Organic Rock

It’s time to get the organ back into Rock and Roll.

Just listening to the Animals’ “House of the Rising Sun,” and remembering how good it was. Part of it was certainly Eric Burdon’s voice, but part of it too was Alan Price’s magnificent organ. Al Kooper’s organ on Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde has always made that album stand out. I never liked Jim Morrison’s over the top lyrics or histrionics, but Ray Manzarek’s organ was always the best part of The Doors.

I begin to realize that many of the most powerful rock songs I can think of had organ parts. Lighter Shade of Pale; 96 Tears. The organ, keyboards, are more musically versatile than the guitar. But more than that. The organ is a traditional religious instrument. There is something about the organ that adds great depth and strength to rock and roll. It brings rock back to its spiritual, gospel roots. And that is where its power has always come from.