The Fender Rhodes electric piano was most popular with jazz and soul musicians and groups from 1970 to 1978, when affordable synthesizers began to replace the warm, dreamy-sounding instrument. For me, the greatest concentration of top-notch Rhodes albums arrived between 1971 and 1973. As you might imagine, I'm a bit of a Rhodes nut and have a fairly large collection.
No other instrument says the 1970s like this singular keyboard. Just hearing its ringing notes triggers thoughts of patchouli oil, English Leather after shave, Herbal Essence shampoo, bell-bottom jeans, ripped denim jackets, aviator glasses, long sideburns, unisex hair salons, Mateus Rose, Yago sangria and muscle cars. One day soon, I'll post on my 10 or 20 favorite Fender Rhodes albums.
For now, let's focus on drummer John Von Ohlen's The Baron. Bill Kirchner reminded me of the LP recently following my post on Steve Allee's new big band ablum. Recorded for Creative World in January 1973, The Baron featured Claude Sifferlen (Fender Rhodes), Steve Allee (keyboard bass, piano, organ), John “The Barron" Von Ohlen (drums) and Mary Ann Moss (vocals).
Thanks to gifted arranging by Carroll DeCamp, the album sounds as if there are many more musicians on board than the four listed. And it's among the most intelligent Rhodes LP recorded. For one, the musicianship is extraordinary. Claude Sifferlen was classically trained and jazz entertained. Steve Allee remains an extraordinary arranger and multi-instrumentalist. John Von Ohlen was a forceful, confident drummer who played with Woody Herman in the late 1960s, Stan Kenton in the early 1970s and had a sterling career as a leader, including with the Blue Wisp Big Band. Very little is known about Mary Ann Moss.
What all of these players and DeCamp have in common is they hailed from Indianapolis. At the city's clubs, they were exposed to both touring legends and home-grown giants such as the Montgomery brothers. What's also fascinating about The Baron is the eclectic choice of material. All of the tracks are sophisticated and as pretty as can be. JazzWax tracks: A rarity, you'll find John Von Ohlen's The Baron only on LP at Discogs.com or here to listen to the tracks.
And here's John playing drums with Stan Kenton's band in 1972 in London...
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