RIP, Gene Ludwig
Was driving this morning and listening to WDUQ, and heard something that just blew my doors off:
Sadly, Gene Ludwig died last night. I just love some organ.
Check out this version with the Bill Warfield Big Band. It’ like Nelson Riddle meets the Hammond B3. It’s just awesome.
July 15, 2010 12:40 pm
Posted in: Music
31 Comments
31 Responses
The Grand Panjandrum - July 15, 2010 | 12:43 pm · Link
Ahem.
Corner Stone - July 15, 2010 | 12:48 pm · Link
Just too damned easy.
Pangloss - July 15, 2010 | 12:51 pm · Link
Me too, but I haven’t told my parents yet.
redoubt - July 15, 2010 | 12:55 pm · Link
Two words: Jimmy Smith.
John Cole - July 15, 2010 | 12:58 pm · Link
You people are all 12.
Comrade Mary - July 15, 2010 | 12:58 pm · Link
Aaaaand on second thought …
QuaintIrene - July 15, 2010 | 1:08 pm · Link
I had to buy some Liquid Plumber for a slow drain. This particular product is subtitled ‘Foaming Pipe Snake.’ Yes, I snicker every time I look at it.
daveX99 - July 15, 2010 | 1:10 pm · Link
Thanks for this, John. I too enjoy “Jazz Keyboard”.
We can save the discussion of your sublimated intrest in ‘organs’ for another ‘BJ’ (heh.) thread.
I second the nod to Jimmy Smith – just awesome.
—dave.
Chad N Freude - July 15, 2010 | 1:12 pm · Link
I thought it would have been tasteless to pick up on this in the context of an obit. Well, it is but (1) it’s funny anyway, and (2) no one has ever accused BJ commenters of having good taste. And I refuse to disclose how many multiples of 12 I am.
Rosalita - July 15, 2010 | 1:22 pm · Link
@John Cole:
and this surprises you how?
gnomedad - July 15, 2010 | 1:32 pm · Link
@John Cole:
You have to expect this when you hang a curve ball like that.
Cat Lady - July 15, 2010 | 1:47 pm · Link
What’s better than roses on your piano?
Rommie - July 15, 2010 | 1:48 pm · Link
Look at it this way Mr. Cole: If Gov. Manchin appoints you to the Senate seat until November, you have ample experience in conversing with 12-year-olds. Heh Heh Heh.
flukebucket - July 15, 2010 | 2:00 pm · Link
@Cat Lady:
Tulips on your organ of course.
Cat Lady - July 15, 2010 | 2:12 pm · Link
@flukebucket:
In his time here I hope Gene Ludwig got some pistils on his Hammond, if you know what I mean, and I think you do.
burnspbesq - July 15, 2010 | 2:13 pm · Link
On a happier note, Happy Birthday to Linda Ronstadt.
Morbo - July 15, 2010 | 2:28 pm · Link
The most important musical trait for a song to have on Pandora: prominent organ.
(bleh editing)
Mike Grimaldi - July 15, 2010 | 2:32 pm · Link
Not to bad mouth the dead but Gene Ludwig, while sounding good, is the imitation. The real thing can be found on Jimmy Smith/Wes Montgomery with Oliver Nelson, The Dynamic Duo (Verve). So I guess I’m agreeing with the “Jimmy Smith” guy.
Love your commentary John. Thanks.
Svensker - July 15, 2010 | 2:33 pm · Link
There’s a guy on youtube who builds organs and he wrote:
I felt so sorry for him.
And I am NOT 12. I’m 12 and a half!
LikeableInMyOwnWay - July 15, 2010 | 2:56 pm · Link
@redoubt:
You took those two words right out of my mouth.
The first time I heard Jimmy Smith I got goosebumps. That was just short of 50 years ago.
Today, I get the same goosebumps listening to him.
Smith is the gold standard on the Hammond.
The guy on this thread’s video is okay, but he ain’t Smith. His two hands aren’t even Smith’s left hand.
LikeableInMyOwnWay - July 15, 2010 | 3:06 pm · Link
Jimmy Smith.
And of course, this.
That latter cut is the first Smith recording I ever heard. The guy changed the perception of the instrument. He’s the Louis Armstrong of the B3.
LikeableInMyOwnWay - July 15, 2010 | 3:28 pm · Link
If you smoke, you will need a cigarette after this.
JL - July 15, 2010 | 4:27 pm · Link
Now that’s a band Sinatra with which Sinatra could have ripped the heart out of That’s Life.
Jason T. - July 15, 2010 | 4:32 pm · Link
As a yinzer, I always love your Pittsburgh references, John. Sometimes I think there should be a Balloon Juice meet-up for your Pittsburgh-area readers—- but for gawd’s sake, not at Primanti’s.
And RIP, Gene Ludwig—- born in Indiana County, grew up in Swissvale. Heard that just after I got up this morning, too, from Bob Studebaker on WDUQ. A hell of a way to start the day.
Fallsroad - July 15, 2010 | 5:00 pm · Link
Hammond B3 is like cowbell – you can never have too much.
See also Jimmy Smith and Joey DeFrancesco.
russell - July 15, 2010 | 5:18 pm · Link
Kicking. The blues will never let you down.
But hey, no love for Brother Jack McDuff?
Or dig a master, Mr. Larry Young.
It’s all good.
Captain Goto - July 15, 2010 | 6:20 pm · Link
For those folks who didn’t know who Gene was—I have about half a dozen Pittsburgh musicians friended on Facebook, all of whom noted Gene’s passing today. One of them was from a guy named Sean Jones (look him up). A more monstrous cat on the trumpet you will not find.
And one of the condolence notes, that came in response to one of the local postings, was from Joey freakin’ DeFrancesco. So I think it’s fair to say that Gene had some small influence, even outside of Balloon Juice territory.
Fallsroad - July 15, 2010 | 7:45 pm · Link
@russell:
You right.
Just named the first two to pop into my head.
burnspbesq - July 15, 2010 | 9:28 pm · Link
Don’t forget Booker T Jones
pghjazzer - July 16, 2010 | 10:38 am · Link
Sad that many of you do not know the 50-year contribution Mr. Ludwig made to the Pittsburgh – and national – jazz circuit.
Mr. Smith was Ludwig’s inspiration. They later played together. Mr. Smith is the one who persuaded Mr. Ludwig to purchase a B3, upon which the music you just heard was played.
Please do some research. You might be surprised with what you find out.
RIP Gene Ludwig
NewKidOnTheBlock - July 27, 2010 | 1:29 pm · Link
I think Gene himself would have laughed at some of the jokes, but I hope Mrs. Ludwig never sees this distasteful “discussion”.
If she did, well you all need to show some respect and offer some apologies.
And that tune on the video is damn good. Thanks for posting it.