lowdown

Yeah, I have always liked their version. I suppose it's a testament to a great tune when it gets plenty of covers. Dionne Warwick recorded a version I like as well. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway also recorded their take on it, with a very different arrangement and approach.

Is it Silent Night ? Or indeed, just a blank canvas to play what you want? An attachment might be helpful for us all to view.

Over the last forty years, a large % of my music income has been from sight reading in professional pit & stage shows, arranging and work for music engraving/copying companies. I haven't used pen and manuscript for years (Feather Quill, ink and gaslight even longer), It has mostly been using Sibelius or Finale (and now Dorico) on Computer. Reading (and theory) for me, has been worth it's weight in money. So yes, definitely important from my point of view. 👍

It seems that in 1977, Disco Dancers (well Americans) had perfected the Art of 'Slap & Pop' air Bass. Check out 0:16 during the intro.

After walking into a recording session and then an Orchestra pit on the same day, the musical director for both said to me "Son, make today, the first and last day you turn up without a flipping pencil"...."Now that's out of the way, get the beers in"...I then asked if anyone in the band had a pencil? So I could write down the band drinks order....

If you asked that question to 10 people in Somerset, yes, we would know the answer to that. "Did they both sing with the Wurzels?"

Anita Baker, Queen of Jazzy Retro-Nuevo (You had to be there, with 8 million others)

Yeah, she is a terrific singer and certainly one of my favourite vocalists/musicians. But she certainly isn’t/wasn’t overlooked/unheard of. ‘The Rapture Album’ sold over 8 million copies, with two tracks receiving a Grammy each. There are over 30 of America’s finest session musicians and singers on that Album and it was a pretty big deal back in the 80’s. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture_(Anita_Baker_album)

Of course, Roberta's terrific version is a classic, but Bob James did a nice cover as well.

The Golden Oldies (Nathan East, Bob James, Harvey Mason and Chuck Loeb). Check out the solo interplay, some serious ear chops going on. They seem to know how to groove.....

Frank Gambale fits in well, it’s tailor made for him. Always worth another listen (thanks for posting).

A true legend, very sad. Certainly one of my favourite musicians. R.I.P

Something of interest for you. Do you fancy talking to your DAW? I think this could be very useful (a shame that it is only for Logic at present...). http://voicecommander.net/introduction_to_voice_commander_logic_pro_video.html

Yeah, I remember that. Wasn’t there also a version by someone with a Balalaika in it as well?

Ah...I see, although you didn’t say featuring Sarah Ruba in the thread. (All this sampling is confusing me now) I was referring to the actual Sarah Ruba (sampled Fatback Band track) from a couple of years back.

I love Chaka Khan, one of my favourite singers. But isn’t this just a direct cover of the Sarah Ruba track (Bus Stop - Sampled) a couple of years back?

I am finding this a bit special....

Maybe he was a better musician than given credit for. It seems he could play at least two chords without moving his fingers....

I watched the BBC feature this morning, it was quite a shock and very sad. Back in the 90's, I worked with Jim quite a bit. I was in the side band that would back him on CSE (armed forces shows) in various obscure places around the World. Extremely witty and funny man, with a great imagination. He was very serious about his music.

Maybe he was searching for a certain courier company to take a Jazz Bass to Bavaria?

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside.... Voted and well done all.

Yeah, I have just tried to vote as well. A no go, poll closed.

Yeah, a great tune. Although, not totally his composition, he co-wrote it with three others.... Looks like Christopher had some good mates that he dragged along to the session. Personnel Christopher Cross – lead vocals, guitar Michael Omartian – keyboards, synthesizer, string arrangements David Hungate – bass guitar Steve Lukather – guitar Eric Johnson – guitar Jeff Porcaro – drums Ernie Watts – saxophone Michael Boddicker – synthesizer programming Lenny Castro – percussion Paulinho da Costa – percussion

Yeah a great tune, it's also a very good cover and well played. Although, vocally I prefer the (original) Christopher Cross vocals. Why have they missed out the (Michael McDonald) vocal answering phrases?