FORTHE RECORDS

NOSTALGICALLY YOURS. Dudley THE BYRD SINGS. Ron Rhode at the THE ALL-AMERICAN MUSIC OF Savage at the 4/24 South Bank Wurlitter. 4/17 Wurlitter, Byrd Theatre, Richmond. IRVING BERLIN. Dwight Thomas at Available from: Cinema Organ Society - Available from: VTOS, P.O. Box 7082, the 4/42 Paramount Music Palace Wur­ Sales Officer, 105 High view, Vigo Village, Richmond, Virginia 23221. Price $18.00 - litzer. Available from: Newport Classic, Meopham, Kent. DA13 OTQ, U .K. CD, $12.00 - cassette, ~tpaid. 106 Putnam St., Providence, RI 02909. Price $15.00. In this recording Ron Rhode is joined Write for catalog. This is an excellent tape. The South by his brother, Chuck, who sings to Ron's Dwight Thomas has come a long way Bank Wurlitzer is one of England's best accompaniment in five of the sixteen since he was last reviewed in this column. and best known organs. selections. Ron Rhode is, as everyone These are all believable arrangements Dudley Savage who was previously knows, an excellent professional organ­ from someone who has relaxed enough unknown to me is, as it turns out, a very ist. As such there is a certain level that to let his personality catch up to his stun­ competent organist. He plays a very re­ he never falls below, which , of course , is ning keyboard technique . This recording laxed and listenable style. a good deal better than most people is full of thoroughly enjoyable perfor­ The recording engineer, John Leeming, could ever hope to get. The playing is mances . has once again done a masterful job of good, but there is that certain spark, that This monstrous instrument is very well capturing the organ and the room in such certain something extra that is missing known, so I'll forego any comments ex­ a way that you believe you are there in from this recording . That certain inde­ cept to note that Mr. Thomas uses it to person. It is digitally mastered and dolby finable something that we usually get. its best advantage . encoded. The recording is all-round high Registrations seem to lack variety and The only disappointment is the way quality. interest as well. the organ was recorded . Since many As is often the case with recordings The Byrd Wurlitzer is an incredible or­ theatre organ buffs are also audiophiles, from England, most of it is medleys . gan. However, I believe that it was re­ the lack of clarity in the loud passages Since naming all of the tunes played cord~d too close to the chambers in this and the downright muffled sound in the would make for a rather long list, I'll men­ recording . It lacks the sweetness of tone softer passages , will probably be viewed tion selected highlights : Rodeo March that we have all come to associate with as unacceptable . Those of you who are /Her Name is Mary, I'm In the Mood For this organ. This may also be partly due not so critical might not mind. Love, Louise, A Nightingale Sang in to the way it was registered as well. The Selections are as follows: Alexander's Berkeley Square, Long Ago and Far addition of Chuck Rhode to this recording Ragtime Band, Let's Face the Music, This Away, Scottish Melodies (medley), The doesn't do much for it one way or the is the Army, Change Partners, Always , Stars and Stripes, All I Ask of You, Autumn other, except to point out one of the many Heat Wave , Annie Get Your Gun, Puttin' Leaves, We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye, roles a theatre organ can play. on the Ritz, With You, Me, Top Hat Med­ Great Day, ending with a salute to Irving Selections are: Barcelona, A Shine On ley, Slumming on Park Avenue , Russian Berlin. Your Shoes, Slow Poke, Bahn Frei, Every Lullaby, Give Me Your Tired/God Bless The only select ion I felt wasn't up to Day is Ladies Day, The Gypsy, Me Too, America (with the Indianapolis Sym­ the quality of the rest was ''The Stars and Slaughter on Tenth Avenue , Hello Blue­ phonic Choir. Stripes." It was sort of an approximate bird, If You Were The Only Girl in the In spite of the fact that I did not like the stab at the tune and should have been World, Liberty Bell March, Night and Day, recording quality, I would still recommend left out. Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana , this recording because of Dwight Tho­ This recording is recommended be­ I'm Lookin' Over a Four Leaf Clover, Look mas' performances . Bob Shafter cause of the organ, and overall listen­ for the Silver Lining, Light Calvalry Over­ ability. Bob Shafter ture. Taking my somewhat disparaging re­ marks earlier for what they're worth , this is still by anyone's standards a good re­ cording. Bob Shafter

