Here is a compilation of some of the nicest e-mails that we have received from you, friends and fans. We'd like to share them with you and thank you for all your support and kind words. - Billy and Bobby

Updated Dec. 10, 2009

I understand the difference between real song craft, and just regular old pop music.   Your songs and arrangements were really high quality, technically and sonically superior to most of the other music that was around then...but what I really loved about your music was that, despite the fact that it was technically and sonically great,  music is really about what it makes you feel.   I never thought about the technical end of it, or "how do you play that, what are the chords?", when I listened to your music...I just enjoyed how it made me feel.   The music was just great, and it is timeless.  I could never figure out how A & M couldn't deliver a hit single or 2 out of all those great songs.    Hall and Oates, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, AWB...they all had hit after hit.  Your stuff was like Brian Wilson meets Hall and Oates ( I think Hall and Oates are highly underrated by the way, so I mean that in the most complimentary way...I know most people would not put them on a level with Brian Wilson, and I am not, but they have written some great songs, and Hall is an off the hook singer).
I watched the clip that is on your web site.  The quality of what I saw was amazing...sympathetic, talented musicians, and you guys sound fantastic vocally...it was great.  I can't wait.  Thanks for the offer to sign it.  It has been a really good day.
Take care, and be well.

Jim

***

I have received the dvd and cd and I really enjoyed them. The concert on DVD is fantastic. Very very professionnal shooting and there was a very friendly atmosphere this day. Watching  it,  is like being there, sitting at the first place. It is so good to be able to hear and see you sing all those songs which are in our minds since years . The sound and the images are  perfect .
And what musicians ! All of them are extraordinary . Erwin Van Lighten, such an  impressive precise virtuoso on lead guitar, Julya  such a voice and beautiful soul, and all are so good. Not to mention both of you, who are young forever. Maybe you sing in a lower tone than before sometimes, but the magic of Alessi is unbroken
The new cd is really pure Alessi. I could make enthousistic comments about every song , as each one is like a movie carrying beautiful harmonies and emotions with so refined melodies , orchestrations . The mastery of your two voices together is unique. As a musician myself I really deeply appreciate your work.
Hope to see you  playing Ibiza this summer.
Cheers
Thierry

***
I heard the CD and watched the DVD carefully. A "must"!!! It's unbelievable how your voices can be the same after all these years. Thank you very much for the authographed masterpiece. Of course, I'll be waiting for the next. You are one of the most important pop groups in my country since "Sad songs" was included in a soap opera compilation LP and everybody knows and loves Sad songs, Driftin' and All for a reason. My favourite one is Put away your love and I can hear it everytime and never get tired of. My kindest regards, Eduardo 

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I would love it if you would sign it, you and your brother made some breathtaking music, it would mean a lot to me personally...I play 3 or 4 instruments,  and I have written a few songs, so I understand the difference between real song craft, and just regular old pop music.   Your songs and arrangements were really high quality, technically and sonically superior to most of the other music that was around then...but what I really loved about your music was that, despite the fact that it was technically and sonically great,  music is really about what it makes you feel.   I never thought about the technical end of it, or "how do you play that, what are the chords?", when I listened to your music...I just enjoyed how it made me feel.   The music was just great, and it is timeless.  I could never figure out how A & M couldn't deliver a hit single or 2 out of all those great songs.    Hall and Oates, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, AWB...they all had hit after hit.  Your stuff was like Brian Wilson meets Hall and Oates ( I think Hall and Oates are highly underrated by the way, so I mean that in the most complimentary way...I know most people would not put them on a level with Brian Wilson, and I am not, but they have written some great songs, and Hall is an off the hook singer).

     I watched the clip that is on your web site.  The quality of what I saw was amazing...sympathetic, talented musicians, and you guys sound fantastic vocally...it was great.  I can't wait.  Thanks for the offer to sign it.  It has been a really good day.

Take care, and be well.

