Views and Brews at the Cactus Cafe: March 5, 2013

The Cactus Cafe, at the UT Student Union, is the site of  "Views and Brews" every week.  This week's topic: the role of the Hammond organ in the development of different music genres.  We learned that prior to the Hammond organ's invention in the 1930s, organs required rooms with 32-foot ceilings to accommodate the pipes.  The Hammond became popular in baseball stadiums, circuses, churches, and with bands.  Duke Ellington was able to hit the road with 17 fewer band members thanks to the organ's orchestra sound.  Above is the actual Hammond used by the keyboardist in Austin's Migo Fishtrap band.

An "antique" Hammond, that still sounds great.  Several local keyboardists, including Ian McLagan, demonstrated various sounds from Bach to rock.  McLagan has played with Eric Burden and the Animals, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, etc.  He's a Brit, of course, but lives in Austin.

At the Cactus Cafe