Thursday, October 03, 2002

Bob Hitzel on Dougs Playing and Inspiration Bob Hitzel added used the comment[] area of last week's show posting to talk about his time with Doug... "I was very close to Doug the last 10 years. We shared a studio together and were roommates off and on during those years. I too am a keyboard player and recognized the skill and varied styles that Doug could perform. I have yet to see anyone who could match his ability to go from Bach to Boogie the way he could, not to mention Rag Time, Gospel, Pop, Jazz and even New Age in recent years. He has been an inspiration to many in his life and his music will continue to inspire many beyond his passing. That laugh and smile will never be forgotten. He leaves a legassy of a true freind to many in addition to his musical skills. Doug was very concerned about growing old and many times voiced he felt he would never make it to a grand old age. He knew the risks of flying and embraced them because of the freedom it gave him. I'm sure he would have not changed a thing in his life. I will miss him greatly but cherish the time we got to spend together." 3:55:27 PM    comment [] Kyle Had A Birds Eye View of Dougs Accident Kyle writes about covering Doug's accident from the air as a helicopter news pilot, then finding out it was his old buddy. I felt the same kind of jolt when after knowing about the accident I then found out it was Doug. Kyle goes on to say... "Doug had to be one of the most gentle people I have ever known in my lifetime. So now I sit here at 1:00am and wonder, why is it always the good folks? God Bless you Doug.. I know you are sitting comfortable in heaven getting ready to play your next set. You will be missed.." 3:31:19 PM    comment [] Varden Shares Dougs Smile and Many Piano Stylings Varden Burke, a man much admired by this weblogger, shares his remembrances of Doug... I met Doug for the first time at the back door of the Belly Up Tavern in Solana beach, he arrived from Oregon in a small yellow school bus which had his baby grand piano setup in the back. I remember Doug mostly by his smile and good nature, everyone loved him. From around that time he played a lot at the Belly Up and was much appreciated. He used the house piano which was a grand piano made by Kawai and specifically designed with electric pickups. We would take a direct stereo feed right from the piano into the sound system. Over the mixing desk I could always see Dough's smiling face moving back and forth with the music as he played. The bands he played with were mainly traditional blues and jazz, good guys playing in good time fun bands. There was one unique thing he would do that I remember well, the band would be playing some fast swing and they would come to a syncopated stop, it was like suddenly someone changed the music abruptly, but Doug would still be rocking on the keys. The piano remained and build slowly into a boogie boogie that had the force of a freight train, Doug would make that room rock, people danced and the magic happened. Let there be no mistake Doug was one great piano player. He played many different styles and one could easily see a love for his art and many dedicated hours of practice in his playing. His slow soul felt version of Georgia put you back into another place an time. Doug will be greatly missed. Varden Burke Belly Up House Sound circa 1985 Varden also points out that the others in the Robin Henkel photo here are Mark Lessman and Johnny Almond. Spell checking has not been turned on due to work restrictions! 11:36:40 AM    comment [] The Doug Randall Memorial Wake on Jazz 88, Thursday, September 26, 2002 I held the Doug Randall Memorial Wake and talked to several friends of Doug (Bob, Gil, Johnny Viau) on the radio show. Several pictures of Doug were posted also. Check it out. If you have other pictures you'd like posted here, please send them to outlawv@aol.com. 11:10:13 AM    comment [] Vince Outlaw Remembers Doug Randal Here's a quote from something I wrote about Doug after finding out about his untimely death on Tuesday, September 17, 2002: "Doug was a great player and a great person. He played our piano at Pops Wright's Birthday Bash this last April 20, 2002. And he was sooooo goooood. He was a great boogie-woogie pianist. A great blues pianist. A great standards pianist. A great pianist. And a really nice guy, who seemed to really enjoy the joy he gave to others." There's a bit more. 10:43:55 AM    comment [] The Doug Randall Memorial Weblog - The Idea The idea of The Doug Randall Memorial Weblog is to give Doug Randall a place on the World Wide Web. And to use that place to share rememberances of Doug's life and music with any and all who would like to learn about a man that inspired many people. The remembrances can take the form of words, pictures, and even music (in downloadable format). If others have written about Doug on the web, this will also be the place to quote and link to that writing. I'm not sure about copyright issues regarding posting music, especially from a mostly unheard artist like Doug, so I'd like to hear suggestions from readers. I interviewed several friends and collegues of Doug on my radio show, The New Jazz Thing, on Jazz 88 on Thursday, September 26, 2002. I will also post those audio clips here as time permits. If you would like to contribute written work or comment on this memorial, please send email to me at outlawv@aol.com. Please let me know if you would like your name and email address posted with your contributions...I want to be as discrete as you want me to be. Much Love...VO 10:26:24 AM    comment []

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