I'm not abandoning any idea or instrument that can add to my life's work. I've just reached a point of "saturation" with the current offerings of arrangers. I was never a fan of the omm paa paa backings from the start, and while some of it is quite good, and useable - in the long run, the energy comes from my vision, and my hands - not the backings. I've stated before that bass & drums are the second and third most important elements to any arrangement (after the melody, of course)and I still believe this. Sequences, arrangers, sidemen - whatever automation we use can get OVER used very easily. I will never call myself an "Arranger keyboard" player. I use arrangers as a tool, and I can get around every make and model with relative ease, but I am PERFORMER - not an arranger player. The gimmics I use are just fluff - it all comes down to heart & soul. Two items that are missing from EVERY arranger keyboard.

I don't mean to slam the arranger players, but I was a one man band before any of the automatic stuff was around, and i can't get my head around any technique that takes the performer OUT of the mix.
Scott, your statements about moderation are right on target. We should all take a close "listen" to what we do when we play.
Don Mason records his performance almost every night - that's a great way to keep yourself "honest". It's so easy to lie to yourself and start believing that the instrument is more vital than the instrumentalist. Many of my clients already think that! They compliment the gear as much as they compliment me ........ but that's a whole other issue.

Being a performer is my thing. Sometimes I use acoustic instruments, sometimes I use arrangers or sequencers, and sometimes I DJ. It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me, HOW I reach the crowd. The important thing is that I know what to do, and when to do it. That has kept me working since 1969 in a crazy, misunderstood business filled with beauty and wonder that continues to amnaze me each night.

I did a Communion party this afternoon, and a little third grader came up to me and asked if I was Allison Boyd's Daddy. Proudly, I said yes ! It's moments like that that keep me in check. I thought I was a total stranger to the crowd until that moment. Life is funny, ain't it?