Review #1, March 4, 2011
Review #2, March 10, 2011
Review #3, March 12, 2011
June 2007 Funky16Corners.com
Click here to go to download page
January 5, 2007 www.allaboutjazz.com
Click here to go to download page
Review of "Double Exposure"-Cecil Brooks III and Gene Ludwig
www.pointofdeparture.org
For B-3 nuts, the return of Gene Ludwig is the best thing to have happened since
Melvin Rhyne resurfaced on a series of Criss Cross CD's more than a decade ago.
Ludwig came up in a strong Pittsburgh scene in the early 1960's, which led to work
with veterans like Sonny Stitt and up-and-comers like Pat Martino. His near miss
came in the form of an Atlantic 45 that was unfortunately released the week of the
Kennedy assassination. It's been over a quarter-century since the release of
Now's The Time, his sole Muse LP. Kudos to drummer Cecil Brooks III for
putting Ludwig in a heads up setting that really tests every aspect of his playing.
Ludwig has it all: monster chops, mastery of the dramatic, a fully realized four-limb
approach. The set is heavy on lounge repertoire, much of it taken at an almost maniacal
tempo. He romps on "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and gallops through "On The Trail".
Despite the title referencing the late '70s meeting of Joe Chambers and Larry Young for
Muse, this CD has a decidedly mid-century feel, for which both Brooks the producer and the
drummer deserve credit.
Gene Ludwig (Blues Leaf
Records)
Review by: Owen Cordle for JazzTimes Magazine, May 2006
Recorded at the Blue Note in Las Vegas, this album catches veteran organist
Gene Ludwig in superb form. His sense of time is a lesson in swing. Momentum
builds as he paces his lines over a steady groove. The performances feel good -
food for the soul. "Love For Sale" gets things off to a fast start. "Just Friends"
cooks with a bounce. "Flamingo" and "Portrait of Jennie" are good for slow
dancing. The gospel blues of "The Preacher" contains many hallelujah choruses.
So it goes - straightahead, in the tradition. Guitarist Joe Lano, drummer Tommy
Check and guest percussionist Emedin Rivera assist the leader. Check's crisp
exchanges cap an uptempo "Well You Needn't". Lano's warm, mellow tone and lyrical,
rhythmic solos compliment the ensemble throughout the album.
Another good one from a master.
Gene Ludwig (Blues Leaf
Records)
Review by: George Harris for All About Jazz, March 2006
"Live in Las Vegas" is a definitive release of good old "soul-jazz".
Featuring Gene Ludwig and his venerable B-3, along with excellent support
from Joe Lano (guitar), Tommy Check (drums) and Emedin (percussion), the band
serves a feast of down home, feel good music that will stick to your ribs.
The band takes songs like Monk's idiosyncratic "Well You Needn't" and drives
it like a runaway locomotive. Throwing in quotes from songs like "Salt Peanuts",
Ludwig is out to have a good time. Lano's guitar work is just what the doctor ordered.
Pushed by Check's drums on "Just Friends", Ludwig conjures up a delectable mix with
the organ with stunning interplay, weaving the strings and breathy B-3 chords
to perfection. Ludwig's bel canto opening of "Flamingo", with the gentle ride cymbal
and delicate dancing guitar work, is simply marvelous. There are no pretensions of
grandeur on "Live in Las Vegas". As demonstrated on Horace Silver's funk-filled and
groovin' "The Preacher", Ludwig's band wants you to sit down, relax and blow the
blues away. Not a bad way to end a tough day!
"Live in Las Vegas" is probably the best bet in town.
Gene Ludwig (Blues Leaf
Records)
Review by: DOWNBEAT.COM March 2006
Gene Ludwig, one of jazz's premier Hammond B-3 organists, documents his live show in this
recording from Las Vegas. With support of guitar, drums and percussion, his music comes
clean and straight, mad with swing and pure in logic.
By Shaun Brady • January 19-25, 2006
Every organist has their "First time I saw Jimmy Smith " story, but few of these are
the preface to a 50-year career. Pittsburgh's Gene Ludwig swings with such an easy grace
that one has to suspect he walks, breathes and snores in that rhythm. Next time you wander
into a smoky bar and hear someone coaxing a sultry blues lick from a B3 knockoff, ask them
about the first time they saw Gene Ludwig. Gene will be appearing at:
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. and the Parkway, 215-763-8100
Fri., Jan. 20, 5:45 and 7:15 p.m., $12
Gene Ludwig (Blues Leaf
Records)
Review by: Karl Stark, Philadelphia Enquirer • August 28, 2005
"The Pittsburgh-based Gene Ludwig, who played Philly's Zanzibar Blue this
month, remains a formidable cat of the stun-and-gun jazz organ school. Whether
it's slinky grooves or moments of pure takeoff, Ludwig and his quartet are
proficient at this nasty but necessary art."
A B-3 Burner You
Can Bank On
By Bill Milkowski
Off the bandstand, he hardly looks the part. The dress shirt and
square-knotted tie, the neatly pressed slacks, wide-rimmed glasses
and patriarchal demeanor suggest an upright, solid citizen-possibly
a Midwestern high school principal or bank president...
> Click here to read the complete article
Gene Ludwig (Blues Leaf
Records)
Review by: James Rozzi
During the 1960's, the popular appeal of jazz-organ groups was evident,
and a cast of irrepressible B-3 bombers and tenor saxophonists spearheaded
the craze "soul jazz". As time passed, some of the more
talented organists began to explore tunes beyond the stereotypical
funk and blues. Veteran Pittsburgh organist Ludwig is one such player,
whose quartet capably moves beyond basics to cover a more sophisticated
set list...
> Click here to read the complete review
Gene Ludwig (Blues Leaf
Records)
Review by: David A. Orthmann
Hands On is the fourth Gene Ludwig release on the Blues Leaf imprint
since the former Sonny Stitt and Pat Martino confederate was rediscovered
by producer Jack Kreisberg in the mid-1990s. Amidst an ever-growing
number of recordings featuring capable Hammond B-3 organists, Ludwig’s
discs always stand out. This time he leads an able band of musicians
from his home base of Pittsburgh, PA.
> Click here to read the complete review
By Nate Guidry, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
Sunday, October 26, 2003
It had come to this for Gene Ludwig. He was only 21 and already
at a significant crossroads.
So he walked to the bathroom mirror, stared intently into it and
then flipped a coin. Heads, he would continue working as a civil
engineer. Tails, he would pursue a career in music...
> Click here to read the complete article
Click on link below to read.
http://funky16corners.tripod.com/11_gene_ludwig1.htm
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