RE: Steely Dan
Tony Reid (t-bird@salata.com)
15 Aug 96 21:49:48 -0800
jj> Note that jazz-funk greats Ricky Lawson (drums, played for Roy Ayers
jj> Ubiquity. Now with the Yellowjackets)
on the nit-pick tip, ricky lawson was an original member of yellowjackets
(along w/robben ford). he left the group to tour w/lionel richie (eek!)
after the album *shades* (title track written by mr. fagen oddly doesn't
appear on the vinyl release--hmmph!) and was replaced by william kennedy
(wonderful bay-area stickman). unless he's recently rejoined, that's the
most current info i know of. btw, the rhythm section of said jackets first
worked together when they showed up to the same flora/airto audition. flora
assumed that they were a team!
jj> John Beasley (piano, Fender Rhodes, and organ (!!)) and a few others.
it's great to see john (an ex-miles sideman) playing w/the big boys again,
although i must admit, i think he's a frustrated straight-ahead player. i
heard him in a quartet setting (piano, drums & 2 horns--the bass player never
showed up), and it was like a mix of bud & monk... i actually studied w/his
parents (they taught in public school)--intense, and talented couple.
jj> Anyone else go?
i didn't go to the l.a. show (at the hollowood bowl!?), a friend of mine did,
and had nothing but good things to say about the show (except for the woman
behind him who wished everyone in front of her would sit down...).
t-bird