Chas, Alan's bass pedal playing is so good, he can get away with using his left hand to play fills on the drum machine, and be playing for quite some time only with his right hand...and nothing seems missing!

I studied Yamaha's Electone method and after graduating, I taught it for several years, and bass pedals were introduced from the first lesson. I still remember starting the students with the very basics, the simple swing: "pedal, chord, pedal, chord" or the basic Rumba: pedal, chord, chord, pedal, chord, pedal, chord.

I can/could manage pedals pretty decently if I applied myself again, but Alan's pedal work is just so smooth, effortless and flawless, it makes me feel like I've just started.

Also, his bass pedal work while playing the piano is equally as good, and he just seems to know the perfect places for putting in left hand strings or a pad, and it is never overdone.

The same with the drum machine...basic beats, but his playing somehow masks them and it sounds like a really good steady drummer playing along with him.

Sinatra was always a favorite of mine, especially the effortless way he phrased his singing, and his incredible sense of timing...sheer genius.

I like such a wide range of music, including Country...I even like Barry Manilow, who is an incredible musician, and as schmaltzy as he comes across sometimes, there's no getting away from his musicianship and great piano playing...he started out as a pianist for a girl's dance school...the lucky guy!

But Alan...yep, he is the real deal for sure. There are a lot of great videos of him on YouTube. I encourage anyone who plays arranger or organ to check them out.

A real treat, and an eye-opener for sure.

Ian