Hi Kjeld,
I have attached a photo so you can place me, perhaps.
I just wanted to express my deepest thks for including my poem in the booklet about Cliff w New Orleans Delight. I wrote it from my heart and with my love, as anyone can tell. Cliff was a dear, dear friend and I think about him all the time. Cliff and Brian taught me all about the old time jazz. I taught Cliff all about hockey (that's my business and I still play a lot too) and we chatted most every Saturday and often on the phone during the weekwhile we were both supposed to be working.
I absolutely never should have gone back to Grossman's to hear the band after his death (I don't anymore and never will again) - it was never even remotely the same for me after that. Sometimes, when you have the best memories, you need to just leave it at that. Cliff was one of those "butterflies in winter" that I write about elsewhere in my book and those are treasured rarities in our lives.
This CD contains many of my favourites and Cliff's playing is awesome. His vocals were always highlights for me, as he had that rip to his voice to add inflection when necessary, AND he was one of the few vocalists ever to have been blessed with that lilting "mordant tone" (Bing Crosby was famous for it), a God-given gift to add depth and pathos to numbers like C'est Magnifique and esp A Thousand Goodnights from the first album. How I treasure this music you have preserved for us all. All your musicians are perfect for Cliff's style, and rest assured, you will all live forever in these great renditions of these memorable tunes.
Again, my deepest thks. These 3 CDs I will hold dear till I'm over in the Gloryland and can hear Cliff in person once again.
Best wishes and hugs, and pls pass this on to the band and everyone else involved in this wonderful project!
Al or Allan (which is my pen name)