***
DEAREST BOB AND BILLY,

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! YOU ARE SO GOOD!!YOU BRING BACK SO MANY MEMORIES, MEMORIES OF GOOD MUSIC ABOVE ALL!!!PLEASE COMO TO MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY, SOUTH AMERICA, SUMMER IS GREAT DOWN HERE!!!
ALL MY LOVE,
BILLY (OTHER THAN ELLIOT AND ALESSI)

***
Thanks much..   I'm actually a "new" fan.   I don't know how I missed you guys the first time around in the 70's.. I'm a huge Brian Wilson/BB's harmony fan and collector.   A guy I corresponded with in the UK told me to check you guys out.   Heard the shows on Wolfgang's Vault.. and I was HOOKED.   Managed to get a hold of the first CD just by luck at a used record store.   So.. that and the live material is about where my knowledge is !!   I'm 58, so I'm in your "older demographic" of fans I think!Your material sounds so fresh, even today.   I played it for another newbie friend and he couldn't believe it was from the 70's..Looking forward to "Just Like That."   I have a feeling that it will be in my CD player alot this summer..Thanks again..   Charles

***
Hi   there. I just felt like dropping you a line and introducing myself. My name is   Jimi Hey and I'm 31 years old and I live in

Los Angeles. I'm a musician/songwriter/artist myself. I became a fan of yours through the act of    looking for cheap used records, which is something I've done since I was a   little kid. It began with finding both Barnaby Bye LPs, which are great. I   love Blonde especially, but there's a bunch of others that Ibounce back and   forth with as being favorites, depending on what's going on in my life and   what kind of

mood I'm in.   Then I found the first Alessi a bit later. I   just have to tell you that I think Seabird is one of the most incredible, beautiful,   and moving songs of all time. The production is impeccable as

well. That Bones Howe   sure had a magical understanding of your tunes I must   say. I DJ out here as well at bars and dance clubs, and occasionally on   college and internet radio, and I've managed to hip quite a large number   of people to your work through this, many of whom weren't even born when   you guys were really doing your thing initially. Among my circle of friends   and acquaintances, it's as if you guys may as well be a new

contemporary group   the way people respond to Seabird when I play it for them. It never fails to really stop people in their tracks and forces them to shut the fuck up and   listen every time. I've had packed to the gills dance floors dancing   religiously to that song many times in the last few years. So I just thought   I'd share that with you and express my gratitude to you for the work you and   your brother did. It's made a lot of folks very happy and inspired.

  Take it   easy man. - Jimi   Hey

  Hi Jimi, Thanks for taking the time to reach out and shower us with  

compliments, I'd like to add your words to our "Your Kind Words" page on our web   site if you don't mind, of course I won't print your last name. Thanks also for promoting our music to your generation. I

feel obligated to tell you the true story of how "Seabird" got on

the first Alessi LP. This is the   abbreviated version. We recorded the song as we wroteit in my parents basement, we had a makeshift studio there. Later when we were in LA signed to   A&M records recording our first album with Bones Howe producing, Bones   had

picked the songs of ours he wanted to produce and Seabirdwasn't one of   them. We

told him that the song meant a lot to us and really wanted

it on the   album, he promised that "if" there was time, after we

cut all the basic tracks   with the band and only 'if' and 'after' he would

let us cut the song. Billy and   I even made up chord sheets for the band because MikeMelvoin, the   arranger, knew nothing about the song. When they finished the last of the   basic tracks Billy and I began handing out the charts for the 'extra song' Mike   Melvoin

said, "what's this' and Bones said, "sorry guys, we won't be recording   Seabird" About 3 months later when the album was finally all completed, mixed   and   sequenced, Bones gave us the finished product to bring to Kip Cohen at   A&M the next day. That night while we had the completed reel to reel, 7 1/2   speed 1/4 inch tape of the finished Alessi album in our possession, we spliced   our demo

of Seabird onto the end of the album. We delivered the album to   A&M so they could review it. A couple of days later we got a call from Bones   telling us that they loved the album and only had one small change

they wanted   to suggest. We were asked to come to the A&M lot for a meeting with Jerry   Moss, Kip Cohen, Roger Birmbaum, Steven Borkum and Bones Howe. They said, "guys,   we love this record but we really feel that "Seabird" (that's when we saw Bone's   eyebrows shoot up as he looked at us) they said that they felt that "Seabird"   was such a strong song that they wanted it to end side one of the LP as opposed to ending side two. Bones was too much of a professional tosay anything other   than, "no problem" and then gave us a look as to say, "you guys" and smiled. So you see the version of "Seabird" is the demo we recorded on a Teac four track   tape recorder in my parents basement. When the story reached Teac corporation   they asked us to endorse their products so we got free set ups from them.

