Issue #39, December 22, 2006

Open Jam at The Talkhouse

by TJ Clement

Here, there is magic to live performance and the sounds come to you in a very special way. For over 30 years, The Stephen Talkhouse has provided many memorable performances in a very intimate setting. Located at 151 Main Street in Amagansett, The Talkhouse has a “who’s who” list of people who have performed on its famed stage, in front of the large photo of the old Indian for which the venue was named. Now, on --Thursday nights, anybody can climb up on the stage and perform a few songs. With the Open Jam night starting at 8 p.m., an eclectic array of local musicians have been showing up with their guitars, both electric and folk, to strut their stuff. Also, drummers, bass players and even Sandra, the electric violin player, all come by to celebrate a love for music by jamming and playing, sometimes with complete strangers.

Mike Mazzaraco, the sound engineer at Stephen Talkhouse, sets up the mics and other tech stuff through the mixing board that Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Bon Jovi and Judy Collins use so the sound is always great. Often, he jumps up on the stage himself to add a lead guitar solo to the song being performed. He shares his guitar and expertise with everyone and is part of the glue that makes the Thursday night performance work smoothly. Usually opening up first is, Doug Riehlman with his Fender Acoustic guitar and his harmonica mounted on him Bob Dylan style. A plumber by trade, Doug offers many original tunes with great lyrics to go along with his polished licks. Doug could easily be paid to play at many bars in the Hamptons.

Then there is Steve Coss, a local who actually performs at the Talkhouse on other nights too, who loves to take the stage and show off his talents at the Thursday night jams. Whether it’s Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead or one of his many original songs, he rocks the house with a band of whoever jumps up to play with him. His brother, Matt Cross, sometimes bangs the drums, sometimes sings, but is always there to greet you with his famous smile. Matt’s version of Frank Sinatra’s, “Summer Wind,” rivals his version of the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues.”

Another local, attorney Daniel Wani, plays a Paul Rees Smith guitar and loves to jam and sing his original songs. Playing percussion (Djembe) is often metal artist Rob Nasatka. He makes his living as a home improvement contractor, but his magic hands tap out great sounds. He comes to Open Jam “to meet friends and performance people.” Rob says that he plays higher then his skill level sometimes when inspired at the Talkhouse, but he’s just being modest as his skill level is very high.

Dan’s Papers driver, Erik Francis Suydam, loves the Talkhouse because of its “homey atmosphere and the live music.” Eric loves to display his guitar talents on an ESP-EC1000 and sings well. A very young man, remember his name, as you will be hearing it a lot when he finally forms a band.

Telly, who plays “whichever one’s available,” is more typical of the crew that comes on Thursdays to Open Jam. He wants everyone to visit his website at www.Tellyjam.com. Asked what he does, the answer was, “whatever it takes to keep making music!”

Mick Hargreaves is a bass player for the Blaggards who appeared at the Talkhouse on Dec. 16. He comes to the Talkhouse with girlfriend Patty Fontana. They drive from Sag Harbor to “have fun and forget about Bush.” Mick enjoys listening to Joel Fisher, who was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and makes his living by restoring, fixing and building furniture. His versions of Leonard Cohen have a strong effect on the crowd. He can bring a new twist to Dylan songs and his original songs are powerful and memorable. Playing his own Taylor Guitar (acoustic), he also drives to the Talkhouse from Sag Harbor.

Then there is Mathieu Liot, who is better looking than a young Robert Plant and plays lead guitar like Jimmy Page. Almost the house musician, Mathieu is always helping out others with cord changes, keys and even lyrics. He is becoming famous for playing lead solos that should have been on the original tracks. Always smiling, his energy lifts the Talkhouse crowd when he is on stage. When both Mathieu and Mike Mazzaraco are going back and forth with lead guitar solos, the end result is top-shelf stuff. The amazing thing is that they make it seem so easy to play polished licks, which they create on the spot, for songs they barely know. James Boone of Eastport on the North Shore, comes over to meet the other local musicians and play his song list on his Taylor 514ce guitar.

Perhaps I should mention that all of the musicians do toss down some beers and other beverages of choice while playing at the Talkhouse, so as the night goes on, their playing becomes more animated and cheerful. The buzz in the Talkhouse always sounds like a mixture of “look how that song is being played” and “wow, that was great.”

So what is it like to get up and perform? I decided to give it a try. The first Thursday that I tried it, I used Doug Riehlman’s Fender Acoustic and tried to play a folk version of the song “The Weight,” a sixties tune by the Band that was also featured in the movie Easy Rider. I struggled through it, but received bravery points from the crowd. The funny thing was that, when I returned two weeks later, Mathieu Liot played electric guitar for me as I tackled “The Weight” again. In a flash, Mike was on bass and someone was on the drums, and then another guitar player appeared. What started off as me singing a song, ended up as a first-time effort by five musicians who just loved the song and raced up to add their touch. It worked and received courteous but genuine applause. Thank God I was wise enough to quit while I was ahead.

Julia Lombardo, a first time visitor to the Talkhouse, was amazed by how easily it all worked out. How Doug Riehlman would nod and one talented musician would give way to another and how never (well, almost never) was anyone asked to leave the stage. All things considered, technical difficulties are kept to a minimum and the great, tennis-playing bartender, Larry Wagman, keeps the drinks and great trivia questions flowing all night long.

If you have the need, desire, and the talent, or if you’re just curious, go visit The Stephen Talkhouse on Thursday night to participate in, or just witness, Open Jam. There is no cost for admission and as Erik Francis Suydam said, “the homey atmosphere and live music” are always a draw.