Organ-Ized: All-Star Tribute to the Hammond B3 Organ

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Why have the once-ignored sounds of organ-centric jazz become all the rage in the past few years? With so much overtly commercial product in the marketplace, from teeny pop to smooth jazz to new country, perhaps audiences are pining for the funky, pure soul found in such killer keyboardists as Charles Earland, Charles Kynard, and Larry Young. Unfortunately, none of those players appear on Organ-ized. This 13-track collection does give a good overview of mostly contemporary organ honchos. Jimmy Smith, Reuben Wilson, and Jack McDuff offer old school standards, while comparatively recent newcomers Larry Goldings and Joey DeFranceso stoke the high-flying engine of postbop. The bulk of the collection centers on modern styles, at times to a glut. Tracks two through five (John Medeski, Art Neville, Michael Omartian, and Galactic) are practically all the same sixteenth-note rhythm and tempo, recalling the zydeco craze. But it does get better. Ricky Petersen offers popping fusion, Mike Finnegan a little fatback R&B, Tommy Eyre a much-needed raunchy blues shuffle. Although not the last word in organ gratification (women like Shirley Scott and Barbara Dennerlen are missing), Organ-ized is a good primer for those about to groove. --Ken Micallef

Tracks:

Ashley Blue - Joey DeFrancesco
Swamp Road - John Medeski
Micky Fick - Art Neville
Say Something - Michael Omartian
My Little Humidor - Galactic
There Will Never Be Another You - Jimmy Smith
Just A Little Bit - Mike Finnegan
Drop Shot - Ricky Peterson
I've Got To Find My Baby - Tommy Eyre
Moodbird - Larry Goldings
Yes Sir - Reuben Wilson
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy - Mick Weaver
Misty - Jack McDuff

Amazon.com

Why have the once-ignored sounds of organ-centric jazz become all the rage in the past few years? With so much overtly commercial product in the marketplace, from teeny pop to smooth jazz to new country, perhaps audiences are pining for the funky, pure soul found in such killer keyboardists as Charles Earland, Charles Kynard, and Larry Young. Unfortunately, none of those players appear on Organ-ized. This 13-track collection does give a good overview of mostly contemporary organ honchos. Jimmy Smith, Reuben Wilson, and Jack McDuff offer old school standards, while comparatively recent newcomers Larry Goldings and Joey DeFranceso stoke the high-flying engine of postbop. The bulk of the collection centers on modern styles, at times to a glut. Tracks two through five (John Medeski, Art Neville, Michael Omartian, and Galactic) are practically all the same sixteenth-note rhythm and tempo, recalling the zydeco craze. But it does get better. Ricky Petersen offers popping fusion, Mike Finnegan a little fatback R&B, Tommy Eyre a much-needed raunchy blues shuffle. Although not the last word in organ gratification (women like Shirley Scott and Barbara Dennerlen are missing), Organ-ized is a good primer for those about to groove. --Ken Micallef

Customer Reviews:

Mind-boggling.......2006-12-17

This collection of lovingly-selected Hammond organ feature tunes is a must-have for anyone who shares the addiction for the sounds of electro-mechanical music. It's not only brilliant, it's historic.

I'm not guaranteeing you'll like every cut on the CD; there are one or two that I find a bit tedious. You may not love every track... but even my less favorite tracks are still salient in that they contribute to the full-round picture of the capabilities of Hammond consoles and artists.

If you have a jazz fan or any keyboardist in your circle of friends, this would be a great gift.

You can't get that "Hammond" sound without a LESLIE!.......2006-02-08

Make no mistake.......this is a great album. If you like the Hammond-Leslie sound then this is a must buy. I liked all but one song but it hasn't dampened my view. The songs cover everything from clean to distorted sounds. A pleaser for most styles. Just remember.......the Hammond sound ain't squat without the LESLIE. Let's quit forgetting Don and move him to the front page!

Hammond B3 at it's Best.......2005-10-10

If you love the Hammond B3, you'll love this collection.
A great sampling of various styles, each with it's own
"twist". From Mike Finnegan To Art Neville you'll love
this CD

Couldn't ask for more.......2002-01-25

I chuckled when reading other reviews on this CD (Organ-ized). So much indignant sniffing and left-handed compliments. Want the nitty-gritty of this CD? Well, read on, please ..........

For those of you who love the sound and feel of the B3, you must have this CD. For players, the same. For those curious about what all the fuss is about, you won't go wrong in adding this to your collection. For B3 sophisticates and snobs .............. well there is no hope for you anyway, so you may as well buy it too just to give you something to denigrate (no offense folks :)

The lowdown on this CD = it rules! Every selection, regardless of the gernre', is a classic example of the best that can be extracted from this instrument.

For those who have not actually played this instrument, consider this: it is a massive structure made of wood and wire. It smells of oil. When you sit and play it, it rumbles. You get the feeling that it is alive (organic?). It takes you over. It can require the use of both hands, both feet, and your knee (for the leslie switch). It is unlike any other instrument on the planet.

There is plenty on this CD for anyone to love and hate, but it all has this underlying secret: B3 players in their prime are passionate. They can rock you like no other medium.

Critisms? Okay, there are no tracks by Keith Emerson, nor Barbara Denerlein or a number of other premier players. There is a goodly representation of cajun-style organ, perhaps to the detriment of others that could have been represented. But this by no means detracts from the range presented, from the sublime to the demented, from the beautiful to the possessed, it's all here, masters at their best.

Don't listen to these tracks once. Play them a few times before you add it to the rack. If you do, I'd be willing to bet that this will become a staple of your discography.

Get Organ-ized.......2000-06-17

If you appreciate the mainly modern funky energetic approach to the Hammond tonewheel organ this is a must have. Ricky Petersen and Joey de Francesco dispay exciting virtuoso dexterity, while Michael Omartian and Art Neville have some great melodic, funky and soulful tunes. A few tracks are more traditional and laid back, so the album covers many styles.

Music:

Music

Music