Apr 18, 2017
I’m a huge fan of the greasy, soulful sound of the Hammond B-3 organ. Few instruments have so distinct a sonic impression, and even fewer have such an iconic physical presence on stage, particularly when paired with the famous rotating Leslie speaker.
Ever since Medeski, Martin & Wood deconstructed the organ trio, there have been fewer traditional practitioners of the art making recordings. Gary Versace has recorded some fine albums, but the disbanding of Soulive and the Deep Blue Organ Trio have left a void that only a band like organissimo can continue to fill. The Michigan-based trio, composed of Jim Alfredson (Hammond B3 Organ); Larry Barris (Guitar) and Randy Marsh (Drums) are perhaps the finest example of the soul jazz sound that was a popular and critical sensation in the Fifties and Sixties.
In more than fifteen years, they have been the type of group that attracts devoted jazz fans, jam band devotees and neo-soul followers in close to equal number. Their concerts can be one-part jazz revival and two-parts dance marathon. Their recorded output has been mostly original tunes, but their latest CD goes down quite a different road.
Abbey Road, if you will.
B3tles - A Soulful Tribute To The Fab Four is not just a great organ trio record, but perhaps the finest Beatles tribute album by a jazz artist since George Benson’s The Other Side of Abbey Road in 1970. In the great tradition of jazz arrangers and improvisers, the memorable melodies of John, Paul, George and Ringo are always there, but the tunes are often refashioned by using different time signatures and styles. “Can’t Buy Me Love” is a blues shuffle, “Taxman” is taken at 7/8 and “All You Need is Love” swings between 5/4 and ¾.
I spoke with of Jim Alfredson about the new CD, which was recorded in his home studio, and how they chose from the Beatles catalogue, their process for innovation, and even what saxophone player – living or dead – with whom he would most want to perform. Hint – he made a number of recordings with a famous female Hammond B-3 player.
Music selections include “Can’t Buy Me Love”, “Within You Without You” and “Taxman.”