The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music

Electronic Keyboards in Jazz, A Recorded History, Part 2 of 2

Playlist
 
Track Time
Start Time
Opening and Introduction (Thom Holmes)
11:57
00:00
1.    Herbie Hancock, Herbie Hancock Demonstrates The Rhodes Piano (1973 Rhodes). A terrific flexi-disc produced by Rhodes and narrated by Hancock who tells an interesting story about his first encounter with the instrument on a Miles Davis session and then he walks the keyboard through a series of effects. He speaks with the authority of a proud electronics tinkerer who understands the nuances that make this instrument so beloved by jazz musicians. This flexi-disc was originally delivered in the November 8, 1973 issue of Down Beat magazine. I provide both sides of the disc, in entirety. Tunes included during the demonstration include parts of Watermelon Man, Maiden Voyage, and The Spook. Soloist, Rhodes Electric Piano, Voice, Herbie Hancock. I thought it would be wisest to lead off this podcast with an overview of the Rhodes even though it is out of chronological sequence, being from 1973. We then go back a few years to hear tracks in proper time order.
12:48
11:57
2.    The Don Ellis Orchestra, “Open Beauty” from Electric Bath (1967 Columbia). Alto Saxophone, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Joe Roccisano, Ruben Leon; Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet, John Magruder; Bass, Dave Parlato, Frank De La Rosa; Bass, Sitar, Ray Neapolitan; Congas, Bongos, Chino Valdes; Drums, Steve Bohannon; Leader, Trumpet, Don Ellis; Percussion, Alan Estes; Piano, Clavinet, Fender Electric Piano Fender, Mike Lang; Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Ron Starr; Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute, Clarinet, Ira Schulman; Timbales, Vibraphone, Percussion , Mark Stevens; Trombone, Dave Sanchez, Ron Myers, Terry Woodson; Trumpet, Alan Weight, Bob Harmon, Ed Warren, Glenn Stuart.
5:33
24:44
3.    Miles Davis, “Stuff” from Miles In The Sky (1968 Columbia). I think this was Miles’ first album recorded using the Fender Rhodes, played by Herbie Hancock. See the opening tracks from this podcast for a story about this session from Hancock. Bass, Ron Carter; Drums, Tony Williams; Piano, Fender Electric Piano, Herbie Hancock; Tenor Saxophone, Wayne Shorter; Trumpet, Miles Davis.
16:59
30:14
4.    Joe Zawinul, “The Soul Of A Village (Part II)” from The Rise & Fall Of The Third Stream (1968 Vortex). Zawinul, along with Hancock, was an early adopter of the Fender Rhodes. Cello, Kermit Moore; Double Bass, Richard Davis; Drums, Freddie Waits, Roy McCurdy; Percussion, Warren Smith; Piano, Fender Electric Piano, Joe Zawinul; Tenor Saxophone, Arranged by, William Fischer; Trumpet, Jimmy Owens; Viola, Alfred Brown, Selwart Clarke, Theodore Israel.
4:16
47:10
5.    Oliver Nelson and Steve Allen, “Go Fly a Kite” from Soulful Brass (1968 Impulse). Another Steve Allen record, whom we heard from in part 1 playing the Wurlitzer Electric Piano. Here is a selection from an album on which he plays the Rock-Si-Chord and occasional piano. Arranged by Oliver Nelson; Rock-Si-Chord, piano, Steve Allen; Drums, Jimmy Gordon; session musicians, Barney Kessel, Bobby Bryant, Larry Bunker, Roger Kellaway, Tom Scott; Produced by Bob Thiele.
2:30
51:24
6.    J & K “Mojave” from Betwixt & Between (1969 A&M, CTI). “J” is J.J. Johnson (trombonist) and “K” is Kai Winding (trombonist). Their ensemble included Roger Kellaway playing the electric clavinette. An example of using the clavinet in jazz. This was most likely a Hohner Clavinet Model C which had just been introduced in 1968. Recorded at Van Gelder Studios during late 1968.
2:31
53:54
7.    Albert Ayler, “New Generation” from New Grass (1969 Impulse). An electric harpsichord played by Call Cobbs adds some subtle comping to this buoyant tune written by Ayler, Mary Parks, Rose Marie McCoy. Baritone Saxophone, Buddy Lucas; Design Cover And Liner, Byron Goto, Henry Epstein; Drums, Pretty Purdie; Electric Bass, Bill Folwell; Piano, Electric Harpsichord, Organ, Call Cobbs; Producer, Bob Thiele; Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Seldon Powell; Tenor Saxophone, Vocals, Albert Ayler; Trombone, Garnett Brown; Trumpet, Burt Collins, Joe Newman; Vocals, The Soul Singers.
5:06
56:22
8.    Bill Evans, “I’m All Smiles” from From Left To Right (1970 MGM). Piano, Rhodes Electric Piano, Bill Evans; Bass, John Beal; Conducted, arranged by Michael Leonard; Double Bass, Eddie Gomez; Drums,Marty Morell; Guitar, Sam Brown; Liner Notes, Harold Rhodes, Helen Keane, Michael Leonard; Produced by Helen Keane. For his 24th solo album, the long-established jazz pianist Evans took his turn playing both the Fender Rhodes and Steinway acoustic piano on this album, as two-handed duets no less. Liner notes were written by Harold Rhodes, inventor of the Rhodes Electric Piano.
5:42
1:01:24
9.    Sun Ra And His Intergalactic Research Arkestra, “Black Forest Myth” from It's After The End Of The World - Live At The Donaueschingen And Berlin Festivals (1971 MPS Records). You can hear Sun Ra enticing other-worldly sounds from a Farfisa organ beginning at about 1:35. Recorded in 1970. Of the many electronic keyboards heard elsewhere on this album (and occasionally on this track), here the Farfisa is heard the most. Farfisa organ, Hohner Electra, Hohner Clavinet, Piano, Performer, Rock-Si-Chord, Spacemaster, Minimoog, Voice, composed by, arranged by, Sun Ra; ; Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Abshlom Ben Shlomo; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Danny Davis; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Piccolo Flute, Drums, Marshall Allen; Baritone Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Danny Thompson; Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Drums, Pat Patrick; Bass, Alejandro Blake Fearon; Bass Clarinet, Robert Cummings; Drums, Lex Humphries; Drums, Oboe, Flute, James Jackson; English Horn, Augustus Browning; Mellophone, Trumpet, Ahk Tal Ebah; Oboe, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Leroy Taylor; Percussion African, Other Fireeater, Dancer , Hazoume; Percussion Hand Drums, Nimrod Hunt; Percussion, Other Dancer, Ife Tayo, Math Samba; Photography By, Hans Harzheim; Producer, Liner Notes, Joachim E. Berendt; Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, John Gilmore; Trumpet, Kwame Hadi; Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Alan Silva; Voice, June Tyson.
9:07
1:07:05
10.Joe Scott And His Orchestra, “Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head” from Motion Pictures - The NOW Generation (1970 Mainstream). Listen for the Rock-Si-Chord in electric harpsichord mode. Bass, Charles Rainey; Cello, Charles McCracken, Gene Orloff, George Ricci, Maurice Bialkin;  Drums, Alvin Rogers, Joe Cass; Flute, Alto Flute, Bassoon, Tenor Flute, George Dessinger, Joe Soldo, Joseph Palmer, Philip Bodner; Flute, Flute Tenor, Alto Flute, Bassoon, Walt Levinsky; French Horn, Donald Corrado; Guitar, Jay Berliner, Stuart Scharf; Keyboards Rock-Si-Chord, Frank Owens; Mastered By Mastering, Dave Crawford (2); Percussion, Joseph Venuto; Piano, Frank Owens; Producer, Bob Shad; Trombone, Buddy Morrow, Tony Studd, Warren Covington, Wayne Andre; Trumpet, Bernie Glow, James Sedlar, John Bello, Mel Davis; Viola, Emanuel Vardi, Harold Coletta, John DiJanni, Theodore Israel; Violin, Aaron Rosand, Arnold Eidus, Emanuel Green, Frederick Buldrini, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joseph Malignaggi, Jules Brand, Leo Kahn, Lewis Eley, Mac Ceppos, Max Pollikoff, Paul Gershman, Peter Buonoconsiglio, Raymond Gniewek, Rocco Pesile, Winston Collymore.
2:28
1:16:12
11.The Phoenix Authority, “One” from Blood, Sweat & Brass (1970 Mainstream). Note the Rock-Si-Chord. Arranged by Ernie Wilkins; Bass, Charles Rainey; Drums, Grady Tate, Herbie Lovelle; Flute, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Chris Woods, Hubert Laws; Guitar, David Spinosa, Kenneth Burrell; Organ, Piano, Rock-Si-Chord, Frank Anderson, Frank Owen; Producer, Bob Shad; Trombone, Benny Powell, George Jeffers; Trumpet, Joseph Newman, Lloyd Michaels, Ray Copeland, Woody Shaw.
2:43
1:18:38
12.The Phoenix Authority, “Sugar, Sugar” from Blood, Sweat & Brass (1970 Mainstream). Listen for the Rock-Si-Chord. Arranged by Ernie Wilkins; Bass, Charles Rainey; Drums, Grady Tate, Herbie Lovelle; Flute, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Chris Woods, Hubert Laws; Guitar, David Spinosa, Kenneth Burrell; Organ, Piano, Rock-Si-Chord, Frank Anderson, Frank Owen; Producer, Bob Shad; Trombone, Benny Powell, George Jeffers; Trumpet, Joseph Newman, Lloyd Michaels, Ray Copeland, Woody Shaw.
3:34
1:21:20
Sun Ra’s flare for electronic sound in performance is demonstrated in the following three tracks that make excellent use of the several keyboards, the Farfisa organ, Minimoog, and Rock-Si-Chord.
13.Sun Ra And His Astro-Intergalactic-Infinity-Arkestra,’ “Discipline No. 11” from Nidhamu (Live In Egypt Vol. II) (1974 El Saturn Records). Recorded at Ballon Theater, Cairo, Egypt December 17, 1971. Sun Ra playing several electronic keyboards in turn, the organ, Minimoog, and Rock-si-Chord. What I hear is some organ (Farfisa?) in the opening, then Sun Ra turns to a wild exchange between the Minimoog (monophonic) and Rock-Si-chord (polyphonic) during the second half of the track. Alto Saxophone, Congas, Larry Northington; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Danny Davis, Hakim Rahim; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Marshall Allen; Baritone Saxophone, Pat Patrick; Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Danny Thompson; Bass Clarinet, Elo Omoe; Composed By, Arranged By, Piano, Organ, Minimoog, Rock-Si-Chord, Sun Ra; Engineer Recording Engineer, Tam Fiofori; Percussion, Lex Humphries, Tommy Hunter; Photography By, Sam Bankhead; Photography Liner Photo, Mike Evans; Producer, Infinity Inc. And The East; Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, John Gilmore; Trumpet, Congas, Kwame Hadi; Vocals, June Tyson.
