Wayfaring Stranger
May 23, 2011 11:40 AM
First stab at recording my new Estey folding Chaplain's pump organ.
This is a really quick and dirty version of my favorite hymn tune, recorded on a Zoom H2. I think it really needs a couple of condensers.
The organ is the most fantastic thing -- you can't get a bad sound out of it. Even the wrong notes sound awesome. The only trick is that you can't just pump the pedals in time with the music. The more keys you hold down, the more air it needs so the faster you have to pedal. If you get it wrong the bellows start flapping. So you have to somehow get your legs working independently from your fingers, which is a bit of a trick.
I'll post some youtube of it later I think.
These organs were manufactured in their thousands for Chaplains to use in the field for military services, and also for Canadian priests to evangelize the natives in the far north. Mine was made in about 1948 and cost me $250. It's in terrific shape, the only odd part being that the reeds have all been moved up a tone, so if you play a C on the keyboard it sounds a Bb, which is odd but sort of endearing too.
This is a really quick and dirty version of my favorite hymn tune, recorded on a Zoom H2. I think it really needs a couple of condensers.
The organ is the most fantastic thing -- you can't get a bad sound out of it. Even the wrong notes sound awesome. The only trick is that you can't just pump the pedals in time with the music. The more keys you hold down, the more air it needs so the faster you have to pedal. If you get it wrong the bellows start flapping. So you have to somehow get your legs working independently from your fingers, which is a bit of a trick.
I'll post some youtube of it later I think.
These organs were manufactured in their thousands for Chaplains to use in the field for military services, and also for Canadian priests to evangelize the natives in the far north. Mine was made in about 1948 and cost me $250. It's in terrific shape, the only odd part being that the reeds have all been moved up a tone, so if you play a C on the keyboard it sounds a Bb, which is odd but sort of endearing too.
posted by unSane (9 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
Ooooh! I love pump organs! And this piece is just fabulous: nice, juicy, somewhat dark Americana. You're hitting some of my very fundamental musical pleasure zones with this one, man.
I love the organic sound of this organ.
Heh.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:38 PM on May 23, 2011
I love the organic sound of this organ.
Heh.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:38 PM on May 23, 2011
By the way, I'd really love to put vocals over this, unSane. How would you feel about that?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:40 PM on May 23, 2011
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:40 PM on May 23, 2011
Thanks! The arrangement is inspired by the Butch Baldassari and David Schnaufer version, especially that monster pedal drone which I think is played by a bowed Appalachian dulcimer (!) in the original.
The comment that everyone makes when they play it is that somehow it feels alive, as though it's breathing - which it is in a way. There's also something intensely, viscerally pleasurable about it for some reason (my 11 yr old can't keep himself away from it and the guy who bought it for me had the same experience with his kid).
posted by unSane at 4:53 PM on May 23, 2011
The comment that everyone makes when they play it is that somehow it feels alive, as though it's breathing - which it is in a way. There's also something intensely, viscerally pleasurable about it for some reason (my 11 yr old can't keep himself away from it and the guy who bought it for me had the same experience with his kid).
posted by unSane at 4:53 PM on May 23, 2011
By the way, I'd really love to put vocals over this, unSane. How would you feel about that?
All tingly, in good way!
posted by unSane at 4:54 PM on May 23, 2011
All tingly, in good way!
posted by unSane at 4:54 PM on May 23, 2011
That is an amazingly cool organ! The sound is just beautiful.
posted by heyho at 5:10 PM on May 23, 2011
posted by heyho at 5:10 PM on May 23, 2011
Nice! It sounds really great, especially the drone. Glad things worked out so smoothly.
The comment that everyone makes when they play it is that somehow it feels alive, as though it's breathing - which it is in a way.
Yes!
posted by Corduroy at 6:24 PM on May 23, 2011
The comment that everyone makes when they play it is that somehow it feels alive, as though it's breathing - which it is in a way.
Yes!
posted by Corduroy at 6:24 PM on May 23, 2011
Ah, what a beautiful sound. I can't wait to hear more and a collab w/ with flapjax would be great.
Now I'm left wondering about the facial expressions of various Native Americans as they first witnessed this breathy white-man contraption! Too cool, thanks for posting!
posted by snsranch at 5:27 PM on May 24, 2011
Now I'm left wondering about the facial expressions of various Native Americans as they first witnessed this breathy white-man contraption! Too cool, thanks for posting!
posted by snsranch at 5:27 PM on May 24, 2011
Now I'm left wondering about the facial expressions of various Native Americans as they first witnessed this breathy white-man contraption!
white-man contraption!
he pump it with his feet!
white-man contraption!
he got that white-man beat!
white-man contraption!
he play a lot of note!
white-man contraption!
he brought it here in boat!
white-man contraption!
he use for songs 'bout Jesus!
white-man contraption!
i think he try to please us?
white-man contraption!
a box made out of wood!
white-man contraption!
it sounding pretty good!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:34 PM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
white-man contraption!
he pump it with his feet!
white-man contraption!
he got that white-man beat!
white-man contraption!
he play a lot of note!
white-man contraption!
he brought it here in boat!
white-man contraption!
he use for songs 'bout Jesus!
white-man contraption!
i think he try to please us?
white-man contraption!
a box made out of wood!
white-man contraption!
it sounding pretty good!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:34 PM on May 24, 2011 [3 favorites]
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posted by grog at 3:36 PM on May 23, 2011