From rick155@aol.com Mon Jan 28 10:44:24 2002
Subject:Re: Favorite rock organist

A few more thoughts on favorites, influences, musical epiphanies, etc:

How about the original version of "Ramblin Gamblin Man" by the Bob Seger System (ca. 1967). Don't remember who's on organ, but it totally makes the recording. If you don't know it, I'll go home and post it somewhere. That tune's an underappreciated classic.

Booker T. and the MG's doing "Hang Em High". I played that 45 in my room when I was a kid over and over and over and over.....

Brian Auger's Oblivion Express.

Steve Winwood. Let's face it, as hopelessly overplayed as "Gimme Some Lovin'" is, it helped define The Sound as well as the listening demand for The Sound.

Greg Rolie was a big influence who I should've mentioned before (as many others already have). And as long as we're talking Santana, Tom Coster on the "Borboletta" album.

Al Kooper for sure in the influence department. "Super Session", "I Stand Alone", the first Blood Sweat and Tears album...great stuff back then.

And last but certainly not least, one of the most original bands in Rockdom, Gentle Giant, with Kerry Minnear on Hammond. I don't think you'll find a wider assortment of Hammond registrations and playing styles in any other band. These guys filled every song with surprises. The "Three Friends" album (1972) is a great place to start.

Rick