(re: Bill's (Abacus) post)

But as long as we worship at the (arranger) alter and wait with baited breath for the next new even-more-automatic arranger to come out, aren't we contributing to the problem.....you know, the one we all acknowledge but are too lazy (or complacent) to change.

Dave and Bernie recognize the problem but the real question is: what do we do to fix it? Here's one idea. Use the darn thing but don't let it dominate your performance. Make sure the focus is on YOU and your playing, not the tricks that the arranger can perform. Make sure you're hitting more KEYS than buttons, sliders, and switches. Make sure the audience knows that underneath that ENTERTAINER'S cloak, there is a MUSICIAN. Your performance should never come across as 'hey guys, look at what my magic machine can do', it should always be 'hey guys, look at what I can do'. Easy to do with a piano or guitar; with an arranger you have to work at it a little harder. JMO.

chas