:30 am
I met the Albert brothers in the early 1970s, even before the first Albert Hall. I hooked up with some locals who knew them and we’d wind up at a farm to listen to the Pineconers and whoever else showed up.
Every so often they’d put on a benefit and musicians would come from all over and play all day and night. Some even had vague southern accents, but they actually lived in the Barrens. Real Pineys, they were, but I’m guessing they’re all gone now.
If you get down there again, hit the ice cream parlor in Barnegat.
Anyway, thanks for the memories.
Comment by Gary from Jersey — June 15, 2010 @ 2:46 pm