Soul Stream

The most I've ever made on a gig was about $350-$450....New Years gigs. I was on salary for about a year with a Warner Bros. signed band, 1,000 a week plus per diem. However, I was on the road the whole year traveling, playing, traveling, playing...every day sans 2 short breaks of about 2 weeks each. So in relation to how much work it was, it didn't seem like a lot of money in the end. Of course, relative to "regular" jobs, even that isn't very much....ahh, music. I don't like the road life, so I'll stick to my $50 local gigs.

Agreed Jim. Another thing you bring up....Bird thought quite highly of Chet. Seems to me that's a pretty good endorsement of someone's technical and emotional level of musicianship.

I know you'd kept it to yourself all this time Bertrand. I guess I feel a little more comfortable spilling the beans over here. I always felt the BNBB was maybe not the best place to discuss that since Big John was on Blue Note, ect. Plus, more people (exposure) over there. And it seems to me that this subject came up right around the time of John's death, so I was probably a little more wary about saying anything. I don't know how many people had really asked Big John about that. But he definately was kind of...I don't know...a little angry that people couldn't recognize his style. Angry isn't really the right word, but you get what I mean. To him, your own style was EVERYTHING. I guess he was a little pissed people would think he would toss his style and start playing like Larry Young. Something that just wasn't part of his "being" as a musician. Anyway, Iron City is a great record.

These guys are all giants. Fats, Clifford, Miles, ect. But I'll throw Chet's name up there too. A lot of jazz is about virtuosity. Some is not, like Lady Day or Miles to a lesser extent. I'll put Chet in that same bag.

I guess I'll finally fess up to this one. It WAS Larry Young on Iron City. Big John told me himself. He never understood how his name ended up on that record. I never wanted to spill the beans, and neither did Big John....just in case a stray royalty check came in. The way he saw it, Larry was dead and he was still around to cash a check if it came. Never did.... Anyway, after I had met John and had known him a while....I was listening to Iron City and started laughing...because I knew it wasn't John. I called him up and said..."That's not you on Iron City is it, it's Larry Young." "Yeah, that's not me! That's Larry. Can't people HEAR Larry's style from mine!" He said people always asked him about that. So now you know...the rest of the story.

I hate to hear that your text is messed up Jim R. Matter of fact, my text is coming through BIGGER than on the BNBB....Odd? I'm a computer dummy so I can't help, sorry. Hope it gets fixed for you.

Shelley is a bad...well, you know what I'm talking about. Hear him do those Wilkerson tunes on his solo CD and you'll see he's coming out of the Texas tenor tradition. He and Marchel do "Blues By Five" together on that CD, it's great needless to say!!!!

Alexander brings up a good point. I think many people are turned off to Chet because of his cult status. Many think, well...he was o.k, but just so glorified for his so-so ability. The looks, the lifestyle, the attitude. I wondered the same thing about myself liking him. Then, after several years I realized...I would like this music if it were sung and played by anyone. It's easy to be put off by people's looks, both good and bad.

The Englewood Cliffs studio has concrete floors actually, no wood anywhere except the ceiling. I'd like to learn more about that first studio as well. Rudy mentioned his parents house (that studio) had been demolished, he seemed pretty bummed about it as I guess you'd imagine. What history!

I may have mentioned this back on the old BNBB, but....OH, BABY! was one of Big John's 2 favorites of his own records. The other being ALONG CAME JOHN. For me, OH BABY and THE WAY I FEEL represent a very nice departure from the usual organ session. Man, those HORNS!

I took the BNBB off my favorites day one of the shake-up. I didn't know where'd I go, if anywhere, but I knew I wasn't staying there.

I never got to have 'lil pictures with my i.d. before....I'll be the first to say it. Not only is this as good as the ol' BNBB...it's better.

Thanks, as you can see...I'm happening....

O.K. Everybody's neat little pictures are making me envious. I WANT A NEAT LITTLE PICTURE TOO! But how do I do it?

Yeah, here we were all thinking Norah's success was going to fund a healthy reissue program. When in the end, it may have crippled it somewhat. Why does the obvious almost never happen in life?

scott, it's good to have you over here. Each time I see a familiar face it's exciting.

yeah, she's really nice to listen to. Always musical and grooving. The hardest combination to achieve on any instrument, much less an organ. I've always been bummed somewhat that on most of her sessions there was an upright bassist. I wonder if it was a "sexist" thing in a way on her producer's part. I love her bass playing on the few things she cut that way. That said, now as time goes by I'm enjoying the upright sessions more and more...just because they're different and show a completely different side of things from the instrument. Still wish she was with us. She died the week before Patton to my recollection.

Yeah, she's great. Anybody that can play an organ duo is a badass. That Jazz In Parix is baaadd...

Yeah, there's not a whole lot of guys who put their stamp on how to play soul organ. Booker T., Billy Preston, and Charles Hodges are about the short list. If you play Soul and R&B this is the way to do it. Charles really is about my favorite though. Those HI records are so super-hip. I like to try and keep to the tradition as much as possible when recording, whether it be jazz or soul.

Chuck, I'm glad to see you've decided this is the place for you...whatever your reasons are. So far, I've seen quite a few, and frequent, sightings of my favorite BNBB posters, yourself included, that make me very hopeful about the future of this BB.

It's already a lot easier on my eyes. I never understood why they went to a god damn BLINDING white background. Headaches and eyestrain were the norm for me after that. My eyes thank you B3-er for the sensible return to an easy-going background.

Great to see some of the "heavies" dropping by like Jsngry and Lon (jazzbo)! But, I'm certainly glad many of us have made our way here. I think the AAJ board is fine. Especially with the forums now. I'm certainly not against going there...it's just that I keep coming here! Why?...well...it just feels nice. I go a lot on feel... about everything. I like it here, and I'm just too lazy to keep ping-ponging between two places...!

I was just thinking about downloading "Blue Flames" off emusic the other day and wondered how the session was. Might have to definately do it now. I really love those Shirley/Stanley dates. It's taken me a few years to really appreciate them. Husslin' really made me do some re-evaluation. Right now I'm listening to some Patterson. I've been on a kick. Good to see you back Al, and thanks for reinstating "Keepin' It greazy!!!" officially. I thought about doing it the other day, but it wouldn't of been right unless you did it!

I've never checked those out Bill. Thanks for the head up. Hopefully some of it will be on emusic....

I did find this (it was hidden.) Gave it a spin. Have to say I was wrong. Baccus was a really gifted and unique organist. I liked it quite a bit when I listened this morning. Good stuff.