Thijs van Leer
Nice to have met you
Jazzrock / fusion album recorded in USA with a massive lineup of American session musicians (and Eef Albers on guitar). Thijs van Leer is called Tys, and among the tracks is an up tempo version of Hocus Pocus.
Liner notes by B. Lynn Micale:
Tys van Leer is a household word throughout his native Holland and other parts of Europe. His classical roots as a flutist and as a composer, showcased in the CBS albums "Introspection 1, 2 and 3," have earned him superstar status abroad. From these classical seeds, carefully cultivated since childhood, Tys branches out into other musical genres.
The rest of the world sampled Tys' artistry when he toured with his trendsetting rock band, Focis, in the early 1970s. Their single, "Hocus Pocus", was an international success, memorable not only for its musical composition, but for one of Tys' additional talents - yodeling. Turning to yet another music form, he captivated the audience at the 1977 Montreaux Jazz Festival. While the flute remains Tys' featured instrument, he is also accomplished on the piano, organ, oberheim, harmonium and mellotron.
Everywhere Tys travels, people accept his music with admiration and appreciation. When Tys arrived in the United States in November, 1977, to make plans for this album, he was overwhelmed by the sincerity and friendliness of those he encountered. And, at the end of every conversation, a phrase which struck him as being typically American recurred, "...nice to have met you."
In February, Tys returned to New York City to begin recording. He brought with him several new compositions and a title song to express warm feelings for his many new American friends, "Nice To Have Met You."
The sessions began on a high note. Two of his new friends, Ralph MacDonald and Tom Scott, collaborated their production talents with the brilliance of Tys' music. The joy and intensity that characterized Tys' meetings with artists he's long admired is evident in the music that resulted. And, as the end of each session, many musicians would approach Tys with compliments to his music and the ever-familiar phrase, "...nice to have met you."
With this album, the world will be able to savor the genius of this multi-talented Dutch musician. It is, indeed, so nice to have met you, Tys van Leer.
- Year
- 1978
- Label
- CBS
- Manufactured
- Holland
- Media
- Vinyl LP
- Release No.
- 86059
- Musicians
- Thijs van Leer
Ralph MacDonald
Richard Tee
Eric Gale
Antony Jackson
Harvey Mason
Eef Albers
Steve Khan
Jon Faddis
Randy Brecker
Barry Rogers
Dave Taylor
James Buffington
John Clark
Fred Griffen
Alex Foster
Michael Brecker
Ronnie Cuber
Tom Scott
Brooks Tillotson
Don Corrado
Lou Marini
Gene Orloff
Jesse Levy
Paul Gershman
Julien Barber
Alan Shulman
Jonathan Abramowitz
Frederick Buldrini
Joe Malin
Theodore Israel
Selwart Clarke
Harold Kohon
Sanford Allen
Matthew Raimondi
Ariana Bronne
Vivian Cherry
Brenda White
Kem Williams
Gwen Guthrie
Raymond Simpson
Zach Sanders
Bill Eaton
- Producer
- Ralph MacDonald and Tom Scott
- Engineer
- Richard Alderson and Eddie Heath Jr.
- Studio
- Rosebud Recording Inc.
- Tracks
- My sweetheart
Nice to have met you (Concrete)
Pastorale
Bahama Mama
Hocus Pocus
Tonight beneath the sky
Rosebud
Super Ffishell