40 • MAY/JUNE 1990 THEATREORGAN DaveJunchen PIPES PL US. Charlie Balogh at the 3/31 Wurlitzer. Available from: Good Time Charley's,4515 28th St. S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508. Price $16.50 - CD, $11.50- c.wette, postpaid. BOOK REVIEW ume I, it is interesting to note that author As you might surmise from the title ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE AMERI­ Junchen has included , in this edition , there is more here than pipe organ. Don't CAN THEATRE ORGAN, VOLUME several pages of corrections and addi­ stop reading. It is to date the best ex­ II, by David L. Junchen. Available from tions to the opus lists in the first book, ample I've heard of pipe organ and elec­ Showcase Publications, P.O. Box 40165, which mark the work as the product of tronics . Charlie Balogh makes a very Pasadena, California 91114. C.ost is $65 excellent ongoing research and a desire convincing marriage between Wurlitzer plus $4.25 postage and handling (Cali­ on the part of the writer to present a his­ and synthesizer . " Clair DeLune " is a fornia residentsadd tax for your district). tory that is as current as possible . particularly brilliant example of the use­ We who love the theatre pipe organ Volume 11covers the history of organ­ fulness of electronic keyboards in con­ and its music are exceptionally fortunate builders, from the L.D. Morris & Co. to junction with a pipe organ. that David Junchen has elected to com­ the Wm. Wood Pipe Organ Company and This recording is, all in all, a very up­ pile the Encyclopedia of The American of som·e 84 firms that were providers of beat and spirited performance, played on Theatre Organ. He is, without question, parts and products essential to the in­ an organ that is more than adequate to the foremost authority in this field for our dustry. We are now eagerly awaiting the the task . time . His personal experience with the­ third volume which will be devoted to the The recording engineer did a very atre pipe organs has included designing , fascinating and intriguing Wurlitzer good job of recording , mixing and mas­ installing, voicing , maintaining and con­ Company. Grace E. McGinnis tering . There is more detailed recording sulting for many of the major venues in information on the jacket which I'm sure this country. He has also been a gracious many listeners will find interesting . and helpful resource for anyone who has Selections are as follows : Strike Up approached him with a question about an installation or an instrument or a Manufact urers, distributors or indivtduals the Band, Hard-Hearted Hannah, Lush sponsonng or me rchan dising organ re­ Life, Theme from St. Elsewhere, Love company connected with the industry. cordings are encouraged to send revt·ew Look Away , The Waltz in Swingtime , From the cover photograph of the ele­ copies to th e Record Reuiewer, THE­ Jump Shout Boogie, Clair DeLune, In a gant Philadelphia Mastbaum Theatre to ATRE ORGAN, 4633 S.E. Brookside Mellow Tone, My Romance , Hooked On the nostalgic scene of the New York City Drive., :# 58, MilUJaukie, Oregon 97222. Classics . Roxy Theatre foyer on the back, Volume Be sure to incl ude purchasing inf orma­ This is a well-played and entertaining II is packed with fascinating and invalu­ tion (postpa id pn ·ce, ordenng add ress) recording and is highly recommended. able information of the same calibre that and a photo of the artist which need not be return ed. Bob Shafter is found in Volume I. Richly illustrated and carefully indexed, the thoroughness of Junchen 's research in both primary and secondary sources reveals the work of a true historian in the finest sense of See You the word . Readers will find the reproduc­ 35thANNUAL tions of company publicity and advertis­ • ing materials very like taking a trip back ATOS in in time to the mood and feeling of the CONVENTION original builders and suppliers . Photo­ graphs of the factories and workers add AUGUST4-8 Indianapolis I to the sense of presence that the stories convey. For those who already own Vol-

