Moe Denham
Little Blue Volkswagon
© 2000 Moe Denham
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Hammond B-3 based soul-jazz, with vocals that will make your feet tap and your head bob.
tracks
- 1 Rapid Shave
- 2 Honeysuckle Rose
- 3 Little Blue Volkswagan
- 4 But I Should
- 5 Lovers Question
- 6 Bugs Boogie
- 7 Blues For Sale
- 8 Willow Weep For Me
- 9 Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- 10 Who She Do
- 11 Rich Woman Blues
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Moe Denham began playing piano at the age of six. When he was eleven, his mother bought a Hammond B-3 and Moe's musical direction was changed forever. Today, this multi-keyboardist and vocalist is one of the foremost practitioners of the Hammond B-3 organ and the B-3 "sound".
The musical influences of Ray Charles, "Wild" Bill Davis, Errol Garner and Richard "Groove" Holmes helped to define his distinctive playing style. The sound of Les McCann, Lou Rawls and Joe Williams are reflected in Moe's dynamic, vibrant vocals. A jazz and blues artist whose music expresses a deep spirituality, Moe calls his work "blazz" -- a sound fat with great richness and warmth.
Moe's extensive credits include tours with the swamp-rocker Tony Joe White ("Rainy Night in Georgia", "Poke Salad Annie"); the phenomenal jazz organist Richard "Groove" Holmes, and multi-time nominee and Grammy award winner Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Denham has recorded with artists including Vassar Clements and Sam Lay, and has performed with such notables as jazz guitar great Wes Montgomery, Joey Defrancesco, Neil Young, Paul Shaefer, Albert King, Gregg Allman, Tommy Tutone ("867-5309"), George Thorogood, Diane Schuur, Bela Fleck, Francine Reed, Eric Essix, Chester Thompson (Genesis), Grady Gaines, Gov't Mule (Warren Haynes), Chuck Leavell and Dennis Rowland.
In 1990, Moe's work with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown was captured on screen, when their appearance at the Pistoia [Italy] Blues Festival was filmed by and aired on Italian television's Video Music - In Concert. Denham's unmistakable keyboard artistry may be heard on selected recordings by famed blues drummer Sam Lay, innovative guitar stylist Fred James of Freddie And The Screamers, teamed with his old friend Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule) on Blues Co-op - Muddy Water Fever, behind Atlantic recording artists The Screamin' Cheeta Wheelies, and the delta-influenced Mike Griffin & The Unknown Blues Band. Denham is also a contributing writer on the 1995 release of The Sandra Wright Band - Shake You Down (Hipshake XEMU 1003-2).
In 1997, Keyboard Magazine acknowledged Denham's place in the world of Hammond B-3 players. Written by associate editor Mark Vail, the book "Keyboard Presents The Hammond Organ: Beauty In The B" [Miller-Freeman Publications, ISBNO-87930-459-6], quotes Denham extensively, as he gives us glimpses into the organ's history and a look at some of the famous and not-so-famous players who helped propel the instrument to international popularity. Denham's own loving mastery of the B-3 assures his ongoing role in its musical saga.
In 2000, Denham released Little Blue Volkswagon, a debut CD produced by Joey DeFrancesco and recorded with Mike Howard on guitar (Peggy Lee, Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, Roberta Flack) and Dave Cook on drums (Joey DeFrancesco). A portion of the liner notes written by keyboard icon Les McCann says it all: ". . . all that's missing is Count Basie's Band."
May, 2001 Downbeat review
3 Stars
Undervalued Hammond B-3 master Denham, who has worked with the likes of Gatemouth Brown, Albert King and Tony Joe White, blurs the dividing line between blues and jazz with a groove he calls "blazz" on this appealing Joey DeFrancesco-produced album. Alongside drummer Dave Cook and ex-Marvin Gaye guitarist Mike Howard, he uses his console, notably the bass pedals, with acuity and real feeling whether refurbishing "Willow Weep for Me" or pushing full-steam-ahead on "But I Should". Denham's an OK singer in a Lou Rawls-meets-Arthur-Prysock bag. One indiscretion: the synth-sticky "Over the Rainbow." by Frank John Hadley