Star Organist

Episode 224 – Charles Leeds The Music

On this week’s show we have raided the archive and bring you another classic broadcast. Charles Smitton was very much associated with the two Manchester Wurlitzers, but in this case he’s travelled across the country to Leeds. Where else than the Odeon with it’s 3/19 Wurlitzer. So sit back and enjoy Charles’ excellent musicianship on one of the country’s best organs.

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Music played

Signature Tunes: Estrellita

Sousa Marches On

Destiny

Rhumbalina

Dance Of The Blue Marionettes

Melody And Rhythm: Zing! Went The Strings Of My Herat/Charmaine/The Hola Hoop Song/Its All In the Game/More Than Ever/Dance Everyone, Dance

‘White Horse Inn’ Selection

Signature Tunes: Estrellita

Originally broadcast on 6th November 1958. Recording taken from the DMC Collection.

Episode 219 – Shaw Favourites

On this week’s show we have raided the archive and bring to you another classic broadcast. This time played by that Duchess Master – Gerald Shaw.  Gerald was very much associated with the beautiful 5 manual Compton in the Odeon Leicester Square and that is where this broadcast is being played from. So sit back as Gerald plays in his own imitable style!

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Music played

A Song Of Home

Brazil

By A Sleepy Lagoon

Whisky Galore

Donkey Serenade

El Cabalo

Horses Box

Thanks For The Memory

How Do You Do It?

The Happy Whistler

Spanish Gypsy Dance

A Song Of Home

Originally broadcast on an unknown date – probably early 60’s. Recording taken from the DMC Collection.

Episode 216 – An Airing For Aaron

On this week’s show its turn of our star organist to entertain. Who better than the senior winner of last years ATOS young organist of the year competition, Aaron Hawthorne. Aaron is playing his ‘home’ Wurlitzer – the one in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Glasgow and he certainly gets the best sounds with a varied and enjoyable programme.

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Music played

Happy Days Are Here Again

Puttin’ On The Ritz

A Moment For Morricone

The Girl From Ipanema

Sherman Bothers Medley: The Age Of Not Believing/Feed The Birds/Hushabye Mountain/Its A Small Word/King Of the Swingers

Happy Days Are Here Again

All tracks played on the 3/21 Wurlitzer in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Glasgow. Recorded by Aaron Hawthorne on a Zoom H4N. Tracks edited & show produced by Damon Cox. Organ tuned and maintained by members of the Scottish Cinema Organ Trust.

Episode 206 – Farewell to the Troc

Tonight we take you back (almost) exactly 57 years to the Trocadero Elephant & Castle for a program of highlights from the closing concert. The 40 minutes of music is all presented by Alex Cambell-Gifford. So sit back and relax and bask in the sounds of of the Troc Wurlitzer as it was in the cinema. It’s with thanks to the Cinema Organ Society that this Wurlitzer is now installed in the Troxy and is one of the finest examples of a Wurlitzer in the world.

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Music played

Jackie Brown – Knocked ‘Em In The Old Kent Road

Bobby Pagan –  The Lady Is A Tramp/With A Smile And A Song

Sidney Gustard – Classical Selection

Robin Richmond – Try A Little Tenderness/Nice Work If You Can Get It

Dennis Mathew – Idaho/Chanson De Matin

George Blackmore – Spanish Gypsy Dance/Little Serenade

Jackie Brown – The Waltz From Masquerade/Body And Soul/Chloe

George Blackmore – The Lost Chord

Jackie Brown – Knocked ‘Em In The Old Kent Road

Recorded 6th November 1960 and presented by Alex Cambell-Gifford. Thanks to John Leeming and the Cinema Organs Societies Archive for their help and permission to this.

Episode 202 – Highlights From The Young Theatre Organist Of The Year Competition

On this weeks show we turn too the stars of the future as we recap highlights from the Young Theatre Organist of the Year Competition. This year the competition came from midlands, on the fabulous 3/11 Compton in Hampton-In-Arden. During the show we hear from the runner up’s and winners of the main and senior section. We also have a special interview with Michael Wooldridge who organises the competition and Aaron Hawthorne who won the senior section.

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Music played

Michael Wooldridge – Strike Up The Band

Lewis Scott – Copacabana

Lucy Crouch – ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Selection: The Lullaby League/The Jitterbug

Robert Eldridge – Over The Rainbow

Robert Eldridge – Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Michael Wooldridge with Jayden Vicarey – On The Street Where You Live

Jamyma-May- Hanson – ‘Mack & Mable’ Selection: Movies Were Movies/Look What Happened to Mabel/Time Heals Everything/Wherever He Ain’t/I Won’t Send Roses

Aaron Hawthorne – A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square

Aaron Hawthorne – That’s Entertainment

All tracks played  on the 3/11 Compton in Fentham Hall, Hampton-In-Arden. Recorded by Damon Cox on a Zoom H2N. Organ tuned and maintained by members of the COS Midland & Wales District. Thanks to The Cinema Organ Society, Michael Wooldridge, Len Rawle and The American Theatre Organs Society’s London and South Of England Chapter for their assistance in making this possible.