THEATREORGAN MAY/JUNE 1990 • 41 NUGGETS cont. from page 38 "Master Builders," Guy deMaupasant's "The Inn" and "Artist," R.L. Stevenson's CLOSING CHORD "Suicide Club" and "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde," Dumas' "Camille," Wilde's "Im­ portance of Being Earnest.'' These form Leonard Vernon the mainstay. Dished up in good adapta­ A charter member of ATOS and of the tions, done with drama and suspense, Oregon chapter, Leonard Vernon passed with competent acting and directing, the away on February 16. He was 68. series clicks. Such a platter as "The Inn," A lifelong resident of Astoria, Oregon, for instance, seemed highly professional Leonard had . a Robert-Morton theatre with good diction as well as drama, the pipe organ in his home and, on numer­ standout. ous occasions, hosted chapter events The program, on about a year, has an as well as visiting organists from all parts estimated $1100 cost. of the country (see January/February GOLD DUST ... 1990 TH EATRE ORGAN). 10/38 DICK LEIBERT and singer Dick Leonard's interests and talents ranged Todd over New York's WJZ; JESSE far beyond theatre organs, however . His CRAWFORD, NBC Network; GEORGE life was closely tied to the Columbia LUNDQUIST, Jamestown, N.Y.'s WJTN; River, and he served as a volunteer at MARY FOUNTAIN, Harrisburg's WHP; the Columbia River Maritime Museum. ''Between the Bookends with Ted Malone He was well known for his slide show and organist ROSA RIO, NBC; FRANK presentations of Columbia River steam­ RENAUT, York, Pa.'s WORK; TRUMAN boats. He was also active in Boy Scouts, Virginia TAYLOR, Syracuse's WSYR; TOM Kiwanis and the Association of Steam Byrd Woliram GRIERSON, Rochester's WHAM; HAR­ Engine Enthusiasts. Virginia Byrd Wolfram, sister of ATOS RY SPRINGER, Elmira, NY's WESG; He is survived by his brother, Bill, and Hall of Fame member Dessa Byrd, "Console & Keyboard," Philadelphia's nephew Blaine with whom he served as passed away suddenly on February 11, KYW; CHARLES PAUL, CBS Network. volunteer crew members on the Light­ 1990, at the age of 76. Well-known in That does it for this time, sourdoughs. ship Columbia. He will be missed . musical circles in Indianapolis, Indiana, So long! Jason & the Old Prospector Virginia carved herself an enviable career. Although too young to have played for Chester E. Klee silent movies, she appeared at the con­ Chester E. Klee, known as "The Music soles of many local theatres in the thir­ Man of Olean" (New York), died on Feb­ thies. She was the first demonstrator ruary 28 after a long illness. He was 84. locally for the Hammond Organ Company A composer, teacher and performer, Virginia was a lifelong entertainer in he was dedicated to bringing good music many venues including radio and TV sta­ to Olean for 55 years. While attending tions. For 35 years she was Music Direc­ the Eastman School of Music in his tor at WISH-TV Channel 8, and at the time native Rochester, he played the organ in of her death she was organist at Unity the Madison Theatre and several others, Truth Center. Also active in many Indian­ ELECTRONICORGANS and led a jazz combo. He earned a apolis arts organizations, including the Kit, or Custom Built Bachelors' Degree in music with empha­ Central Indiana Chapter of ATOS, she sis on piano and theory, and a Master's was a member of the Indianapolis Sym­ Kits for electronic or pipe organ Degree in composition. phony Orchestra Women 's Committee, renovation. For nine years he was assistant pro­ the Indianapolis Opera Guild, Matinee • Microprocessor-controlled , modular cir­ fessor of music at St. Bonaventure Uni­ Musicale, Mu Phi Epsilon, and the Indian­ cuitry for ease of construction versity, then opened a private studio in apolis Chapter of the American Guild of • Authentic pipe organ voicing using active filter circuitry . 1936, teaching voice, organ, piano, the­ Organists. • Built-in capture system. ory and composition. As organist at St. She had held many offices in Central • Self-financing purchase plans. Mary's in Olean, he played for more than Indiana Chapter and was a trustee of the • 7 basic models : 3 Church, 4 Theater, in 1,000 weddings and 2,000 funerals. Dessa Byrd Memorial Scholarship Fund 2- , 3-, and 4-manual sizes. A charter member of the Olean Civic that she founded to honor her sister's Attn: PIPEORGAN BUILDERS Music Association, he was responsible memory. Proceeds from this fund are Incorporate,or replace,your stacks of for bringing many greats of the concert used as awards for the chapter's Young switching relays with µ.P-controlled world to the city . Mr. Klee served on the Organist Competition . Winners of this latches. System will control up to Board of Education, wrote a column for local competition have gone on to win 16,000pipes and/or oscillators. the Olean Times-Herald and received four of the five national ATOS competi­ Write for quotation. keys to the city in 1959 and 1974. tions. ARTISANINSTRUMENTS, INC. He is survived by his widow, a son, two Her wit, charm, talent, energy, and 6450 N.E. 183 daughters, two sisters and four grand­ enthusiasm will be sorely missed by us Seattle, WA 98155 children. all. Tim Needler PH: (206)486-6555 TL)(: 4998676ARTSN

42 • MAY/JUNE 1990 THEATREORGAN