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DENNIS JAMES: CLASSIC THE- ATRE ORGAN, Played on the 4/20

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DENNIS JAMES: CLASSIC THE- ATRE ORGAN, Played on the 4/20 a thin baroque, or better, a surviving as a purveyor of pops and standards. romantic organ. Does it make sense? It started life as a 4/ 17 in the Ameri­ The answer is an unqualified "yes." can Theatre in Denver and has been Let us not forget that classic­ rescued from a number of seemingly schooled silent film accompanists desperate situations by enthusiasts such as Arthur Gutow, Albert Hay and the Binghamton Savings Bank, Malotte, and Herbert Henderson, to which bankrolled its way into the name a few, included such titles both Forum. It would seem that the com­ in their film cueing and also as spot­ bined technical efforts of Bill light solos. So there is a precedent. Decker, Dick Ide, Andy J arosik and In addition, the Robert Morton George Melnyk should be credited organs adapt well to classical regis­ for the excellence of an instrument tration without losing their theatre which has seen so many moves and organ thrust, either with or without additions. It serves well as a purvey­ tremulants. There are some of both or of the classical themes recorded modes here. Remember, the Morton here. company, which succeeded the Art­ True, many of the selections, es­ craft Organ Co. (builders of the in­ pecially the more ancient ones in strument which became the nucleus counterpoint, have limited interest of the Wanamaker store behemoth value for purely theatre organ fans, in Philly), was initially a maker of or­ even though they demonstrate how thodox instruments, until a refugee well a Robert Morton can register Manufacturers, distributors or indi­ from Hope-Jones' Elmira factory such material. Yet, the excellence viduals sponsoring or merchandising theatre pipe organ records are en­ failure in 1910 laid out theatre organ with which they are performed couraged to send pressings to the specs for the company, which in the should arouse some value compari­ Record Reviewer, Box 3564, Granada late 'teens was anxious to get in on sons. And the more recognizable Hills, California 91344. Be sure to the demand for instruments suitable classics, especially on Side 1, should include purchasing information (post­ for film accompaniment. Converse­ cinch the value offered here. paid price, ordering address,) if appli ­ ly, this is not a record for those who The jacket notes provide some cable, and a black and white photo of insist on light 32-measure tunes puffery for Dennis and information the artist which need not be returned . played with a definite beat. about the organs. An insert bears The Ohio Theatre organ has been both the stop analysis and the de­ well-documented in past issues of tailed stoplists for both instruments. DENNIS JAMES: CLASSIC THE­ this magazine, but this, to the best of Comparing the two is fascinating. ATRE ORGAN, played on the 4/20 our knowledge, is the first recording Each Morton was complementary to Robert Morton organ in the Ohio made on the Forum organ, with its the hall for which it was designed, Theatre, Columbus, and the Morton three Tibias (one a rare Plena), two and this is evident even after moves 4/24 in the Forum, Binghamton, V oxes ( 10 Reeds total) and extended and additions. N.Y. DLP -107 (stereo). $8.75 post­ unification. It is played here mostly Recording is good. If the listener paid from Dennis James Produc­ in the classical vein, so we don't has an appreciation for classical tions, 29 East State Street, Colum­ know what it could do when played themes registered on a versatile thea­ bus, Ohio 43215. tre organ, this is for him. It's been some time since we have reviewed a Dennis James album, and ROB CALCATERRA playing the this one is a welcome addition to the 4/22 Wurlitzer organ in the Audito­ file of grooves cut by this fine artist. rium Theatre, Rochester, N.Y. Perhaps we'd best examine the tune­ Available by mail from S and B Pro­ list first because this is a quite differ­ ductions, 112 Sparling Drive, Roch­ ent James disc. ester, N. Y. 14616. Postpaid price not "March Slav" (Tchaikowsky), supplied. "Funeral March of a Marionette" (Gounod), "None But the Lonely About one third of the back cover Heart" (Tchaikowsky), "Waltz in E jacket notes are devoted to telling us Flat" (Durand), all played on the how "refreshing" is many talented Ohio Theatre Morton organ. Rob Calcaterra. Totally unneces­ "Marche Riligieuse" (Guilmant), sary; his music states it most eff ec­ "Sleepers Awake" (J.S. Bach), tively. We've been hearing about a "Fugue in C Major" (Buxtehude), fantastic organist who has literally "Noel Grand Jeu et Duo" (Daguin), "burst" upon