This is a really neat little tune caught out of the blue. Andy Bowman on piano shows his ability to read between the lines. The pauses and extensions of the chord phrases to accentuate the vocal melodies and verses give it a very free flowing sound. This relaxes the singing and builds the confidence for me to just sing from the heart. It’s no wonder that this song is about my never-ending craving for the perfect jamming or improvisation relationships. In this jam I really feel I found it with Andy.

Andy Bowman (Keyboards), Alan Smith (vocals)

Voyage to the bottom of the sea – 1992

When I asked the drummer “give me something to sing about” the drummer replied “voyage to the bottom of the sea”. I accepted the challenge and dug deep into my consciousness, which at that time was not very happy, so I sang about going down and drowning etc. I didn’t think much of it at the time. It certainly caught the moment and I regard this as my own “father of all Jams” – It made me realise that whatever you record at the time, it’s ten times more meaningful when you listen later.

David Mitchell’s drumming is outstanding in this track, feeding to and from the vocal lines. The drums and bass work to create rhythmical changes in direction that really give the song the essence of “not a jam” but a written piece of work from the heart and soul.

Colin Dixon (guitar), David Mitchell (Drums), Martin Bond (keys), Alan Smith (Bass & Vocals)

Walk across the grass - 2004

I just love the way that the melodies and tempos move around in this track - To me it's just such a little uplifting tune and story of child like memories.

Matt Gibson (Drums), Andy Bowman (Guitar), Alan Smith (Bass & Vocals)

A Simple way to do it - 2002

A jam full of love and the wonder of life. Recorded up north at a small cottage called Drumrunie, near Ullapool – This is my debut on “penny whistle” whilst Andy Bowman shows off his true talents as a guitarist to pave the way for the vocal journey not yet discovered. This is a great jam that reflects the great time we all had. My son Elliot was playing the shaky-egg – only on listening back to the recording can I appreciate his skills, considering his age (11), for keeping such a fine rhythm. Even at the end of the track you can hear his conscious appreciation for the entire jam with his words “Class”

Andy Bowman (Guitar & Backing), Elliot Smith (Percussion), Alan Smith (Vocals & Flageolet)

The Cave – 1991

Placed within this compilation for several reasons. I’m playing electric lead guitar and singing at the same time, something that I rarely do but this recording is one that I’m proud of. I used the guitar to back up the vocal melodies and try and create the images of “bats” in the cave. David Donachie plays a simple repetitive bass line which allows me the musical freedom to explore our musical path as one. Colin Dixon was doing real-time programming of the TR707 drum machine as Davie and I were playing. A very different constitution for a jam but in my opinion it worked great.

Colin Dixon (TR707), David Donachie (Bass), Alan Smith (Guitar & Vocals)

Ride the bike – 2004

Take 4 musical people add a rhythm sing about a theme and everyone is there - a Jam is born. Derek Wardlaw on bass acts as the stake in the ground sustaining a steady reality to the movements all around him. Matt accentuating the musical phrases as they arise whilst Andy accentuates the drums, bass and vocals as a whole. The theme is about riding the bike, a personal analogy of a musical jam – the song has an apparent climax when this is conveyed to all who are on the bike. The music’s dynamics give the natural flow, structure and direction for all the cyclists.

Placed high on my list as no one was trying to make music here we just were.

Andy Bowman (Keys), Matt Gibson (Drums), Derek Wardlaw (Bass), Alan Smith (Vocals)

Inside out – 1987

One of the few songs I had recorded with my now deceased friend Nori Roe. Nori was a great improviser and had a very unique guitar style. I love the guitar solos in this track, the way he hangs notes, squeals and strums was very influential to my own styles today. I hadn’t been playing bass very long when we recorded this track. I’m not very good at singing and playing bass at the same time however this track demonstrates a simple bass line can do. The song was based on Nori’s suggestion “Sing about the man inside”

Nori Roe (Guitar and Backing Vocals), Alan Smith (Bass & Vocals)

The Asylum – 2003

This track is the “Black box recording” of a true jam. The development of this track is more important than the track itself. The start appears to be just nonsense but a simple structure appears and opens the door to sing about the nonsense that I’m walking through.

Andy Bowman (Guitar & inmate vocals), Matt Gibson (Inmate Vocals), Alan Smith (Vocals)

Him me and you – 2004

A snippet of a gem. Actually this was recorded “in-between” recordings; however when you listen to the way Andy’s guitar rhythm and melody works with Matt’s tom rolls and the simple melody in the vocals work together it’s something to be proud of. The lyrics inspired by the very trio that’s creating the pathway for their existence.

Andy Bowman (Guitar), Matt Gibson (Drums), Alan Smith (Vocals)

Feel my way like a blind man – 1993

Another great recording of development in a jam. A game of follow the leader, tempo changes and key shifts. Starting with everyone fighting to be heard the keyboards establish a presence and others follow. As the melodies and rhythm develop the bass and drums muscle in to take a little more control. A breakdown in the rhythm allows space for the words to come out and get support form keyboards and guitar. The songs tempo is pulled back by the control of the drumming allowing the guitarist melodies to break through further. But being frustrated it was time to change. And change we did – the tempo change is the event horizon of this song with David’s snare roll intro being the energy source. The song does peter out quickly but it’s the tempo dynamics that I value in this track.

David Mitchell (Drums), Colin Dixon (Guitar), Martin Bond (Keyboards), Alan Smith (Bass and Vocals)

The old man and the bus – 1994

A lovely little story – The music leading the vocals the story leading the music. Considering there is no drum machine or rhythm, the bass is steady and still accentuated the verses and statements along with the guitar sounds. In the areas where there are no vocals the interaction between the guitars is solid and sustaining. The story continues to creep along and slowly increases in dynamics and rhythmical direction.

Martin Bond (Bass), David Donachie (Guitar), Colin Dixon (Guitar), Alan Smith (Vocals)