Chas and Tony, good posts with valid points on each side.

It took me 5 years to post anything because my stuff is not done using an arranger, and I didn't see the point. It didn't belong here. I sent it to you, Tony, Nigel and Rory first, but wouldn't have posted anything if I hadn't been asked (a little coersion involved also). I just decided to do it once and get it over with. Still not sure I did the right thing for the right reasons. At least now, maby people will have a frame of reference when they read my input on musicianship, music styles, history, players, etc.

While I don't particularly like arrangers, I do use them on about 40% of my live work and believe that it is possible for a quality musician to use basic patterns and still personalize the final enough to demonstrate talent and performance ability. It's a slippery slope. I draw the line at using sequences, MP-3's and the like but understand that this attitude is semantics, in part. Around here, for some work, an arranger is an economic reality. I always have to try to use it as a "tool", not a "crutch". And, I'm fortunate to count many in the local music community in the audience most nights (man, the alternatives must really suck).Don't see a time when I'd post something done with an arranger, because I don't have the time and patience to really learn the equipment I'd rather not use at all.

Guys,I sincerely hope this temporary "glitch" disappears and that "The Feeble Winds" stay together and keeps "reaching for the stars"!

Russ "Woodie" Lay
(Guthrie, not....well...you know...)