the concert scene in played on the Forum Robert Morton the eastern USA, mostly from organ. charmed concert-goers who are still All are classical selections, and very much under Rob Calcaterra's played on a theatre organ instead of Dennis James . spell. It can't be denied that his 38 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL / MAY 1981 record of accomplishments is re­ Rob shoots the works for "Stars markable (he became a piano teacher and Stripes Forever,'' taking a few at 10!). Music is not his whole exis­ liberties with the first Trio but play­ tence. For example, he's apt to show ing the second Trio twice to punch up in Europe during the summer as a the Piccolo obligato. It's a thriller. tour guide; he speaks seven lan­ The inclusion of Walter Donald­ guages and he's only 24. Here, we'll son's "My Buddy" in the score of concentrate on his musical acumen, the mid-'20s The Big Parade film and it is considerable. He is inventive gave the impression that this won­ and offers a fresh approach to some derful slice of 1922 sentiment was a tunes while sticking to the notation World War I ballad. It wasn't but it in other cases. His technique is flaw­ should have been. Rob's setting in­ less and he also has a mischievous cludes effective allusions to "When flair which could get him into trouble Johnny Comes Marching Home" with those who don't appreciate hav­ and a low-keyed "Over There" frag­ ing their standard favorites tampered ment. Despite a couple of basic mel­ with. He has an analytical musical ody errors (or are they "varia­ ear which tends to match up musical tions?'') this is the best rendition of phrases which may fit together in a "My Buddy" on organ records yet snug but often illicit relationship. from where we listen, especially the For example, Rob notes that a cer­ open harmony chorus. tain phrase of the "Poet and Peasant Rob Calcaterra . (Bl'll Lamb Photo) George Gershwin's "Swanee" is a Overture" provides a wonderful proper vehicle for Rob Calcaterra. springboard for a few measures of by the book. It's a charming old­ He is very adapt with show tunes. "Chopsticks," the kind of tempta­ fashioned little rhythm novelty His presentation offers a variety of tion which has tempted many per­ somewhat reminiscent of "Polly." registration, including a brief inter­ formers (this reviewer recalls vividly Rob uses thin treble solo registration val with one of Rob's favorite de­ how nicely the first lines of' 'Entry of with good effect here. The Glocken­ vices, a music box effect played on the Gladiators'' and '' Ach Du Lieber spiel has some comments, too. the pitched percussers. Rob likes to Augustin" fit so many "fill" re­ Rob has a finger technique which color his tunes with settings and this quirements). Does Rob resist the make chromatics very easy for him. scene is set with a reference to urge? He does not. Bits of unrelated And when he links two far apart "Swanee River." Toward the con- tunes are jammed into at least five of notes from "The Desert Song" on his ten selections. It's a trick which the Tibia, it seems almost like a slide will appeal to the same type of con­ whistle, so completely does his digi­ cert goer who thrills at the sight of tal skill eliminate the distinctive ORGAN 80' Hector Olivera thumping out' 'Bum­ pitches of keys. There is some nice SEATING S blebee'' as a pedal solo. But does this open harmony in this one. fOR THE ••• sort of thing improve the music? For "Sweet Georgia Brown," Rob Actually, Rob doesn't need any does a nice jazz bit, sometimes a gimmicks. His performance is tops small combo, sometimes a flute solo. without them. This disc deserves de­ His insert for "Georgia" is "Up a tailed examination. Lazy River." They fit together well. ''On a Wonderful Day Like To­ The wolf whistle effect, sirens and day" is Rob's console riser. It is bird tweets at the end are super­ played energetically and cleanly until fluous. This 80's version of the the final measures when it seems his One quality of Rob's playing "Howardtype organseat" pro­ vides the artist exceptional pedal hands get out of sync and he lumbers which will help endear him to theatre movementand gracefulpivoting to and through a sequence akin to putting organ traditionalists is his use of from the organ. Polishedaluminum two record player styli in the same string-heavy combinations for ac­ basespans 25 or 32 note pedalman- groove about an inch apart. Rob companiment and his occasional uals. Easy height adjustment,28" to 34½". calls that "double stuff" but the dis­ melodies topped with the Orchestral MODELAC-7 $399.95 tant microphone placement runs it Bells, a practice frowned on by many PLUS SHIPPING into a blur.
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