Week 65
16th August
Cocktail night!

Week 64
9th August
Back to basics tonight, well almost, we used one mic and the amp for Daves bass. A bit of an Elvis medley happened with Matt and myself and Tam did a nice version of The Beatles 'Across the Universe' with a suitable psychedelic sound on the mic.

Week 63
2nd August
The Mandelas held their AGM after hours outside the wee pub and it was agreed that something must be done about drowning out the disgruntled acoustic side of the room, bigger amps perhaps!

SATURDAY 31st JULY- CRANHILL, GLASGOW
MANDELAS ON TOUR AGAIN...
I didn't make this one but I hear it was a good night with a country theme and even featured a chuck wagon!

Week 62
26th July
A noisy night with lots of distorted amplifiers and out of tune guitars, some good tunes prevailed all the same.

SATURDAY 17th JULY- THE STAGE MUSIC DAY, CAIRNDOW, ARGYLL
MANDELAS ON TOUR AGAIN...
The weather looked a bit dismal when I arrived at The Stagecoach Inn, Cairndow on Saturday afternoon, but as the first few acts played and a few beers went down the sun came out and it warmed up nicely and had people sitting about on the grass. The Mandela 6 (pictured right) started around 6pm, and even got a a few dancers going out in the lochside beer garden. Brians sang Travis' 'Sing' and also closed the set with 'Wish you were here' (his public singing debut outwith the pub'!)

Week 61
19th July
(Was this the night with free drink to celebrate an anniversary of the pub and a visit from the police, I wasn't there, honest guv!)

Week 60
12th July
?

Week 59
5th July
A lively night due to holiday fever, stopped off at Matt's for a whisky or two! Oh dear, me head hurts!

Week 58
28th June
?

Week 57
21st June
Mark brought his drum kit, giving the jam a whole new dynamic, sounded great and kept it to a good volume with his brushes. In the excitement there was talk of a possible gig in the pub, watch this space!

SATURDAY 19th JUNE - FYNE ALES BEER FEST
5 Mandelas played a short set at The Fyne Ales Beer Festival at Cairndow which was being aired live by Celtic Music Radio, we tasted a few beers too.

17th JUNE - GERRY'S RETIRMENT DO!
The Mandelas enjoyed a sweaty jam session on a hot night in SoHo (Miller St. Glasgow). Thanks very much to Gerry for Pints and Pizza, a great night was had by all!

Week 56
14th June
A lively night as usual!

Week 56
7th June
I asked Brian to write a wee review of the night which has kindly sent me, here it is....

This week we had the guys from The Athletic Vaults, Bellshill over for a visit which turned out to be an excellent night. We had the longest version of “All along the watchtower” to date but what a version it was, Matt and Gerry had the place rocking as well and there was some classics from the Bellshill boys (Simon & Garfunkel to mention one of them) It was packed in the wee pub but we all managed to get a turn and during the proceedings we stopped for some curry, pakora, nan bread and rice with some sausage rolls on the side (thanks to carol and Ann for that although I made the curry). It was a fab night and the malt of the month was Glenmorangie which we all had a few. Oh and Mark was on a string breaking night, but in saying that he still managed to carry the tunes on....even though he was doing it with only 5 strings..... well done Mark.

Thanks for the review Brian, and well done again with the curry, magic!

Week 55
31st May
A surpisingly lively night considering the Rock and Roll excesses of the weekend!

SATURDAY 29th MAY - BLUEBELL MUSIC FESTIVAL
8 Mandelas squeezed on to the wee stage in the beer garden of The George Hotel, Inveraray and did a nice wee set with only a few minor hitches which was to be expected, all in all not a bad first gig. Even better was the jam sessions that went on between bands as The Mandelas steadily emptied the bar when word got out that they were playing outside in one of the tents.

Week 54
24th May
The last jam before our afternoon gig at The Bluebell Festival this coming Saturday, Matt was particularly good tonight and just did song after song after song, each one better than the last, no one came near him, amazing! (He also said something about not getting a good review on this page). Oh and how could I forget our impromtu version of the Doobie Brothers classic 'Long Train Runnin'.

Click here to download a setlist for next week! (PDF)

Week 53
17th May
Didn't make this one but Brian tells me i missed a nice sounding wooden flute.

Week 52
10th May
1st Anniversary : The first 'Jam at the Inn' was on Monday 11th May 2009!

Week 51
3rd May
Brian made a delicious Bengali style chicken curry accompanied with Nan bread, Pakora and Samosas to celebrate one year of the Jam at The Inn*, there was plenty to go round but it was soon polished off! Nice one Brian!
*The official birthday is next week!

Week 50
26th April
As I arrived, Alan and Jims harmonies were sounding sweet in a version of 'Lay Down Sally', Maurice was laying down some mandolin as he sand 'As tears go by' and the ghost of Jimi Hendrix made a brief appearance, oh no wait a minute i think that was Matt with a wig and a pair of tight over his heid!

