Again, I love listening to your sax solos. This song
has such a nostalgic sound to it, like something out
of the late fifties jazz. You play the solo with
sensitivity and sureness. And there is nothing like
the tenor to create that late evening, smoke-filled
room feel. I was actually thinking of you today as I
was working on a soul/blues song. Needing an
instrumental break and not having a sax
at the moment-you came to mind. I wish you the
best. Keep it up.
Jack

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I'll try if you let me :)

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Thank you, Jack.
You just gave me an idea for the final mix - I might start with the background
noices of the crowded bar (too bad one can't record that amasing smell -
blend of cigarettes, burnt steak, and alcohol vapors), then carefully bring in
the drumset and bass... I know it's not really a revolutionary idea, but it might
fit the mood.
iLYA

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Your sax playing is fantastic. Maybe next you can add a bridge of some kind. I'm thinking it would be cool if the song turned a corner and the drums and bass kicked in with a little more authority. I'm hearing a frumpet solo coming in next. I know what I'm thinking is probably all wrong, but I have to write something in this little box.

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Thank you, Paul; I was thinking about a bridge, but the only thing I was able to come up with, which would fit the tune, so closely resembled bridge of "Volaire, Cantare" (that was one hell of a hit back then), so I decided that it was simply shameless to continue in that direction. There are bossas with no bridge, so I think, I am still true to the style. As for arrangement, there is no right or wrong ideas, it's all the matter of personal preferences. So far I like the kind of perpetual revolution - come in, go out, have a drink, talk to your lady, light up a cigarette, turn back to the stage - it'll stil be there. It's just me, I love bossanova, I can just listen to the rythm along for hours.
The trumpet (or flugelhorn, french horn, flute, gutar, or whatever, another sax, may be alto) solo is something I would very much like to add.
So far am just waiting for someone to be interesed in sitting in.

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I like the beat and the chord changes. Wish there were a
bit more variety in the progression though. NICE sax
playing! Sort of reminds me of Stan Getz style on the
famous "Girl from Ipanema" album (1963). The playing on
your song is a bit less raspy and grainy.

I will hopefully have a mic by next week and will start
laying down a rhythmic harp track.

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Great! Can't wait to hear your track (you are quite welcome to take on the harmony progression, if you wish - the song posted is just a sketch, I didn't even play with volume automation, it's all straight balanced all the way through, and there is no arrangement yet, obviously...)
Will be waiting.

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You have solved most of the distortion problems from
your first submission. It sounds like you could use a
compressor before you get your sound "on tape" becuz
some of your accents come close to distorting. But you
have again captured that great breathy sound. Masterful
playing. You really know how to play that style!

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Thank you, Tobin, you are very kind. I do have an agressive attack, so the compressor might improve the peaks and drops (for now I am more annoyed with that little high-pitch whine coming out of the iMic converter - I had to raise the gate setting almost 65-70% to cut it out... after I managed to isolate static by wrapping that piece of equipment into two sheets of aluminum foil - looks very nifty...)
As for the style - although bossa is one of my long-time favorites, and this is a tribute to Getz in a way, he was my inspiration and influence for years - I play rather everything (once I had a gig with a hard rock band, that was fun) , blues, latin, etc...
My dream is to move into the direction of latest works of Al DiMeola and Joe Zawinul, fusion-world kind of music.
Thank you again for the praise - it means a lot to me; I was wandering around this site for a couple of days now, and I know now that you are not only a seasoned pro, but one of the most competent and consrtuctive critics as well.

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