Let’s take a visit back in time to a mid-sized mall circa 1974...got your Orange Julius? As we pass by the Kimball organ store, we hear the sounds of Don Jenkins and Jim McGill trading hot organ licks (OK that came out really WRONG)....what I meant to say is that they’re rockin’ & grooving on the spankin’ new Syntha Swinger 1700 Kimball organ in the hopes that dad or granny will stop and lay down some heavy cash to put one of these babies into their own rumpus room.
I’ve got to say, Jim McGill put some interesting twists on some insipid 70s songs while showing off all the hokey features of the instrument, not an easy feat. Don lays down some grooving tracks as well, though both have their occasional lapses in rhythm and good taste --which is of course what makes this album such a delight. I’m sure in 1974 the SynthaSwinger 1700 was the top-of-the-line state-of-the-art for home entertainment organs, though you can hear undertones of the casio kitsch factor that can make it sound as resonant as a $15 doorbell.
Diggin’ the aviator glasses, Jim!
In Concert on the Kimball Organ
Pop Organ Records PO-110174
Recorded November 1, 1974 at the Universal Recording Studios, Chicago
Song Gems with Jim McGill
You've Got a Friend
Danke Schoen
Look of Love
If
Go Away Little Girl
Born Free
Beautiful Music with Don Jenkins
Lady is a Tramp
Bewitched
I Could Write a Book
My Funny Valentine
Roses of Picardy
Soon It's Gonna Rain
8 comments:
You nailed the setting. Hilton music in Pyramid Mall, Saratoga Springs, NY. Right next to Friar Tuck Bookstore, kitty corner to the Orange Julius (cinnamon toothpicks!) I really wanted a Kimball organ as a kid... we had an upright piano is all. Then the early 80's brought us the Realistic Concertmate MG-1 and the Casio VLT-1, and my priorities changed drastically.
In the Southland Mall in Marion Ohio the organ store was located at the far end by Sears, wedged between a uniform store and "Taco Ed's Buento Burrito" shop (Lee Travino was its spokesperson). When they did have someone playing the music echoed in the mall "glow little glow worm..." and it was a bit like free skate at the Hy-Way Rollerena...
LOVE these memories....I always thought these stores were the farm clubs for the public address organ players at sports arenas....."duh duh duh DUT duh DUHHHHHH" "YAYYYYYY!"
This reminds me of the shopping malls in the late 1970's-early 80's. Almost every mall (at least in my area) had a store that sold organs. You could hear the music a mile away! I miss those days. Great music...thanks Ange!
Sorry for stating the obvious, but I probably should've read your entire post before commenting last night (I downloaded this album without actually reading anything). The result....posting a comment that basically reiterated everything you already said.
Bryan
Thanks....(I think. I'm not sure, yet.)
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Nancy
http://pianonotes.info
I saw these guys perform live at Antioch Music in Antioch, CA shortly after they recorded this album. They were actually hocking this album at this free concert at this music store. This store's anchor brands were Kimball and Gulbransen. My parents bought one of these records and my father used to listen to it over and over.
What memories.....I wonder what these guys are doing today?
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