From the Heart and Soul ~ OCOEE PARKING LOT BLUEGRASS JAM (8-24-2012)

For your pleasure, headphones, full-screen, & HD view option recommended.

The calm before the storm - Tropical Storm Isaac is on the way. Rain delayed the Jam and reduced attendance tonight, but the music was strong and had a different feel thanks to new musicians, who brought their own sound to the mix.

In addition to the established core of players in this 21-plus year old jam, Mike and Elizabeth Spedale, from Lake City, performed a variety of bluegrass, gospel, and folk melodies in their unique style. Ken George, a fine banjoist, also returned from Orlando for a visit.

Judie Lewis returned and greatly enhanced the evening with her expert harmony with husband Jack's gospel songs and other musicians' selections. Thanks also to Doug Buchheister and Gerald Creed for masterful back-up vocals.

A couple of nice points to note in this video are the bright mandolin sounds and the great upright bass work. The light-colored mandolin, which is being shared by Johnny Adams and Doug Buchheister, was hand crafted by Johnny, the mandolin player sitting on the truck tailgate.

Bassist Bill Miller is the glue that holds the music together. His relentless beat is like a metronome, and he can really make a bass "walk." Talk about sustained notes; I hope you have headphones. He's good.

God willing, see you next week.