Re: Hip Hammond bands/TOP

[<DAVE_KALIL@abyss.iqvc.com>]

Ben Ninnman wrote:

>This is an "almost there" type of entry. You can't talk about what is hip
>without including the original "What Is Hip?" guys themselves, Tower Of
>Power. The only reason they get an "almost there" rating is that the
>keyboardist uses an XB-2 straight through the board without any Leslie or
>Leslie sim help. Every time you hear an XB-2 like that you think how much
>better it would sound w/ some doppler assistance. But T.O.P. still REALLY
>kicks big time when you see them.

I agree,  TOP still kicks butt,  but in my opinion, that isn't the only
reason they are
"almost there".  I have had the opportunity to see TOP live about 5 times
in the last 3 years,
and although I think Nick Milo is a fine "keyboard" player,  he isn't quite
there as a "Hammond"
player.  I have seen much improvement in him over the years but,  as I
stated in a previous
Email,  Chester Thompson is a tough act to follow.  CT is a classic Hammond
player with strong
jazz and blues roots.  Check out his album "Powerhouse" from 1971 if you
can find it and you'll
see what I mean.  Each time I have seen TOP recently Nick Milo has tried to
impress on organ
with playing solos that had a lot of notes but not much meaning or feeling.
CT could play a lot of
notes,  but man that cat has the funk.  I still think he is one of the
premier organists in rock music.
So,  I agree that a real Leslie will definitely add to the sound,  but he
still needs better drawbar
settings and a whole lot more soul.

Just my $.02,

Dave