WINTER SUNSET. Nigel Ogden at the "Amparito Roca," "When Day is Done," St. John Vianney Church (Clayhiij) 3/6 and a set called London Pride consisting (plus Melotone) Compton. Available from of "Down the Mall, Lambeth Walk, Un­ Goe££Day, COS Sales, 105 Highview, Vigo derneath the Arches, and Limehouse Village, Meopham, Kent, England, DA13 Blues." 0TQ. $13.00 postpaid. Checks payable to The recording of the organ is spacious Cinema Organ Society. but not overly cavernous. When Mr. I can't believe it's only six ranks! That Wolfe slows down a bit, the ambience is just goes to show what can happen when perfect. When he gets in gear to play as an organ that is tonally finished in a su­ many notes as possible in a measure, it perb manner is played by an organist who is a little difficult for the ear to sort it all thoroughly understands the acoustical out. There is a school of thought that it's setting, in this case a very reverberant really all right to play a melodic interval church. As soon as you hear the open­ without playing every note between them, ing chords, you know you are going to up, down, and continuously. Robert has hear something special. This organ has a yet to learn this, but perhaps his youthful Tromba rank that thousands of church exuberance will eventually give way to a organists in this country would kill for. maturity yet to come. Mr. Ogden is a master at bringing out Despite the slap-dash, the razzle­ every possibility the limited resources dazzle, and the occasional ability to de­ offer. The recording engineer captured feat the Wurlitzer's fast action, Robert every bit of the clean playing, yet you are Wolfe is certainly worth watching as an aware of the generous acoustics of the up-and-coming artist. A little introspection "Watch out, room. and examination of his own recordings The selections on the first side are: is all he needs. Gerry Gregorius Arthur Fiedler!" "Bonaventure," "Tangerine," "Winter Sunset," "Melody on the Move," and MEMORIES FROM THE HEART: SOUNDS OF THE STATE. Iain Flit­ ''Opus One.'' The second side has ''Night­ Theatre OrganSty lings by Ron J. Aselton. croftat the Kilburn 4/16 Wurlitter. Avail­ riders," "Serenade to Marianne," "Coffee Order from (Y7 Forest Plare, Sauble Beach, able from Goe££ Day, COS Sales, 105 in the Morning and Kisses in the Night," Ontario NOH-IPO Canada. $10.00, plus Highview, Vigo Village, Meopham, Kent, "Through the Courtesy of Love," "Let's $2.00 postage and handling. Fall in Love," "Give Me the Simple Life," England, DA13 0TQ. $13.00 postpaid. Occasionally, a recording is submitted Checks payable to Cinema Organ Society. "Secret Love," and "I'll Walk with God." Most of the program is played without to THEATREORGAN that tests the frame­ It wasn't called the Hope-Jones Unit tremulant which is not missed. When the work in which its reviewers must function. Orchestra for nothing. Watch out, Arthur tremulant is used, it tends to fight a bit Memories From The Heart is just such a Fiedler. One person is doing the work of with the room's reverberation. recording in that it falls just outside the the entire Boston Pops and he's doing it Mr. Ogden's playing makes the instru­ description of recordings normally re­ right well. lain Flitcroft is telling the Kilburn ment sing, cry, laugh, and even get in veiwed in this department. Wurlitzer what it was meant to be, an in­ some good solid punches. His own com­ Memories From The Heart is recorded strument with orchestral capabilities position, "Winter Sunsef,'' has such a on a remarkably well-voiced Rpdgers Trio played by one person. haunting quality that it almost conjures electronic organ located in Mr. Aselton's Selections include: "State Occasion," up an image of ectoplasms rising through home. Spacious acoustics, and a crea­ "La Cinquantine," "Mink and Pearls," the darkened building. A superior exam­ tive speaker complement combine to Franz Lehar selection, "Regency Romp," ple of melody, harmony, and orchestration. provide the listener with a warm, almost "Amparito Roca," "Russian Rag," "Danc­ Does a theatre organ have to be large voluptuous sound from an instrument that ing with Tears in My Eyes," "Liebes­ to be worth hearing or playing? I think not. is fully 20 years old. The casual listener freud," Hans Christian Anderson selec­ Nigel Ogden is a prime example of an might even be unaware that this is an tion, and "Czardas." organist