The Electric Symphony - Ralph Carmichael

 

His Land

Ralph Carmichael Presents

The Electric Symphony

(The Moog Synthesizer)

Arranger/Player: Clark Gassman

Programmer/Player: Fred Werner

Arranger/Director: Ralph Carmichael

A&R Producer: Bill Cole

Cover by Peter Wharf

Light Records LS-5541-LP

1970

From the back cover: Well, here we go again! It seems like I've spent half my life explaining why we keep trying new things in the field of religious music.

First of all, I guess something should be said about the Moog (rhymes with vogue) Synthesizer. It really can't be explained in just a sentence, but I'll give it a try...

An oscillator converts an electric wave into a pitched sound. The pitch itself is controlled by voltage selected on a piano-like keyboard. It's sort of "computer music" because by a somewhat complicated system of "programming," the sounds of orchestral instruments can be duplicated, so I call it The Electric Symphony.

I would like, right here, to give special credit to Bill Cole (producer), Clark Gassman (player) and Fred Werner (programmer), for their talent and ingenuity in putting this album together.

Now I don't expect everyone to start liking the Moog just because they read these liner notes. But for all our friendly skeptics let me say that it's a pretty sure thing that within a few years this instrument will be as widely used as any other keyboard. I can see it now... The Sunday morning bulletin of "Any Church, U.S.A.".... Pianist – Mary Doe; Organist – Jane Doe; Moogist – John Doe. Just remember, every time a new musical instrument (or musical form) has been nominated to the list of "usable" in the religious field, there has always been... First – a furor; Second – discussion; Third – experimentation; Fourth – ratification.

It's the same in the commercial field. Several years ago we tired to use the Moog on a Roger Williams session and everyone (including myself) tagged the whole effort "a gimmick and a failure." This year NARAS bestowed the coveted Achievement Award to Mr. Moog and his Synthesizer.

To be specific for a moment, consider the organ. Pipe organs were widely used in theaters and are still referred to as "theatre organs." Then after some brave soul got it classified as "OK" for religious use, another brave soul introduced the "economy" packet known as the electric organ.

I'm sure not advocating that we abandon the use of any of the organ instruments. I still think there is a place for all the keyboards and use them constantly on record and film sessions... (Harpsichord, Clavichord, piano, celeste, electric organ and even the pipe occasionally), and I'll be using the Moog too, and here's why –

It's just possible that the transistorized ears of the younger generation will find the electrical dynamics of the Moog very pleasing and if that's the instrumental sound they will listen to, then you just guess what I'm gonna do – Ralph Carmichael

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