the door to yesterday. alan warner. 2020. vol. 5 no 11. keyboards, organs.

 

groovin’ on the keys. outstanding organ instrumentals. the door to yesterday.
alan warner.

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)

 https://youtu.be/389l5a_EZ34 

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) 

https://youtu.be/A0ibx_EB9Rg 

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) 

https://youtu.be/N2L7U1i5fn8 

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)

https://youtu.be/rLnwnHOBjnc

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) 

https://youtu.be/Gc_3Xpo9Z_Y 

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) 

https://youtu.be/oo9dEnkjju4 

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) 

https://youtu.be/f7UGIrXEafU 

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) 

https://youtu.be/Hhv99QyAHKA 

From Shirley’s album “Scottie Plays The Duke”.


MIDNIGHT SPECIAL 

(Jimmy Smith)

by Jimmy Smith

Pro: Alfred Lion 

(Blue Note: 1960) 

https://youtu.be/D15zfLfbqHo  

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)

https://youtu.be/us_sEbwh_40 

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)

https://youtu.be/UvB__r8XQCs 

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) 

https://youtu.be/usEHEZHDd7s  

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) 

https://youtu.be/6MH5XvxedEg 

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








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