9:31
1:24:52
14.Sun Ra And His Astro-Intergalactic-Infinity-Arkestra,’ “Cosmo-Darkness” from Live In Egypt Vol. I (Nature's God) (Dark Myth Equation Visitation) (1972 Thoth Intergalactic). Beginning around 0:26, you get an example of Sun Ra’s rhythmic, trace-like playing of the Rock-Si-Chord. Alto Saxophone, Congas, Larry Northington; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Danny Davis, Hakim Rahim; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Marshall Allen; Baritone Saxophone, Pat Patrick; Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Danny Thompson; Bass Clarinet, Elo Omoe; Composed By, Arranged by, Piano, Organ, Minimoog, Rock-Si-Chord, Sun Ra; Engineer Recording Engineer, Tam Fiofori; Percussion, Lex Humphries, Tommy Hunter; Photography By, Sam Bankhead; Photography Liner Photo, Mike Evans; Producer, Infinity Inc. And The East; Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, John Gilmore; Trumpet, Congas, Kwame Hadi; Vocals, June Tyson.
2:05
1:34:25
15.Sun Ra And His Astro-Intergalactic-Infinity-Arkestra,’ “Solar Ship Voyage” from Live In Egypt Vol. I (Nature's God) (Dark Myth Equation Visitation) (1972 Thoth Intergalactic). This track features Sun Ra and the Minimoog in an extended solo. Alto Saxophone, Congas, Larry Northington; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Danny Davis, Hakim Rahim; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Marshall Allen; Baritone Saxophone, Pat Patrick; Baritone Saxophone, Flute, Danny Thompson; Bass Clarinet, Elo Omoe; Composed By, Arranged by, Piano, Organ, Minimoog, Rock-Si-Chord, Sun Ra; Engineer Recording Engineer, Tam Fiofori; Percussion, Lex Humphries, Tommy Hunter; Photography By, Sam Bankhead; Photography Liner Photo, Mike Evans; Producer, Infinity Inc. And The East; Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, John Gilmore; Trumpet, Congas, Kwame Hadi; Vocals, June Tyson.
2:40
1:36:30
Herbie Hancock mastered an array of keyboards, including the Fender Rhodes and several ARP models in the next three tracks tracing only two years in his musical journey.
16.Herbie Hancock, “Rain Dance” from Sextant (1973 Columbia). Patrick Gleason provides beats and beeps using the ARP 2600 and ARP Soloist. Bass Trombone, Tenor Trombone, Trombone Alto Trombone, Cowbell, Pepo (Julian Priester); Congas, Bongos, Buck Clarke; Drums, Jabali (Billy Hart); Effects Random Resonator, Fundi Electric Bass Fender Electric Bass With Wah-Wah And Fuzz, Double Bass, Mchezaji (Buster Williams); Electric Piano Fender Rhodes, Clavinet Hohner D-6 With Fender Fuzz-Wah And Echoplex, Percussion Dakka-Di-Bello, Mellotron, Piano Steinway, Handclaps, Songs by Mwandishi (Herbie Hancock); Synthesizer, Mellotron, John Vieira; Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Piccolo Flute, Afoxé Afuche, Kazoo Hum-A-Zoo, Mwile (Benny Maupin); ARP 2600, ARP Soloist, Dr. Patrick Gleeson; Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Mganga (Dr. Eddie Henderson).
9:19
1:39:08
17.  Herbie Hancock, “Palm Grease” from Thrust (1974 Columbia). Hancock himself plays all the keyboards and synthesizers on this album. Drums, Mike Clark; Electric Bass, Paul Jackson; Electric Piano Fender Rhodes, Clavinet Hohner D-6, Synthesizer Arp Odyssey, Arp Soloist, Arp 2600, Arp String, written by Herbie Hancock; Percussion, Bill Summers; Producers, David Rubinson, Herbie Hancock; Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute, Bennie Maupin.
10:36
1:48:18
18.Herbie Hancock, “Nobu” = ノブ from Dedication = デディケーショ(1974 CBS/Sony). Fascinating recording because it is Hancock solo with an assortment of keyboards, including the Fender Rhodes and multiple ARP models. Piano, Fender Rhodes, Arp Pro Soloist, Arp Odyssey, Arp 3604, Arp 2600, Arp PE-IV String Ensemble, composed by Herbie Hancock; Engineer, Tomoo Suzuki; Producer, David Rubinson.
7:33
1:58:46
The analog synthesizer became a regular companion of the Fender Rhodes in jazz, leading up to the end of the 1970s.
19.Bobbi Humphrey, “My Little Girl” from Satin Doll (1974 Blue Note). The great jazz funk flutist Bobbi Humphrey released a series of albums around this time that often-featured fantastic synthesizer players. Here you can pick out the Minimoog by Don Preston and the ARP (Odyssey?) by Larry Mizell. The synths included here are in contrast to the more experimental sounds that Herbie Hancock was issuing at the same time. Flute, Vocals, Bobbi Humphrey; ARP Synthesizer, Larry Mizell; Minimoog, Don Preston; Bass, Chuck Rainey; Congas, King Errison; Drums, Harvey Mason; Electric Piano Fender Rhodes, Fonce Mizell, Larry Mizell; Guitar, John Rowin, Melvin "Wah Wah" Ragin; Percussion, Roger Sainte, Stephany Spruill; Piano, Jerry Peters; Produced by Chuck Davis, Larry Mizell; Trumpet, Fonce Mizell.
6:39
2:06:19
20.Ramsey Lewis, “Jungle Strut” from Sun Goddess (1974 Columbia). Another mainstream jazz artist who found many interesting sounds to accompany his electric piano. ARP, ARP Ensemble, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano, Ramsey Lewis; Congas, Drums, Derf Rehlew Raheem, Maurice Jennings; Electric Upright Bass Fender, Cleveland Eaton; Guitar, Byron Gregory; Synthesizer Freeman String, Ramsey Lewis; Tambura, Percussion, Maurice Jennings; Vocals, Derf Rehlew Raheem; Written by, R. Lewis.
4:40
2:12:54
21.  Ramsey Lewis, “Tambura” from Sun Goddess (1974 Columbia). ARP, ARP Ensemble, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano, Ramsey Lewis; Drums, Tambura, Congas, Percussion, Maurice Jennings; Electric Upright Bass Fender, Cleveland Eaton; Guitar, Byron Gregory; Written by R. Lewis.
2:52
2:17:32
22.Clark Ferguson, “Jazz Flute” from RMI Harmonic Synthesizer And Keyboard Computer (1974 Rocky Mount Instruments, Inc.). Not an instrument often used in jazz, so I turn to the company’s demonstration album for a sample of this more advanced in the RMI keyboard family. RMI Harmonic Synthesizer, Clark Ferguson.
2:43
2:20:24
23.  Fernando Gelbard, “Sombrero De Flores” from Didi (1974 Discos Redonde). A straight-up jazz track from Argentine musicial Gelbard that features both the Fender Rhodes and the Minimoog. Fender Rhodes, Minimoog, Fernando Gelbard; Bass, Ricardo Salas; Congas, Vocals, Ruben Rada; Drums, Norberto Minichillo; Fender Rhodes, Minimoog, Fernando Gelbard; Percussion, Effects, Miguel "Chino" Rossi; Producer, Alberto M. Tsalpakian, Juan Carlos Maquieira; Tenor Saxophone, Horacio "Chivo" Borraro.
7:25
2:23:04
24.  Fernando Gelbard, “Mojo Uno” from Didi (1974 Discos Redonde). This track features an outrageously unique Minimoog part that is akin to something you would hear from Sun Ra. Fender Rhodes, Minimoog, Fernando Gelbard; Bass, Ricardo Salas; Congas, Vocals, Ruben Rada; Drums, Norberto Minichillo; Fender Rhodes, Minimoog, Fernando Gelbard; Percussion, Effects, Miguel "Chino" Rossi; Producer, Alberto M. Tsalpakian, Juan Carlos Maquieira; Tenor Saxophone, Horacio "Chivo" Borraro.
2:00
2:30:28
25.Jan Hammer “Darkness / Earth In Search Of A Sun” from The First Seven Days (1975 Atlantic). On this track you get to hear (I think) three different synthesizers all fit for Hammer’s purpose, the solo Moog, Oberheim fills, and Freeman strings. Producer, Engineer, Piano, Electric Piano, Moog, Oberheim, and the Freeman string synthesizer; digital sequencer, Drums, Percussion, Composed by, Jan Hammer.
4:29
2:32:26
26.Larry Young's Fuel, “Moonwalk” from Spaceball (1976 Arista). CDX-0652 Portable Moog Organ, Minimoog , FRM-S810 Freeman String Symphonizer, Organ Hammond B-3, Fender Rhodes, Piano, Larry Young Jr.; Bass Rickenbacker, Dave Eubanks; Hohner Clavinet , Piano, Minimoog, Julius Brockington; Drums Ludwig Drums, Zildgian Cymbals, Percussion, Jim Allington; Guest Special Guest Star, Larry Coryell; Guitar, Danny Toan, Ray Gomez; Percussion, Abdoul Hakim, Barrett Young, Clifford Brown, Farouk; Producer, Terry Philips; Tenor Saxophone Selmer, Soprano Saxophone Selmer, Flute Armstrong, Vocals, Al Lockett; Vocals, Paula West.
5:32
2:36:52
27.Larry Young's Fuel, “Startripper” from Spaceball (1976 Arista). CDX-0652 Portable Moog Organ, Minimoog , FRM-S810 Freeman String Symphonizer, Organ Hammond B-3, Fender Rhodes, Piano, Larry Young Jr.; Bass Rickenbacker, Dave Eubanks; Hohner Clavinet , Piano, Minimoog, Julius Brockington; Drums Ludwig Drums, Zildgian Cymbals, Percussion, Jim Allington; Guest Special Guest Star, Larry Coryell; Guitar, Danny Toan, Ray Gomez; Percussion, Abdoul Hakim, Barrett Young, Clifford Brown, Farouk; Producer, Terry Philips; Tenor Saxophone Selmer, Soprano Saxophone Selmer, Flute Armstrong, Vocals, Al Lockett; Vocals, Paula West.
4:44
2:42:22
28.Wolfgang Dauner, “Stück Für Piano Und Synthesizer Op. 1” from Changes (1978 Mood Records). Dauner is one of the only jazz players to utilize the massive EMS Synthi 100. Written, produced, recorded, Steinway C-Flügel piano, EMS Synthi 100, Oberheim 4 Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer, Wolfgang Dauner.
9:51
2:47:04
29.Wolfgang Dauner, “War Was, Carl?” from Grandison - Musik Für Einen Film (1979 Zweitausendeins). More analog synthesizer jazz from Germany. C-flute, Alt-flute, Baß-flute, Manfred Hoffbauer; Oboe, English Horn, Hanspeter Weber; Percussion, Drums,  Jörg Gebhard; Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion, Conductor, Wolfgang Dauner.
1:12
2:56:54
30.Wolfgang Dauner, “Intellektuelles Skalpell” from Grandison - Musik Für Einen Film (1979 Zweitausendeins). C-flute, Alt-flute, Baß-flute, Manfred Hoffbauer; Oboe, English Horn, Hanspeter Weber; Percussion, Drums,  Jörg Gebhard; Piano, Synthesizer, Percussion, Conductor, Wolfgang Dauner.
1:26
2:58:06
 
