GUESTBOOK

Hello Mr. Butler,

I figured it was about time I introduce myself. A year or so ago I made a friend request on Facebook which you graciously accepted. I figured that you might have wondered, “who is this person?” Well, even if you didn’t wonder, I’ll tell you anyway. It’s actually a rather nice story.
I first heard of you back in the 1970s, not for any particular piece of work you had done, but from your name being mentioned very often by my woodwind teacher Shelly Russell. I studied with Shel for over 2 decades starting in the 70’s and remained friends with him till the end of his life.

The story

In 1979 I was a senior in high school. I had every reason to be happy. I had most of the requirements needed for graduation and was going to go to music school at USC the following year. A near tragedy involving one of my brothers cast me into a depression. Not just “didn’t get a date for the prom” depression, but approaching clinical depression.
I lost my momentum and discipline, and stopped practicing my saxophone. I was feeling lost and without direction.

One evening, my brother asked me if I wanted to go with him to a friends house and I agreed.
When we got in the car, he turned his stereo on and said, “listen to this” as he pushed in a cassette.
I heard this acoustic bass playing some jazz, accompanied by brushed drum kit. Next, came a voice humming a familiar tune in an instrument-like manner. I listened on with no inkling as to what was about to happen.

Tremolo strings! Huge tremolo strings and a harp gliss landing in a lush floating cloud of wonderfully arranged strings.
I was on board for this short but monumental ride. I had no choice.
As I listened to this beautiful music, it evoked a thought/feeling in me that I will never forget…”there IS a meaning to life!” It just came to me, or perhaps it was awoken within me. There is a meaning to life.
I knew then and there, that I had to get back to my music. And I did.
I finished high school and went off to music school at USC where I earned bachelors and masters degrees in music.

I learned a lot in college but some lessons can’t really be taught in school. And this is the crux of this letter. We learn of the creative genius of the master composers, the flawless technique of brilliant performers, and we strive for these qualities. Sometimes these quests hide what is of true importance. Using our talents and skills to move people in a positive way. To lift people out of their sadness and help them back onto their path. To help them to feel.
If I thought my playing could have the effect on people that your arrangement of “If I only had a brain” had on me, I would be ecstatic. I guess we just do what we do and hope for the best.

I thought you should know that some of your work made a huge difference in a life, and that, in my view, is the definition of true success.

Thanks

Mr. Butler,

I first heard God Bless Tiny Tim when I was 12 years old. Even to my untrained ear I could tell that much of the pleasure came from the arrangements. The album turned me on to the joys of the Great American Songbook. I still listen to God Bless Tiny Tim, and the arrangements are as fresh and delightful as when I first heard them back in 1968.

REMEMBER TO COMPLETE WITH SONGS YOU COMPOSED 4 BARRY MANILOW AND BILLY PRESTON MAYBE OTHERS GREAT ORCHESTRATIONS ON MANILOW +MASTER OF ALL TIME RICHARDKERR

Hi Mr. Butler,

I met you many years ago in the 80s when I was the keyboard player, arranger and leader of Atlantis, an 8 piece group with 4 horns. We were performing in the Bay Caberet lounge in Harrah’s casino in Atlantic City. You would stand at the side of the stage and watch our show.
Then one night you introduced yourself and invited me and my girl singer to your room. You spent some time with us and were incredibly kind and encouraging. I remember you played an arrangement you were working on for a female celebrity, might have been Donne Warwick, and I couldn’t believe that I could hear the whole arrangement from the way you played. It was amazing to witness that. The memory of your kindness has stayed with me all these years and I just want to say thank you for touching my life for a brief moment.
Sincerely,
John paris

Hi Artie, I just got lost in yout web site. It is beautiful with such rich credits. Thank you also for your appreciation of my renditions of your songs. I stay at it Artie, with my humble guitar. What would record history do without your wonderful talents and gifts? AvaV

Mr. Butler,

Just a quick note to tell you how much I love your arrangements on Tiny Tim’s first album. The updated CD with bonus backing tracks is a joy. Thanks for the music.

Best regards,

Bobby Pennock

Hi, Artie,

I’m so excited I found out who does the piano on Joe Cocker’s “Feelin’ All Right,” it’s been a very pleasant ear worm, helping me through a rough week!

Hello Mr. Butler. It has been a privilege to visit your site. I absolutely love your YouTube session about your father. My sister is Ava Victoria and prompted me to listen. I’m glad she did. Thank you for your work and your encouraging support of musicians. God Bless you!