The   moral of the story I guess is 'always fight for what you believe in' (and have   some splicing tape on hand.)

  Cheers,

  Bobby

Ah ha! No wonder it sounds so lo-fi and cool. Well then my hat of to you

gentlemen. Hat off and out the fucking window in fact. It did seem so different

than the rest of the album but I just assumed Mr. Bones had become especially

inspired and had some unique, intimate, edgy,   low fidelity thing in mind for

that one. But you guys are to blame. Fucking hell, you two are geniuses. You

should record all your stuff that way. Or maybe not. But that approach certainly

serves that song extremely well anyway. I think it's helped it to age especially

well. I can't imagine it sounding any other way. Bones blew it big time not

recognizing the magic upon first listen. What a douchebag. Just kidding.   It's a

testament to the power of that particular tune that such a melancholy sounding

number can make so many people dance joyously, which as i said before, is a

phenomenon I've witnessed numerous times in the last 4 years or so when I've

played it in my DJ sets at

  clubs and bars. It's one of those jams that doesn't require a whole lot of time

to sink in. People just get it right away. It's an instant classic. Some clever

music supervisor needs to use that in a movie. I have no doubt in my mind that

if that were to occur, it would surely take off as a hit of today providing that

the movie wasn't total crap. I mean check out those Wes Anderson movies like

Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums using groups/singer songwriters like Love, The

Creation, Peter Sarstedt, and Nick Drake on the soundtracks. As a result, so

many more young people know and love these groups who wouldn't have otherwise.

Okay well enough of my babbling.   Thank you kindly for the reply and anecdote. I

feel privileged. Take good care Bobby. - Jimi

Oh man. That would be the coolest. That's kind of mind blowing that there is a new Barnaby Bye CD. When did you guys start doing that again? Or did you never stop? So you know I checked out some stuff of you guys on youtube like the Barnaby Bye show from recently, and the interview that someone did. Loved the Seabird story. That made me laugh about how one of you were so concerned for the bird not being able to

land anywhere. Where was that show? East Coast? Do you think it would ever be worth it to play out here? That would be a serious treat. It's so rare that I see shows that move me anymore these days. I see one like once every two years that actually inspires me, and it's almost always a band or artist from the 60s or 70s.   And that footage seemed pretty damned satisfying. It's just that the youngsters don't know how to do it anymore because the art of writing and performing has been lost to the ages somewhat due to all of the brainwashing from MTV and music media and clueless record labels putting all of their weight behind the worst, most soulless music in existence. But I'm not bitter. As long as there is the old stuff, and there seems to be an endless supply of that to discover, I'm good to go. I have a ridiculous amount of records. Like 5000 LPs and maybe 1000 45s. I'm obsessed. So back to the show on youtube, Seabird sounded wonderful. With all the little synth details and subtle touches left intact and the voices still have the goods. I take it you guys didn't smoke a million cigarettes over the

years. And your between song stage banter was really natural and funny. You guys seemed very at ease on stage. So many bands get back together after a number of years and do versions of old songs that just do not hold up to the original recordings whatsoever and that doesn't seem to be the case with you lot at all, which is refreshing. The songs still sound vital to my ears. It's not just some blast from the past kind of thing. So yeah, I've dug emailing with you and please send me some music. I appreciate the gesture very much. - Jimi Hey