Opening background music: 1) Sun Ra And His Astro-Intergalactic-Infinity-Arkestra,’ “The Light Thereof” from Live In Egypt Vol. I (Nature's God) (Dark Myth Equation Visitation) (1972 Thoth Intergalactic) (5:14). Farfisa organ playing from Sun Ra. 2) Oliver Nelson and Steve Allen, “Green Tambourine” from Soulful Brass (1968 Impulse) (2:28). Steve Allen plays the Rock-Si-Chord. 3) Oliver Nelson and Steve Allen, “Torino” from Soulful Brass (1968 Impulse) (2:02). Steve Allen plays the Rock-Si-Chord.
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
I created an illustrated chart of all of the instruments included in this podcast, paying special attention to the expressive features that could be easily adopted by jazz musicians. You can view it on my blog, Noise and Notations.
 

Electronic Keyboards in Jazz, A Recorded History, Part 1 of 2

Episode 117
Electronic Keyboards in Jazz, A Recorded History,
Part 1 of 2
Playlist
 
Length
Start Time
Introduction
05:42
00:00
1.             Vernon Geyer, “Day After Day” from All Ashore / Day After Day (1938 Bluebird). Soloist, Hammond Electric Organ, Vernon Geyer.
02:22
05:42
2.             Milt Herth Quartet / Milt Herth Trio, “Minuet in Jazz” from Home-Cookin' Mama With The Fryin' Pan / Minuet In Jazz (1938 Decca). Milt Herth was one of the first to record with the Hammond Organ Model A. His playing was more focused on melody and counterpoint and not so much on creating a lush progression of chords. This was recorded a few years before the availability of the Leslie rotating speaker, which added a special tone quality to later Hammonds, such as the model B3.
02:44
08:04
3.             Milt Herth Quartet / Milt Herth Trio, “Looney Little Tooney” from Flat Foot Floojie / Looney Little Tooney (1938 Decca).  Vocals, O'Neil Spencer; Drums, O'Neil Spencer; Guitar, Teddy Bunn; Hammond Organ, Milt Herth; Piano, Willie Smith (The Lion).
02:50
10:46
4.             "Fats" Waller And His Rhythm, “Come Down to Earth, My Angel” from Come Down To Earth, My Angel / Liver Lip Jones (1941 Bluebird). Waller was an extremely popular ragtime and stride piano player and vocalist. In this number, he takes a rare turn on an electric organ, presumably an early model Hammond. Vocals, Piano, Electric Organ, "Fats" Waller; Bass, Cedric Wallace; Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Gene Sedric; Drums, Slick Jones; Guitar, Al Casey; Trumpet, John Hamilton.
03:10
13:36
5.             Collins H. Driggs, “When Day is Done” from The Magic Of The Novachord (1941 Victor). Soloist, Hammond Novachord, Collins H. Driggs. This was an early polyphonic keyboard that generated its sounds using valve, or vacuum tube, oscillators. Made by Hammond, the Novachord was an entirely different electronic instrument than its tone-wheel organs. The Novachord had unique, synthesizer-like controls over envelope generation, band pass filtering and vibrato controlled by a series of flip switches, offering the keyboardist a unique suite of sounds.
03:11
16:45
6.             The Four Clefs, “It's Heavenly” from It's Heavenly / Dig These Blues (1943 Bluebird). Hammond Electric Organ, James Marshall. Another organ recording and a nice duet with a guitarist Johnny "Happy" Green.
02:41
19:54
7.             Ethel Smith And The Bando Carioca, “Tico-Tico” from Tico-Tico / Lero Lero / Bem Te Vi Atrevido (1944 Decca). Another was a popular and skilled organist using a pre-B3 Hammond.
02:45
22:36
8.             Slim Gaillard Quartette, “Novachord Boogie” from Tee Say Malee / Novachord Boogie (1946 Atomic Records). Bass, Tiny Brown; Drums, Oscar Bradley; Guitar, Slim Gaillard; Piano, Dodo Marmarosa. While the Hammond Novachord plays a prominent role in this recording, the player is not credited.
02:57
25:20
9.             Milt Herth And His Trio,” Twelfth Street Rag” from Herthquake Boogie / Twelfth Street Rag (1948 Decca). Recorded in New York, NY, September 5, 1947. Described on the recording as a “Boogie Woogie Instrumental.” Hammond Organ, Milt Herth; Drums, Piano, Uncredited. Herth had been recording with the Hammond organ since 1937.
03:10
28:16
10.         Ben Light With Herb Kern And Lloyd Sloop, “Benny's Boogie” from Benny's Boogie / Whispering (1949 Tempo). This track includes the triple keyboard combination of piano, organ, and Novachord. Hammond Electric Organ , Herb Kern; Piano, Ben Light; Hammond Novachord, Lloyd Sloop.
02:37
31:27
11.         Johnny Meyer Met Het Kwartet Jan Corduwener, “There's Yes! Yes! in your Eyes” from Little White Lies / Thereʼs Yes! Yes! In Your Eyes (1949 Decca). Accordion player Johnny Meyer added a Hammond Solovox organ to his musical arrangements. The Solovox was monophonic and it added a solo voice to his performances. This recording is from the Netherlands.
03:22
34:04
12.         E. Robert Scott, R.E. Wolke, “Instructions For Playing Lowrey Organo” (excerpt) from Instructions For Playing Lowrey Organo (circa 1950 No Label). Promotional disc produced by piano and organ distributor Janssen, presumably with the cooperation of Lowrey. This is a 12-inch 78 RPM disc, but is undated, so I believe that picking 1950 as the release year is safe because the Organo was introduced in 1949 and 78 RPM records were already beginning to be replaced in 1950 by the 33-1/3 RPM disc. Recordings of this instrument are extremely rare. I have no such examples within a jazz context, but being a competitor of the Hammond Solovox, I thought this was worth including.
03:23
37:26
13.         Ethel Smith, “Toca Tu Samba” from Souvenir Album (1950 Decca). One of the great female masters of the Hammond Electric Organ was Ethel Smith. Her performances were mostly considered as pop music, but she had the knack for creating Latin jazz tracks such as this. Featuring The Bando Carioca; Hammond Electric Organ soloist, Ethel Smith.
02:25
40:48
14.         The Harmonicats, “The Little Red Monkey” from The Little Red Monkey / Pachuko Hop (1953 Mercury). Jerry Murad's Harmonicats were an American harmonica-based group. On this number, they included the electronic instrument known as the Clavioline. The Clavioline produced a fuzzy square wave that could be filtered to roughly imitate many other instruments. The record is inscribed with the message, “Introducing the Clavioline,” but the player is not mentioned.
01:56
43:12
15.         Djalma Ferreira E Seus Milionarios Do Ritmo, “Solovox Blues” from Parada De Dança N. 2 (1953 Musidisc). From Brazil comes a jazz group that included the Hammond Solovox Organ as part of its ensemble. Invented in 1940, the Solovox was a monophonic keyboard intended as an add-on to a piano for playing organ-flavored solos. It had a 3-octave mini keyboard and controls over vibrato and attack time, and tone settings for deep, full, and brilliant. Piano, Hammond Solovox Organ, Djalma Ferreira; Bass, Egidio Bocanera; Bongos, Amaury Rodrigues; Drums, Cecy Machado; Guitar, Nestor Campos.
02:31
45:08
16.         Eddie Baxter, “Jalousie” from Temptation (1957 Rendezvous Records). Piano, Hammond Organ, Celesta (Electronic Celeste), Krueger Percussion Bass, Eddie Baxter; rhythm section, uncredited. Like Ethel Smith, Baxter was pushing the limits of popular music with his virtuosity on the organ and other instruments. In this track you can hear the electronic celesta with its chime-like sounds near the beginning before the electric organ and guitar dominate the rest of the piece.
02:33
47:38
17.         Eddie Baxter, “Temptation” from Temptation (1957 Rendezvous Records). Hammond Electric Organ, Eddie Baxter. Piano, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Krueger Percussion Bass, Eddie Baxter. In this track, you can clearly hear the Wurlitzer electric piano in several sections.
02:08
50:10
18.         Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “Advice to Medics” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). This excursion into one of the first records released by Sun Ra as a bandleader of the Arkestra was recorded in 1956 at RCA Studios, Chicago. This track is a solo for the Wurlitzer Electric Piano, an instrument invented in 1954 and that was quickly adopted by many jazz and popular music players.
02:02
52:17
19.         Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “India” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). A work featuring the Wurlitzer Electric Piano played by Sun Ra, miscellaneous percussion; electric bass, Wilburn Green; Drums, Robert Barry and William Cochran; Timpani, Timbales, Jim Herndon; and trumpet, Art Hoyle.
04:48
54:18
20.         Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “Springtime in Chicago” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). This work features Sun Ra playing the acoustic and electric pianos. Wurlitzer Electric Piano, piano Sun Ra; bass, Victor Sproles; Tenor Saxophone, John Gilmore; Drums, Robert Barry and William Cochran.
03:50
59:14
