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allan_evett

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About allan_evett

  • Birthday 11/13/1958

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    http://www.soundclick.com/allanevett
  • occupation
    musician
  • Location
    Michigan City, IN

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  1. This one is rough... I've been a big fan since the mid 1970s. So many memories - from the Raspberries, "Go All The Way" to Eric's string of hits in the 80s. I remember wearing out the cassette copy of his album, 'Boats Against the Current'; lots of road time with that one in the car stereo. A song from that album is likely my favorite from Eric's catalog: "Love Is All That Matters". I've played that one for several weddings - for accompanying vocalists, and playing it as a background instrumental piece. Rest in Peace, Eric Carmen. It was an honor to play your songs.
  2. I often refer to this style of playing as, 'Concert piano'; or those who perform it, 'Concert pianists'. I had approximately 12 years of studying that, and it enventually became a tiresome grind. My first two post-high school years were spent at a local college, and thankfully I had a sensitive and highly observant piano teacher. She helped in further strengthening my technique, but understood my wish to not pursue further 'classical' study. Thankfully that college's music dept. was structured for simple recital performances and single-teacher evaluations, vs. the typical live 'Jury' exams - the idea of which terrified me. I eventually transferred to a more 'alternative' arts college - where my major emphasis was theory/composition and keyboard playing with the jazz ensemble. Columbia College, Chicago was a proverbial 'Godsend'. Granted, I can understand the value of juried exams for those pursuing live, concert careers; but I've had several piano students who considered majoring in music theory, composition or school district music teaching, then passed on the idea - due to having to slog through 4+ years of 'Jury' exams on their major instrument. I feel those exams should be recommended for those pursuing solo, 'concert' careers, not neccessarily other music majors. That former piano teacher was a big help in defining a musical path forward for me. I recall one conversation when she stated, "You should go to Nashville after college, or maybe attempt the commercial jingle scene in Chicago. But I'll likely see your name in lights with a band, someday" . Hey, at least she got me connected for a couple of faculty cocktail parties - even when I was still finding my way through a set of basic standards.
  3. Great memories from hearing this song, and several from the Michael McDonald catalog. And back to the original topic. I've always dug GP's playing. But the time I saw him in person was definitely a "Holy Something!" moment: NAMM 2011's Korg Kronos unveiling, then the resulting Greg Phillinganes rendition of Happy Birthday. His chord substitutions had their own substitutions flown in for the occasion. And then I made another discovery, from visiting page one of this thread: Mark Stephens. Yeah... From what planet are these previously unknown - at least to me - players coming from? Time to get off the computer and go practice .
  4. I can well-relate to this, Dave. I do have to keep up on Hanon, scales and arpeggios, mostly due to the church accompanying gig I fell into four years ago - when the pandemic caused the loss of my MD gig. When I sit down to improvise, I run out of inspiration quickly; then it just becomes somewhat mindless meandering. I think it's a combination of too much technique focus/lack of fun and annoying side-effects of a temporarily-high meds dosage (i'm still in a being-monitored phase from last October's brain bleed incident - hopefully back closer to normal by the end of April, the 6-month point). Found some pieces I'd written years back, but never recorded. So I started recording one of those into Logic the other day. That's helped some. But like you, I still feel off when sitting down to improv. Thinking I need to stay put more - 'grounded' harmony and voicings, less constant motion. The attempts seem kind of frantic, at times?
  5. I'd check out the CK88 again. The action is a well-weighted 88, but my hands don't experience fatigue from it. Compared to our Kawai upright, it's a nice break - especially when dealing with some mild carpal tunnel symptoms, also finger tip tingles - courtesy of the current med I'm taking (which will hopefully be reduced over the next several months). The CK is a well-designed instrument, with many thoughtful features. The variety of pianos are highly playable, and it works wonderfully as a controller for RV 275, Synthogy Ivory and the premium NI pianos.
  6. Great to read this! I always liked the XV series of rack modules. I had an XV-5080 for close to twenty years, and gigged it live from 2001 - 2010. Sold it a couple a couple years back, mostly due to a lack of replacement parts for some damage that had occurred. The guy that bought it wanted my XV mostly for the expansion cards, and planned to 'part out' the rest of it. Such a fun and versatile piece of gear, though. I'd definitely consider acquiring a gently used XV-3080, though have a few other $$ priorities right now - like medical bill remnants from last October, then a much-needed replacement Mac laptop for the teaching work space (currently using a 2012 MBP that's rather 'messy'.). Would be fun to have a vintage multi-timbral module again though.
  7. Yes, Jeff is a fellow NW Indiana keyboardist. Last summer my wife and a friend of ours caught Keytar Jeff live, at Leroy's Hot Stuff - which is all but a rock institution in this area. Regrettably I was on another gig, but Jeff was in top form that night.
  8. Common sense is rare, apparently... Many people do take of their pets, and surroundings; but a few miscreants spoil it for others. It's been my understanding that hotels, short/long term rentals need to see certification for service animals to allow pets - when no-pet policies are in place. I guess too many are taking advantage. We find lodging that allows pets for free, or for a small fee. My avatar critter could definitely pass as a service animal (she loves everybody), but her 'brother' would definitely not
  9. Fun! Now what I want to see is: All 'Everybody Loves Raymond' intros transcribed.
  10. I'd be all over this if it was available as an AU/VST for non-Montage owners. I'm a former Montage/MODX user; and while my CK88 is fine for stage work, it'd be great to have access to the extensive sounds and editing features from AWM history - and beyond. I've experimented with various versions of Halion Sonic over the past decade or so - trying it on a couple different Macs, but it's been somewhat messy: lots of issues with Steinberg's USB drivers and eLicensing. Lots of Motif/Montage history there, but it's never really worked smoothly here.
  11. Thanks, dB! I just checked out their site. I'm looking to replace a slightly underpowered pair of small, budget monitors in my teaching studio. The LP-UNF pair look to be a perfect upgrade for the space.
  12. The overhead 'drone' view made me think of an old, Twilight Zone episode.
  13. For church masses on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning: Steinway Model M grand. For gigging: Depending on the gig/rig size, either Yamaha CK88 or Nord Stage 4; sometimes both. And then depending on the song and/or mix of players: Yamaha CFX or S700 Preset, or Nord Imperial or Italian grand. I’ve created about a half dozen of so patches based on those tones - lots of EQ and FX variations.
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