who can bring out the most of a electronic upon first listening. Mr. Asel­ The precise finger technique, impec­ small instrument. Gerry Gregorius ton is to be complimented on his ability cable phrasing, intelligent tempi, and good to realize such an authentic sound from registrations all contribute to the excel­ an analogue, electronic organ of this age. lence of this tape. Mr. Flitcroft gives you LONDON'S PRIDE. Robert Wolfe at The selection of music merges per­ a chance to savor a particular stop com­ the Southbank 4/21 Wurlitter. Available fectly with Ron's laid-back keyboard style. bination without feeling a need to change from Goe££Day, COS Sales, 105 Highview, Ranging from "The World Is Wait'n For every four beats in case you might be Vigo Village, Meopham, Kent, England, The Sunrise" (sic), to "Those Amazing bored with what's happening musically. DA13 0TQ. $$15.00 postpaid. Checks Men And Their Flying Machines," the The two medleys also hang together payable to Cinema Organ Society. music is largely presented in medley form beautifully without meaningless mean­ Do you like the organ loud? Do you like and these compositions are abbreviated derings between selections - a wel­ it played fast? Do you like the Post Horn in order to fit into medleys. The style, the come change. used for everything but punctuation? music, and the format suggests a casual The organ sounds very good in the Then this is a recording for you. Selec­ evening at Mr. Aselton's home, during room. The recording captures a feeling tions are: "Knightsbridge March," "Mood which he recalls melodies and medleys of a large space, though I personally felt Indigo," a medley of "Mountain Greenery, which are sentimental to him and his a slightly slower tremulant would have We'll All Go Riding on a Rainbow, Over guests. Medley #2 on the second side of eliminated an underlying feeling of ner­ My Shoulder, and Dreamboat,'' a coup­ the tape is particularly so, as it is pre­ vousness in the slower ballads - note ling of "A Foggy Day," and "London by sented in memory of his father. "Dancing with Tears in My Eyes," a real Night," "Masquerade Waltz," and a set Memories From The Heart is a record­ gem. including "Westminster Waltz" and "A ing that will appeal particularly to elec­ If you like listening to orchestral music, Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square." tronic organ owners. Mr. Aselton's you'll love hearing lain playing it on our The second side brings us selections from command of the RodgersTrio is excellent, favorite instrument. Go for it. La Cage aux Fol/es, "Leicester Square potentially offering ideas on registration, Gerry Gregorius Rag," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," and phrasing to the electronic organ

42 • MARCH/APRIL THEATREORGAN student. However, the theatre pipe organ such, using a balalaika effect over a enthusiast should be advised that this gently rocking accompaniment. recording represents a sentimental ex­ The remainder of the recording is a cursion into melodies played nostalgically selection of Lerner & Loewe show tunes on an electronic organ. And, as a result, titled "In Remembrance ." Songs from the content of this tape may not satisfy My Fair Lady, Brigadoon, Gigi, Paint Your the appetite of the theatre pipe organ Wagon, and Camelot are featured, and buff. Steve Adams each one gets a distinctive treatment. For example, '' I Could Have Danced All BELLE OF THE BALL. Barbara Sellers Night" begins like a two-part invention, at the Music Box. Order from: Music Box and "Get Me to the Church on Time" Theatre, 3733 North Southport Avenue, starts with a carillon fanfare . (The "train Chicago, Illinois 60613. Cost is $10.00 wreck' ' effect halfway through the tune plus $3.00 postageand handling (inc. tax). might indicate that, on this occasion, the church wasn 't reached .) Here we have an interesting item from The cassette insert features an attrac­ the Windy City - the debut recording of tive photo of Barbara at the Chicago Barbara Sellers, playing a three-manual Theatre Wurlitzer. Recorded sound is custom Allen in the Music Box Theatre in excellent, and one gets the full "in the­ Chicago. As many ATOS members know, atre" sound. The Allen organ presents a Barbara is the talented daughter of or­ fine variety of solo voices and very con­ ganists Preston and Edna Sellers, who Barbara Sellers vincing percussion