From bluesnote@msn.com Tue Jun 24 10:30:59 2003
Subject:Re: great Hammond records

Last month on the 17th our band played in Golden Gate Park. Our
guitarist is a longtime friend of Merl's and guess who showed up!
Merl was doing well considering the stroke he suffered. He has
recovered way beyond what the doctors could have expected. It was
very emotional for everyone and it was great to see him with such a
huge smile on his face. It was very emotional as I knew he wanted
more than anything to play, but he wasn't quite there yet. It would
have been no question had he been up for it. We hugged each other
and he left with a smile and a tear, as did I. It was pretty
intense. With his determination and steps he's taken so far, I do
believe that we will hear from him soon. Stay tuned!

Albert

--- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, Doug B wrote:
> -Doug
>
> ynottnaro wrote:
> Yeah, I've seen Merle Saunders play a few times. He
> still has Jessica (with a proud American Eagle painted
> onto its back/front (depending on your POV). He's a
> very spirited player. I went looking for that live at
> Keystone CD that was mentioned but came up empty
> handed. I'll keep lookin. I've got a couple of
> Merl's records with the Rainforest (?) band. First
> time I saw him, they played at Buddy Guy's Legends
> here in Chicago, and did this awesome 14 minute jam
> that was part funk part progressive rock. When it was
> over, I asked him what it was. He looked at me all
> funny and said "boy, that was Dark Star!!!" Not being
> a real Deadhead I had to plead ignorance (I knew the
> title, but not the tune). I've probably bought 4
> different versions of Dark Star by the Dead and none
> of them sound REMOTELY like that stuff Merle was
> playing. Got to say though, what I heard Melvin
> playing totally blew me away.
>
> Tony
>
> Meet the new boss - same as the old boss?
> There's GOT to be a better way!
> http://www.therichestlife.com
>
> Meet me and my family -
> http://www.picturetrail.com/dougb415
>
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> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]