October 2025 Challenge Response – Paul S.

[Paul S.]

I just got home from the Galapagos Islands two days ago and had little time to put together my submission for this week,

I was a little rusty, too, having been away from my guitars for a couple weeks. (Airports and guitars are not a good fit.)

Anyway, I used Brian’s EP 463 at a slow speed to come up with this little run, and rather than overdo the flannel shirt show once again (I am in a flannel climate now, at least) I threw in a bunch of the photos I took while exploring several of the islands. (I have never seen more wildlife in one place in my life.)

[JoeD1]

That was a very nice submission. And the pictures were great.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Michael L]

Paul, what a great trip that must have been! Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing them!
The music sounds pretty nice too. I think we were all a bit pressed for time this month, but “never say die!”. Your submission had some of your signature Bluegrass style to it. Lot’s of fun!

[AndréM]

Beautiful!
Nice melodic rendition.
Well done.
Nice photos.

AndréM

AndréM

[Jennifer D]

Oh that was lovely, wanted it to continue! Love the wildlife photography – another talent you have!

[Bill]

Cool stuff Paul. Loved those close up wildlife shots…that seagull with the red around its eye and the cuddly looking seal stood out to me.
Oh, music…yeah that was good too :). Liked that run you did to end the piece.

[John H]

Paul,
Great slides and imagery. Your guitar work is fantastic. Lovely and appropriate. Your tasteful and bluesy phrases create a bitter/sweet vibe for the listener. Well done. It looks like you had a nice visit to one of Darwin’s haunts.

John

[Martin W]

Hi Paul , that was impressive for a short study , I agree with johns comments,
Bitter / sweet ,sound you cleverly mixed the two , quality imagery from your recent trip as well .
I’ve just had a listen to your wayfaring stranger performance on YouTube, didn’t know that you sing , that tune suits your vocal , really enjoyed it !
Hats off for getting up and performing.

Martin

[James B]

A lovely melody you created around that jam track, Paul. Love the photos of your trip.

James

[JoLa]

I’m so glad you made it this month, Paul!!!
You gave us a bonus this time! First of all, I enjoyed the beautiful Wayfaring Stranger lead with the wildlife scenery! Those are my top two favorite things, guitar music and animals, and the combination of both is just a pure bliss! I would love to go to Galápagos Islands and see them all for myself!
And then the bonus recording of your playing and singing with the bluegrass band on stage! You’re a real deal and everyone there played so well! You do have a nice singing voice and this song is a must know for everyone playing instruments (I should know it by now). Loved watching that!👏👏👏

🎸JoLa

[Paul S.]

I included that video of the bluegrass performance by accident. I don’t know how it got there, in fact. But thanks for the compliment. Those people playing with me were some of the finest and most experienced professional bluegrass performers in the business. You can look them up if you wish: Bob Amos, Emory Lester, Ellen Carlson, Austin Scelzo, Scott Hopkins, Ira Gitlin and Harry Gambril — all faculty at the bluegrass camp I attend.

[Alan L]

Great licks! Looks like a fun trip

[Dieter]

Fine melodic playing and very interesting fotos.

Dieter

[Denise]

Wonderful melodic improvisation that went so well with these beautiful pictures of wild animals!!
Denise

More Blues!

[Manfred M]

From the Galapagos straight to the Challenges! Thanks for the great pictures and the wonderful music, Paul. That went together very well.

Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be at the beginning of next year 2026

A detailed announcement will be posted here in the forum in good time.

I look forward to meet you.
Manfred

[Catherine Arsenault]

Beautiful submission Paul !!!!

[charjo]

Love how fluid and melodic that was, Paul.
Hey, did you get a chance to go scuba with the hammerhead sharks?
John

[Guido]

Galapagos… beautiful, always dreamed to visit those islands! And 463 is among my favorite lessons, showcased the original version a couple of years ago,

Very original and lovely rendition, Paul. Slowing down the BT and playing in only one position brought you to play something quite different from the Brian’s version and very original and melodic, other than executed brilliantly!

Guido

[Andy N]

You used those two days to effect as there doesn’t seem to be any rust on this! Nice motif for the listener to hang too and some sweet melodic phrasing to backdrop against those super wildlife shots.
Went to Galapagos once, amazing place. snorkelled with some sea lions but not sure who was more interested in who?

[Paul S.]

I snorkeled with them, too. And with sharks, but no hammerheads.

[Serena C]

Thanks for this beautiful submission and the picture from Galapagos Paul! Such a smooth playing!

If I wasn't making mistakes I wouldn't be the kind of player I want to be. Perfection is dangerous.
It's all about taking risks, sometimes you get to some place, sometimes you get to a different place. (Brian May)

[Reuben B]

Nice runs with some chords closure to follow the jamtrack chord changes. Beautiful done. Glad you made it Paul!

[Author]

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