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 Community Chat with Merl Saunders 6/27/01 |
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Community Chat with Merl Saunders 6/27/01 |
transcription courtesy of Tom Thornton Geoff Gould: I want to welcome Merl
Merl Saunders: Sorry to keep ya'll wondering why - Hi Yall! This is Merl here. SDG513: merl how ya feelin!???? MS: I'm ready - i feel like Dynamite Maya3737: so merl whats up?? MS: Hot as hell back here HoneyBeeLdy: where are you? MS: We're in Philly Lumenasan: Merl, why don't you come and play at Bumbershoot in Seattle over labor day? MS: We've been trying to play the shoot for years. Even my agent has tried. Maybe Phil will break the door down for me Hexfest: One of Jerry's fav tunes was "My Funny Valentine" -did you two jam on any other jazz standards? MS: Yes... Pennies from heaven. Mile Stones, Freedom Jazz Dance by Eddie Harris. Miles played the shit out of it MS: we play a song for him each night HoneyBeeLdy: Come to cleveland MS: We're tring to get there...We're trying to get to Cleveland to booogie BrothaEsau: Merl.....I would love to see you play with medeski martin and wood MS: wish has come true. MM&W and Ratdog. we're playing in FL. in a couple of months MtnGirl98: yes, merl... do you think you'll sit in with any of the other bands at Vibes this weekend? MS: at the Vibes, we'll have special guests along with my funky friends Michael warren, Bass Tom edwards, Guitar and Dean Johnson, Drums and a couple of special guest. ya gotta be there THglass: what groups or musicians do you listen to? MS: I listen to all good Musicians and hang out when I can GG: So, a quick plug or two here, ok? Merl is playing this weekend at the Vibes (www.gatheringofthevibes.com)and don't forget to check his site out(www.merlsaunders.com) Hexfest: what kind of material did u play w/Jerry when you helped him get back after coma? MS: Hex, we started at the beginning teaching Jerry scales and standard songs, the first being "my Funny Valentine" SDG513: How are you feeling after the sudden passing of John Lee Hooker??? MS: John Lee Hooker could sing the blues. We share the same private booth at his club the Boom Boom Room in S.F. GG: We're gonna miss John Lee MS: Me too JPW87: HEY MERL, what did it feel like to play with jerry? how was it musically and personally? MS: Playing with jerry was great but I have many musician friend who I enjoyed. I've played with Miles, Lional Hampton, Harry Belafonti, Mahamad Ali. All were great playing experiences. SDG513: Duke Ellington once said that "the best musician i played with is the one i play with tomorrow!!" MS: SDG... Right On!! GG: the best moment is NOW! Twirlerz: what did Muhamad Ali play? MS: I was Ali's Music Director on broadway, NYC at the Geo. Abotte Theatre. I taught im to sing the song while conducting the band. Billy Cobham was the drummer in the band and a lot to Duke ellington and Count Basie guys MS: 69' was the year GG: what year was that Merl? MS: with Ali GG: esp! MS: whats esp ? GG: well Merl, tell us what you were talking about re: Legion of Mary the other day Twirlerz: Merl, I really liked the legion of Mary stuff, how'd that come about? MS: Me & John Kahn sat down and put the band together.
GG: I just think that Live at Keystone record is a stone classic. Thank you for that Merl Twirlerz: think GDP will release any more LoM shows?
MS: Also I'm working right now on releasing some of LOM - GDP hasn't released anything yet without my permission. GG: do you have clearance yet from the widow? PADeadHead: what was the experience like playing with melvin seals?
MS: Melvin Seals and I go back almost 30 years even before Jerome JPW87: ARE YOU THE MAMA OF HEMP? MS: I am the hemp daddy
GG: now we know! Hexfest: you prefer the Hammond to other keys? what r u using now? MS: I'm still using Jessica, My B-3, althoiugh i'm selling Jessica #2 shortly - Check my website for Jessica #2 in about 2 weeks GG: they don't make B-3's anymore, right? That sounds like a properly consecrated B-3 to me! Audiophi1e: i'll pay $3000 MS: Like I said check my website, you might be the one MS: howmany of you are coming to Brownies tomorrow night? HempMama42O: wheres brownies? MS: Yes the show is in Philly - The show at Brownies starts at 11PM Twirlerz: cool, is it with Splintered Sunlightor all Merl all night? MS: We are playing with Splintered MS: hey Mountain girl, have you left for europe yet? Is that the real mountain girl when was the last time I saw you? MtnGirl98: hehehe well thats not me but..... well some say.....nah, nevermind LOL GG: will the real Mountain Girl stand up? HoneyBeeLdy: merl.......when is the next time you'll be at nelson's ledges? MS: What is Nelson ledges? GG: Merl is getting hungry - Any suggestions for where to eat? PADeadHead: Merl HAS TO HAVE a philly cheesesteak BrothaEsau: merl....... are u vegetarian?? If u arent go to pats steaks or genos MS: I eat meat every now and then but I stay away from the golden arches. Actually we are goingto Jims steak house on 4th & south GG: OK then, we'd like to thank Merl for stopping by tonight - a round of applause for Merl! any final words Merl? Twirlerz: Merl, don't let your meat loaf! Audiophi1e: don't turn into Meatloaf MS: Shit man, do I look like meatloaf to you? MS: Hope to see all of you at the Gathering of the Vibes and at Harper's Ferry in Boston on 6/30. ImagineJL6: peace merl take care Lioness ll: we love u more than words can tell MS: LOVE YOU ALL MADLY...KEEEP IT REAL AND BOOGIE ON
GG: OK, we bid you goodnight. Thank y'all for coming tonight! Give yourselves a big pat on the back. The Merlozine has officially left the builing!
This chat was sponsored by Terrapin Presents. Merl was scheduled to apppear at the Gathering of the Vibes.
[note from Geoff: Merl Saunders did his first GDF/AOL live chat on this night, and he had a real good time, from his hotel room in Philadelphia. Please do not reproduuce without permission. Copyright 2001 GDForum.com and AOL]
