Organ Shindig

After scoring the Top Ten singles "The Happy Organ" in 1959 and "Rinky Dink" three years later, instrumentalist Dave "Baby" Cortez (organ) issued a trio of LPs on Roulette Records in the mid -60s. Organ Shindig (1965) -- his first of several long-players for the label -- hosts spirited remakes of concurrent pop and soul classics. Cortez is supported by an uncredited combo consisting primarily of electric guitars, electric bass, drums and the occasional horn section augmentation. While all involved -- especially Cortez -- supply energetic environs to the familiar favorites, for the most part the aggregate provide a virtually ersatz backdrop. Sam Cooke's "Shake" is given much the same Memphis R&B vibe that Otis Redding would bring to his interpretation. Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" retains the slippery syncopated rhythm as Cortez supplies limber leads and irrepressible Hammond B-3 interjections. Interestingly, the a cappella introduction to "Boy From New York City" -- presumably by Cortez himself -- offers up the only vocals on Organ Shindig. There are substantial contributions from the studio band, bearing the distinct aura of performers from Phil Spector and Brian Wilson's luminous 'Wrecking Crew' coterie. As alluded to above however, and as was common practice of the time, none of the personnel are listed on the original LP jacket. "Can't Buy Me Love" swings hard in an almost bluesy expression from the up front and center organist. He quite literally wails as his rotating Leslie speaker cabinet spins at warp speed. There are also a few noteworthy entries from the Motown catalog, including a surprisingly good take of "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)," as well as the bouncy reading of John D. Loudermilk's "Paper Tiger," which had been a hit for Sue Thompson in 1964. In the mid-'90s, Organ Shindig was combined with Cortez' two follow-up albums, Tweety Pie (1965) and In Orbit With Dave "Baby" Cortez (1966) on to the 3 on 1: Organ Shindig/Tweety Pie/In Orbit (1995) compact disc. ~ Lindsay Planer