21.         Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “Sunology” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). Another number with both the acoustic and electric pianos. Of interest is how Sun Ra moves deftly from one keyboard to the other (these recordings were made in real time), often mid-phrase. This was a style of playing that Sun Ra would continue to perfect throughout his long career and many electronic keyboards. Wurlitzer Electric Piano, piano Sun Ra; bass, Victor Sproles; Tenor Saxophone, John Gilmore; Drums, Robert Barry and William Cochran; Alto Saxophone, James Scales; Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Pat Patrick.
12:47
01:02:54
22.         Steve Allen, “Electronic Boogie” from Electrified Favorites (1958 Coral). From Steve Allen, who played the Wurlitzer Electric Piano on this track. This track has the characteristic brashness that was typical of the Wurlitzer sound.
02:23
01:15:40
23.         Steve Allen, “Steverino Swings” from Electrified Favorites (1958 Coral). From Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Steve Allen. Unlike many tracks featuring the Wurlitzer Electric, which make use of its distortion and emphasize its sharp attack, it was possible to closely mimic an acoustic piano as well, as Allen does here. I had to listen to this several times before I believed that it was the Wurlitzer, as the liner notes state. But you can hear certain tell-tale sounds all along the way—such as the slight electrified reverb after a phrase concludes and the occasional thump of the bass notes played by the left hand.
02:54
01:18:02
24.         Michel Magne, “Larmes En Sol Pleureur (Extrait D'un Chagrin Emmitouflé)” from Musique Tachiste (1959 Paris). Jazz expression in a third-stream jazz setting by French composer Michel Magne. Third-stream was a music genre that fused jazz and classical music. The term was coined in 1957 by composer Gunther Schuller after which there was a surge of activity around this idea. In this example, the Ondes Martenot and vocalist add jazz nuances to a chamber music setting, the interpretation being very jazz-like. Ondes Martenot, Janine De Waleine; Piano, Paul Castagnier; Violin, Lionel Gali; Voice, Christiane Legrand.
02:38
01:20:54
25.         Ray Charles, “What'd I Say” from What'd I Say (1959 Atlantic). This might be the most famous track ever recorded using a Wurlitzer Electric Piano. The fuzzy, sharp tone added depth and feeling to the playing. The opening bars were imitated far and wide for radio advertising of drag races during the 1960s.
05:05
01:23:30
26.         Lew Davies And His Orchestra, “Spellbound” from Strange Interlude (1961 Command). This was one of Enoch Light’s productions from the early 1960s, when stereo separation was still an experiment. This is the theme from the Hitchcock movie with a melody played on the Ondioline, a monophonic organ and an otherwise jazzy arrangement with a rhythm section, reeds, and horns. Arrangement, Lew Davies; Ondioline, Sy Mann; Bass, Bob Haggart, Jack Lesberg; Cymbalum, Michael Szittai; Drums, George Devens, Phil Kraus; French Horn,Paul Faulise, Tony Miranda; Guitar, Tony Mottola; Reeds, Al Klink, Ezelle Watson, Phil Bodner, Stanley Webb; Trombone, Bobby Byrne, Dick Hixon, Urbie Green; Produced by, Enoch Light.
03:29
01:28:34
27.         Sy Mann and Nick Tagg, “Sweet and Lovely” from 2 Organs & Percussion (1961 Grand Award). Duets on the Hammond B3 and Lowrey Organs “propelled by the urgent percussive drive of a brilliant rhythm section.” This is a unique opportunity to contract and compare the sounds of the Hammond and Lowrey organs with percussion. Hammond B3 Organ, Sy Mann, Nick Tagg. The track begins with the Lowrey and demonstrates the sliding tone effects made possible by its Glide foot switch.
02:58
01:32:02
28.         Enoch Light And The Light Brigade, “Green Eyes” from Vibrations (1962 Command). More stereo separation hijinks from Enoch Light. This tune features the Ondioline in an exchange of lines with the guitar and other instruments. The Ondioline is first heard at about 35 seconds. Ondioline, Milton Kraus; Bass, Bob Haggart; Guitar, Tony Mottola; Percussion, Bobby Rosengarden, Dan Lamond, Ed Shaughnessy, Phil Kraus; Piano, Moe Wechsler; Trumpet – Doc Severinsen; Woodwind – Phil Bodner, Stanley Webb; Produced by, Enoch Light.
02:50
01:34:59
29.         Jimmy Smith, “Begger for the Blues” from The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith--Bashin' (1962 Verve). Jimmy Smith was a great jazz soloist on the Hammond B3 organ. This stripped-down arrangement shows his nuanced expression skills with the organ.
07:26
01:37:49
30.         Jimmy Smith, “Walk On The Wild Side” from The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith--Bashin' (1962 Verve). This big band arrangement of a theme from the movie Walk on the Wild Side features the Hammond B3 of Smith in the context of a full jazz orchestration.
05:54
01:45:12
31.         Dick Hyman And His Orchestra, “Stompin' At The Savoy” from Electrodynamics (1963 Command). Arranged, Lowrey Organ, Dick Hyman; Bass, Bob Haggart; Drums, Osie Johnson; Guitar, Al Casamenti, Tony Mottola; Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Bongos, Congas, Bass Drum, Bells, Cowbell, Bob Rosengarden, Phil Kraus; Produced by Enoch Light. Hyman shows off the steady, smooth tonalities of the Lowrey and also makes use of the Glide foot switch right from the beginning with that little whistling glissando that he repeats five times in the first 30 seconds.
02:50
01:51:06
32.         Sun Ra, “The Cosmos” from The Heliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra, Vol. I (1965 ESP Disc). The instrumentation on this entire album is quite experimental, especially the dominance of the bass marimba, Electronic Celesta, and timpani of Sun Ra. The celesta is seldom heard on jazz records, but it is the only electronic keyboard found on this track. Marimba, Electronic Celesta, timpani, Sun Ra; Percussion, Jimhmi (sp Jimmy) Johnson; Performer, Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra; Baritone Saxophone, Percussion, Pat Patrick; Bass, Ronnie Boykins; Bass Clarinet, Wood Block, Robert Cummings; Bass Trombone, Bernard Pettaway; Flute, Alto Saxophone, Danny Davis; Percussion, timpani, Jimmi Johnson; Piccolo Flute, Alto Saxophone, Bells, Spiral Cymbal, Marshall Allen.
07:31
01:53:54
33.         Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra, “The Magic City” from The Magic City (1966 Saturn Research). You won’t be disappointed to know that Sun Ra gave the Clavioline a turn on this album. This was prior to his experimenting with synthesizers, which we will cover in Part 2 of this exploration of early electronic keyboards in jazz. He incorporated the Clavioline in many of his mid-1960s recordings. Clavioline, Piano, Sun Ra; Alto Saxophone, Danny Davis, Harry Spencer; Percussion, Roger Blank; Trombone, Ali Hassan; Trumpet, Walter Miller.
27:24
02:01:22
34.         Clyde Borly & His Percussions, “Taboo” from Music In 5 Dimensions (1965 Atco). Vocals, Ondes Martenot, Janine De Waleyne. Yes, Ms. De Waleyne was a French vocalist and Ondes Martenot player.
03:33
02:28:44
35.         Jeanne Loriod, Stève Laurent and Pierre Duclos, ''Ordinateur X Y Z” from Ondes Martenot (1966 SONOROP). Album of broadcast library music from France that happened to feature the Ondes Martenot played Jeanne Loriod; drums, uncredited. The dynamic expression features of the monophonic electronic instrument can be clearly experienced on this track.
02:05
02:32:16
36.         Roger Roger, “Running with the Wind” from Chappell Mood Music Vol. 21 (1969 Chappell). Broadcast library recording with various themes played using the Ondes Martenot. This track features a solo Ondes Martenot and is backed by an electric harpsichord. The Ondes Martenot used the same electronic principle to create smooth, flowing tones as the Theremin, only that it was controlled by a keyboard. In this piece, the articulation of the Ondes Martenot is quite apart from that of the Theremin, including its double-tracked tones and the quick pacing which is rather un-Theremin-like.
01:28
02:34:20
37.         Roger Roger, “Night Ride” from Chappell Mood Music Vol. 21 (1969 Chappell). Broadcast library recording with various themes played using the Ondes Martenot. While this track features a flute solo, you can hear the Ondes Martenot from time to time, especially in the middle break. Other uncredited musician play drums, harp, and perhaps a celesta on this track.
01:35
02:35:45
Opening background music: Dick Hyman And His Orchestra, “Mack the Knife,” “Satin Doll” and “Shadowland” from Electrodynamics (1963 Command). Dick Hyman playing the Lowrey organ. Arranged, Lowrey Organ, Dick Hyman; Bass, Bob Haggart; Drums, Osie Johnson; Guitar, Al Casamenti, Tony Mottola; Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Bongos, Congas, Bass Drum, Bells, Cowbell, Bob Rosengarden, Phil Kraus; Produced by Enoch Light.
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
I created an illustrated chart of all of the instruments included in this podcast, paying special attention to the expressive features that could be easily adopted by jazz musicians. You can download the PDF, for free, on my blog, Noise and Notations at thomholmes.com

