No, not that kind of foursome. But pour a few Martinis down these swingers’ throats and who knows what might happen? Tony definitely looks like he’s harboring a few dark secrets, and you just know Joe’s got a kinky side. Just remember that what happens at The Highlander Lounge stays at The Highlander Lounge. Featuring the sleaziest version of Light My Fire you’ve ever heard.

I don’t know about you, but the mere fact that Klausie’s last name sounds like “Wonderful” is enough to make this record one of my favorites. And, are there any sweeter words in the German tongue than “Hammondorgel mit Rhythmusgruppe”?! I think not. Some great tracks here; an upbeat version of “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess, the old standard “The Girl From Ipanema” in organ form, and the surprisingly haunting original composition “Echo In The Night.” (Now, if I could only track down a copy of “Organ Happening”…) Enjoy!

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Is your insatiable organ-lust at peak intensity? Has the thrill of just one organ long ago faded? Do you crave more and more– your harmonic intensity increasing– until you burst forth in a melodic cascade of organ ecstasy?! Well, wait no longer, because Buddy Bonds has heard your prayers!

OK, in all fairness, Buddy’s idea of an “orchestra” consists of a measly three organs. But fear not– three organs can make an awful lot of racket. It is, as the back cover breathlessly proclaims, “the most ambitious undertaking of his 28 years as an organist!”

Probably the most interesting thing about this album is the way it anticipates the synthesizer boom of the 70′s. Buddy and his compatriots Ray Jenkins and Darrell Stuckey coax some very Moog-like sounds out of these otherwise unhip harps, creating a “way out” sound that’s sure to delight “the Hullabaloo-oriented teen-agers.” (Sadly, Hullabaloo-orientation is still not protected by federal law.) Or, as Ed Wallace of the New York World-Telegram is quoted as saying on the album’s reverse side:

The newest means of making hip-swinging music, which seems to propel the most casual foot-patter right out of his seat and onto the dance floor, is the electronic organ. This small box of electronic wizardry is filled with new sounds, and is capable of endless surprises of rhythm. Its voices and moods may be varied through a thousand colored tones, and on the drawing board of its engineers and designers are more wonders to come.

The foremost missionaries of the modern organ are two brothers, Ralph and Buddy Bonds, who came out of the armed forces to form the first twin organ team to appear in night clubs, hotels, theaters, and organ clubs throughout the country. Their numberous albums, several of them on the nation’s best seller list, propelled them into national prominence.

Question: why are there no more “organ clubs” in existance? At any rate, if you like your twin organ teams missionary style, this album is sure to delight. Sadly, Buddy’s fame appears to have been short-lived; I could find very little of interest about him on the web. Let this page be the resurgence of Buddy’s organ!

(PS: My apologies for the rather poor sound quality of this one.)

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Here’s a light, dreamy album packed with a whopping sixteen tracks of organy goodness. Marjorie seems to have been one of the major players of the 60′s organ scene, with at least 7 LPs to her name that I can find online. Here, Marjorie’s playing the Lowrey Organ, which according to Wikipedia was one of the first transistorized organs, and which apparently she was a spokeswoman for. The Lowrey here has a lighter, more etherial quality than the Hammond, and some of the tracks have cool guitar and vibraphone arrangements woven in. A sweet, swingin’ album with a nice upbeat tempo throughout.

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Some bouncy high-camp Hammond organ from Lenny Dee, famous for his hit “Plantation Boogie.” Whereas most Hammond organistas stuck to quiet, soothing ballads and slow, stultifying hymns, Lenny made his name with upbeat, sometimes goofy arrangements and swingin’ rhythms. These twelve tunes are are sure to enliven your next roller-rink-themed cocktail soiree. Lots more info on Lenny here and here. And don’t forget to get his autograph!

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