LoyolaCollege Given Organ by Bert Brouillon A new organ installation , available perses sound through swell shutters for public and private concerts on a well above audience level on the right rental basis, was unveiled in mid­ side of the hall (facing the stage) while November at Loyola College in Los the Main is in a similar "upper story" Angeles, with J. Edward Himes chamber on the left side of the hall. (formerly known as Jay Himes) play­ The ebony console is on a dolly on the ing the kickoff concert. The instru­ stage. Camp chairs arranged in rows on ment is the 3/10 Wurlitzer which was the level floor provided seating. for many years in the home of "Bud" J. Edward Himes gave a creditable Wittenberg , one of the pioneer organ perfo rmance of pops and standards , hobbyists. The instrument had been in and a Tchaikowsky-studded accom­ Bud's home for well over a dozen paniment of film highlights from years , and was recorded long ago by a Chaney's Phantom of the Opera. then budding organist named Bill Himes was laboring against the handi­ Thomson. When Bud decided to move cap of an unfinished installation which Manufacturers, distributors or indi ­ to smaller quarters he had to find a might be summed up as an instrument viduals sponsoring or merchandising home for the organ which had served voiced too loud for the room and with theatre pipe organ records are en­ him so well for so long. He found a trems very much in need of fine couraged to send pressings to the willing collaborator in Father Richard adjustment , which will be done , the Record Reviewer, Box 3564, Granada Trame at Loyola. In fact , an audi­ audience was assured. Hills, California 91344. Be sure to include purchasing information, if torium was in the planning stage and Such critical niceties cast no gloom applicable, and if possible a black plans were changed to accommodate over the premiere audience ; here was and white photo which need not the two chambers and auditorium another organ in the Los Angeles area , be returned. acoustics required to best accom­ a reason for rejoicing. Commentary modate a pipe organ. was handled effectively by Dick First nighters entered the audi­ Martin who supervised the installation. JIMMIE BOYCE PLAYS THE torium of St. Roberts Hall, a room He revealed that plans include a WOODY WISE GRANDE BARTON. about 80' x 80' with an 18' ceiling. 5-manual replacement console, a Mark label No. MC 8494 (stereo). Jagged wall projections on the upper synt hesizer to accommodate "mod" $5 .98 postpaid from JBP Recording portions of the side walls insure mus ic and perhaps ten more ranks of A~ociates, 6516 Haystack Rd., Alex­ against the "standing waves" so in­ pipes. Expansion depends entirely on andria, Va. 22310. jurious to organ sound. the income from concerts and audi­ The Solo Division has been installed torium rentals , so Fr. Trame welcomes All who attended the 1972 ATOS in a backstage chamber which dis- all inquiries. D convention will remember the 3/11 Barton in the Virginia theatre , Alex­ andria, Va., with either joy or mis­ givings, depending on the ambient temperature. The Barton was kind to some organists , brutal to others. A very tempermental organ, especially in the heat of summer and with no air conditioning. But at that time we never did hear the 3/11 in the hands of Jimmy Boyce (the uncredited staffer). Of course , at that convention he did his stuff on the unenclosed 4/34 Wur­ litzer in the Alexandria roller rink (it was originally in the Center theatre , the sister theatre to RCMH in New York). This Barton has one advantage Jimmy's huge Wurlitzer lacks - ex­ pression. Even so, Jimmy is so in the habit of getting along with no swell shutters, he uses them very sparingly , but well. In fact , this is a better opportunity to get acquainted with the Boyce musical charisma than when FEBRUARY , 1975 he plays the big beast. More intimate. debut is probably also its swansong, so the extent that a level of sameness has The Barton is almost the same as it far as the Virginia th eat re is con­ been achieved. Even so, a couple of was when removed from the Newport cerned. The organ has been sold. Re­ the organs manage to retain a degree News Paramount in 1968 by Woody gardless of sentiment, this is a well­ of individuality despite the doctoring, Wise. A Posthorn has been added, and recorded and well-played album, one notably the United Palace Morton and the pedal has been fortified with well worth owning. the Buddy Cole Wurlitzer-Morton (the added Grosse Flute and Tuba Mir­ latter also in spite of the hackneyed abilis. vehicle - Lara's Theme - again!) Jimmy tackles the program with COAST TO COAST, Don Thompson With that one exception, the tune­ the assurance of the old pro that he is. playing ten pipe organs. Amberlee list reflects the wide range and variety He opens with an appropriate console (stereo)No.AML 307. $5.98 postpaid in Don's repertoire, one of his strong raiser of the Dizzy Fingers variety, an from Doric Records, Box 282, points. Playing quality ranges from original named On Broadway. Kurt Monterey, Calif. 