The Sounds of Motoring

Episode 116
The Sounds of Motoring
 
Track Start Times
Introduction
00:00:00
Motoring Soundscape
00:04:33
Closing
01:47:48
 
Playlist
For this episode, I created a soundscape based mostly on vintage recordings from the Archive of automobiles, trucks, construction equipment, mopeds and motorcycles, buses, street sounds and a variety of police and ambulance sirens. The work flows from sound to sound, often in tandem, and sometimes embellished with an effect drawn from the electronic music toolbox. This edition’s playlist includes recordings from all of the following, from which I extracted and remixed hours of audio material.
Street Traffic Noises (Recorded at a London Street Junction) (circa 1927 Columbia). 78 RPM.
Motor Car Noises (1931 His Masters Voice). 78 RPM.
Sound Effects, “Taxi Cab Leaving,” “Ambulance Bell (with Traffic)” (circa 1932 Columbia). 78 RPM.
Cuban Corners: More Sports Cars in Stereo (1957 Riverside).
Tony Schwartz, “Outdoor Sounds” from Sound Effects, Volume One, City Sounds (1958 Folkways).
The Sound of Sounds (1961 Directional Sound).
Documentary Sounds, Volume One (1962 Folkways).
The Exciting Racing Sounds of Grand Prix, Challenge of Champions (1962 MGM).
Sound Effects, Volume 5 (1963 Audio Fidelity).
Live Mechanical Sound Effects in Stereo (1971 Realistic/Audio Fidelity).
De Wolfe Sound Effects DWFX LP No. 9: Motorway Construction (1973 Music De Wolfe).
De Wolfe Sound Effects DWFX LP No. 1: Rally Cars (1973 Music De Wolfe).
SFX Sound Effects Vol. 6 (1979 Gateway Recordings).
De Wolfe Sound Effects DWFX LP No. 21: Transport Part 2 (1982 Music De Wolfe).
Thom Holmes, field recordings of city streets and traffic noise, including Paris traffic horns (2015), Paris, from the top of the Arc De Triomphe, “overhearing” the intersection of twelve streets (2015), Paris, backstreet from window (2017), Paris, street traffic (2017), New York, East Village, 6th (2021); and a Toronto, interior of bus ride (2016).
Opening background music: Thom Holmes, “Paris street traffic” (2017).
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Radio Spirits in the Night