Episode 199 – Putting A Seal On Melody

On this week’s show we have raided the archive and bring to you a classic broadcast played by that Master of Melody – Jospeh Seal.  Joe was very much associated with the beautiful Wurlitzer in the ABC Kingston-Upon-Thames and that is where this broadcast is being played from. So sit back as Joe takes you on a journey though melody and rhythm and a set of solid standards.

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Music played

Melody For You

Anything Goes/Transatlantic Lullaby/Nice Work If You Can Get It/I Wish You Love/I’m In Love For The Very First Time

The Silver Wedding Waltz

Jealousy

Lady Chatterbox

Sophisticated Lady

Dream Of Olwen

Richard Rodgers Selection: Lover/This Can’t Be Love/There’s A Small Hotel/The Lady Is A Tramp/With A Song In My Heart

Melody For You

Originally broadcast on an unknown date – probably early 60’s. Recording taken from the DMC Collection.

Episode 194 – Summer send off from the Music Mann

On this weeks show we will be playing highlights from John Mann’s final summer show at the Eastbourne Winter Gardens. John, for the last 36 years, has being performing his one man summer shows on his trusty Eminent Grand Theatre 2000 and Grand piano. It’s a typical John Mann show but there are a few surprises along the way!

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Music played

Sussex By The Sea

Old Comrades

Some Enchanted Evening

Famous Dances: The Striper/The Charleston/Skaters Waltz/In The Mood

Clair De Lune

Russ Conway Selection: Side Saddle/China Tea

Moonlight Fiesta/Tico Tico/Sussex By The Sea

Ani’t You Got No Home’s To Go Too

All tracks played by John Mann on the Eminent Grand Theatre 200 and Grand Piano in the Winter gardens, Eastbourne. Recorded by Damon Cox on a Zoom H2N.

Episode 190 – Gypsy In My Soul with David Ivory

On this week’s show we venture to Suffolk and to the Cotton Mechanical Musical Museum. This vintage 2 manual Wurlitzer lends itself to the stye of its long running resident organist David Ivory. Davids going to play a selection from his 2017 concert theme – Gypsy!

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Music played

Happy Days Are Here Again/Dark Eyes

Fascination

‘Gypsy’ Selection: Everything’sComing Up Roses/Let Me Entertain You/Small World/Together Wherever We Go/Everything’s Coming Up Roses (Reprise)

Spanish Gyspy Dance

Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose/The Gypsy’s Warning/I Recall A Gypsy Woman/Gypsy In My Soul

Where My Caravan Is Rested

Czardas

Happy Days Are Here Again

All tracks played by David Ivory on the 2/11 Wurlitzer in Cotton Mechanical Musical Museum. Recorded by Damon Cox on a Zoom H2N. Thanks to Jonathan Ling and David Ivory for making us welcome Organ tuned and maintained by Bob Ince and David Ivory.

Episode 185 – I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside with Reginald Dixon

On this week’s show we turn back the clocks on one of the most famous star organists of the past – Mr Blackpool himself Reginald Dixon. Damon has recently dug this broadcast out from the archives and its one of Reg’s typical morning broadcast from the Tower Ballroom

Blackpool is very much forefront of Theatre organ news at the moment, as Phil Kelsall is celebrating his 40 year residency – which now brings him along side Reg for the number of years serving as the Tower’s Resident Organist. There will be a special concert featuring Phil at the Wurlitzer this Sunday – starting at 7:30!

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Music played

I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

‘My Fair Lady’ Selection

Moonlight Serenade

Petite Waltz

Tiger Rag

At Your Request: Diane/Sahara/Brown Eyes Why Are You Blue/The Carnival Is Over/Nobody’s Sweetheart

If I Can Help Somebody

Sing Song: I’m Happy When Im Hiking/Let Bygones Be Bygones/Back Home In Tennessee/My Mammy/It’s A Long Way To Tipperary

I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

Originally broadcast on an unknown date – probably early 60’s. Recording taken from the DMC Collection.

Episode 181 – Kelsall Wonders at Worthing

On this week’s show we go to the seaside! Worthing to be precise, where for half an hour you can enjoy the sounds of Blackpool maestro Phil Kelsall who is celebrating his 40th anniversary at the Tower Ballroom this year. Since the Assembly hall Wurlitzer started playing in 1981 Phil has been twice a year since and is a firm favourite.

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Music played

Cherokee/Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart/So Whats New?/Glad Rag Doll/Good Old Bad Old Days /It Don’t Mean A Thing

Rodgers & Hart Selection: The Lady Is A Tramp/Mountain Greenery/Blue Moon/Manhattan/No Other Love/Lover/There’s A Small Hotel/The Girlfriend

I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside

All tracks played by Phil Kelsall on the 3/22 Wurlitzer in the Assembly hall, Worthing. Recorded by Damon Cox on a Zoom H2N. Thanks to Simon Field and to Phil for giving permission for this to be broadcast.