Music – Seven

Back in the 70’s and 80’s there was an elite group of studio musicians in NY. I was not a part of it. But at times I got close. No guitarist in town was more respected than Cornell Dupree and I became his bassist in 1987. We recorded this in 1988 and it got nominated for a Grammy – I forgot what category – but I think we lost out to a Chick Corea record. I used to call his group ‘an All Star band plus me.” The other members had hundreds of recording credits – Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis – but somehow I fit in. This is the one and only outake from this record – I found it on a cassette of roughs from the session. These guys had recorded so many blues shuffles so there was no reason to release another one. However, I think this unit – especially drummer Chris Parker – could swing the shuffle as good as any group ever. Cornell’s upbeat strokes on rhythm guitar are unparalelled groove. Lou Marini takes a great sax solo and Richard Tee on piano is in a class by himself, and I mean that as a compliment. You decide.