Because of hand/arm injuries, I'm playing more arranger gigs than I usually do, and am glad to get to do them.

But, I do agree that the optimum is playing with live players.

I believe that Diki is in the same boat, and simply expressing his wish to be the best player he can be. For him, as well as me, that would be playing with other players. That unspoken communication with like minded and skilled players is where the magic is!

One slight difference between Diki's preference and mine is,like Dave, I want the best player in a group to be the person on bass.

A dynamite pocket takes both bass and drums, with a voice or lead instruments weaving that great little path in between.

As far as contributions, Diki is a wealth of information...so passionate about what he does that, sometimes his mouth works faster than his brain.

But, if I don't watch, I tend to do the same thing. Diki does what I believe a modern musician should do...utilize technology, but don't use it as a crutch. And I can relate to being flexible, in doing studio work, singles, arranger work and group work.

I tend to cut him a lot of slack, and would love to share a bandstand with him one day.

Russ