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organ from “like a rolling stone” by bob dylan | ToneDB

like a rolling stone

bob dylan

organ

90% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A warm, swirling Hammond organ with a distinct Leslie speaker 'chorale' effect, providing a soulful and slightly melancholic harmonic foundation. Its presence is felt throughout, adding a unique texture without overpowering the vocals or other instruments.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Hammond B-3 Organ

Amp: Leslie 122 Speaker (or similar model like 147)

Microphone: Standard studio dynamic/condenser mics (e.g., Shure SM57s on upper horn, Electro-Voice RE20 or Neumann U87 on lower rotor)

Processing: Console EQ (e.g., Pultec EQP-1A from the studio console), Light console compression (e.g., Urei LA-2A from the studio console)

Other: Played by Al Kooper, who famously improvised the part. Characterized by a relatively simple registration, the Leslie speaker on 'Chorale' (slow) speed, and a distinctive, slightly behind-the-beat feel.

Recording Notes

  • Recorded on June 15-16, 1965, at Columbia Studio A in New York City.
  • Produced by Tom Wilson.
  • Al Kooper, who was primarily a guitarist at the session, spontaneously played the organ part after the originally scheduled organist, Paul Griffin, was moved to piano.
  • Kooper was not an experienced organist at the time and has mentioned he used a fairly simple registration and fumbled his way through the part, which ultimately became iconic.
  • The organ used was almost certainly a Hammond B-3, a standard fixture in major recording studios of that era, paired with a Leslie speaker.
  • The organ part was crucial in shaping the song's groundbreaking sound and length for a single at the time.

Recreation Tips

  • Use a Hammond B-3 model or a high-quality emulation (VST plugin, clonewheel organ).
  • The Leslie speaker effect is essential; use a real Leslie, a Leslie simulator pedal, or a plugin. Set it predominantly to the 'Chorale' (slow) speed.
  • For drawbar settings, start with a classic rock foundation like 888000000 or a slightly brighter 888400000. Al Kooper likely used a simple, full registration due to his unfamiliarity with the instrument.
  • Incorporate a touch of overdrive, characteristic of a Hammond/Leslie combination when pushed slightly. This can come from the organ model's preamp or the Leslie amp simulation.
  • Play with a slightly laid-back, 'behind-the-beat' rhythmic feel to emulate Kooper's distinctive timing.
  • Consider adding the Hammond's C3 chorus/vibrato for extra thickness, though the Leslie provides the primary movement.
  • Minimal external processing is needed beyond the core Hammond/Leslie sound. Focus on the performance and the organ/speaker interaction.

Sources