Thank you for the kind words, Boo. I've got a pretty good ear considering I started at 4 yrs with classical piano, which I remained with for roughly 10 years or so. It basically taught me how to read like a sonofagun, although I don't think it really taught me how to "play", if you get my meaning. Another 10 years with Yamaha Electone Organ course, and also in the trenches with a bunch of guys, who were far more musically experienced than me, helped me work on my ear and intuitive skills.

A good guitar pickin' buddy of mine has Band-In-The Box, one of the later versions, I believe, and he's always hooting about it and mentioned most of the things you said. He's a very strong Country player, but also loves other music (Larry Carlton is one of his favorites) and he tells me has learned a lot from BIAB. We meet once or twice a week to jam, so I will check out BIAB and perhaps pick up a copy.

Another guy I listened to, who still inspires my comping is Eumir Deodato, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ivvEDV5_0 who has a cool way with the electric piano...a lot of subtle changes in his patterns keep my ear interested. One of my favorites, and first heard, tunes was his version of Moonlight Serenade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-xs8DesY0Q and at the time I was playing in a Funk Band and we ended up doing a fair copy of his tune. The guys in the band always kept challenging me, and that helped me grow, and I owe them a big debt of gratitude. They weren't afraid of incorporating synthesizers in the band along with the tradional Rhodes and Hammond and we were pretty successful for well over a decade.

Thanks again for your nice comments...they mean a lot coming from someone with your experience.

Ian

Attached is a picture of the group, back in the late 70's...I'm the hippie on the far left.