That Hammond Sound

that hammond sound - sun 8th feb - 2-3 pm

Hey folks,

This week's show is a celebration of one of the funkiest and yet most often derided of instruments; the Hammomd organ.

Invented in the 1930s by Laurens Hammond as an electric alternative to the traditional (and expensive to maintain) wind-driven church pipe-organ, it soon found a place in the hearts of musicians of every persuasion. Starting off in Gospel, Blues and Jazz, by the 1960s and 70s it was almost ubiquitous amongst Rock, Funk and Soul acts too.

Despite ceasing production in 1974, the original electro-mechanical Hammond organs (mostly the B-3 & C-3 models) are still in use in their thousands today.

The Hammond has appeared on thousands of tracks by hundreds of artists of all kinds. Yet it still retains an abiding association with that most foul of creations; Muzak (an ill-deserved reputation that it shares with the vibraphone).

Whilst I was putting the tracks together for the show, I listened to just about every tune I have that involves heavy use of one variety or other of the mighty Hammond and Gillian (my wife) asked if I was really going to do a show of 'lift music'! Charming! But actually not unreasonable, given that I was listening to a cheesy Hammond cover of some 1960s pop standard or other.

My intention in this show is to (mostly) avoid the kind of tracks that you'd expect to hear accompanied by a robotic voice saying, 'Going Up. Lift stopping. Fourth floor.', or similar, and to instead play a crackin' selection of funky, rocky and soulful Hammond grooves.

Artists likely to feature include The Beatles, James Brown, The Spencer Davis Group, Jimmy McGriff, Billy Preston, The Small Faces and Charles Kynard, as well as a host of others.

The Weird But Wonderful vote is between a couple of fairly 'recent' exponents of the Hammond-heavy sound:

1. The Charlatans - The Only One I Know - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZI1BQzY-nU

Not only did I soooo dig this when it first came out, I even tried to grow the exagerrated mop-top sported by Tim Burgess. Class.

2. The Inspiral Carpets - Joe - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7lRFUCjVz4

Remember when everyone wanted a pair of British Knights trainers? Then you must be almost as old as me. :) (I believe that this song actually features a Farfisa organ rather than a Hammond, but I did say 'Hammond sound'!)

To decide which one plays the show out, get in touch during the live broadcast: studio@subcity.org or text 'subcity' then your message to 07766 40 41 42.

Journeys. It's a trip!

www.subcity.org Sundays 2-3 PM

Journeys Homepage @ Subcity Radio: http://www.subcity.org/shows/journeys

Check out last year's shows: http://www.subcity.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5829

If you want to suggest a Journey get in touch!

Stu.

P.S. As of next week Journeys is moving to 12-2 PM for a few weeks, during the FM broadcast which starts on the 20th (first FM Journeys is 22nd). More on that next time.

Posted at 22:33, 5th February 2009