Week 49
19th April
Another good night, with plenty of laughs. Wigs supplied by Matt. More photos by Alex and Jamie, including a group photo, hopefully coming soon!

Week 48
12th April
Suddenly summertime seems to arrived, it was a nice change to arrive at the pub while it was still light. Mainly an acoustic affair tonight, no bass as Dave is still lost in Las Vegas, electricity did creep in with some electroacoustic distortion. Jim did an excellent version of 'Take me To The River' which I think should be on the Bluebell Festival setlist. Next week should be bigger and better, Mark is threatening to bring his Jazz drum kit!

Week 47
5th April
The Bank Holiday Monday was slightly quieter than usual, probably not as many tunes tonight but plently of laughs, Jim was ussing his megaphone voice and Alan was really feelin' da Bass!

An early draft for The Mandelas Bluebell Music Festival setlist looks like this...
That's Entertainment - Jim
A Man is in Love - Jim
A Bang on the Ear - Jim
Copperhead Road - Mo
Born to Run - Mo
Sing - Brian
Red Rose Cafe - Alan
Like a Huricane - Alan
All Along the Watchtower - MarkMag
The George Hotel - MarkMcD
Sweet Child of Mine - Matt
Starman - Matt
Subterranean Homesick Blues - Jim
Lonesome Boatman - Instrumental
Darlin' - Alan
Fishermans Blues - Jim
Seagull - Alan

Comments ans suggestions welcome, email me!

Alex Rankine kindly took some great photos last week, you can have a look at them here.

Week 46
29th March
Thought it was going to be a quiet were night due to the sleet, snow and high winds but it was a full house, just as many guitars as usual and even an appreciating audience, the orchestra left a wee bit early (Alan and Maurice) probably due to the clocks giving us an hour less in bed, many songs were sung and a few we've never heard before, noteably, Under my Thumb by Gerry and thankfully George and Paul (Alan and Jim) helped me out with the chorus on my version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. We also had a couple of photographers snapping away during the course of the night, hopefully we'll se the results soon. A great wee night as usual, we left just before we got snowed in.

Week 45
22nd March
A nice relaxed night with plenty of laughter, for some reason Jim and Alan could hardly keep a straight face, must be something to do with the happy harmonies they were doing. Took a short video of the Lonesome Boatman (see right).

A guy Brian was talking to at the Bar is a photographer and is going to come back next week to take some photos, so make sure you Iron your best shirt!

Week 44
15th March
8 acoustic guitars + 1 electric guitar + 1 bass guitar + 1 mandolin + 1 flute + 1 bodhran + a couple of whistles = A great wee night. Jim's magical hat that gives you super musical powers helped the night along.

Week 43
8thMarch
No electric guitar this week, back to acoustic roots, Maurice did a nice version of 'She moved through the Fair', Gerry did some Stones including an impromtu version of 'Honkey Tonk Women'

Excitment is starting to build regarding the Bluebell Music Festival at The George Hotel on the 29th May, where we (The Jam at the Inn) under the name of ''The Mandelas' be performing on the Saturday afternoon.

Bluebell website

Week 42
1st March
A good wee night as far as I can remember.

Week 41
22nd February
I didn't have time to spend the whole night at the pub, but couldn't stay away, so popped in for about and hour and had a shot of Alans mandolin to jam to a few tunes including Bowies 'Starman' and Guns and Roses 'Sweet Child o' mine'.

Week 40
15th February
It was starting to get a wee bit frosty as I arrived at the Inn, but as usual it was bright and cosy inside. Matt took a brief break from keeping it country and did a nice version of Chris Rea's 'Road to Hell'. Stephen was nearing the end of 'Blowing in the Wind' when there was a power cut, but just like in the blitz everyone mucked in and in the ambience of candle light, kept calm and carried on. Maybe it was a message from the Gods of acoustic rock, telling us to get back to our acoustic roots now that we have two mics (with a Whole Lotta Reverb) a bass and a guitar amp. Peter did a nice version of 'Carrickfergus' with Maurice on mandolin, when again the power went down, but again the show went on.

Other songs played on this night included...
Stand by Me, Wish you were here, Everybody hurts, Candy, Miserlou, Use Somebody, I just can't help beleivin', Valerie, Piano man, Like a hurricane, Red Rose Cafe, Fishermans blues, A man is in love, A bang on the ear, Subterrainian homesick blues, Heart of a Saturday, Folsom Prison Blues and Ride On.

Week 39
8th February
Genrally a laid back night with a lot of country, highlights for me were Maurice doing Femme Fatale, Allans 'Like a Hurricane' and Jim doing Bob Dylans 'Hurricane' ( The weather was cold but calm). All along the Watchtower by Mark rocked too!

Week 37
25th January BURNS NIGHT!
In the noisy bar again, with a few Burns songs of course.
Nae Haggis!

