The Hammond

Ah the Hammond,the joy the pain. It has been split (had the bottom half sawn off), but it still remains a heavy beast. As many of my fellow gigsters will testify - ”Have you not heard of samplers or computers or anything that makes a similar sound without the hernia!!" they would cry.Or, would simply run away.

I named her Pristeen Christeen, unfortunately after two years on the road, everywhere from Wakefield to the Albert Hall, including shows with Heather Small, Jim Diamond, Snake Davis, The Suspicions and ELPeople, she should be renaimed Battered Brenda.

The most fun I have had fiddling with Christeen, so far anyway, was during the the time we toured the Emerson Lake & Palmer tribute band ELPeople, recreating the sound that influenced me as a teenager was a real buzz. She features on many recordings , incuding the new Jim Diamond album, due for release soon ,on the Snake Davis album Hysteria, and the Progressive volume one album (available from Townsend Records).

She is currently residing in the studio, and is sounding amazing. She's a Hammond A100 split and modified by Brian Smethurst, amplified through a Leslie 147 speaker.

Leslie 147 speaker for the Hammond Organ.

It with the Hammond is legendary,and like the Hammond is heavy and difficult to manoeuvre. As it was being unloaded from a van outside the Pizza Express Jazz club in Soho ,it slipped and landed on Snakes forehead drawing blood and creating a lump,come to think of it he hasn’t been the same since!

Akai 3000 Digital Sampler

One of two samplers in my set up, until the computer-based recording packages became the norm.

The Akai was central to the studio, allowing manipulation of captured sounds. It was also part of my touring rig throughout the 90s.

Korg CX3 Digital Organ

This replaced the Hammond on the road. Its much lighter and as a consequence people have started speaking to me again - Its not the same though - I miss it.

As a foot note I had difficulty in tracking one down, the only one available came straight from Robbie Williams.

Moog Micromoog Synthesiser

My first ever synth,purchased around 1980 while touring and recording with the Gary Boyle band.

Really, I wanted a Minimoog but could not afford the extra -I grew to love this though.

A little temperamental now it is used for studio work only.

Rhodes 54 Electric Piano

This little beauty has never gigged! Check out Taxi on the Hysteria album.

Roland D50 Digital Synthesiser

Originally owned by close friend Dave Jackson,he used it for many years touring and recording with Johnny Logan.

I then took it with me on all M People dates throughout the 90s and it now lives in the studio.

Roland RD600 Piano

The main keyboard in my studio and live set up. It has been with me all over the world, and in the seven years I spent with M People it never missed a gig - from Glastonbury to Sydney, and many television appearances from Later with Jools to MTV.

More recently featuring on recordings with Jim Diamond, Snake Davis, Candi Statton, Heather Small, Sophie Ellis Bextor, S Club7, Shaboom, etc etc………..

Squire Stratocaster Guitar

I use this to write, as an alternative to sitting at a keyboard. I'll record my ideas then get a more accomplished player to replace my fumblings.

Sometimes my fumblings make the final production.

Sequential Circuits Prophet Five Polyphonic Synthesiser

This classic synth used by such luminaries as Joe Zawinul, Bernie Worrell, Japan etc. etc. It very rarely leaves the studio these days, its last major outing was on the ELPeople dates in 2003.

It is capable of warm string pads one second and ear splitting sci. fi. the next.

Vox Continental Organ

This model of organ was the 60s keyboard sound - The Beatles at Shay Stadium - The Animals (House of the rising sun) - Del Shannon (Runaway) etc. etc.

The instrument pictured was bought from local keyboard legend, the late Ken Westhead.

Yamaha O3d Digital Mixer

Currently residing in the studio. It's been on the road with me for many years.

George

1 voice, 1 part polyphony, 1 tail, 4 paws.