Awhile back, I posted a bulletin based on a collection of
Soul Instrumentals Of The 1960’s featuring prominent guitars,
saxes and organs but as I’ve always particularly enjoyed R&B
and jazz organ instrumentals,I thought it only right
to give them a grouping of their own.
So here’s a selection including those which feature enticing
hammonds which were often played alongside honkin’ tenor saxes.
Each track contains a YouTube link to the audio.
ALL DAY ALL NIGHT
(Ivy Jo Hunter/William Stevenson)
by Earl Van Dyke
Pro: William Stevenson & Ivy Jo Hunter
(1965)
Hitsville’s keyboard wizard on a track
completed in ’65 but unissued until a
Motown collection in ’05.
AFTER HOURS
(Avery Parrish)
by Bill Doggett
(King: 1959)
Remembered for his “Honky Tonk” hit in ’56,
Bill Doggett here gives a total organ workout
to a tune from 1940 when it was first recorded
by its composer, jazz pianist Avery Parrish.
COUNT’S ORGAN BLUES
(Count Basie)
by Count Basie & His Sextet
Pro: Noman Granz
(Clef: recorded in December 1952)
Featuring Count on Hammond w/Joe Newman (trumpet),
Paul Quinichette (tenor sax), Freddie Green (guitar),
Gene Ramey (bass), Buddy Rich (drums).
THE GREASY SPOON
(Hank Marr/Gene Redd)
by Hank Marr
(Federal: 1963)
Hank recorded for Federal and King
beginning in 1960 and he later cut some sides
for Eddie Wingate’s label out of Detroit.
GREEN ONIONS
(Booker T. Jones/Steve Cropper
Al Jackson Jr./Lewie Steinberg)
by Booker T. & The MG’s
Pro: Jim Stewart
(Volt: 1962)
This was the defining moment in
Booker T.& The MG’s repertoire
and it still resonates today.
HANK’S GROOVE
(Henry Jacobs)
by Hank Jacobs
(Sue: 1964)
From Hank’s 1964 album named after
his chart single “So Far Away” written
with Kent Harris.
I’VE GOT A WOMAN Part 1
(Ray Charles)
by Jimmy McGriff
Pro: Joe Lederman
(Sue: 1962)
A major pop & jazz hit in its day.
The first of a series of successful
Jimmy McGriff singles throughout the 60’s.
I’VE GOT IT BAD (And That Ain’t Good)
(Duke Ellington/Paul Francis Webster)
by Shirley Scott
Recording: Rudy Van Gelder
(Prestige: 1959)
From Shirley’s album “Scottie Plays The Duke”.
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
(Jimmy Smith)
by Jimmy Smith
Pro: Alfred Lion
(Blue Note: 1960)
Jimmy Smith w/Stanley Turrentine (tenor sax),
Kenny Burrell (guitar) & Donald Bailey (drums).
This is the complete 9:57 track which Blue Note
issued as a two-part single.
NIGHT SOUNDS
(Ernie Freeman)
by Ernie Freeman
(Imperial: 1959)
Arranger/conductor Ernie Freeman
had a major R&B & Pop success in ’57
with a version of “Raunchy” on which
he played piano. Here’s an example
of his organ prowess.
SHHHHHHHH (FOR A LITTLE WHILE)
(James Brown/Bud Hobgood)
by James Brown & The Famous Flames
Pro: James Brown
(King: 1968)
One of James Brown’s organ instrumentals.
TWENTY-FIVE MILES
(Johnny Bristol/Harvey Fuqua
Charles Hatcher/Bert Berns/Jerry Wexler)
by Truman Thomas
Pro: George Butler
Arr: Richard Tee
(Veep: 1969)
https://youtu.be/Pi3o04AGqCw
This tune gave Edwin Starr (alias Charles Hatcher)
his first Motown hit. Truman co-wrote Bonnie Pointer’s
1978 Motown Top 10 R&B song “Free Me From My Freedom
Tie Me To A Tree (Handcuff Me)”.
WHAT’S GOING ON
(Marvin Gaye/Al Cleveland/Renaldo Benson)
by Johnny ‘Hammond’ Smith
Pro: Bob Porter
(Prestige: 1971)
Featuring saxman Grover Washington Jr.
YOU CAN’T SIT DOWN Part 1
(Dee Clark/Phil Upchurch/Cornell Muldrow)
by The Philip Upchurch Combo
(Boyd: 1961)
Guitarist Phil Upchurch’s name was out front
but organist Cornell Muldrow was equally
responsible for the track’s enduring popularity.
As in all my postings, the recordings listed
and referenced above are in no way intended
as definitive collections.
Please send any comments or suggestions
to thedoortoyesterday@gmail.com
Rock on.
Alan Warner
© Alan Warner, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Warner with appropriate and specific direction to the original content