Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 64 - Electric Keyboards and Synth Albums that Adorn Music

On the Universality of the Hammond Organ - Final Installment of the Hammond’s best features!

This is the final installment of “Vagabond Synth Nerd's Journal” with an introduction to a masterpiece about the Hammond organ. I had planned to finish this article in the last issue, but I had forgotten about a masterpiece that I can’t leave out.
The Hammond organ is used in all kinds of music, including pop, rock, and jazz. Even the many recent synthesizers that focus mainly on sampling always include sounds that simulate the Hammond organ.
In addition, many manufacturers have released organ equipment that specializes in or focuses on the Hammond organ sound. It can be said that the Hammond organ is an instrument with that much universality. While the Hammond organ is a masterpiece, the Hammond B-3 and C-3 are quite heavy and are not instruments that you can just take out and play.
In addition to that, you will also need a chest-like Leslie speaker, which is essential for the organ sound. Just bringing two pieces of equipment to a live concert is impossible for one person.
However, Hammond-simulated organs using digital technology released by various companies have reached a level where it is impossible to distinguish them from the real thing at first hearing. We live in an age of convenience. The following is a list of equipment.

NORD / NORD ELECTRO 6D 61 combo keyboard

HAMMOND / SK PRO

YAMAHA / YC61 Stage Keyboard

hese are just a few examples of organ equipment from various companies in the low 200,000 yen range, but they all sound equally as good as one another. Each company has its own unique specifications and innovations. You can compare the ones you are interested in at a music store and choose the one that suits you best.
Synthesizers have different tones, but all organ instruments simulate the Hammond organ. That is why there is such a need for Hammond organs.
I also use Nord's organ-simulated instruments. The richness of the midrange is quite impressive. The Leslie simulator added as an effect also adds a nice touch. It is also lightweight, weighing less than 10 kg.
The recently released Hammond-simulated instruments have reached an excellent level. If you are looking for organ-based instruments, please check out each manufacturer.

Now, this is the final installment of the famous Bossa Nova Jazz recordings played on Hammond organs!

■ Recommended Album: Walter Wanderlei's Summer Samba (1966)

I was planning to conclude my Hammond organ series with the last installment, but I had unintentionally overlooked this great album. I highly recommend this album! This album was released on the Verve label and produced by Creed Taylor.
Creed Taylor is also the producer of the great bossa nova album Ghetto Gilberto, and is a skilled producer who has mastered the art of bossa nova production. This is the greatest hit album by Walder Wanderlei, a master of the bossa nova organ. One cannot talk about this album without mentioning the Hammond organ. In a sense, this album is a very ordinary album, but when it comes to bossa nova organ, this album is the one to listen to.
The lineup of songs is also very average, but that's OK. Listen to this album in the summer and your surroundings will immediately become a rain forest. You will be enveloped by the deep reverberation from the Hammond sound of Tibia.
(cf) Tibia refers to an ancient long flute made from tibia. There is a full tibia tone in the Hammond organ presets and Walter Wanderley's Hammond tones are often in this tibia family.

Recommended song: “Summer Samba”

This is a famous song by Marcos Valli. It is widely known as “So Nice”. João Gilberto's first wife, Astolato Gilberto, also sang “So Nice” with Walter Wanderlei on the organ. Many of you may know her as well.
“Summer Samba” is an instrumental song, but it reached No. 26 in the United States. It has been covered by Sergio Mendes and Caetano Veloso as well as Astrut Gilberto.
Walter Wanderlei can be perceived as electronegative if one gets it wrong. The backing is a white ball with a solid chord. The approach is no different on this song. But perhaps the atmosphere in 1966 was such that these sorts of things were acceptable. Simple bossa nova and simple performance. The ordinary, unexceptional performance was probably well received. Perhaps it was the pleasant background music approach that was favored by the audience, and it is distinctly different from today's organ jazz.

■ Recommended album: Larry Goldings, Caminos Cruzados (1994)

A bossa nova organ album this austere may be a rarity. The members are Peter Bernstein (G), Bill Stuart (Dr), and Larry Goldings (Org). Special guest player is Joshua Redman on saxophone.
The music consists of well-known bossa nova tunes, including songs by Jobim and Caetano Veloso, as well as Larry Goldings' original compositions. The restrained performance of each player leaves a lasting impression.

Recommended song: “So Danso Samba”

A famous song by Antonio Carlos Jobim. It is a very pop song and was played by the band I was in. Joshua Redman takes the theme on saxophone.
Like this song, this is Larry's own solo album, but I have the strong impression that Larry is not in the forefront, but is more concerned with the harmony of the band. The Hammond solo part by Larry is also excellent.

Recommended song: “Young Girl”

This song, known from Stan Getz's album, is another very pop and melodious masterpiece. Getz plays the beautiful theme in his own album in the Getz style, and Larry also plays the melody at the beginning in a different interpretation.
The melody alone is so catchy that it is worth its existence. Guitarist Bernstein also takes the melody. There is an impressive bridge in the middle of the song, which is not on the Getz album, and I wonder if Larry came up with the idea for this part of the song. Like Larry's album, the album under Getz's name is a must-listen!

Stan Getz (featuring Laurindo Almeida)

Musicians featured, albums, recommended songs, and keyboards used

• Artist：Walter Wanderlei, Larry Goldings, Laurindo Almeida, etc.
• Albums: Summer Samba, Caminos Cruzatos, Young Girl (album under the name of Stan Getz)
• Songs: “Summer Samba”, “So Danso Samba”, “Young Daughter
• Equipment: Hammond Organ

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