Yeah, Ian. He's no Oscar Peterson, but then again, I don't think he's trying to be. Wherein Oscar can just blow you away with sheer technique (combined with musicality) alone, Gene is more of a 'blood and guts', 'down in the dirt', 'soul stirring', kind of player. With Gene, it's more about WHAT he plays rather than how well he plays it. I met him once back in the 70's in one of the jazz clubs in Philly (Peps or Showboat????). He was even more blues/funk oriented in the clubs (it's the easiest way to get the crowd involved).

124, your eclectic taste in music continues to amaze me. It shouldn't. I'm the same way. Forget genre' (for the most part), if it's GOOD, I like it. Everyone thinks I'm freaky 'cause I'm such a fan of Willy Nelson. Aside from that distinctive voice and vocal style, he wrote some of the best R&B tunes of the 60's and 70's. I guess I kind of secretly like his image, too . I wouldn't mind tagging along for a few miles on that tour bus of his .

chas