Charles Earland Remembered
More Today Than Yesterday
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I Remember Charlie The first time I heard Charles Earland was on WBGO in Newark. I had been listening to the radio all afternoon and I heard this SMOKIN' organ jam come off the radio. At the end of the song Kenny Washington came on to ID the song as Charles Earland the "Mighty Burner". Kenny went on to say how he(Charlie) played an awesome set at the Robert Treat Hotel the night before, and how he was returning that night for a second gig. Well, that was all I had to hear. . I just HAD to see Charlie perform !!I got a couple of my friends together to go to the 10:00 set. When we arrived at the Robert Treat, the door man said: "you got here at the right time, George Benson just got on the stage".We walked into the ballroom and there had to be be at most 30 people !! Charles was off the stage and standing near the entrance, and George had just gotten on. As we passed Charles, my first impression of him was his size, but more so his teddy-bear like presence. That impression had always stuck with me, that Charles Earland was a big teddy-bear. |
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My Intro to the Hammond B3 It was through Charles Earland that my introduction and love of the Hammond B3 began. I tried to see and hear as much organ music as possible. Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Shirley Scott, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joey DeFrancesco and Papa D., Rhoda Scott, Gene Ludwig, Gloria Coleman. I went to see all these players because of Charles Earland. But more so . . whenever Charles came around . . we always made time to see him. |
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Seeing Charlie When Charles played, he was pumpin' and kickin', workin' hard for ya, sweatin' his butt off, drivin' that B3 like a trucker with no speed limit in front of him, and LOVING every minute of it. He did it ALL with a BIG smile on his face.I had seen Charles a handful of times at the Priory, at the Organ Jam , the JVC Jazz festival and at the Blue Note. As a matter of fact, one of the last times we tried to see Charles was at the Priory. The place was PACKED and we, along with a dozen other people were turned away. I seriously tried to make friends with the kitchen help so they might sneek us in the back.But the the last time I DID see Charles, he was his terrific self. It was at the Priory, and after the show he made time for everyone to say hello, sign autographs and do the usual musician thing. But in addition to that, he blessed the whole audience and those personally who went to greet him. He invited anyone to join him in a prayer service after his set. It was a testimony to his faith and it was beautiful. |
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Missing Charlie Charles ALWAYS seemed sweet and gracious, behind the organ or in front of it, and to those that knew him, I'm sure you would tell me I'm right. I'm grateful for having heard and seen Charles Earland, I'm grateful for the musical legacy he has bestowed upon us and I'm grateful for the time he spent on this Earth. He made my world sweeter, soulful and a better place. I will miss you Charlie . . . . |
created : 12-13-1999