Rachel Flowers - Rondo (complete) - solo organ

This video was originally posted in 2 parts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZkFqCnoKb0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTtnyT3VVqA

Rachel writes, "The Nice had a special drive to this piece. On this particular performance, I decided to use only the fast, and not the slow Leslie on my organ, to try to recreate the sound Emerson used in his early recordings like The Swedish Radio Sessions by The Nice. I am making the sound of the pitch bend by using a glider level on the volume pedal on my organ, but it doesn't have the same effect as the switch from Emerson's early Hammond organ. I try to make the crashing sound with one of four keys on the left side of one of the keyboards on my Yamaha organ.

"I decided to end this version a little different than any version of Rondo by The Nice, with a similar approach to their version of America from the Elegy album. I tried my best to make the sound of the spring Emerson used to do with his organ. I found a percussive sound with the top keyboard, and used the glide technique by moving the volume pedal left to make the pitch go down. I also started the end of this version similar to a track from last year's release of Five Bridges Digital Remastered, the first bonus track which is a live recording with an orchestra playing the Lt. Kije Suite, Rondo and She Belongs to Me. Which reminds me, I took a few ideas from their early '69 recording of She Belongs to Me.

"It was difficult for mom to find a good place to divide this into two parts. This was the same recording session when I did my instrumental take on the Second Bridge from the Five Bridges Suite, Tarkus, and Hoedown. This was the first piece I did during this recording session at home. I decided to not use the slow Leslie, more like part of Intermezzo, the Five Bridges version; however, this has no distortion, and to me, it just sounds like me playing notes, but this is a pretty cool organ.

"I'm glad to have this version of Rondo, and my mom was happy to find this version with a percussive brush sound on the bass pedals. I really enjoy playing this piece."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Keith Emerson
• The Nice
• Blue Rondo A La Turk
• Dave Brubeck
• ELP

[yoochoobb]

@robnlew I was thinking that myself after my previous comment :)

[robnlew]

Absolutely brilliant!!!! Flowers King of Flies next?

[yoochoobb]

This is pure genius. Rondo is one of my favorite pieces by The Nice. My favorite part is the improv section of the longer versions, where Emerson quotes classical pieces. I love how you make it your own, and throw in something different eg. at 4.25, yet keep the "Emerson" style phrasing. I'm glad you kept the "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" Bach quote in, and amazed the way you managed to get the "tortured" Hammond sound without physically rocking the keyboard or borrowing the silverware :)

[Sterndi1]

@TheDustpile: Watchin'? You're a little jester, aren't you? ;-D

[danKelee]

sounds like aphex twin at the start

[puddypuss]

this is good I saw the nice do this and as the version of rondo on the 3rd lp isnt on you tube this is a good replacement

[TheDustpile]

Really very good.

You've been watching The Nice haven't you?!

[radicalsystems]

wonderful rachel...

[chrisnroses]

Awesome!!! Keith would be proud, just stay away from the knives!!!

[firefighterpaulie]

all i can say is-- wow......