pinkfloydcramer

It’s a little bit funny How this eclipse can hide

No one should be too concerned about my opinion as I freely admit to being a nobody, eking out a happily squalid existence with mostly low-level gigs in spite of a hearing disability. And I don't think someone is not talented, or that they suck, because they choose to work that way. They're just not for me.

NOTE: Following rant only applies to local, small-time music scene, not the Really Big effing Shews. But.. I despise backing tracks. I wouldn't walk across the street to see even a good player perform with backing tracks, I would rather dig ditches than resort to that (and have had that wish granted more than once). It's a shame to see a good guitar player, for example, quit playing with bands and put themselves out to pasture doing nothing but solo shows with BT's, just for convenience's sake. I also disagree that audiences can't tell the difference, in the energy level and other factors. No one is enthralled with someone's virtuosity in hitting the "play" button. The only time I have been tempted to renounce my one and only scruple, is in the case of a local BT guy "Big Earl from Pearl" who has scored a yearly gig playing in Waffle House parking lots on Christmas day. The rest of the year he does things like wild hog hunts, etc. I'm a little jealous of those too. No judgments! Carry on. I hope to read here, with as open a mind as I can muster, about KC'ers experiences using modern day technology for organic sounding, non-cheesy, interactive BT's that don't lock you into going from point A to point B with no deviation. Anyone?

I have a non-working Electro 2 rack, motherboard was swapped out a few years ago. I'm not a techie but it seems likely to be a power supply issue. Does anybody know of a current US service center? I'm hoping someone still services those. I'm in the SE.

I have mentioned that I bought a mint used Mojo Classic (original dual manual) a few years ago, never gigged with it but it crapped out after less than a year. Evidently a minor issue..happy to report that yesterday I got it to working again and so far have been playing it with no issues (fingers crossed). Was wondering, how many of the original models are still in use? And if reliability issues (if any) of the older models have been corrected with the newer models (such as the Suitcase). I suppose I should also include the 61 with lower manual in the discussion. I am asking for the benefit of a friend, an accomplished professional musician who is enthusiastic about starting an organ trio but is on a budget. Crumar seems to be the most cost-effective way to get into a dual manual rig. He wants to buy mine, but I advised him that Crumar may not be the most road-worthy (especially an original Mojo with a checkered past) compared to the more expensive Ham-Suz, Viscount etc. Was I wrong? Several of you seem to have a good history with Crumar. Just gathering some anecdotal info, thanks to all who are willing to share their experiences!

Lachy, if you’re reading this, I love you❤️

My immediate area, it would be soul food. I'm not scared to sample any of it (pigs feet etc.), however, to this day I have never eaten a chitterling.

It was interesting, to me, until I saw the price. I'm rediscovering guitar and just want the cheapest way possible to get a decent Steely Dan/Larry Carlton tone. The MP guitar forum seems pretty dead.

Thanks! I have, on several occasions, tried to cop Jim A. licks- when it comes to playing blues and funk B3 with a band, he and Lucky Peterson are my templates. I still watch the Green Onions video, on occasion.

Quote Ha! I remember those days! So funny to think there was even a controversy, because the NE2 organ blows the CX3 away, at least it did before those Vent thingies came along. May as well keep these clone wars going on several fronts, I say.

I'm pretty sure Ham-Suz clones can sound better than that (especially the XK5 with its tube for OD) but I enjoyed the performance and his fun take on this classic. Nothing can top, or even equal, the original, IMO, but it's not blasphemy to try a different approach. Not a big fan of some of LD's theatrics but it seemed he didn't take himself too seriously, and fun was had by all. I didn't even mind his singing too much- not stellar but good enough, if a little strained.. and like many musician non-singers, I can be a harshly judgmental A-hole when it comes to other's vocals. Like Wine said, tough room.

I would say it starts with a great rhythm section. Add players that don’t let their egos get in the way of the music. Also I’ll mention the cliche about there being a charismatic front person, with the caveat that it is just as important they exhibit charisma to their band members who aren’t swayed by BS and striking poses. IMO this comes down to authenticity, which I think is in short supply these days.

I think I’ll just wait for the upcoming AI-powered idea-generating app.

That's the one, for me. George Benson and Isley Bros had great covers of it, also. Like Nowarezman, I'm also a huge fan of Booker T and the MG's Summertime. When I first started getting interested in organ, I bought an MG's tape that had that one. Blew me away..I was so happy when I finally got a Hammond so I could reproduce it. Honorable mentions to Summer Samba and The Summer Knows (Michael Legrand-composer, Bill Evans and others' performances).

