Archive for December, 2023

Holiday Music on the Hammond Organ


Organist Jim Alfredson shared this live performance of his Hammond organ arrangements of some Christmas classics.

And, if you think it sounds cheesy, you’re missing the point! From start to finish, this celebrates what was cool – and what will always be cool – at Christmas.


“I recently acquired this lovely 1960s Hammond Auto-Vari 64 drum machine, so I thought I’d record some holiday songs with it, because I love it’s cheesy goodness!” notes Alfredson. “I’m using my 1958 Hammond B3 through the new Leslie 122H Heritage. It sounds awesome!”

“Hope you enjoy the lounge-lizard cheese!” he adds. “Maybe I can get a gig in a Howard Johnson lobby somewhere.”

 

 

Lisa Bella Donna releases ‘Christmas Album’


Electronic music fans that want some electronic music for the season that’s spiritual, without being overtly religious, should check out the latest album by synthesist Lisa Bella Donna, simply named Christmas Album.

The holidays can be a dark time for electronic music fans, when the air is filled with the sounds of a small selection of old songs, played in their most mass-market friendly arrangements.

Lisa Bella Donna’s latest release offers an alternative, featuring a collection of five original electronic music tracks, selected to fit the more reflective moments of the darkest days of Winter.

What Bella Donna say about Christmas Album:

“Seasons Greetings, everyone!

I am wishing that each of you are happy and healthy as 2023 comes to a close. I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you, who have so graciously and continuously supported my music and recordings. I am so truly grateful for your open hearts and minds.

I hope that my music inspires you to be creative in some way.

For the holiday season, I wanted to give you a fun and unique way to enjoy traveling, late nights after all have went to bed, or early mornings in the headphone forest.

“Lisa Bella Donna – Christmas Album” is a collection of mostly previously recorded tracks and a few unreleased.

All winter inspired and freshly HD remastered and available only through the holidays.”

The album is composed, recorded, & mixed by Lisa Bella Donna, and features the sounds of organ, piano, Mellotron, ARP 2600, Moog Modular System, ARP Odyssey & ARP String Ensemble.

You can preview the album below and purchase it, at ‘Name your price’, via Bandcamp:

 

 

 

Johann Pachelbel’s Canon In D on Synthesizer

Synthesist Hugh R shared this synthesizer arrangement of Johann Pachelbel’s Canon In D.


“I’ve always loved the idea of classical music recreated on synthesizers,” he notes, “so thought id give it a try myself. Recorded using my modular, minilogue and polysix.”