# Why the cult following among jazz lovers of the Hammond B3 Organ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 28, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282 "2006-03-28T19:22:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/21 "2006-03-29T00:01:12Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > Hammond B3. > > Is there a specific piece/song/work I should check out? You really can’t go wrong with the very obvious choice of Jimmy Smith. I mean, he really did invent the B3 jazz vocabulary. Start with an album like _Back at the Chicken Shack_, although the Blue Note best-of compilation is pretty good, too. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/22 "2006-03-29T00:16:00Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > Hammond B3. > > Is there a specific piece/song/work I should check out? Am I really the only one here who owns [this](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00003OP46/qid=1143591282/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-2737529-4172069?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) ? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/23 "2006-03-29T00:43:49Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > Don’t forget Keith Emerson (rock & roll Hammond dude #1; though technically he didn’t play a B3), Jon Lord, Rick Wakeman, and Matthew Fisher (creator of the “Whiter Shade of Pale” lick). As long as we’re not forgetting people, let’s remember **Ian McLagan** – Small Face, session man, and still active in the Austin music scene. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/24 "2006-03-29T01:04:39Z")
[Have you Had Your Vitamin B-3 Today?](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005A8IS/qid=1143594181/sr=1-7/ref=sr_1_7/102-5084871-8592953?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) is worthwhile for only the title and cover art. I second Back at the Chicken Shack - love it. Ron Levy and his Wild Kingdom have some great B-3 CD’s out there… ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/25 "2006-03-29T01:13:51Z")
That came out wrong - the “Vitamin B-3” CD has some great cuts on it - entirely worth listening to. And great job explaining the technical background on the B-3, **pulykamell** - thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/26 "2006-03-29T02:05:01Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > Is there a specific piece/song/work I should check out? Oh, [yeah.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B66PS4/qid=1143597586/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-7661657-5848111?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) These are two discs of 45s that Ike Quebec recorded for Blue Note in the late '50s, meant to go into juke boxes in black Philadelphia neighborhoods. Some of the best damn organ trios/quartets ever recorded. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/27 "2006-03-29T02:22:54Z")
> [@Ukulele Ike](#): > > Oh, [yeah.](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000B66PS4/qid=1143597586/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-7661657-5848111?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) > > These are two discs of 45s that Ike Quebec recorded for Blue Note in the late '50s, meant to go into juke boxes in black Philadelphia neighborhoods. > > Some of the best damn organ trios/quartets ever recorded. Just to be clear, Ike Quebec is a tenor saxophonist, but there’s great organ playing on those records. I had to look up the credits, but it’s Edwin Swanston, Sir Charles Thomson, and Earl Van Dyke on the keys. (In fact, Earl Van Dyke replaced Jimmy Smith in some band way back when.) Another one not to forget is Sherley Scott–check out her work, especially with one-time Husband Stanley Turrentine in “Let It Go.” Friggin awesome. Her _Soul Shouting_ is another album to put up there in the B3 upper echelon. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/28 "2006-03-29T02:59:10Z")
Might I suggest [Niacin](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005Y1TJ/qid=1143600976/sr=2-2/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_2/002-8409496-9551227?s=music&v=glance&n=5174)? This is some hard driving music, and includes a pretty good cover of King Crimson’s “Red”. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/29 "2006-03-29T02:59:23Z")
> [@mack](#): > > OK, I guess mid-40’s is still young in jazz circles Make that mid-30’s. Sorry. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Barely\_Adequate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/58956e/32.png) [@Barely\_Adequate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barely_Adequate)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/30 "2006-03-29T05:45:54Z")