93940. mostly good to a small touch of bad, Weill's My Ship is enhanced by the the latter perhaps resulting from the color reeds plus mutations. Another nature of releasing a concert perfor­ Boyce original, which was composed mance; there's no chance to correct to cue silent comedies, is the loping small flubs without retakes. Overall, Charlie's Walk. The color reeds are it's Don's best recorded work to date. again in the spotlight during Jimmy"s Arrangements, all by Don, maintain a Waltz and the Wood Block, Castanets, high degree of interest value; he makes Glock and Kinura sprint a little during good use of the best solo reeds on each Quanta le Gusto. It's brass time for a instrument. Technical quality varies dirty, lowdown Hard Hearted Hannah according to the skills of the various and the Side 1 closer is a lilting tapers and the quality of equipment Bluesette with some melodic em­ used. Yet the miking catches all the bellishment and beaucoup spirit. music with good effect. Side 2 is equally interesting. Sweet The selections are; Purvis' Fanfare, Georgia Brown acquires an unladylike What a Friend We Have in Jesus, The baritone voice with Posthorn topping Phantom Brigade, Lehar's Villia (sic), Don Thompson and the Barton's "Oogah" horn, all to While We 're Young. Tell Me Little a peppy beat. Then the haunting Laura Gypsy, The Phantom Regiment, - Laura? Why it seems only yesterday This British release is being dis­ Shadow Waltz, Speakeasy, What Kind that the late Ben Hall was contem­ tributed by Doric in the USA. This of Fool Am I?, Lara's Theme, Rosalie plating a "Society for the Prevention material is drawn mainly from Don and / Double Dare You. Four of these of Organ Recordings of Laura and Thompson's concert performances, selections are tops in all respects - Pur­ Tenderly - but a whole new gener­ judging from the applause following vis' brassy Fanfare, Phantom Regiment, ation has arrived since her too fre­ the selections, although some has been Shadow Waltz and Speakeasy . Rosalie quent recording and the lady (played obviously dubbed in. The organs heard and / Double Dare You, a tribute to to the hilt, perhaps by Jean Lautzen­ are the LA Wiltern 4/37 Kimball, the organist Reginald Dixon, are played in heiser) is as tasty as ever when ex­ Redwood City, Calif. Cap'ns Galley that British star's "rum-te-tum" quick­ ercising the Barton's delicious Tibia 4/18 Wurlitzer, Joe Koons' motorcycle step ballroom style. and later the 16' Tuba played against a shop (then) 2/19 Wurlitzer-Welte-Page, This recording is representative of web of harmony on ethereal Strings. The Old Town Music Hall 4/24 Wur­ Don Thompson's various playing It's downright unearthly! But we re­ litzer in El Segundo, Calif., The Elks' styles, his broad repertoire, his in­ covered from Fantasyland about half­ Bldg. 4/61 Robert Morton in LA, the ventive arrangements and varied regis­ way through The Entertainer, a cheery N.Y. United Palace 4/24 Morton, the tration on 10 organs. It is certain to organ adaptation which uses the No. Tonawanda Riviera theatre's 3/12 please his many fans. Glock, Bells and Xylophone as ef­ Wurlitzer, the 3/11 ESTMIM Wurlitzer fective standins for the piano. in Syracuse, N.Y., the 3/26 (Buddy HORACE FINCH ON THE WUR­ A ndaluda includes three of the Cole) Wurlitzer-Morton in the Camp­ LITZER ORGAN IN THE EMPRESS supporting themes to the melody bell (Calif.) Capn's Galley and the BALLROOM, BLACKPOOL. Deroy which will be recognized by its popu­ 4/22 RTOS Wurlitzer in the Audi­ No. 949, Volume 16. $6.50 postpaid lar name, The Breeze and I. Well done. torium theatre, Rochester, N .Y. All of (checks on US banks accepted) from And its a delight to hear Stormy which must add up to a monumental Deroy Records, Box 3, Camforth, Weather without the manual hand­ job of disbursing earned royalties to Lanes., England. wipe storm sound effects. This time its the various organ owners who agreed just the music with a wide range of to the use of their instruments on the Deroy is a new source to this dynamics and registration variety.