Episode 115
Radio Spirits in the Night
Introduction
Track Start Times
Onda, “Part 1” 
10:06
Onda, “Part 2”
28:22
Onda, "Seoul"
47:26
Onda, “Köln”
1:08:03
Onda, Lewisburg”
1:11:35
Onda, “Wroclaw"
1:19:47
Holmes. “3 Open Windows, 1 Small Antenna”
1:27:36
Playlist
Aki Onda, “Part 1” (18:16) and “Part 2” (19:04) from “Transmissions From The Radio Midnight (2023 Dinzu Artefacts). Limited Edition 12" Black Vinyl. Limited to 200 copies. “for this album, I selected some of my favorite segments from the recordings made in ten-or-so countries over the span of roughly a decade, beginning in 2008. All of the fragments are presented just as they were captured. Since frequency behavior is often unpredictable, and since the act of catching waves was done manually, the recordings capture all sorts of incidental sounds, including various kinds of static noise and radio interference.” (Aki Onda).
Aki Onda, “Seoul” (2010, 20:37), “Köln” (2012, 3:32), “Lewisburg” (2014, 8:12), “Wroclaw” (2013, 7:49) from “Nam June's Spirit Was Speaking To Me” (2020 Recital). Includes 20-page art booklet including rare photographs of Nam June Paik from the set of Michael Snow’s film Rameau’s Nephew (1974), two essays on radio-wave phenomenon (by Onda and Marcus Gammel), and a remembrance of Paik by Yuji Agematsu from an interview conducted by Aki Onda.
Thom Holmes. “3 Open Windows, 1 Small Antenna” (1973 Private recording). I realized this piece in the electronic music studios of Temple University in 1972-73. I recorded various shortwave radio sounds at my apartment in Philadelphia, then edited and embellished it with synthesis and modulation using the Moog Modular III synthesizer at in the Temple Music School. I was a student of Paul Epstein at the time, and he asked several of us to join him for a performance on the WBAI Free Music Store, a program radio in NYC. I developed and sketched-out some vocal parts to sing along to the tape and Paul and my friend Ed Cohen joined me for the performance in NY. The lights were dim, the mood was quiet, and we soared along on the sounds on this piece over the airwaves. A recording of that radio broadcast exists somewhere in my storage but for this instance I present the tape piece alone. 24:53.
Opening background music: Thom Holmes, “Signatures Revisited” (2023), an extended version of a piece from my album Intervals (2017), based on the experience of listening to shortwave radio. 01:07:40. Listen to the complete work on my Soundcloud channel.
 
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
 

Refined Noise

Episode 114
Refined Noise
Playlist
Claus Böhmler, “Klangundkrach, Part 1” from Klangundkrach (1996) (2014 Slowscan). Recorded in Hamburg 1996. Edition of 270 copies. Böhmler was a German visual artist, video maker, and sometimes music artist. His website contains a great sampling of his visual work, texts, and writing about his work. There are not many clues as to how he made this recording except for a cover photo of several Walkman style cassette players with output cables attached. (12:46)
David Cunningham, “Guitar Systemised” and “Water Systemised” from Grey Scale (1977 Piano). For tape recorder and guitar sounds or water sounds. These two works mimic a process used in some of his other compositions where, “The players play a repeating phrase. As soon as one player makes a mistake that mistake is made the basis of his repetition unless it is modified by a further mistake. Thus each player proceeds at his own rate to change the sound in an uncontrollable manner.” Except for in the case of these two works, the water piece and the guitar piece, the process is “analogous” to those works but “the process is automatic here, an inherent quality in the machinery used.” (03:10) and (04:06)
Luke Fowler, “GOLD Side” from Fowl Tapes II (2013 Dekorder). Keyboards, Richard Youngs; Piano and synthesizer, Luke Fowler. Source material performed by Luke Fowler between 2009 and 2011. (17:43)
Merzbow / Genesis P-Orridge, “Source Are Rare” from A Perfect Pain (1999 Cold Spring). Noise Electronics, BIAS Electric Drum Unit, TR606, Filters, Ring modulation, Masami Akita (Merzbow); vocals, producer, Genesis P-Orridge. Genesis P-Orridge: master DAT edited at The Armadillo Studio, Northampton, England, May 1998. Masami Akita: recorded & mixed at Bed Room, August 1998. (23:06)
Emory Cook, “Untitled track 1” from Microfusion White Sound: Popular Combo (circa 1960 Cook). Emory Cook was known for making high fidelity location recordings and musical records from the mid-1950s to the1960s. He patented a special vinyl pressing technique called Microfusion to produce high quality records. When he wasn’t releasing sound effects such as Mexican Firecrackers or location recordings of calypso music, steel bands or a Creole Christmas, Cook managed to slip a few strange experiments into his catalog. This record, number 40850, comes from a series of five albums he produced around 1960 that combined musical tracks from his other albums with a track of pure white noise. The music would play on the left, the white sound would play at the same time on the right. I have several of these discs plus a demo album that Cook produced. The tag line for the “White Sound Series” was “analgesic sound for control of tensions.” The cover stated boldly that the album was “The new analgesic white sound to help in control of Tension, Headaches, Insomnia, Appetite, Smoking. A natural relaxant.” You be the judge as you listen to a track of a popular “cocktail combo” (called a “popular combo” on the record label, combined with white sound. “Not to be played at more than ordinary room volume level.” (03:15)
Narwhalz Of Sound / Mincemeat Or Tenspeed, “Untitled” (3 tracks, side 2) from Doonesbury Dropout, Frasier Freedom / A Rave New World (2010 Isle of Man). This is a test pressing of what I think is this album. Side 2 is by Mincemeat Or Tenspeed, an electronic musician from Rhode Island (currently). (14:15)
Pod Blotz, “Giving,” “Future Romance From The Past,” “Crests And Reflections,” and “Black Glass Monolith” from Glass Tears (2013 Clan Destine Records). Music project of experimental artist and musician Suzy Poling. (18:05)
Opening background music: Mika Vainio, “Lydspor (Part I)” from Lydspor One & Two (2018 Moog Recordings Library). Producer, curator, Paul Smith; Moog Technical Support, Recording Engineering, Finlay Shakespeare. Part of a limited series of Moog albums produced at Surrey University when they were home to a set of Moog Modular synthesizers and components, on arrangement with Moog Music USA. Mika Vainio was born in Helsinki, Finland and died in 2017 in France at aged 53. He was an electronic musician, composer, and producer. (19:26)
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