Week 36
18th January
The lounge was closed this week for refurbishment, so we gathered around the pool table in the bar. Jim did a great version of The Jam's 'That's Entertainment' and also later did some spectacular tambourine work, Mark finally found a solution that would let him play the train whistle and bodhran at the same time ( see photo). Next Monday is Burns night and I know Alan is raring to go as he gave a sneak preview of 'Ye Jacobites by Name'.

Week 35
11th January
Took my electric guitar for a bit of variation, Maurice also electric on the Mandela, quite a lively night with a strong country flavour. Theres talk about a trip to folk festival on Barra, any one interested should speak to Maurice. Burns night is coming soon, is everyone preparing a song?

Week 34
4th January 2010
Happy New Year, Unfortunately I couldn't make the first one of the year but hope to see a few of you next week.

Week 33
28th December
The last Monday of the year, quite a busy wee night with some Jam WAGS present. Can't really remember much about it now due to the after show party!

Week 32
21st December
Snow was lying on the ground but it was cozy in the pub, quite a rowdy night at times but we still managed a few nice gentler tunes, Maurice singing Sinatra's "Someone to watch over me' was definitely a highlight, a few Christmas songs and a version of 'Oh Holy Night' sung beautifully by a guest singer from Blackburn, Lancashire. Everyone one wished everyone else a Merry Christmas and are looking forward to the last Monday of 2009.
Malt of the month: Jura
Food: None ( I was expecting Scotch Broth in a warmed bowl with buttered crusty bread)

Week 31
14th December
I missed this one, but if anyone has any reviews or recollection I'd love to hear them. email me!

Week 30
7th December
I think this was the night Maurice played the Benny Hill theme on the Kazoo, enough said.

Week 29
30th November
St. Andrews day, so we were treated to Oatcakes & smoked salmon, minced pies and shortbread. Don't worry its hasn't become an eating session, the music is still there too!

Week 28
23rd November
Sausage Rolls, Sandwiches and Danish Pastries! What did we do to deserve this from Margaret Ann and Co?

Week 27
16th November
I missed this one so don't know much about it apart from Dave C was playing an electric bass.

Week 26
9th November
Back to the wee pub for our purely acoustic jam, Jim and Alan were absent so no flute or mandolin on Fishermans Blues but Peter brought a banjo. Gerry did a nice version of Snow Patrols, Run and Maurice was very vocal singing Why does it always rrain on me, Bang on the ear and Radioheads No Surprises.

Week 25 at The Athletic Vaults, Bellshill
2nd November
The Jam Session went on tour in the Chapel mini bus to Bellshill, it was more of an open mic night with some great songs and singers, we even got a pint on the house and a sausage roll. Thanks to Dave C the designated driver!

DAVY DREWS RECORDINGS
from 12th October
Fishermans Blues by Jim

Springsteen song by Gerry

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Week 24
26th October
Lots of guitars, lots of noise and some whisky & beer. Another late night like last week.

Week 23
19th October
Dave Clark's first night off since the Jam night started on 11th May. Maurice, Brian, Peter, Mark, Mark, Jim, Tam, Alan, Peter and a young lad who's name I can't remember.

Week 22
12th October
Brian back from India, Davie Drew recorded some tracks, here's one...

Week 21
5th October
Dave, Mark, Jim, Davie, Maurice, Tam, Alan, Peter, Gerry and new comer Mark on Bodhran, flute and guitar. Also Martin played "On the cover of Rolling Stone" and "Piano man." Oh I almost forgot (how could I) Jim's new toy, a train whistle, Folsom will never be the same!

Week 20
21st September
Dave, Mark, Jim, Davie, Maurice, Tam, Alan Gerry and Michael Mandela from Gartcosh (I wonder if he caught his train that night).

Week 19
14th September
Dave, Brian, Mark, Jim, Davie, Tam and Alan. Ok Jim your right, lets leave Hotel California alone!

Week 18
7th September
Regulars: Dave, Brian, Mark, Jim, Maurice, Davie Drew, Tam and Alan with an array of intersting instruments including a Bodhran and a Mandolin! Nice Version of 'Please Read the Letter', and did quite a few Beatles tunes since its Beatles week on the BBC.

Week 17
31st August
Regulars: Dave, Brian, Jim, Maurice ?????

Week 16
25th August
Regulars: Dave, Brian, Mark and Jim. Nice weather for this time of year!

Week 15
17th August
Regulars: Dave, Brian, Mark, Jim and Gerry who appeared back from holidays and nightshifts, Alan and Tam also showed up! Paul who has been and sang before brought his guitar for the first time. New Faces: Steve, an Irishman took us through a few numbers including Christy Moores, 'Ride On' and a JJ Cale tune 'Magnolia'. It ended up a bit of a sing-a-long night with a finale of Folsom Prison Blues.

Week 14
10th August
Regulars: Dave, Brian, Mark and Morris on Violin. A quiet night but no less enjoyable than usual with an interesting discussion about Facebook and Twitter etc...

Week 13
3rd August
Regulars: Dave, Jim and Brian