[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000I41F/qid=1143607681/sr=1-2/ref=sr\_1\_2/104-3967111-1424758?s=music&v=glance&n=5174](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000I41F/qid=1143607681/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-3967111-1424758?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Larry Young on Hammond B-3, with Joe Henderson (ts), Woody Shaw (tpt) and Elvin Jones (dr) – amazing post-bop collaboration. This is not exactly like your typical organ-tenor-rhythm like Jimmy Smith or the Ike Quebec mentioned previously. Young was certainly indebted to these predecessors, but was largely influenced by Coltrane and Miles. Like so many other jazz musicians, he died too early and his recorded output is sparse, but “Unity” is a landmark issue. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/31 "2006-03-29T05:52:19Z")
Wasn’t _Red Dwarf_’s Arnold Rimmer a big fan of Hammond Organ music? ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/32 "2006-03-29T11:35:48Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > Jon Lord Jon Lord could _really_ rock that thing, especially when he got into those show-off keyboard/guitar duels with Ritchie Blackmore. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/33 "2006-03-29T13:17:47Z")
> [@Biffy the Elephant Shrew](#): > > I think he was referring to the other [Lonnie Smith](http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=908), who is more closely associated with the B3. Well I’ll be dipped. I own discs by both, and honestly had always thought that they were the same person. I figured that the “Move Your Hand” Lonnie Smith disc was the earlier 60’s style stuff, and that the “Cosmic Funk” Lonnie Liston Smith disc was him doing a Herbie Hancock thing in the 70’s. Wiki confirms that you’re right. damn it, now I have to reorganize my music again! ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/34 "2006-03-29T13:20:53Z")
Another excellent choice would be some of the early 1960’s Blue Note releases with altoist Lou Donaldson as leader and the late **Big John Patton** on the organ. _The Natural Soul_ is a great album, with guitarist Grant Green on hand. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/35 "2006-03-29T15:45:43Z")
> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#): > > Is there a specific piece/song/work I should check out? The B3 bridges a fairly signifigant style shift in jazz, from the more traditional hard/bebop sound of early Jimmy Smith to the yet funkier “soul jazz” of the late 60’s and onward. So if you’re a classic bebop/hard bop kinda guy, that’s one thing; but the great \*groove \* records that guys like Lonnie Smith and Lou Donaldson and Reuben Wilson were making circa 1970 are closer to funky R & B than traditional jazz. Anyway, if the latter sounds up your alley, I’d heartily recommend _Hot Dog_ and _Mr. Shing a Ling_, Lou Donaldson _Move Your Hand_ (mentioned) and _Live at Club Mozambique_, Lonnie Smith _Love Bug_, Reuben Wilson _Blue Breakbeats_ Grant Green (good compilation of his) All of these are Hammond B3 heaven. Guys like Rusty Bryant and Charles Kynard (mentioned) were also making some seriously funky stuff around this time. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/36 "2006-03-29T15:52:53Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > Electronic wizards have come up with flangers that sorta sound like the Leslie, but only a Leslie sounds that way. Actually, the Leslie is so important to the B3 sound of rock music, it’s quite possible to hook up a modern keynaord to a Leslie and make it sound very B3-like, enough to fool someone who isn’t an expert. Don’t ask me for cites - it was demonstrated to me some 15 years ago. It sure fooled me. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/37 "2006-03-29T16:00:42Z")
Garth Hudson (of The Band), “Chest Fever” ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/38 "2006-03-29T16:12:56Z")
Due to the constant demand of B3s, Hammond-Suzuki has developed the digital Hammond B3. Not for the old school purist, but seemingly there’s no difference to tell, except for some new bells and whistles. You can see a video demonstration here: [http://www.hammondsuzuki.com/](http://www.hammondsuzuki.com/) Just click movies and you’re there. Very nice! ---
**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/39 "2006-03-29T16:16:20Z")
Wow. I was expecting maybe 5 posts to my OP. Any accordion lovers out there? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2006, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282/40 "2006-03-29T16:20:12Z")
What a monser machine. Makes my Casio look like a golden retriever puppy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-cult-following-among-jazz-lovers-of-the-hammond-b3-organ/350282.md?page=3)