Gene Ludwig – Love Notes of Cole Porter – Big O Records 2416, 58:54 ****:
(Gene Ludwig, Hammond C-3 organ; Lou Stellute, tenor sax; Mark Strickland, guitar; Billy Kuhn and Thomas Wendt, drums)
There are many jazz artists who never quite hit the big time, but hard core fans of their instrument certainly know their talents and other musicians looking for just the right pro to round out their recording session can call on them to deliver the goods.
Such was the case with Hammond organist Gene Ludwig. (C-3 is a different furniture design, same organ insides.) Gene passed away on July 14, 2010. He played the Hammond for almost 52 years. He played with so many big names such as Sonny Stitt, Red Holloway, Pat Martino, and Scott Hamilton. These gentlemen needed Gene’s Hammond to provide the “grease” to lube the soulfulness of their recordings. Gene did not travel throughout the country, largely staying on the East Coast, primarily in the Pittsburgh area. From the mid 60s to this recording done in late 2008, Ludwig appears to have less than a dozen recordings as a leader, mostly for small labels. Both on his own recordings and as a sideman, I cannot remember not enjoying the groove that he brought to any performance.
It is a particular treat to discover what possibly could be his final recording as a leader, on Love Notes of Cole Porter, done in late 2008 and just released on Big O Records, the home of Organissimo, whose forum is loved by devotees of jazz in all its varied genres.
Gene’s sidemen are not household names, but really stand out in both backing Gene and on their own solos. Particularly impressive is Lou Stellute on tenor sax and Mark Strickland on guitar. Song selection is classic Cole Porter with “What is This Thing Called Love”, “Begin the Beguine”, “You’d be So Nice to Come Home To”, and “Night and Day” being among the most famous of the Cole Porter songbook.
Stellute digs in like Sonny Stitt on the opening track and you know we are in for a special recording. Gene and Lou blend together sweetly like warm honey and toast on “Everything I Love.” “Every Time We Say Goodbye” brings Mark Strickland’s guitar to the foreground with Ludwig content to provide a “churchified” backing. Simply lovely…
Gene pulls out the stops on “Rosalie” and you can’t help but nodding your head with a smile on your face. Lou Stellute is again featured on “Why Can’t You Behave” and he gives Stitt and Holloway a run for their money dripping soul. Crank the volume up on this track and sit back and bliss out.
We still have Dr. Lonnie Smith and Mel Rhyne, but very few other old school Hammond B-3 players are still with us. Gene Ludwig belonged in the upper echelon of Hammond players but never got his due. RIP, Gene, you will be missed by Hammond lovers. Thanks go to Gene’s widow, Pattye, and Big O Records for giving us a nice farewell visit with Gene.
TrackList: What is This Thing Called Love, Everything I Love, I Love You, Begin the Beguine, You’d be So Nice to Come Home To, Every Time We Say Goodbye, Rosalie, Why Can’t You Behave?, Night and Day, Dream Dancing.
— Jeff Krow