Dear Bobby and Billy,

Last monday at Wakker Eemnes was wonderfull, for the first time in years i saw you both perform.
I had a feeling like 22 years ago when i was seventeen knowing all the lyrics and being there listing to my younger years
Your music gives people energy hope i can hold that untill august 29 when you both come back to Wakker, hope to see you then en drink a glass of wine on what life brings us all

Love
Madeleine

***
Hey geminis,
Dear Bobby,dear Billy,
...so near with your music,...so far away, maybe on tour,...so charming and gently!
Thank you for this unforgetable evening we have had! You are better than ever !
We hope to see and hear you again!
We wish you all, that you will return healthy back home to your familys!
We will be staying in contact til we see us again, that is for sure!
Big Hugs
Ulla & Helmut
***
Hi Billy & Bobby!

You guys are a part of my life and are etched into my happiest memories ! You're fantastic! One of the songs that I play at the start of my show has always brought me happiness and luck ' Oh Lori '. It reminds me of one of the great summers that we had in the UK and one of the reasons that feel good factor made me become a radio presenter / dj. Sad Songs is another classic I play all the time on Radio Tircoed 106.5 FM in Swansea, Great Britain, same city Catherine Zeta Jones, Anthony Hopkins and Richard Burton were born,   I've worked for many years on various stations and was wondering whether you would be kind enough to make a quick voice over from the Alessi Bros mentioning my name and saying here's another of our classic hits.

Best Wishes
and love from me and my family
Karl
www.radiotircoed.com
www.celticaradio.com

***
Hello Bobby and Billy!
How are you?
I'm Japanese your fan.
I love "All for reason".
It was an import record to have bought your album for the first time.
I still have the album carefully. I can know your activity at this place and feel very glad. Please continue music activity to a body carefully.
Thanks for reading.
Love from Japan
Yuko

Thank You

***

Words From Ulla & Helmut,
Hey Bobby,Here we're again! Is this message coming overseas or you living next by in Netherlands or both? Isn't it nice, that We're able to contact us all over the world and music is the Translation, the www is only a bridge! Next coming our photos and we're decided to come to Armesfoort/Tulip Inn. Have we to reserved two cards for your show, please tell us some details! We know, that you have to work, we have to travel to Zandvoort&Amsterdam! During the last days, we have seen your interviews and videos, yes the time goes by, but you're still having fun, one can see it, better than ever, because today we've more to tell, there is a past, maybe with children or old parents! We`re so young, so jazzy, it would be nice to meet you, I'm   German & dancing teacher, Helmut is working in public relation, so we're! Let the sun shine, all the best til the next...! Big hug from Ulla and Helmut

***
Greetings from Mexico

Hi Mr Alessi, i just want to tell you my big surprise to find you on the internet.
I was born in 1971 and i remember Oh Lori since i was a little boy, I still have the 45 vinyl record with Lori in one side and Seabird in another side. I send you my very best wishes to you both guys. How i wish you could perform in Mexico city. I am musician, i play bass guitar and i play Theremin too, so if you have some free time please visit my web page: www.ernestomendoza.com.mx and MySpace: www.myspace.com/ernestopolanco
here you can listen some music that i record.
God bless you.
Ernesto Mendoza.
***

Dear Billy, Bobby, Peppy and Mike--

My name is Jon Antis, and I grew up in Plainview and Hicksville during the mid-'70's and saw you at many of the old haunts. I was really happy to see you all got back together--and I've been keeping up via the Internet and your websites. I haven't had the chance to catch you live as I now live Upstate near Ithaca NY (although that might be changing later this Spring!)
Anyhow, I'm writing to tell you about a website called www.wolfgangsvault.com. This is a joint venture by the estate of the late, great promoter Bill Graham and the old King Biscuit Flower Hour radio concert show. I have no personal or professional connection to it, except as a lover of music.
They have an archive of over 2000 concerts available for free on-line streaming and lo' and behold--I recently came across 2 shows by the Alessi Brothers recorded at The Bottom Line on 2/25/78.   I LOVED IT!! Thought you might be interested to check it out and share it with your fans on your websites and myspace pages.
Best regards from an old friend,
Jon
***

Hi Guys,

I'm a musician from Dublin, Ireland and just felt compelled to write and share a few thoughts.