More Electronic Music for Astral Tripping

Episode 113
More Electronic Music for Astral Tripping
Playlist
Earthstar, “Part 1, Sirens” from French Skyline (1979 Sky records). Recorded at Klaus Schulze Studio, Hambühren, W. Germany in 1978 and 1979. Bass, Electronics, Norm Peach; Choir, Craig Wuest, Joan N., Marla T., Phil N.; Electric Guitar, Treated Guitar, Electronics (Tonewall), Dennis Rea; Flute, Woodwind, Tim Finnegan; French Horn, Flute, Marla Thomson; Producers, Craig Wuest, Klaus Schulze; Moog Modular System Programming, Technical Advice, Klaus Schulze; Sitar, Dirk Schmalenbach, Synthesizer, Sequencer, Mellotron, Biotron, Piano, Sitar, Harp, Effects, Voice, Vocoder, Bells , Percussion, Tape loops, Electronic Treatments, Craig Wuest; Violin, Phil Novak; Violin, Viola, Electronics, Louis Deponté; Violin, Electronics, Daryl Trivieri. (06:18)
Edgar Froese, “PA 701” from Macula Transfer (1976 Brain). The material was composed during different flights during '75 and '76 while on tour with Tangerine Dream. Instruments, Composed By, Produced by, Edgar Froese. I’m not certain, but all of the tracks are named after airline flight numbers. I think this one was on Pan American. Recorded in June 1976 at Amber Studio, Berlin. (07:33)
Beaver and Krause, “Gandharva” and “By Your Grace,” from Gandharva (1971 Warner Brothers). The Moog Modular is played by Bernie Krause, the pipe organ by Paul Beaver. Baritone Saxophone, Gerry Mulligan. Recorded at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, February 10-11, 1971. This recording came at the height of the Moog craze (for which Beaver and Krause were largely responsible) and this music took a decidedly thoughtful turn with its jazz guests and spacious live sound recorded in a church. Having the Moog Modular in a live performance was a challenge and its presence is only apparent in the opening and several moments on this side of the album. But the organ and baritone saxophone alone provide a beautiful sonic experience. (06:29)
イノヤマランド = Inoyama Land, “Mizue” from ダンジンダン・ポジドン = Danzindan-Pojidon (1983 Yen). Inoyama Land is Yasushi Yamashita and Makoto Inoue. Roland Jupiter 8, System-100M, MC-4, Makoto Inoue. Recorded at Private Studio, Kichijōgi & Yugawara from Jan '82 to '83. This track was made by Inoue which he described as him “playing with repetitive octave, machine-like signal sounds.” (02:31)
Arp, “Nzuku” from Ensemble—Live! (2019 Mexican Summer). Arp is Alexis Georgopoulos, an American electronic musician, composer, and music producer based in New York. Includes music from his LP, Zebra, as well as four original tracks. Zebra saw the diverse, New York-based artist exploring Fourth World, Japanese avant-garde, minimalism, kosmische, dub, cosmic jazz and more. This album was recorded live in the studio. Limited edition of 500 copies. (06:36)
Ariel Kalma, “Reternelle” from Ariel Kalma (1975 Astral Muse). A spacey work for dual saxophones and tape echo, played by Kalma. (12:08)
Masuko Shinji, “Woven Music for Silver Ocean” from Woven Music (2011 Jagjaguwar). Japanese singer and guitarist. Some soothing guitar electronics bordering on noise. Let your thoughts wander. (13:50)
イノヤマランド = Inoyama Land, “Apple Star” from ダンジンダン・ポジドン = Danzindan-Pojidon (1983 Yen). Inoyama Land is Yasushi Yamashita and Makoto Inoue. Roland Jupiter 8, System-100M, MC-4, Makoto Inoue. Recorded at Private Studio, Kichijōgi & Yugawara from Jan '82 to '83. This track by Inoue came about by his “synchronizing the Jupiter 8 auto arpeggio with the System100M analogue sequencer with the sequencer VC (voltage control), which generates a curious phrase automatically.” (05:57)
White Gourd, “La Lune” from Hermit / La Lune (2013 Psychic Sounds). “White Gourd is the solo work of Suzanne Stone. In addition to being a visual artist, herbalist, teacher, master gardener, and beekeeper, she is well known for involvement as vocalist & saxophonist in the experimental ensemble Million Brazilians.” This recording illustrates the dreamy nature of Stone’s sound material used in her live performances; found objects, gongs, 78 player, piano and audio cassette loops. (18:10)
Somei Satoh, “Echoes” from Emerald Tablet / Echoes (2020 WRWTFWW). Echoes taken from Somei Satoh's Echoes, Edition Omega Point (2003). It was composed for the "Mist, Sound, and Light Festival", held on May 20-19, 1981 at Kawaji, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Composed and performed by Somei Satoh. For this event, Satoh composed music for the 10-day event organized by the hot spring tourist association of Kawaji. The work was played at the Kawaji hot spring's Ojika river valley using 8 gigantic loudspeakers set-up on hills surrounding the stream, with music played through an 8-channel-tape system. The echoes created by the work were accentuated as they reverberated through the outdoor location. (30:27)
Less Bells, “Bird in Hand” and “Forest Ghosts” from Solifuge (2018 Kranky). Less Bells is Julie Carpenter. All Songs by, Violin, Cello, Synthesizers, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Omnichord, Julie Carpenter; Optigan Electric Organ, Buchla Music Box, Moog Modular Synthesizer, Dain Luscombe; Synthesizer, mixed by, Kenneth James Gibson; Vocals, Leah Harmon. Violinist/composer Julie Carpenter “. . . weaves orchestral and electronic textures to inhabit that boundary between storm and sun.” Can you say happy astral tripping? (08:39)
 
Opening background music: Ariel Kalma and Richard Tinti, “Forest Ballad” from Osmose(1978 SFP). Organ, Flute, Ariel Kalma; sound effects, Richard Tinti.
 
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
 

Merry Moog 2023--Holiday Music Performed on the Moog and other Synthesizers

Episode 112
Merry Moog 2023
Holiday Music Performed on the Moog and other Synthesizers
Playlist
 
Sounds Of Broadcasting 1, “Christmas Logos” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Hans Wurman, “Overture Miniature” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). This Austrian composer made several remarkable, classically influenced Moog Modular albums from 1969 to 1976. This was one of his last big Moog projects and is difficult to find. 2:54
Hans Wurman, “Danse De La Fee-Dragee ( Sugar Plum Fairy)” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). Moog Modular synthesizer, Hans Wurman. 1:33
Hans Wurman, “Danse Des Mirlitons (Flutes)” from Electric Nutcracker (1976 Ovation). Moog Modular synthesizer, Hans Wurman. 2:14
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Nutrocker” from Nutrocker / The Great Gates Of Kiev (1972 Cotillion). Arranged by, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Written by Kim Fowley.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Troika” from I Believe In Father Christmas (1995 Rhino Records). Arranged by, Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Moog and effects by Keith Emerson.
Sounds Of Broadcasting 2, “Night Of The Kings” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Jingle Bells” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Christmas Bells” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Douglas Leedy, “The Coventry Carol” from A Very Merry Electric Christmas to You (1970 Capitol). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer and Buchla Synthesizer.
Joseph Byrd, “Christmas in the Morning” from A Christmas Yet to Come (1975 Takoma). USA. ARP 2600 Synthesizer with an Oberheim Expander Module.
Armen Ra, “O Come All Ye Faithful” from Theremin Christmas (2018 Sungod). USA. Moog Etherwave Pro Theremin.
Sounds Of Broadcasting 3, “Electronic Tinsel” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Beck, “The Little Drum Machine Boy” from Just Say Noël (1996 Geffen). USA. Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer.
Taeko Onuki, Inori (Prayer) from We Wish You A Merry Christmas (1984 Yen). A compilation of specially recorded Christmas-themed songs from various artists on the Yen Records label. Japanese synth-pop with vocals by Onuki. Maybe Ryuichi Sakamoto on keyboards.
Unknown artist, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from Electronic Computer Christmas Music (1990 Silver Bells Music). As the name suggests, this was a label dedication mostly to producing broadcast music for the holidays. They also release several albums of nature sounds. The studio musicians go unnamed.
John Baker, “Christmas Commercial” from BBC Radiophonic Music (1968 BBC Radio Enterprises). A short piece used for broadcasting that was created by tape manipulation of the sounds of a mechanical cash register. It was part of collection of short works by BBC Radiophonic composers. “This record has been produced with the intention of entertaining rather than informing: the items chosen do not necessarily represent a survey of the music created at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. The Workshop at the BBC Music Studios in Maida Vale, London, is equipped with tape recording machines and other electronic equipment for generating and manipulating sound. The composition and realization of this music and sound is done by a small number of specialized creative staff.”
Christmas Baubles, “Orch” from Christmas Baubles And Their Strange Sounds (2002 Lo Recordings). Christmas Baubles was a Russian trio comprised of Alexander Zaitsev, Gennady Pleshkov, and Ilya Baramiya, who produced and performed this track.
Sounds Of Broadcasting 4, “Cutesy Christmas Logos” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Michael Nyman, “Cream or Christmas” from Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album of Christmas-related tunes. From Nyman’s minimalist era before he became famous for soundtracks.
Cabaret Voltaire, “Invocation” from Eight Crepuscule Tracks (1987 Interior Music). This track was originally included on the holiday album Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule), which suggested to me that it should be in this holiday podcast. Any excuse for a CV track.
Paul Haig, “Scottish Christmas” from Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album of Christmas-related tunes. Scottish songwriter, musician and singer.
Les Cousins Dangereux, “What Child Is This” from Gotta Groove Records 2012 (2012 Gotta Groove Records). Holiday album with various artists. Les Cousins Dangereux is Mr. Tim Thornton.
Joy Electric, “Angels We Have Heard on High” from The Magic Of Christmas (2003 Tooth & Nail Records). Joy Electric is Ronnie Martin from Ohio. American synthesizer-pop musician. Among his many releases is this crafty Christmas album.
Sounds Of Broadcasting 5, “Christmas Moog Choir” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Edhels, “Oriental Christmas” from Oriental Christmas (1985 Cabana Music). Recorded in France. Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Jacky Rosati; Guitar, Jean Louis Suzzoni; Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Composed by, Marc Ceccotti; Keyboards, Noël Damon. I was sent this as a promotional album back in 1985 with a kind little note from the artists. Sorry it took me so long to put the Christmas-related track in my podcast. This is great example of synth-pop from France in the 1980s.
Pac-Man, “Snowflakes And Frozen Lakes” from Pac-Man Christmas Album (1982 Kid Stuff Records). Produced, Written by, Dana Walden, Patrick McBride. “A collection of Pac-Man’s favorite Christmas songs.” Need I say more?
Swinging Buildings, “Praying For A Cheaper Christmas” from Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past (1981 Les Disques Du Crépuscule). From a compilation album of Christmas-related tunes. This group was once rumored to be New Order in disguise. But no, they were in fact The Bowling Balls in disguise.
Old Man Gloom, “Valhalla and Christmas Eve Parts I and II from Christmas (2004 Tortuga Recordings). Ambient/Noise band formed in New Mexico by guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner and drummer Santos Montano. Guitar, Drum Programming, Drums, captured and organized sound, Kurt Ballou; Performed by Aaron Turner, Caleb Scofield, Luke Scarola, Nate Newton, Santos Montano.
Sounds Of Broadcasting 6, “The Joyous Moment” from Sounds Of Broadcasting #6088 (1975? William B. Tanner Company, Inc.). Broadcast library track produced for the holidays. Produced using a Moog Modular Synthesizer.
Bernie Krause, Philip Aaberg, “Feliz Navidad” from A Wild Christmas (1994 Etherean Music ). This delightful cassette is from Bernie Krause, known for his Moog explorations with Paul Beaver back in the day. All animal and ambient sounds recorded on location worldwide by Bernie Krause with the exception of the fish (courtesy of U.S. Navy). Animal samples, Bernie Krause and Phil Aaberg. Arrangements, new materials, all keyboards (Kurzweil 2000/Emulator III) Phil Aaberg. Percussion on Feliz Navidad performed by Ben Leinbach. 5:37
John & Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band With The Harlem Community Choir (remixed by Thom Holmes in 2001), “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” (1971 Apple Records). I had a CD player that was in disrepair and decided to “perform” this remix using it. I ended up calling this the Lennon and Ono Sliding Moment remix.
Opening background music: Jean Jacques Perrey and Sy Mann, “Tijuana Christmas” from Switched on Santa (1970 Pickwick). USA. Moog Modular Synthesizer. Don Voegeli, “Chanukah” from Holiday & Seasonal Music (1977 EMI). USA. Produced at the Electrosonic Studio of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Joy Electric, “Let it Snow” from The Magic Of Christmas (2003 Tooth & Nail Records). Joy Electric is Ronnie Martin from Ohio. American synthesizer-pop musician. Christmas Baubles, “Noisy Organ” from Christmas Baubles And Their Strange Sounds (2002 Lo Recordings). Christmas Baubles was a Russian trio comprised of Alexander Zaitsev, Gennady Pleshkov, and Ilya Baramiya, who produced and performed this track.
 
