The Hammond Novachord—An Early Synthesizer

Episode 25

The Hammond Novachord—An Early Synthesizer

 

Playlist

1. Milt Herth, “Basin Street Blues” from Basin Street Blues / Twelfth Street Rag (1937 Decca). Organ solo played on the Hammond Electric Organ. An example of the electro-mechanical organ sound, for comparison to the other tracks recorded using the Novachord.
2. Public Domain. “Intermission Music,” Gone With The Wind (Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack As Monophonically Recorded In 1939), Max Steiner. This comprises two short works, one for the beginning of intermission (when the lights went up and everyone headed for the concession stand and bathrooms) and one for the end of intermission (when the lights went down). The music was recorded in 1939 for the movie theater.
3. Vera Lynn (vocal), “Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye)” from A Mother's Prayer At Twilight / Wish Me Luck (As You Wave Me Goodbye) (1939 Decca). UK recording with Arthur Young on the Novachord. A dexterous recording by Young who explored the rhythmic textures that were possible on the instrument.
4. Collins H. Driggs, “In a Persian Market” from Cascades Of Melody (1941 Victor). Novachord solo.
5. Collins H. Driggs, “The Blue Room” from Cascades Of Melody (1941 Victor). Novachord solo.
6. Collins H. Driggs, “Song of the Islands” from The Magic of the Novachord (1941 Victor). Novachord solo.
7. Fred Feibel, “Rose Room,” from Novachord Solos (circa 1941 Columbia). Novachord solo.
8. Herb Kern and Lloyd Sloop, “Dancing Tambourine” from Treasure Chests of Transcriptions for the Home (1949 Tempo). Hammond Electric Organ, Herb Kern; Hammond Novachord, Lloyd Sloop.
9. Herb Kern and Lloyd Sloop, “Twelfth Street Rag” from Treasure Chests of Transcriptions for the Home (1949 Tempo). Hammond Electric Organ, Herb Kern; Hammond Novachord, Lloyd Sloop.
10. Jerry Goldsmith, “It's Gotta Be A World's Record” from Our Man Flint (Original Motion Picture Score) (1966 20thCentury Fox). Novachord being put through at least four types of voicings as the tune progresses. The sounds are distinctly presented as solos.
11. Jerry Goldsmith, “Lost in Space” from In Like Flint (Original Motion Picture Score) (1967 20th Century Fox). The Novachord is heard for a short sequence about 16 seconds into this track and then again beginning at about 1:16 where is consists of a rhythmic bed for the rest of the track. A theremin is heard in the closing seconds.
12. Christopher Komeda, “The Coven” from Rosemary's Baby (Music From The Motion Picture Score) (1968 Dot). Paul Beaver played the Novachord on many tracks, mostly for effects. In this case, the Novachord plays a persistent drone rhythm throughout the track with other instruments played on top of the mix. It is sometimes hard to tell the effects that can be attributed to the Novachord once we get to this era of multitrack recording and studio effects.
13. The Mystic Moods Orchestra, “Sunny Goodge Street” from Emotions (1968 Philips). Paul Beaver’s Novachord (calliope sound) played by Lincoln Mayorga. You may also hear a harpsichord, Clavinet, piano, and celeste.
14. Phil Cirocco, “Music of the Electron” from ‎The Novachord Restoration Project: Music Of The Electron (2007 C.M.S.). Phil Cirocco at a restored Novachord.
15. Phil Cirocco, “The Inner Sanctum” from ‎The Novachord Restoration Project: Music Of The Electron (2007 C.M.S.). Phil Cirocco at a restored Novachord.
16. Phil Cirocco, “Spark” from ‎The Novachord Restoration Project: Music Of The Electron (2007 C.M.S.). Phil Cirocco at a restored Novachord.
17. Phil Cirocco, “The Floating” from ‎The Novachord Restoration Project: Music Of The Electron (2007 C.M.S.). Phil Cirocco at a restored Novachord.
18. Steve Howell and Dan Wilson, “NovaBerlin” from the UK Novachord Restoration Project (2010 Hollow Sun). Sample Novachord sounds using modern studio techniques. Although the Novachord did not have sequencing capability, the sounds can effectively be looped and repeated to create such sequences.
19. Steve Howell and Dan Wilson, “Strings Galore” from the UK Novachord Restoration Project (2010 Hollow Sun). Sample Novachord sounds using modern studio techniques. Demonstrates the string ensemble potential of the Novachord.
20. Steve Howell and Dan Wilson, “Montage” from the UK Novachord Restoration Project (2010 Hollow Sun). Sample Novachord sounds using modern studio techniques. Demonstrates a variety of musical styles using the Novachord.
21. Basia Bulat , “Time” from Good Advice (2015 Secret City). Vocals, Hammond Novachord, RMI Electra Piano, Piano, Synthesizer, Marxophone, Mellotron, Basia Bulat; bass guitar, electric guitar, Jim James; cello, Charlie Patton; drums, Dave Givan; violin, Scott Moore.

 

The Archive Mix

Two tracks played at the same time to see what happens.

• Herb Kern, Lloyd Sloop, Warren Arey, “Silent Night” (1949 Tempo). chimes, vibraphone, vibraharp, Warren Arey; Hammond Electric Organ, Herb Kern; Hammond Novachord, Lloyd Sloop.
• Milt Herth, “Twelfth Street Rag” from Basin Street Blues / Twelfth Street Rag (1937 Decca).

 

 

Links:

• The US Novachord Restoration Project by Phil Cirocco.
• Check out Hammond Novachord Sightings in movies and television assembled by Phil Cirocco.
• The UK Novachord restoration project by Steve Howell and Dan Wilson.
• National Music Centre of Canada/Centre de National Musique description of its Novachord.