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154
Album Review

Gene Ludwig: Live in Las Vegas

Read "Live in Las Vegas" reviewed by Terrell Kent Holmes


When Hammond B-3 maestro Gene Ludwig performed recently at JALC's tribute to fellow Pittsburgh native Stanley Turrentine, his playing was certainly up to the occasion. Unfortunately, the sound system at the Allen Room wasn't. On certain notes the organ faded out or crackled like poor radio reception. These audio problems might have diminished Ludwig's performance, but they failed to defeat his spirit as he forged ahead through the faulty connection. Live in Las Vegas, recorded at the Blue Note in ...

215
Album Review

Bob DeVos: DeVos

Read "DeVos" reviewed by J. Robert Bragonier


For aficionados of the Hammond B-3 organ trio, the name of Bob DeVos is immediately recognizable. DeVos has been the guitarist of choice for B-3 luminaries such as Richard “Groove” Holmes, Charles “The Mighty Burner” Earland, and Jimmy McGriff for over three decades. In addition, he's worked with saxophonists Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, David “Fathead" Newman, and Houston Person, as well as singers Etta Jones and Irene Reid. Nor is DeVos solely wed to the soul-jazz genre; he is currently ...

227
Album Review

Gene Ludwig: Hands On

Read "Hands On" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Hands On is the fourth Gene Ludwig release on the Blues Leaf imprint since the former Sonny Stitt and Pat Martino confederate was rediscovered by producer Jack Kreisberg in the mid-1990s. Amidst an ever-growing number of recordings featuring capable Hammond B-3 organists, Ludwig’s discs always stand out. This time he leads an able band of musicians from his home base of Pittsburgh, PA. A wide embrace of material and moods enables Ludwig and company to avoid the clichés and repetition ...

154
Album Review

Gene Ludwig: Hands On

Read "Hands On" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone


This is a very likeable B3 album, and notably for people who are not enamored of tenor sax-organ dates. Gene Ludwig, a longtime Pittsburgh musician with a history of 40 years of plugging away at this genre, has pulled out all the “stops." Ludwig has recorded seven sessions including one on Muse in 1979, all with local musicians, and on independent labels. You've got to hand it to someone who has consistently produced quality sessions and still comes back with ...

272
Album Review

Vince Ector: Rhythm Master

Read "Rhythm Master" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Energized by a core trio with bassist Dwayne Burno and pianist John di Martino, drummer Vince Ector's debut displays the loose, enjoyable feeling of a hard bop blowing session, yet the scope of the material and arrangements indicate a great deal of thought and preparation. Inventively utilizing a number of combinations of trombone, tenor and soprano saxophones, flute, trumpet, guitar, and percussion, the set includes American popular songs (eg. “I've Got The World On A String"), jazz standards (eg. “Short ...

166
Album Review

Gene Ludwig: The Groove ORGANization

Read "The Groove ORGANization" reviewed by David A. Orthmann


Comprised of craftsmanship and inspiration in equal measure, Hammond B-3 organist Gene Ludwig’s The Groove ORGANization (Blues Leaf) thrives within the broad, well-trod parameters of soul-jazz. Ludwig and his partners guitarist Bob DeVos and drummer Billy James pull off the admirable feat of making music that has an aura of good times, yet is substantial and thought provoking. The overall sound is blues and soul saturated, minus any hint of cliché or grandstanding. Although this is jazz that provides visceral ...

182
Album Review

Janiva Magness: My Bad Luck Soul

Read "My Bad Luck Soul" reviewed by Ed Kopp


The pliant voice of Detroit-born songstress Janiva Magness enhanced Kid Ramos' latest CD, so much so that I simply had to check out her new release My Bad Luck Soul. Glad I did, because this is a fine collection of guitar-centric jump and blues.Magness has relocated to the Left Coast and adopted the region's swinging blues style. Magness is an appealing vocalist capable of lusty passion (" It's Love Baby," “Happy Hour"), gutbucket growling ("My Bad Luck Soul," ...


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