weekendwarriors

James Wood, usually known as Animal, has passed away after a long battle with illness.

I knew him for only a short time and our association was musical rather than personal, but I wanted to say a few things about the man I knew.

James had the reputation of being difficult to work with at times. Although I never had a moment's difficulty with him I can believe that his passion for excellence combined with his expectations of effort from others did result in some difficult situations.

I find this very difficult to write.

I worked with James in several theme bands and we jammed together sometimes. He was a drummer: I know he played guitar and pretty much everything else, but trust me on this - he was a drummer. I should know, I'm a bass player, and I know a drummer when I work with one.

But he was so much more. He created brass arrangements, revised material and even stepped away from drums if his talents were needed elsewhere. The sound was the thing. He sent me a CD once so I could learn 2 songs for a girl singer at a jam night. When James was involved it just had to be right.

And all the time his body was betraying him. I saw him last at a jam night some time ago and we talked for a while. He was there, he smiled, but he was not well.

Goodbye James, I am the richer for having known you. I hope you are at peace at last.

Alan

Thanks Big Al

That is a very nice tribute to our dear friend. I had just typed a similar recollection of events myself, and then lost the lot before I could complete my posting.

Animal has 'Raised the Bar" in the warrior fraternity and we are all richer for having known him, and I believe we have also improved as musicians and as people.

He gave way more than he took and enriched our lives, although at times, we might not have realised it.

I'm sure there will be many more posting and recollections of our experiences with Animal who will never be forgotten.

Sincerely

Saxual Healing

Thanks Al,
James was always James to me when I was playing with him, it was only later that I found that most people called him "Animal".

Your post was right on the money Al, I always got on well with James, inside and outside the rehearsal room. But then I play bass also, (after a fashion). However, I have first hand experience of times when James' "passion for exellence combined with his expectations of effort from others" came to the fore. I can tell you, it's hard to find somewhere to hide in a 8ft by 15ft rehearsal room when two people, one them James, disagree on how accurate something should be done.
What made me feel most uncomfortable was the fact that he was probably right and prepared to voice his reservations while I was prepared to let things ride.

Warren Zevon said in one of his songs,
"I appreciate the best, but I'm settling for less, that's why I'm looking for the next best thing."

Whilst that may ring true for me, it certainly didn't for James.

I appreciate the short time we spent together.

During a 'PlanBe" rehearsal this morning two things occurred to the Healer:

* It is now twelve months since Animals's passing to the day
* I had some charts to use courtesy of his legacy

It with great pleasure that PlanBe will present the Chicago classic "25 or 6 to 4" next Sunday:

* Beeneligh Sports Club
* Sunday 17th May @ 3-00 PM

Some fantastic memories, dear friend.....you are not forgotten.