I'm sure we all know my stance on Kai. I know he is an amazing musician, but for so long, he seemed to be an "almost man" to me. He was playing on records that "almost" seemed to get something going. I wasn't greatly impressed by his solo album or by his work on Billy Cobham's "Mississippi Knights Live" album.
Then I heard him on John McLaughlin's "Que Alegria". Things were better, he sounded great, though I perhaps could not appreciate him fully, knowing that just a few years before, McLaughlin was playing alongside Jonas Hellborg. However, I recently got McLaughlin's "Live at the Royal Festival Hall" record, and things really made sense! Kai made such an incredible statement on that record and this album has really helped me appreciate him more.
I was pleased to find these videos on Youtube.
This first one I had never seen before, but he is playing using the bass that he used on the "Festival Hall" record, as shown on the photo on the back of the record (I have the re-released version). Amazing tone, amazing playing. I am led to believe it is from the late 80's, and certainly predates Que Alegria.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsuYOg-KS3A
This second video (which also features him playing another beautiful Schack bass) was taken down from Youtube but has returned!. This video here was from around the Que Alegria era, as there are other videos of them at this same show playing songs like 1 Nite Stand. McLaughlin fans will note that they are playing "Florianpolis", a song in which Kai often took a solo spot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4RWt...elated&search=
I hope you all enjoy these videos!
... i enjoyed the vids.
