Name: Back on the Track
Brand: Allegro Corporation ***
SKU: 660349
Price: 13.79 USD
Availability: InStock

Performer Notes

Personnel: Gene Ludwig (organ); Tony Janflone Sr., Randy Caldwell (guitar); Dan Muchoney, Randy Gelispie (drums); George Jones (percussion).
Recorded at Audiomation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Includes liner notes by Pete Fallico.
Personnel: Gene Ludwig (organ); Tony Janflone Sr., Randy Caldwell (guitar); Dan Muchoney, Randy Gelispie (drums); George Jones (percussion).
This CD shows organist Gene Ludwig's unabashed love for soul and blues pure and simple, which is not surprising since he is a native of that area of Pennsylvania which spawned so many of the giants of jazz and blues. Ludwig is no newcomer to the scene, having been performing since the 1960s; he got a big break in 1969 when he recorded with Sonny Stitt and another break when he toured with singer Arthur Prysock. Ludwig has listened to all the great practitioners of the Hammond B3, from the blues/soul promenading of Jimmy Smith to the swinging organs of Bill Doggett and Wild Bill Davis. These listening experiences are reflected on this album as he pulls out all the stops, literally and figuratively, in running through a variety of musical styles. He and guitarist Tony Janflone Sr. team up on "At Last," laying on a melancholy, whimsical sound unique to an organ/guitar combination. The swing comes to the fore with a relaxed medium tempo "Back on the Track," one of Ludwig's compositions. "In Walked Bud" echoes the many bop credentials on Ludwig's extensive resum‚. But no matter the genre, swing, bop, ballad, or Latin, they all have that soul tone that has earned the Hammond B3 organ a special niche in jazz. Ludwig is joined by players sympathetic to his musical agenda. In addition to Janflone, fine guitar player Randy Caldwell sits in on three racks and is particularly effusive on the bouncy arrangement of his tune "Papa Gee." The drumming and percussive support by Messrs. Muchoney, Gelispie, and Jones is first rate. Ludwig's first album as a leader since his last recording for Muse almost 20 years ago, the appropriately named Back on the Track successfully welcomes the fine organist back to the fray. The CD is recommended for jazz lovers in general and for jazz organ enthusiasts in particular. ~ Dave Nathan

Album: Back on the Track
#	Song Title	Time
1)	In Walked Bud
2)	Memphis Underground
3)	For Lena and Lenny
4)	River's Invitation
5)	Back on the Track
6)	Triste
7)	First String, The
8)	At Last
9)	Papa Gee
10)	Birk's Works

Album: Back on the Track
#	Song Title	Time
1)	In Walked Bud
2)	Memphis Underground
3)	For Lena and Lenny
4)	River's Invitation
5)	Back on the Track
6)	Triste
7)	First String, The
8)	At Last
9)	Papa Gee
10)	Birk's Works