I bought a mint used Mojo Classic a few years ago, enjoyed it and its rich sound for a few months before it crapped out on me. But I thought my HX3 module beat it for balls and presence, either with or without a Leslie. My YC88 organ also fares well in that regard. But to be fair, I never really got under the hood of the Mojo- although I do recall checking out some of the different organ models. I would love to have the XK4 with its multi contact feature, but I'm pretty well content gigging with either my HX3/Vent combo or my YC88 (with external MIDI keyboard).

Having good time is very much appreciated by competent musicians, IMO. Notes, chords and harmony have always been the easy part for me (or to anyone with a good ear, IMO) but having good time is something I have had to work at. Going through long stretches of playing piano in restaurants with no rhythm section (early in my “career”/music whoredom) had left me with “solo piano player’s disease”- bad time, in particular rushing or speeding up. I found that the more I practiced with a click during the day, the better I played and the more I enjoyed the gig at night. Sometimes I would even have a click in my earbuds on the gig itself. It made me feel better to read a Chuck Leavell comment, that early in his career his timing wasn’t very good and he tended to rush. So he started working with a metronome and practicing with a click for a few days before going on tour. it drives me crazy to play gigs with someone who who drops and adds beats, rushes every solo. He just throws up his hands and says “my timing sucks” and expects others to cover for him, instead of proactively working on his weakness. Needless to say, he owns the PA.

I prefer porch music done with acoustic instruments. However, I would make an exception if the bass player was named Clyde, and played electric bass with great finesse and grace (and prioritized music gear over footwear). For digital keyboard technology I would go with a banjo sample and an acoustic bass sample (to set up in a split) if Clyde couldn’t make the gig.

I think you would enjoy that thoroughly, because I am, myself. In high school I learned enough guitar to accompany a good bluegrass banjo player but other than a short term infatuation with learning electric, I hadn't played since. Until a year ago, when I picked up a decent Yamaha acoustic (A3m). I have had a blast recovering my "boom-chuck" skills, playing those old fiddle tunes, and inventing new chords without the aid of a Mel Bay book. I agree that Yamaha is the way to go for "bang for the buck". The A3m has very good onboard electronics including condenser mic modeling. I do struggle with stretching my fingers to cover some barre chords on the dreadnaught, perhaps I will at some point try a slightly smaller guitar. I have found that learning guitar is so much more easy and fun when you know the music, know what you are trying to play. Good luck!

My friends and I were there for the 2022 and 2023 Crescent City Classic 10K (takes place on Easter weekend, very fun with brass bands and street musicians along the route, followed by a party in the park with a live band). We found some good Dixieland and Cajun-flavored, rootsy bands on Frenchman, one of which had a hellacious keyboard player getting it all done with a Hammond SK1. We also found a good Cajun band on Bourbon St, fronted by a fiddle player (I think it was at the aforementioned Bayou Club). Watch out for petty thieves and pick-pocketers.

Chuck Leavell- l've tried to cop everything he did, almost, with ABB and Greg solo. And with Clapton for MTV unplugged. Lucky Peterson: getting in to the Jackson MS blues scene, I discovered him via a Keyboard mag review. Still my favorite blues organ player and my primary influence for blues. Maybe wasn't the best choice for a 1st role model, however, as his playing can be somewhat "note-y". Takes fleet fingers to execute, for sure. John Medeski: Time listening and playing along with Shackman and the MMW with Scofield albums was my template for groove/funk (clusterfunK, my own term and not because of chord clusters, ha). Dr. John- I bought the Dr. John Plays Mac Rebennack tape and wore it out. I invested a lot of time trying to cop his feel, until I almost burned out on it. After that I discovered James Booker which put some wind in my sails. Bill Evans, esp. his voicings. So many greats mentioned here, including some that aren't as widely known. Seth Justman = good call. They very well could have named J' Geils' "Blow Your Face Out" live record after his organ playing on "Chimes".

A few Sundays ago, on my way home from a gig I stopped at a dive bar and ran into another musician. Over a couple of drinks (bartender was an excellent Mixolydian) we talked about modes. The guy was out of his Phrygian mind!

Sanford & Son (the Streetbeater) Barney Miller Letterman Taxi

I’ve recently started doing that, never been happier. For full band gigs I get a straightforward piano sound not junked up with the inevitable phasing you get from summing stereo to mono. I have a Motion Sound amp, great amp, but I only use it for solo/duo gigs or playing at home.

Don’t count your gigs before they’re hatched.

I liked it also, until I thought about and realized the chat bot was most likely talking about AI generated melodies. It's also likely that the next line would have something to the effect of "Bing AI got it goin' on!"