randissimo

Thanks Big wheel... I didn't know this... I just dug the message and wanted to share it with ya'll.. Well I'll have you know, Mr. Randissimo, that my competing thread, "what do you read on the toilet" has apparently attracted more early traffic than your thread has. Trash always beats out substance. Why I oughta! In case you don't know, Organissimo is back at the Bird Of Paradise Oct 10 & 11...

Thanks Big wheel... I didn't know this... I just dug the message and wanted to share it with ya'll..

As it turns out, George Carlin did not write this piece.. This has been pointed out by Big Wheel with a link to a website that also has a link directly to George Carlin's site.. (Scroll further down to Big Wheels post)... Credit belongs with Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church. (He retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). The essay appeared under the title "The Paradox of Our Age" in Words Aptly Spoken, Dr. Moorehead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts: It's still worth reading... The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete. Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least 8 people....who cares? -George Carlin

Ron, Thanks for the kudos and words of encouragement!

Thanks everybody for your feedback, suggestions, and levity.. For the record, tomato juice does not work.. It only masks the stink for awhile but doesn't neutralize the odor compounds that are in the oil of the skunk's spray.. What does work is hydrogen peroxide 3%, baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of dish soap applied several times.. The dawg almost smells normal now.. We just have to get the stank out of the garage now

I no sooner opened the door to take out the trash and our dog zoomed in on a nasty ass skunk! She got it right in the face! She's in the garage for the night and the funk is trying to invade the house... Anybody got any helpful and effective solutions for cleaning up the dumb ass dog and getting rid of the skank??

Pops, you can at any time, go back and edit your post by clicking the 'edit' button on the top right hand corner of your post..

At 02:02 PM 9/15/2003 -0400, Randissimo wrote: Hans, Just dropping you an email to find out how you like the Cd.. While driving back to Munising after dropping off the Cd I heard you play "Jimmy Smith Goes To Washington".. :-) Randissimo Very cool. We'll have no problem spinning it for a while. Let us know if you and the band perform in this area. Hans This is from WNMU, a NPR radio station on campus at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mi.

Right on Poppa! We had a great time didn't we? Jim and Joe certainly enjoyed the tour and we'll do it again next summer!

Yeah it's still messed up... I just tried to email Joe G and it didn't work...

Here's a nice review that came today in my email CD Review: Organissimo Personnel: Jim Alfredson, hammond B3 Joe Gloss, guitar Randy Marsh, drums Ron Blake, sax, flute I LOVE the CD! Wonderful playing by all, a group of "young seasoned veterans." The quality of the individual musicianship is only outdone by the impact of the music as a whole. The synergy between all members is palpable. There is a perfect balance between intellectual musicianship and pure, raw emotion in my opinion. Frankly, after being on the road with a B3 player for all that time in the 60's I didn't think I would care for it again, but I was seduced by Jim Alfredson's (leader as well I assume) playing and compositions to such a degree that I couldn't stop listening to it. Very nice work. Randy Marsh on drums is the perfect addition to the unit. His performance is pure taste! Just wonderful playing. I was very impressed by the level of professionalism and individual signature he puts into the music. Joe on guitar had some wonderfully memorable moments, overall right all at the same level of quality as the rest of the CD. I liked his compositions as much as I did his soloing. Ron Blake on sax and flute does a magnificent job, great tone, fluid ideas. I can't see how anyone could have done it better. Then there is the level of aesthetic quality of the CD as a whole. It creates an instant visual impact similar to the emotional impact of the music! You guys should be very proud of this product. Good luck with it. Dan Jacobs, trumpet/producer Sea Breeze Jazz trumpet recording artist

Thanks Rocky..

Very cool!

Noj, B3er & Joe G told me to check out this thread after the gig we did earlier tonight.. Wow! very nice work.. I too would love to see your art work on our next Cd! Thanks for sharing your art with all of us..

I'm with you on that one.... Last night I played that tune and told the bass player to vamp the "daa-de-daa-dot-daa" rhythm while I stayed on brushes, doubling the rhythm on the bass drum w/the bass the way Miles did it, kind of Ahmad Jamalish... It ended up being a little more interesting..

I was giggin' up in Cadillac, Mich when the black out hit.. It made it all the way to Lansing, Mich where Joe G. & B3er reside. I live in Grand Rapids, Mich, the next city west of Lansing and didn't get hit.. It's strange that it didn't affect Boston or Philly.. Very bizarre phenomenon indeed!