Every once in a while one of your songs gets an airplay here on Irish radio and it always makes me feel uplifted, enriched but also a little dejected. I think we now live in a time where there is little integrity and quality in music. Your music has that something extra special about it and has its place among some of the greatest songs and recordings that came out of that seventies period. Long after much of the meaningless stuff of recent years has come and gone your music will continue to live on, it has that timeless quality. I wish I had a little of your talent!
Continued success and best wishes to you both.

Gerard
www.myspace.com/gerardfarrelly
***

Hi! My name is Suzette Gerges,. I'm 47 yrs old, married, and currently residing for seven years in LA. I am originally from the Philippines.   During my teens in '77, I was crazy over your   hit song "Oh Lori" which played on air every so often. I lived in a small Island in which case my only form of recreation was listening to the radio.There was no electricity in the whole Island. But we made sure we loaded our radios with batteries to be able to hear the news and listen to music for our main entertainment. It was such a simple life but I had fun growing up in a paradise Island.

Just a few days ago, the day before my birthday ,( Sept.24) I   was feeling extremely sad and lonely recapitulating my life as a whole. But of course we must all count our blessings, and as I journeyed back in time in my thoughts, I remembered my childhood and how I loved the song " Oh Lori" as a teen-ager. I realized I can go to the Internet at youtube.com and just type in Alessi brothers and I did. I listened to all your songs and saw that interview with Billy. One of the questions there was " what is the story behind the song "Oh Lori"? And I was so delighted with your answer. It is touching to know that most of these love songs were written by inspiration and dedicated to somebody special.

The reason why I'm writing to you is to let you know that having visited your website and knowing that there is a band by the name of Barnaby bye is the best Birthday gift I have ever received. You have no idea how happy I am having found your group.I count this a blessing.The fact that I can now be updated on your future concerts, I am hoping that by chance you have some concert plans in California. If not anytime soon, that's still   ok   I can wait.

Thanks for reading my e-mail and I wish you can acknowledge this by writing back whenever you get a chance.

Godbless!

Suzette

Dear Alessi Brothers -- 30 years ago me and my friend Cathy would sit in her room in Flushing, Queens and listen to your voices and stare at your album covers waiting for the day you would come for us and take us away. I guess you couldn't find the bell? All's forgiven! I haven't kept up through the years but thanks to the internet and this webside -- it looks like life has been good to you both. Who has it better than you? That tree house, those cars and beautiful summer days on the beach with such beautiful families. Since a proposal is out of the questions these days, we'll settle for a chance to come and listen to you "boys". Will you be playing in the City or Long Island anytime in the future? I'd like to suprise Cathy with tickets when they are for sale. I see that you'll be playing in Europe at some point but I was hoping it could be someplace I could drive to. Let me know. Thanks for the beautiful music -- Love, Gail
***
Hi Guys,
Just wanted to thank you for the signed copy of the Just Like That album, although a little late and to say it's been playing in my car non stop.
The tracks I particularly like are Just Like That, Living With A Broken Heart, Hold Me Close, Stow Away (great harmonies at the end), Louieville and No Goodbyes (the chorus has a Bee Gees feel).
You and Billy haven't lost your touch for a great song and fantastic harmonies.
Just watched a video of Barnaby Bye doing Just Like That on You Tube and it sounded great live.
Hope to catch you at the Hackney Empire in October if I can get tickets!
Thanks again,
Cliff

***
Hi Bobby and Billy,
Wow! Twice in one year! Can you believe this?
When David and I met you in the hotel at Arnham, Holland earlier this year and we talked to you about whether you guys were ever going to come over to England at all we never thought it was going to be just a few months later. Excellent! So thanks a million for that, guys. Absolutely brilliant. We have the tickets already and will most definitely be there (with a shorter journey this time we're only about 70 miles away from London even though we live on the coast). Looking forward to seeing you both again and enjoying more of your great music.
All the best,
Sarah & David

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Your Kind Words Archives