The Hammond Organ: An Introduction to the Instrument and the Players Who Made It Famous

I was honored to be included in this book as Hammond has been a passion for most of my life from the progressive and hard rock side of things and then digging into the jazz genre in the 2000s. I also am a music educator and more good documentation on this rather "rare" instrument was needed and I have seen many good references in the last dozen years or so. Before this was not the case, we were kind of the outliers in a way after the digital keyboards hit in the 1980s. We all have Joey DeFrancesco to thank for the B3 Renaissance.I have had many mentors in this field who have been encouraging personally and professionally.I noticed some exclusions of players, but it would be difficult to hit on everyone, I assume when undertaking a subject as broad as this.RIP to mentors my personal mentors including Hank Marr, Trudy Pitts, Gene Ludwig, and tech Sal Azzarelli who was very instrumental in getting my Hammonds in playable condition so I was able to finally pursue this as a career.Tony Monaco is also a dear friend and helped to establish my recording career with Summit Records through his label Chicken Coup Records.The Hammond world is a world of camaraderie and we all are very supportive of each other.Linda Dachtyl

Finally....a real review of the Hammond Organ. To be an organist, one must play two hands, two feet, and do it well. This book explores all the greatest, and especially the early stars of the Hammond. Way back before Jimmy Smith and like players there were artists who really set the instrument apart in American music. Not everything was rock and roll or jazz....there was Big Band Music, popular music, the American Musical, and the like.Jackie Davis, Earl Grant, Lenny Dee, Buddy Cole, Eddie Layton....these were the magnificent young men of the Hammond Organ! Let's not forget Ethel Smith, Ken Griffin, and the other fine purveyors of organ music which came into our homes daily on the radio and as accompaniment for the TV "Soap Operas" of the 5o's and 60's.Learn about the instrument, it's use in churches all over the world, it's place in our homes and supper clubs [remember those?] and the tremendous numbers of organs which actually outsold the piano in the 60's and 70's.This is the book.....better than "Beauty in the B", and better written, I believe. This is the one for knowledge and correct history of the Hammond organ Company and her incredible electric [NOT electronic] organ.I have played the Hammond Organ in Supper Clubs and Hotels all my life; I've sold them, I've recorded on them, and I still play and love them....Do yourself a favor: read the book, go buy a Hammond Organ, and enjoy yourself.Peace.....

This book is fundamental to any enthusiast/fanatic for the brilliant inventions of Laurens Hammond and Don Leslie.Even if you've read books like "Beauty in the B" or "The Hammond Organ Key Master", buy this book. It is worthwhile, adding a lot of information about models, operation, musicians, etc.No full-page images here, but many interesting - and some rare - pictures which are not listed in the other two books mentioned.In the same way, no techniques or exercises. The focus is all (in more than 380 pages) about the Hammond and Leslie and the legends that helped turn them into classical instruments.Although a great job of research, a exception due to the fact that so many talented artists are not mentioned by the author, including myths as Alan Hawkshaw, Art Neville (The Meters) and Eumir Deodato and new exponents as The Link Quartet, New Mastersounds, Diplomats of Solid Sound, Sugarman 3, McLemore Avenue, Big Organ Trio, Ari Borger, etc.Yet, this is a vast field, virtually endless, and the author's intention was not trying to cover it.But it's a big effort!

An interesting book introduced the original Hammond organs, and their, luckly, come back, now into digital inslallation.The right literature for every organ buff, playing pipe or Hammond organs, specialized playing religious and gospel music, as look liked into several country baptist churches.

This book is fantastic if you are a fan of the Hammond B3 in particular and great music in general. I really like the format. The first half of the book is all about the instrument itself - a detailed history of the instrument as well as the Leslie speaker and lists all the different models of Hammond organs through the years. The second half is all about the players of the Hammond Organ (most notably the Hammond B3) and features many short BIOS of the artists, as well as small discographies so you can search out some great music! Highly recommended by an avid Hammond Organ fan (as well as player!)

I purchased this book right on the heels of the "Beauty in the B" Hammond book and have found it to be an equally excellent book on the subject. It's divided into two parts: Part 1 covers the organ models, how they work, etc. there is also a generous section on the Leslie cabinets, their development, use and workings. Another great resource for Hammond/Leslie fans or the curious. Part 2 covers numerous artists who used Hammond organs in their playing and bands, their settings, and a bit of their personal history and discography. Nice book I highly recommend.

If you love a great story AND all the facts about Hammond Organs and it's founder, you'll love this book! The only organ that was not covered was the E-100 and that's pretty good considering all the models that were made by Hammond in it's hay-day. Warning: you may be enticed to pay thousands of dollars for a Hammond B-3 and a Leslie...so break out those Jimmy Smith LP's and get ready to dig deep (unless Grandma has one stashed away in the basement).

Prodotto giunto ben entro i tempi previsti.Il testo, in inglese, è un'opera completa che parla del genio di L. Hammond e di come è nato l'organo elettromagnetico che porta il suo nome. Si parla della storia e della tecnica dello strumento e ne vengono elencati praticamente tutti i modelli, passati e recenti. Grande attenzione viene inoltre rivolta all'immancabile amplificatore Leslie. Sono elencati infine tutti i più grandi musicisti che hanno reso l'organo Hammond "il Re degli strumenti musicali". Una chicca per gli appassionati.

Very informative book, lots of great information here about Hammond organs. Well worth the price. Would buy it again but what would I do with two?