Blues for the Bad Man Liner Notes by Randy Brecker

When John called and asked me to write the liner notes to his new CD, my first reaction was one of surprise. I knew John had stopped playing long ago and had a successful business buying, selling and renovating pianos – he had even helped me on several occasions with advice on what was what, in the piano world.

I was surprised for the second time after I received the CD in the mail and looked at the personnel. The band was first rate and included most of my good friends and personal favorite players. (Even a certain close relation of mine!)
However, my greatest shock and surprise came upon listening to the CD and realizing that John had not only returned with a vengeance- his playing was for stronger than I had remembered-but he had also created a great record, full of wonderful original tunes, well though out, and arranged with each individual musician at the top of his form.

John’s style I think is defined by his sound. He has “the right stuff” in his sound. If you asked me to define in words what that “stuff” was, I couldn’t tell you -I just know he has it -and a lot of other guys don’t! I don’t even know if he knows he has it or how it got there – but it’s there! Life’s challenges maybe? He also plays very lyrically, with a commanding technique which is never overused. His tunes are an extension of his playing conception, each very unique, lyrical and memorable.

Also, the sound on this CD is excellent. Recording straight ahead albums correctly has become somewhat of a lost art these days, so it’s great to see and hear that obviously time and care was taken in the production end of this project,
Congratulations to John on a sweet return-I hope this is only the first of many more to come!

Randy Brecker