Bernie, I'm no expert, believe me, but this is my experience. I say this because you have a background as an organist. I play three different (types of) instruments; piano, (jazz) organ, and Rhodes. And although the keyboards are the same, my approach to playing each is totally different (the action on my SEVEN is so heavy, I couldn't play it like a piano anyway - weak organ/synth hands ). Generally speaking, for piano I like a lot of 'runs' and chord phrases rather than single chords; for Rhodes, it's strictly LUSH chords with very little solo action; for jazz organ, it's more about the 'groove' and the interplay between bass and chording. After all these years, it's not something I consciously think about; it's like, the instrument itself dictates the approach.

As for your situation, I agree with you 110%; forget about becoming Franz Liszt and break out your "Learn To Play Piano From A Fake Book". In fact, that is probably the approach that will have the side benefit of improving your arranger playing. Another tip; play a recording of the song you're working on and just play PIANO along with it (using whatever approach you've decided to take).

Everything's harder as we get older, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE. There is probably never a time in your life when you can't get better at something.

chas