How can U2 win the Grammy for song of the year, when the album it cames from "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb" was released in 2004?. Same thing for Green Day. I think these are two of the most talented bands out there but wha?
This is one of the greatest rock instruments ever. I know that Jimmy Smith is credited as the master of the Hammond B3(you should go get any Jimmy Smith CD you can find), but there were some mighty fine Hammond players in rock. Here are five songs that make the hammond B3 impossible to ignore:
"Gimme Some Lovin'"-Spencer Davis Group- 15 year old Steve Winwood makes the Hammond sound like a frigging freight train
"Love The One Your With"-Stephen Stills-Mike Finnigan's solo in the middle makes this whole song.
"Looking for Love"-The J. Giels Band-23 seconds of the best Hammond riff ever.
"Roundabout"-Yes-Rick Wakeman's solo here is pure genius
"In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"-The Allman Brothers- hell' it's Gregg Allman, nuff said.
"Time of the Season"-Zombies Good God, what a solo at the end. Rod Argent was a master keyboardsman. "Hold Your Head Up" wasn't a fluke either
3 comments:
The organ solo that Billy Preston plays in the song I Got The Blues on the Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers album was a great example of how to do just enough to make the song perfect.
Also, no partcular solo comes to mind, but that dude who played organ for Deep Purple made that damn thing sound like a 747 taking off.
Finally, as much as I despise the band, the organ solo on the REO song Keep On Turnin was a pretty good example of how to make a B3 cook.
I will tell you this, it's not just the B3 that makes that incredible sound. It's as much the Leslie cabinet as it is the organ. A B3 played through anything else just sounds generic.
Your pal,
Doc
As Jimmy Smith's protoge, Joey DeFrancesco will never disappoint. Although much of his stuff is jazz (which can kick), he goes rock and blues with Danny Gatton on their "Relentless" album. And if you ever get the chance to see him perform live, do it. I've seen him twice, and he's incredible! :-)
Just a note.
In the fire that destoyed the Villa, there were 2 Hammond b3's in working order. Eric was really sad about that part. He said if he'd of had any inkling about the fire he would have ripped the walls out to get the Hammonds out.
Sad.
Post a Comment