I agree with the Ketron remarks, it's a gem. Sometimes on tunes one realtrack dialed into the background does an illusion, making the whole thing sound better.

Over the years I've heard lots of groups with midi in the mix, even groups of 5 guys and an Atari they used are still going strong.

Those beer drinkers in the audience wouldn't know a cheesy midi sound from having a pro on stage running the same riff. At the end of they day some really old cheesy midi thing comes on the radio and my Mom is gushing over it.

Too many of use become far to critical of the real thing, and when you get to the gig the guy is trying to pick up the girl, and two guys are talking about pickups, and some women are discussing their husband, and even if you think 4 or 5 people are there to actually listen, they too start on about something.

The only way that changes is when they start booking you into bigger venues, and the techs mess with your gear, and they bring in ringers and arrangers and you lose control over the whole thing.

Usually the most important thing is how you fit into the equation. I get asked back a lot, just me, their piano, and a big briefcase of books. Read the mood and select the songs from there.

John Conley
Musica est vita