 
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.
 

Before and After Ambient, Part 2

Episode 111
Before and After Ambient, Part 2
Playlist
Midori Takada, “Mr. Henri Rousseau's Dream” from Through The Looking Glass (1983 RCA Red Seal). 高田みどり (Midori Takada) is a Japanese composer and percussionist. She was a key figure in the Japanese ambient movement of the 1980s. Composed, performed, produced, Marimba, Gong, Cowbell, Recorder, Wood Bell, Ocarina, Tam-tam, Midori Takada. She performed all of the instruments on this album. The album was not immediately popular but seeded the nascent ambient movement that was growing in Japan at the time.
Midori Takada, “Trompe-l’œil” from Through The Looking Glass (1983 RCA Red Seal). 高田みどり (Midori Takada) is a Japanese composer and percussionist. She was a key figure in the Japanese ambient movement of the 1980s. Composed, performed, produced, Marimba, Gong, Cowbell, Recorder, Wood and clay Bells, Ocarina, Tam-tam, Cola Bottle, Reed Organ, Midori Takada. She performed all of the instruments on this album.
Brian Eno and Harold Budd, “Their Memories” from The Pearl (1984 Editions EG). Composed by Brian Eno, Harold Budd; produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois.
David Behrman, “Interspecies Smalltalk Scene 2” (1984) from Leapday Night (1987 Lovely Music). Composed, produced, and computers by David Behrman; violin, Takehisa Kosugi. "Interspecies Smalltalk" (1984) is an interactive piece originally commissioned by the Cunningham Dance Company.
Yutaka Hirose, “Light Which Shakes Quietly” from Nova+4 (2019 WRWTFWW Records). Bonus track on this reissued album that dates from 1986. Composed , Arranged and Computer by, Yutaka Hirose; Synthesizer, Jun Tohyama.
Takashi Kokubo, “A Dream Sails Out To Sea - Scene 3” (2019 Light In The Attic). Originally released in 1987, this track was part of the new wave of Japanese ambient music. By that time, Kokubo was already reknown for his synthesizer skills on a part with Isao Tomita. He turned to sound design and ambient music and has been instrumental in addition to creating such sounds as the nationally-used mobile phone earthquake alert and credit card payment jingles.
Yoichiro Yoshikawa, “Nube” from Cyprus (1988 Eastworld). Original sound track of Japanese TV program. Yoshikawa was already a reliable session musician when he acquired one of the first Phophet-5 synthesizers in Japan. He quickly became a go-to composer for television and other purposes, such as soundscapes for museum exhibitions.
Tetsu Inoue, “Low of Vibration” from Ambiant Otaku (1994 Fax +49-69/450464). Before I met Tetsu around the year 2000, I was fascinated by music such as this which had all of the elements of ambient music—slow and forming harmonies, spatial rhythms rather than beats, and a sustained energy throughout—without sounding at all like something out of an Eno production. Produced and performed by Tetsu Inoue.
Kenji Kawai, “Ghostdive” from Ghost in the Shell (Original Soundtrack) (1995 RCA). An ambient work from the popular movie soundtrack.Composed, Performed, Produced, Arranged, Keyboards, Instruments, Kenji Kawai; synthesizer, Hironori Houki.
Waveform Transmission, “V 1.3” from V 1.0-1.9 (1996 Silent). Analog Tone Engineering and Realization, Recordings Of The Dead, Shortwave, Field Recordings Made During Periods Of Highly-charged Paranormal Activity, Korg MS 10, Korg MS 20, Korg MS 50, Roland System 100 Synthesizers, Home Built Analog Synthesizers, Tape, Loops, Chris Troy; Digital Audio Graphs, Granular Synthesis, Microwave Communications, Psycho-acoustics, Tape, Loops Otari MX 5050 loops, Rod Modell.
Experimental Audio Research, “Automatic Music (For Oscillator, Ring Modulator & Filter Clusters)” from Pestrepeller (1999 Ochre Records). UK release, limited to 1000 copies. Engineer, Serge Modular Music System, Sonic Boom (Pete Kember). Some interesting modular synthesizer ambience.
John Foxx and Harold Budd, “Raindust” from Translucence + Drift Music (2003 Edsel Records). Composed, produced, and performed by Harold Budd, John Foxx.
John Foxx and Harold Budd, “Some Way Through All the Cities” from Translucence + Drift Music (2003 Edsel Records). Composed, produced, and performed by Harold Budd, John Foxx.
Pete Namlook, Tetsu Inoue, “Ethereal Being” from 2350 Broadway 4 (2007 Fax +49-69/450464). Composed, produced, and performed by Pete Namlook, Tetsu Inoue. Recorded at Bretton Hall, New York and Klanglobor Hödeshof. Tetsu was an endless collaborator. Here he and the wondrous Pete Namlook wove some ambient magic.
Tetsu Inoue, “Kaze” from Inland (2007 Fax +49-69/450464). Written, performed and produced by Tetsu Inoue. This was his post-glitch faze, which brought together, strangely enough, element so his earlier ambient work and glitch music for computers.
Masuko Shinji, “Woven Music for Blue Steppe” from Woven Music (2011 Jagjaguwar). All music, vocals and guitar, 増子真二 (Shinji Masuko). This is a project by Masuko, who sometimes works with the Boredoms. It has a characteristic high but sustained energy level that flirts with the outer reaches of the ambient music concept.
Caroline Park, “Grain 5” from Grain (2011 Private Chronology). This is a cassette release by Park, often known her for generative composition work and electronic improvisations based on parameters that she defines. Recorded, performed, and mixed between May 2010 and January 2011 in Los Angeles and Boston.
Sarah Davachi, “First Cadence” from Antiphonals (2021 Late Music). Composed, Recorded, Performed, Mellotron (bass flute, recorder, oboe), Tape Echo, Sarah Davachi. A recent ambient work by this contemporary experimenter.
In the background: An example of ambient music from the program Droneo by Henry Lowengard, which produces self-generating ambient music on a smart phone. “Droneo 1.5 vanDelay and Ape,” (5:25).
Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.
Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.
See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.
For additional notes, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.