Archives for February 27, 2008

My friend Ed Englerth popped over the other night, and we gave a critical listen to the mixdowns for his upcoming CD.\r\n\r\nEd is a fabulous tunesmith, cut out of the rock and blues fabric, with enough of a jazz sensitivity to keep things eclectic. In fact, eclectic is a great word to describe Ed”s approach. I love the fact that he can”t be pinned down. It”s not that Ed consciously tries to defy categorization; he”s simply very much into doing what he does, and he doesn”t much give a rat”s rip whether his ideas come from folk music, or country, or rock, or jazz, or…well, what the heck, name whatever styles you please, and don”t forget the kitchen sink.\r\n\r\nAnyway, Ed turned me onto this online jazz tutorial. It”s the kind of thing I wish had been available back when I was a college jazz student. The learning resources that are available nowadays are incredible.\r\n\r\nAs for Ed”s CD, stay tuned. It”ll be releasing soon. I don”t mind saying that, besides considering it Ed”s best effort to date, I”m very pleased with my own playing on this album. Eddie has featured me pretty extensively, and he”s done a fine job of balancing my sound with the rest of the band. Which reminds me–kudos to you, Alan and Don, for a stellar performance. You guys sound great!\r\n\r\nThat”s all for tonight. I”m tired, and I”m not going to think too hard about giving this post a clever wrap-up. I”ve paid my dues for the day.