MAINE EVENT 2025 FRIDAY ISLAND PARTY JAMS

This year, the Friday jams we were fortunate to capture started at the fire pit by the Clubhouse in the daylight before dinner, then went well into the night around a raging campfire.

This music was recorded in August 2025, on an island in the middle of a big lake in Northwest Maine, where we’ve been gathering, thanks to the Loons, for decades. Many of these friends, musicians, and singers from Maine and from all over the country and abroad, hadn’t seen each other, much less played with each other, for at least a year. It’s all improvisation, Jams, not Performances, with no prior Rehearsals or Song Lists, so this is as real as it gets.

This album is arranged in the actual order in which the music was played, minus the many out-takes, but, when it’s all done, it seems I couldn’t have thought of a better order. The music is all acoustic Americana, though it ranges all over the place, from Bluegrass to Jazz to Folk to Country to Rock to Reggae, but it really works as an organic album, and that’s big for people like me, who still appreciate albums.

Sounds best, like you’re right on that island in Maine partying with us, when played on a good stereo with two separated speakers, left and right, or on a headset, or, one of my favorites, on a car stereo, so that this stereo recording will actually sound three-dimensional. You can hear the location of each instrument and singer. More than ever before, I was able to immerse myself (and my stereo pair of mics) into the belly of the music, literally surrounded by the musicians, the instruments, voices, and harmonies, so that, if you listen in true stereo, I can take you right in there with me.

On some songs, there’s a little too much chatter, but when you’re actually at a campfire, and people are talking, laughing, and partying, you filter that out, and the only thing you hear is the music. Crank it up, and let your imagination take you there, and enjoy. It’ll surprise you.

Recorded, edited, and mastered by Mike Berliner, aka ‘Mikethemikeman’


05 Juanita

07 Dance Baby Dance (Flamenco Style)

03 Irish Washerwoman

06 Nita Juanita

02 Drunken Sailor

04 Julia Delaney's Reel

MAINE 2025 SATURDAY WRAP PARTY JAMS

After all the effort to put on our annual show in the middle of the woods at the Silent Stage Theater, all the puppeteers, performers, stagehands, and audience deserve a big Wrap Party at Captain Dave’s log cabin porch to celebrate. These jams were extraordinary, thanks to the deep talents of the musicians and singers. And fun times had by all.

This music was recorded in August 2025, on an island in the middle of a big lake in Northwest Maine, where we’ve been gathering, thanks to the Loons, for decades. Many of these friends, musicians, and singers from Maine and from all over the country and abroad, hadn’t seen each other, much less played with each other, for at least a year. It’s all improvisation, Jams, not Performances, with no prior Rehearsals or Song Lists, so this is as real as it gets.

This album is arranged in the actual order in which the music was played, minus the many out-takes, but, when it’s all done, it seems I couldn’t have thought of a better order. The music is all acoustic Americana, though it ranges all over the place, from Bluegrass to Jazz to Folk to Country to Rock to Reggae, but it really works as an organic album, and that’s big for people like me, who still appreciate albums.

Sounds best, like you’re right on that island in Maine partying with us, when played on a good stereo with two separated speakers, left and right, or on a headset, or, one of my favorites, on a car stereo, so that this stereo recording will actually sound three-dimensional. You can hear the location of each instrument and singer. More than ever before, I was able to immerse myself (and my stereo pair of mics) into the belly of the music, literally surrounded by the musicians, the instruments, voices, and harmonies, so that, if you listen in true stereo, I can take you right in there with me.

On some songs, there’s a little too much chatter, but when you’re actually at a campfire, and people are talking, laughing, and partying, you filter that out, and the only thing you hear is the music. Crank it up, and let your imagination take you there, and enjoy. It’ll surprise you.

Recorded, edited, and mastered
by Mike Berliner, aka Mikethemikeman


11 Don't Let The Sunshine Fool Ya

13 Drunken Sailor

MAINE 2025 SUNDAY ISLAND PARTY JAMS

The tents start getting folded up on Sunday morning, and the boats start shuttling dozens to the mainland, but this year, again, enough musicians and singers remain,  and, so, the Sunday Jams begin.

This music was recorded in August 2025, on an island in the middle of a big lake in Northwest Maine, where we’ve been gathering, thanks to the Loons, for decades. Many of these friends, musicians, and singers hadn’t seen each other, much less played with each other, for at least a year. It’s all improvised, a Jam, not a Performance, with no prior Rehearsals or Song Lists, so this is as real as it gets.

This album is arranged in the actual order in which the music was played, minus the many out-takes, but, when it’s all done, it seems I couldn’t have thought of a better order. The music is all acoustic Americana, though it ranges all over the place, from Bluegrass to Jazz to Folk to Country to Rock to Reggae, but it really works as an organic album, and that’s big for people like me, who still appreciate albums.

Sounds best, like you’re right on that island in Maine partying with us, when played on a good stereo with two separated speakers, left and right, or on a headset, or, one of my favorites, on a car stereo, so that this stereo recording will actually sound three-dimensional. You can hear the location of each instrument and singer. More than ever before, I was able to immerse myself (and my stereo pair of mics) into the belly of the music, literally surrounded by the musicians, the instruments, voices, and harmonies, so that, if you listen in true stereo, I can take you right in there with me.

On some songs, there’s a little too much chatter, but when you’re actually at a campfire, and people are talking, laughing, and partying, you filter that out, and the only thing you hear is the music. Crank it up, and let your imagination take you there, and enjoy. It’ll surprise you.

Recorded, edited, and mastered by
Mike Berliner, aka 'Mikethemikeman'


10 I've Been All Around This World

01 Grits Ain't Groceries

A song to the spirit of Jah love, inspired while living in US Virgin Islands.
Recorded Lloyd Street Studios, mid 90s. Maya Soaringsun Guitar, Vocals, Kim Summers, Vocals, Jill Shires, Flute, Jeff Rhodes, guitar, Scotty Young, Percussion, Michael Chandler, Bass.

01 Grits Ain't Groceries

Mikethemikeman

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