stops. The rather wide played many of the Loop theatres in years tremulants may bother some listeners, past. She has made many appearances and from time to time the higher pitches in Chicago clubs, usually working with a Manufacturers , distributors or indivr,'dualssponsor ­ may be a bit strident. However, the mu­ Hammond organ. This is her first excur­ ing or merchandising organ recordings are encour ­ aged to send reriew copies to the Record Reviewer, sical playing of Barbara Sellers over­ sion into theatre organ recording and she THEATRE ORGAN, 4633 S.E. Brooksw Dr., comes any slight reseNations concern­ comes through splendidly, bringing to the # 58, Mihrouki.e, Oregon 97222. Be sure to include ing the instrument. She brings a fresh instrument a secure technique , an inno­ purchasing information (postpaid pric e, ordering approach to the theatre organ which vative sense of harmony and a steady addr ess) and a photo of th e artist which need not be returned . avoids cliche and always holds interest. rhythmic approach The resulf is a the­ Lew Williams atre organ style entirely her 9wn. The program opens with an upbeat "Swamp Fire,'' a jazzy number featuring full ensembles and block chords. "In the Still of the Night" follows, using the ex­ cellent strings of the organ. Barbara pre­ sents the tune in a straightforward man­ ner that is, at times, rhythmically not exactly as notated. "Belle of the Ball" receives a graceful performance, with some dramatic modulations to enhance this well-known Leroy Anderson favorite. It's back to the music of Cole Porter with "So in Love," which is played in an ex­ The doors have closed, the lights are dimmed, Douglas Fairbanks is a hero, tended arrangement as a beguine. ''A A hush falls through the crowd. Charlie Chaplin is the tramp, Foggy Day'' presents a wonderful vehicle This reverential silence Lillian Gish has vestal innocence , for the organist's tasteful and innovative would make a minister proud! But Theda Bara is a vamp. use of harmony. Beginning with the sel­ The organ pipes resounding chords , Valentino ignites the desert sands dom-heard verse, Barbara builds an The velvet curtains part , With fire in his eyes, understated yet powerful arrangement The flickering light of an unseen machine While women swoon within their seats of the familiar Gershwin tune, and there Bids the action to start. All fluttered hearts and sighs. are some lovely registrations throughout. Side one concludes with a medley of Within the darknes.s of these walls Laughter , love, and sometimes tears, tunes associated with Fred Astaire. And the projector's glowing beams , Adventure and wild schemes , "They Can't Take That Away From Me" People are transported to All become reality is reminiscent of the Buddy Cole version, A palace of celluloid dreams. In the palace of celluloid dreams. while "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" The lobbies are ornamental struts along using the excellent piano Time has passed, things have changed , stop. In contrast , "Change Partners" re­ With colors bright and bold; A frenzied world moves on , ceives a warm and introspective treat­ The walls have lovely tapestries The glory of the movie house ment. And colonnades of gold. Has sadly long been gone. Side two opens with a sweeping waltz, Rich and poor , old and young The golden years have drifted , "The Wedding of the Winds," in which Come here every day, The past becomes today; xylophone and piano are heard to good Knowing that for an hour or two The great stars of the silent screen advantage. "Lara 's Theme" is one of Their troubles will melt away. Have all faded away. those tunes that can either charm or ex­ asperate the listener, depending on its Right before their very eyes But somewhere in the stardust treatment by the performer . It can easily On giant silver screens Of a memory , it seems, be overplayed, but one only needs to re­ Many wondrous stories unfold Their silver ghosts will always haunt call that it was presented in the film ver­ In the palace of celluloid dreams The palace of celluloid dreams. sion of Doctor Zhivago as a simple, Reprinted by permission from Gooo Old Days, a nostalgic-based magazine, printed 12 times a year at nostalgic folk tune. Barbara treats it as $12.97 per year. Subscriptions available by writing Good Old Days, 306 East Parr Road, Berne, IN 46711.

THEATRE ORGAN MARCH/APRIL • 43