Hello Mr. Butler,

I have attached a picture of the record with your credit and a mp3 of the recording. I’m glad I can share it with you 40 years after I bought it. It was released as the Academy Awards asked Charlie Chaplin to come back to America to receive an Oscar for his work. I was already familiar with the song and had always liked it. I heard your version played on the radio and I knew I had to have it. I went to Wallach’s Music City in LA and they did not have it in stock but they said they could order it for me. I had to wait a week for it to arrive. I did not hear it on the radio again. When I got it, I played it on my portable record player and hoped that it was as good as what I remembered. It was! The song seemed to jump from the speaker and made me feel great. The previous versions, that I had heard, were sweet and/or somewhat melancholy, Jerry Lewis had a big band version on his Muscular Dystrophy telethon, which was good but just a bit trite or flippant for me. Your arrangement was like a story. First the pounding drums, then the ooo’s, then the basic melody (with a combination Letterman/Beach Boy feel) interacting with the ooo’s.It really caught my attention. It continued to the second verse with a nice change of the melody which seemed like someone encouraging me. The high “Light up your face with gladness” changes the song from just telling me to smile to seemingly demonstrating the smile for me in the song.Then the extended timing on “if you just smile” as the song continues to build with excitement (encouragement) to a full wall of sound ” that’s the time you must keep on trying, smile what’s the use of crying, you’ll find that life is still worth while” that high register energy is more than pleading, it seems to offer me assurance, if “you just…….Smile” the musical retard brings home the assurance that everything is going to be alright. Then the tapering off of the ooo’s to bring my emotions back to earth. Great work!

I hope you don’t mind me rambling a bit. But your arrangement fits this song better than any that I have ever heard. It has lifted my spirit at times of worry, times of deep hurt and the loss of loved ones. You have done many wonderful arrangements but you would never know how it might just make a difference in a listener’s life, unless we tell you. I know it’s just a song and I know that there is way more to life that just this, but this is one of those bits of life (like chocolate) that makes me glad that I have ears and people like you who have a gift for making such wonderful musical recipes. Thank you.

What a thrill to “discover” who was behind so much of the music I have loved through the years. For several years I lived at 200 W. 54th St. in NYC. A few years before that I worked back stage at the Greek Theater in LA when Neil Diamond performed in 1977… and now to learn of your great talent. A great pleasure for me. Thank you.

My love for your score for The Rescuers knows no bounds. The magnificent alligator organ chase scene and Evinrudes theme and the songs are magnificent! The tone you set during the main title sequence still haunts me 36 years later! Film scoring today has lost it’s soul and artistry. I’ve reached out to Intrada and LaLaLand to release the full score to The Rescuers! Santa Monica

You are indeed a national treasure. I grew up on your music and have always been entranced by your work. Can I ask if you were responsible for the piano part on Joe Cocker’s “Feeling Alright?” or perhaps know who was? That part always struck me as amazing and I wonder if you might not have originated it. I hear it suggested in kind of a calypso form in Dave Mason’s original, but the Joe Cocker rendition reduces it to its pure R&R essence and amps the intensity about 3 orders of magnitude. It is clean, simple and amazing.

In any case, thank you for all you have added to the world in the form of real rock and roll.

Best regards, James L. Wayman

I have loved your music forever Artie. You have given us so much good music through the years. I heard Steve Tyrell sing a new song of yours called “It’s Crazy” a few weeks ago that you wrote with the late Sammy Cahn. What a GREAT song Artie. I Googled you and found out you turned seventy this year. Keep writing those great songs and arrangements. You absolutely rock Artie.

Enjoying ‘Down Home, Girl’ as done by OCMS & Stones, just now after all this time. Thanks!

Artie you were a great help when I found studio talk (out-takes) of The Shangri-Las and needed help identifying who was who! Your music and talent is greatly appreciated!!

I adore your artistry. thank you so much for sharing “Here’s To Life”. Los Angeles, CA

|I’m impressed! Where have I been.I recently heard from Frank Steo that Tony Visconti mentioned him in his book — I would guess you were mentioned in there too – anyway saw your name on line connected with Tony Visconti and there you are — Nice to see you again and to know that you have given so much music to the world – tho I knew you’d never do anything else – Music was IT for you.And I remember your sense of humor. Barbara (My Boy Lollipop) New York City

My name is Scott Mathews.

I am breaking tradition and writing a brief email – partly because words can’t express my appreciation for your genius, contributions and inspiration but also because I can’t really believe I am writing you. I can only hope it reaches you.

That’s it for now but, man…I can (and will) go long on all my praise for your trailblazing music and for being a huge reason music has been wonderfully rewarding to me as I have made my living in the studio, standing in the shadows of giants like yourself.

God bless,

scotty

My hat is off to someone with such talent, such an ear for meldoy, such a gift for arranging. We have never met, but we are brothers in spirit.

Just heard Joe Cocker’s “Feelin Alright” for the thousandth time, which never gets old and finally was curious who played the piano so brilliantly and now I know! Such a classic I am so thankful for!!! | Wisconsin, USA