Use of Fender Rhodes electric piano

[RichB47]

Jim. Just finished listening to your latest release " Grooveadelphia ". Excellent as usual!!! I've noticed you are using a Fender Rhodes electric piano more often. I like the variety but just wondered why. Also like the Latin music. I feel like your guy's song writing is getting even better. Keep up the good work!!! jazzer47.

[Jim Alfredson]

Hi! Thanks for the comments. I think you answered your own question concerning the Rhodes! I like the variety, too. I used a real Rhodes for the intro to Danco De Alma, but the other Rhodes-type sounds heard both during that tune and on other songs is actually a Yamaha Motif ES Rack connected to the Hammond via MIDI.

Fun stuff!

[RichB47]

Hi guys. Jim, food for thought. Have you considered expanding your sound pallet to include say a little clavinet mixed with the B3 on a funk influenced tune. Or acoustic piano with B3 on a gospel/blues tune. I know the Yamaha Motif has some pretty good patches for these. Joe, as much as I enjoy your jazz box electric, I'd really like to see you play acoustic guitar a little more often. I know logisticly it's more work for a live gig but I think it would really expand the groups sound. Wondered if Randy would be open to using a loop in order to play harmomica at a live gig? I suggest these things not because I'm bored with you guys but to make your music even more accessable to a wider audience. As a long time musican, I think it helps to spice things up at times to keep things fresh. You guys are " GROOVEALICOUS " !!!! jazzer47.

[Jim Alfredson]

I actually do play a bit of "clavinet" from the Motif on live gigs here and there. The problem with piano and clavinet is that they are instruments that sound best when played with both hands and a lot of my basslines are with the left-hand, with the pedals accenting. Also, piano is kind of a drag to play on a non-weighted keyboard. But it's definitely something to think about.

I also use my Moog now and again live.

I'd like Joe to play more acoustic too, but it's a matter of space in the van and amplification. Acoustics tend to not sound very good even through great PA's and we often times play through downright crummy PA's. Joe did take his acoustic to The Jazz Kitchen, who has a nice sound system and house engineer, and it was a lot of fun. We recorded that gig; might see release one of these days.

Thanks!