Top Ten Facts of Life for Playing in Clubs and Restaurants ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unless you are in a concert situation, most of the people are not there to hear you. Your music is incidental. People go to restaurants and bars to eat, to drink, to socialize, do business, or maybe to be alone in a crowd. So if you reach some of them and entertain them, you've done a hell of a job. In most restaurants, your main objective is to try to entertain without bothering anybody. Any volume is too loud for someone. The talent of anyone who wants to sit in is inversely proportional to how insistent he or his friends are about his sitting in. The most talented musician that you would really like to play with will be sitting there quietly and will have left his axe in the car. The crowd would rather hear a terrible rendition of "Sweet Caroline" than the tastiest arrangement of one of your originals that they've never heard before. The customer who asked for "Sweet Caroline", his favorite song, won't realize you're playing it until you actually reach the word "Sweet". Someone in the crowd will have halfway heard you play "Sweet Caroline" and it will remind him of the song so he'll request it right after you've just played it. Unless you want to marry her and be the one who takes her home every night, don't hitch your star to a girl singer. Every black horn player who wants to sit in "used to play with James Brown or Brother Ray.".....And the number one fact of life in playing in clubs and restaurants: Your slowest night, with the most obnoxious crowd and the worst response, is immeasurably better than the best day you ever had at a day job!!! NEW RULES FOR BANDS IN THE 21st CENTURY: submitted by R.S.Ft.Lauderdale Never start a trio with a married couple. Your manager's not helping you. Fire him/her. Before you sign a record deal, look up the word "recoupable" in the dictionary. No one cares who you've opened for. A string section does not make your songs sound any more "important". If your band has gone through more than 4 bass players, it's time to break up. When you talk on stage you are never funny. If you sound like another band, don't act like you're unfamiliar with their music ("Oh does Rage Against The Machine also do rap-rock with political lyrics?") Asking a crowd 'how they're doing' is just amplified small talk. Don't do it. Don't say your video's being played if it's only on the Austin Music Network. When you sign to a major label, claim to have inked the best contract ever. Mention "artistic freedom" and "a guaranteed 3 record deal". When you get dropped insist that it was the worst contract ever and you asked to be let go. Never name a song after your band. Never name your band after a song. When a drummer brings in his own songs and asks to perform one of them, begin looking for a new drummer IMMEDIATELY. Never enter a "battle of the bands" contest. If you do you're already a loser. Learn to recognize scary word pairings: "rock opera", "white rapper", "blues jam", "swing band", "open mike", etc. Drummers can take off their shirts or they can wear gloves, but not both. Listen, either break it to your parents or we will; it's rock 'n' roll, not a soccer game. They've gotta stop coming to your shows. It's not a "showcase". It's a gig that doesn't pay. No one cares that you have a web site. Getting a tattoo is like sewing platform shoes to your feet. Don't hire a publicist. Playing in San Marcos & Alpine doesn't mean you're on tour. Don't join a cover band that plays Bush songs. In fact, don't join a cover band. Although they come in different styles and colors, electric guitars all sound the same. Why do you keep changing them between songs? Don't stop your set to ask that beers be brought up. That's what girlfriends/boyfriends are for. If you use a smoke machine your music sucks. We can tell the difference between a professionally produced album cover and one you made with the iMac your mom got for Christmas. Remember, if blues solos are so difficult, why can so many 16 year olds play them? If you ever take a publicity photo, destroy it. You may never know where or when it will turn up. Cut your hair, but do not shave your head. Pierce your nose, but not your eyebrow. Do not wear shorts onstage. Or a suit. Or a hat. Rock oxymorons; "major label interest", "demo deal"," blues genius", "$500 guarantee", and "Fastball's second hit". 3 things that are never coming back: a) gongs, B) headbands, and c) playing slide guitar with a beer bottle. This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

Dig it, I just worked a jazz festival gig w/ Rufus Harley.. For those of you who might not know who he is, he's one of the few existing jazz bag pipe artists and is also a sax player.. What a krazy gig! we opened with "A Love Supreme" ..

that's very cool.. it's nice to know cats at that level of success dig our sound.. now all we gotta do is get somebody like metheny to listen to the cd!

Yeah, Jimbo's going to be busy!

Congratulations on the purchase of your new house..

.....However, sometimes I reach a point when I'm soloing where I feel I've said what I wanted to say and simply have nothing more to say.. It's at that point when I feel I have exhausted my theme and want to get out of the water and back to the ensemble playing. And forcing the solo at this point to go on for me, becomes redundant, forced, sometimes monotonous, often fatiguing, and can reverse the effectiveness of a tasty or fiery solo. It's always been my belief that the individual playing the solo should have the call on when it's time to end their solo.. B)

Aug 2nd? We'll be an hour away at the Lansing Old Town jazzfest. Hit time is 5:30pm...

Right on Flam Man! When I solo, I guess I assume that my other band mates are listening and when I'm ready to end my solo they'll be there to either go back to the top of the form or the bridge... This doesn't always happen... The magic word for today is "LISTEN"