Zexpa-Biem
Hal Shutz
Hammond Extravoice
Epic Stereorama BN 582
1960
From what I can tell, Shutz made one other album, Organ And Firelight (Columbia, 1956). It was offered by The Hammond Organ Company as a demonstration record.
This record seems way more obscure. The only other instance I could find was a listing in an Epic ad that ran in the November 7, 1960 Billboard.
GREAT tune! Unusual! Pandit-esque!
ReplyDeleteHal Shutz is my late father. He passed away at 64 in 1978. He was a great father and in my opinion the greatest organist of his time. Unfortunately, he never cut a record of his favorite tunes, or tunes liked by his many friends and students. He could play the blues organ like I've never heard it played before, yet none of this was ever recorded. I can't say enough about him for not only his contributions to music, but as a great father and his passion outside of music in the sciences, art and religion. He wasn't a church going type, but studied religion extensively. He didn't walk the same path as others thats for sure, I've never met anyone like him since and many of my friends who knew him felt the same way. They still talk about him to this day.
ReplyDeleteHe did cut a third album, it was a wedding music album and I believe it was called "Her Comes the Bride"
I'm a former student of Hal and he was the greatest!
DeleteI was a student of your father in the mid-sixties. I went on to play the B3 in many Venus over the years. He was a great teacher and a wonderful musician. You and I probably met at some point in San Bruno, or perhaps at a testimonial dinner for him. I still play some of his arrangements.
DeleteI am a former student of Hal’s in the mid-1960s. He was a great teacher and organist! I learned so much from him and have played professionally all of my life. I’m now in Ohio and teach. Nice to see this here.
DeleteI was a student of Hal Shutz in the late 60's and early 70's, he was a magnificent teacher and performer. Those who studied with Hal, were blessed beyond measure!
DeleteVery awesome melodic styling for the great Hammond vacuum tube oscillator F100 Extravoice organ. The F100 was the less popular, but certainly more cool successor to the Hammond S Chord Organ series- S4,S6,S100. As Hal Shutz demonstrates, these organs are not toys or inferior in any way to any other make or model of organ, they are simply different that's all, In fact the tube oscillator organs Hammond made were quite professional in their make up. Tone is everything when it comes to music and tube oscillators offer very rich, ever changing tonal textures to the organist. Put that together with some good spring reverb and bass pedals and what more could you want?
ReplyDeleteEvery day there are Hammond Chord organs on Craigslist somewhere in America. The Model S-6 is the most common. I happen to have an S-6 from 1955 that of all my 20+ organs I've owned over the years, it is the S6 that has never needed even one repair. I love it. This is why I am always keeping an eye out for an F100 Extravoice because I like the S6 tone, but want more than 2 bass pedals and the F100 has a full octave. I love my Hammond X-66 organ and the fact that I have their top model and their bottom model, but they both sound great is awesome. BTW I played a Hammond A100 (AKA B3) and a Leslie 122 for years, but also love the OTHER organ sounds! SAVE THE ORGANS- Paul J, Columbus Ohio
Hello Paul, nice post. Of course, we had several organs at the house, I recall one whole wall area downstairs was dedicated to speakers for the big spinet and I do believe we also had an S6 Hammond Chord organ upstairs. I learned to play a couple tunes on it, I certainly appreciated the music, but I wasn't interested enough to pursue it any further. The chord organ was an amazing instrument for it's size, my father made it sound bigger sound wise. It finally found a home around 1987 when my mom donated it to an RV club house facility she used to belong to.
ReplyDeleteHi John, it has been ages, this is Richard Austin, one of Hal's students. Where are you these days?
DeleteHi Richard, three years late, but certainly glad to hear from you. I remember you well and I hope the passing years have been kind with good health and happiness.
DeleteI live outside of Sacramento, married for 46 years and have two daughters. I finally retired earlier this year, an event that defines freedom. I wish I could have done it five years before.
Speaking of Hal, last night I spoke to my cousin and he brought up my father. He was fascinated by him his whole life, as were other family members and friends. He said after his mom passed away, he found some documents associated with Hal and best of all, there was a single record that he thought was a studio recording of a tune by Hal on an unknown model Hammond organ. The LP was obviously dated since it was a 33LP. I'm looking forward to hearing it, but I have to source a turntable that can play at 33. The only time I listened to a 33LP was when I was a kid and my father cut a demo record playing an outstanding tune in 33. I Believe it was recorded in the 1940s, but I'm not sure. There is an outside chance the record may be the same aforementioned 33LP I heard as a kid.
Anyway, nice hearing from you and are you still living in the Golden State?
I WAS ALSO A STUDENT OF Hal Shutz in the late 60's to early 70's.I don't know if you are Robin,the younger natural son or one of the 2 earlier adopted sons.we used to watch the original Star Trek together along with your mom PENNY and her dog George.I guess I have said enough to show I really knew themOH,and there was an aunt from Reno who drove an older Rolls Royce!!If you wish to reach me call @510-215-2818 I am Frank
ReplyDeleteHello everyone! Is there any possibility that anyone could put me in contact with anyone who might have a copy of Hals record "The World At My Fingers"? I have thankfully just stumbled across his music and have become incredibly fond of his playing. I would love to speak with someone who knows more about him or where I might be able to listen to this album. Any help would be infinitely appreciated. I realize it's a long shot considering this thread dates back fairly far
ReplyDelete