Sometimes, it's all about ATTITUDE, and Chas is FULL OF IT! (I mean that in a GOOD WAY-LOL). Tony and I were just talking about the tune Europa. I became interested in it when I heard the Barbieri version (love that guy's dirty, full tone-the best in the business, IMO).

I was surprised to learn that Carlos Santana wrote and recorded the tune in 1976 (a R&R , so-so version, at best). Then, I met and heard a little guy named Frankie Cicala play a live version for the JazzKat people at NAMM (go to the JazzKat site and click on the first block-upper left-1/2 way through, listen to the awsome piano solo by Stevie Wonder's piano player). This is a horrible quality video, but the best live version of this song I've heard. It really shows what "interpretation" is all about, as does Chas's work posted here.

Chas and other interpretive players are to be admired for putting their personal "stamp" on
tunes. Tony sent me his version of Europa, which says a lot about his taste, ability and involvement in creating unique versions of great tunes.

Let's ALL concentrate on what really matters...the MUSIC. And that's much better
when it's shared by friends, as it is in this case.


Russ

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 11-18-2009).]