ORGANISSIMO CD REVIEW...

[randissimo]

Greetings, oh Randy one,

Confession time: Because of the loads of CDs I get every week now...most of them are either crap or just not ready for prime-time, .. I hadn't listened to your CD until today. NOW to be exact. It's really excellent in every respect: variety, compositions, recording quality and high level of playing. Why even the drummer sounds really good!

This is sure not your typical Organ trio/quartet. You''re all so musical and fresh sounding, and yet with enough of the tradition intact to feel like home when you want to. Congratulations. It's obvious that a lot of time and thought went into this band. It was nice to hear Blake with you guys too. I think he's very underrated. I met him in '92 when we did a recording project with Hargrove for a week, and then renewed our connection when he was with McBride last year and this year. A beautiful spirit too.

I get Parlocha's playlist every week. I'll be looking for you guys and copy you if I see you. If I don't, I'll call Bob.

Have you sent this to Chuy Varela at KCSM? Unfortunately, they don't publish a playlist, so I don't know if you're on there.

Things are slow and sad out here right now. the week before Pearl's died, Al Plank died. There was a big session/wake at Pearl's, but that was the day we were recording McBride, so I missed it.

Only piano players, bass players and singers seem to be working with regularity. The jazz gigs all pay a bill or less and all of them are now in restaurants. Some more hospitable than others, of course. I played at the Coffee Mill in Oakland last Sunday with Jim Grantham. three hours for $30.00 and I suspect that most of that came out of Jim's pocket. I've also started filling in for Paul VW at the Jazz School in Berkeley. He and brother John W. teach a class for pianists and guitar players so they can learn how to play with a bass player and drummer. As you can imagine...I've had LOT'S to say! I really enjoy that gig.

Otherwise, it's been my radio stuff and my concert series at Filoli and some producing that's kept the wolf from the door. Have you heard Latin Tinge "Isla"? That's the latest and by far the best by them. I'm very proud of our work on that; strong playing and the best sound I've ever gotten on a CD. I'd send you a copy but I don't got no mo. Levine is on the road doing workshops for another few weeks, so I can't get more till he gets back. It got up to #18 in national airplay.

You sound really good, Randyroonie. I'm not surprised, of course. You're a credit to your race. I see Diane Schur will be at Yoshi's in early June. I guess that means I'll actually get to reconnect with your cuz. Very cool. Now I must go. I'll be sure to check your website later.

Love,

Budley Bop

Edited May 18, 2003 by randissimo