Tough one for me. I don't really feel that any songs inspired me to create music and my faves cover nearly every existing genre. I think I settled on jazz more 'cuz the man who taught me to blow the sax was a jazz musician and that's a style that kinda' gets in your blood. However, I've never composed a jazz song, so I can't say any specific jazz tunes inspired me. I do have a handful of songs that I hold against my own as a measuring device, so I'll use that short list for you.

1. Dust In The Wind - Kansas.
This is what I consider to be the perfect blend of instrumentation and vocal harmony. It literally raises the hair on the back of my neck whenever I listen to it.

2. Turn The Page - Bob Segar
One of the few "commercial" songs completely in my vocal range and I MUST sing along whenever I hear it. The poetry very aptly chronicles the average touring musician's life and the music is raw and earnest.

3. Birmingham - Bruce Cockburn
Another song I feel I must perform whenever I hear it, but only the spoken parts. Mr. Cockburn is about a step and a half above what I'm comfortable with in the sung parts. Stunning poetry artfully delivered in a cool, personal manner. It just doesn't get any better than this and it's the closest thing out there to the style of music I helped create with Jazza Diction.

4. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Claption
Is there any better example of love ballad in existence? I can't sing this one because I get choked up, it's so fucking powerful - both lyrically and musically. If I ever write anything that can wring emotion out of the crowd like this one, I'll consider my life well-lived.

5. Doesn't Remind Me Of Anything - Audioslave
I like this one 'cuz it doesn't remind me of anything. Very subtle and powerful lyrics:

The things that I've loved the things that I've lost
The things I've held sacred that I've dropped
I won't lie no more you can bet
I don't want to learn what I'll need
To forget

And the music is crafted so it's almost three different songs. Very, very tasty.

6. Rumor Of Love - Berlin
This is the only Berlin song I know of with male lead vocals and it makes me wish he had done more. Another song I can not refrain from belting out at the top of my lungs whenever I hear it.

7. Paint It Black - Rolling Stones
This is the ONLY Rolling Stones song I can stomache and it's near the top of my all-time faves. I can't really explain what makes it THE ONE, so I'll have to just say I feel it, I really feel it.

8. Sultans Of Swing - Dire Straits
I relate to this song on an almost embarassing level. It's almost as though my life is being told, except for the names, which were obviously changed to protect the innocent. Sweet sax peppered throughout makes it even more personal for me.

9. Down With The Sickness - Disturbed
Another song I relate to on a very personal level and again, it's as though the poet penned my early teens through mid twenties. I was a very angry young man and if there had been music like this around when I was so angry, I wouldn't have felt so alone.

10. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
A shining example of less is more. Whenever I feel something I've composed/written is sparse, I think of this song and get over myself.

For years I was looking for a president or C.E.O. of an Independent Music retailer to join our group. Having a member at this level would give the organization real credibility. I contacted all the major players at that time and as expected I got all the ussual excuses why this person could not join our group. Jef on the other hand welcomed the idea and has been a vital part of our growth for years. We have bumped heads on a number of topics and some gotten a bit heated. In the end I am proud to have him in the organization and am honored to call him Friend.

My little heart leaped when "Life According to Don" immediately reminded me of The Doors' "The End" with its spoken word nature.

This CD is rife with diverse styles that somehow gel into a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable experience. In true spoken-word beatnik style, these songs tend to go on awhile (only two of them are under four minutes), and the lyrical/poetic content utilizes cool intellectual humor to make pointed social commentary. Although songs like "Colors" and "What Else Matters?" have a folksy feel to them, and "Desdemona Sand" is reminiscent of Shawn Mullins first CD Soul's Car (No, not the hit "Lullabye"), others kick in with a smooth jazz, blues and light reggae bounce. My hope is that the "defunct" part of Jazza Diction is very temporary. Reviewer: Cristy 11/02

Comments: This CD is rife with diverse styles that somehow gel into a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable experience. In true spoken-word beatnik style, these songs tend to go on awhile (only two of them are under four minutes), and the lyrical/poetic content utilizes cool intellectual humor to make pointed social commentary. Although songs like "Colors" and "What Else Matters?" have a folksy feel to them, and "Desdemona Sand" is reminiscent of Shawn Mullins first CD Soul's Car (No, not the hit "Lullabye"), others kick in with a smooth jazz, blues and light reggae bounce.

Comments: Jazza Diction refuses to color in the lines. This diverse group boasts the best in Word Jazz and likes to stretch out on occasion to promote the idea that music is music, Daddy-O!

Languid Velvet Goddess was released to answer the many requests from fans that they produce an album that is pure word jazz . . . this lp is just that. Two brand-new songs added to six time-tested favorites . . . just for you, word jazz fans!