Had a great time. Just got outside a lot and recharged my batteries. 

Resting up from a hot gig last night. It was locked in. Getting ready for round 2 tonight?? how was your show last night? 

take care...Joe

That's great. Always good to get a change of scenery and pace. Are you still in FL?

I read your recollections of the 77 shows and really enjoyed them. very vividly detailed to the point where I almost felt like I was there! As much as I don't prefer the 77 era shows as far as repeated listening, I know it was a mind blowing experience to feel that energy and see them live. It's mainly because of Page's erratic playing on that tour, but I also feel like they weren't as free wheeling somehow even though the solos are longer and the songs were longer. Seemed like the epic scale and excesses took the place of the musical substance and improvisatory magic they had in the early years. I even feel that way about a lot of the playing in 75 , though on the Forum boards people are in adulation of 75 and 77. To me , their peak , performance wise was 73. Really 71 -72 were just monstrous. They way Page , Jones and Bonzo played off each other, and Page's ideas and execution just on fire. 

Gigs went well, had a great weekend at the Green Mill with this pianist Bill Carrothers who is a monster. I have a concert coming up in a couple weeks at The Studebaker Theater downtown with a great big band I play with here , The Chicago jazz Orchestra. It's a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie , in honor of his 100 bday and we are playing his music with the great trumpeter Roy Hargrove. If you're not familiar with him, he's a premier player. It should be a really nice show. Old charts from the 40's and 50's that are a motherfucker, so I gotta focus on these tunes!  Such great music, ahead of its day rhythmically and harmonically. I used to play with Ray Brown, the great bassist and he was in Dizzy's band when he was 18. Pretty wild to think. 

You're on my email list now so any time you feel like coming to a show, let me know.  I'll be at the Grand Geneva next Friday too ...FYI. 

best,

George

Ive been back home for a week. I played Friday and Saturday. Great crowd response and I had a blast. Leaving the club at 2:30 yesterday morning from the Back of the Yards area - the big black doorman said - " Man! That was like Jimi Hendrix !"

Thanks for putting in the time to read my Zeppelin write ups. I'm in agreement about the 1977 tour as far as the playing goes. Jimmy was the determining factor in how their performance would turn out and his playing was really disjointed that year. He moved great and looked cool though. I was an athlete at the time and I was amazed at how skinny his arms were.

My wife was at the infamous Orlando, August 31, 1971 Led Zeppelin concert. She still has the ticket stub. Different era different energy.

I'm aware of Ray Brown and Roy Hargrove. Top notch cats. Advanced shit for sure ?? I'm gonna try and get out to one of your shows with my wife.

Keep working hard on that repertoire!

Joe