I think I get it now...

[kkeys]

After all, the Concorde was the flagship of Hammond's line in 1980, right?!

The Elegante was the flagship in the 1980's. BB shows production from 1980. "Flagship" was even used in the brochure. I suspect your 2300 was one of the last ones built in the 1980 era.

Back to Theatre Organs, Andy mentions the "American" and the old "British" playing styles. I've recently come across the "Blackpool" style presumably derived from the WurliTzer in the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

Phil Kelsall is my favourite player. I have two albums of his on the tower organ. His rendition of the 12th Street Rag just knocks me right out towards the end of this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=LsHoNDW-sB0

[psrick]

Phil Kelsall is my favourite player. I have two albums of his on the tower organ. His rendition of the 12th Street Rag just knocks me right out towards the end of this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=LsHoNDW-sB0

My latest hero from the UK is Richard Hills. Check out this video of him doing Tiger Rag...I think it tops Phil Kelsall...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWClq1Pr7hM

[toasterDude]

{...}Richard Hills. Check out this video of him doing Tiger Rag {...}

Yikes! I think I need to quit goofing around on here and go practice...

[toasterDude]

...Boy, you theater organ guys are a tough crowd! Nobody else is impressed at all by Rosa Rio's own personal calling card?!?

Seriously, I'm going to contact the Tampa Theater and see if they'd like to have it for display.

td

[andyg]

I'd have to say that the 'Blackpool' style is a second British style and not the one I was referring to. I was thinking of the rather straight laced sounds of the likes of the great Sydney Torch, Robinson Cleaver etc.

Though I fully respect the technique required to do it well (and Phil does it better than anyone else I know) Blackpool style is not my thing. I can't stand that tierce coupler, and I'm not too keen on too much waterfalling between manuals. I can do it - I was often asked to do it - but did so with a bit of a grimace.

Having said that, Tiger Rag is a bit of a hoot to play in that style! At some point I will re-record my concert arrangement of Strike Up the Band, which features loads of different theatre styles from Blackpool to Jesse Crawford. Mind you, I'll have to relearn it first.......

[Jan Girardot]

Andy, please link that to our Electronic Organ History Group as well.

. . . Jan

[kkeys]

I'd have to say that the 'Blackpool' style is a second British style and not the one I was referring to. I was thinking of the rather straight laced sounds of the likes of the great Sydney Torch, Robinson Cleaver etc.

Thanks Andy, confirms my original guess that there are at least two styles. Re: the “Blackpool” style. I’ve only heard of it by name only on You Tube comment sections but know little else. Not sure if it is a registration or playing style or perhaps even a bit of both.

[RayT]

Andy,

You call Sid Torch "straight-laced?" I have trouble with that.... Just listening to some Torch tracks at the moment, and anyone who can put out a tune like "Ding Dong Ding," "Looking Around Corners For You" or "Hot Dog" (to name only a few) deserves more credit than that!

Crawford was, to be sure, though since he virtually invented the American theater organ style he can be forgiven for adhering to it. Sid, on the other hand, knew how to make the organ swing, and darn few others have even come close! Those who did, IMO, lacked Torch's superb technique and creativity. To my ears, Torch is the best organist to come out of the UK. Ever.

[TheAdmiral]

Now, I'm a Florida boy, and I've only ever seen one real theater organ performance in my life (not a lot of theater organs down there, because there aren't a lot of classic theaters down there, because the population was very small back in the early 20th century.) Anyway the one show I saw was in 2004. At the Tampa Theater.

TD, I didn't know you lived in FL. What city? I'm thinking about moving part time to the Sarasota area so I can play on the Tampa Wurlitzer.

[toasterDude]

TD, I didn't know you lived in FL. What city? I'm thinking about moving part time to the Sarasota area so I can play on the Tampa Wurlitzer.

Hey Admiral, good to hear from you. I don't live in FL, not any more that is - . Up in the cold unfriendly Northeast now, I'm afraid. But someday I'll be back... "There's a gator in the bushes, he's callin' my name and sayin', come on boy, you better make it back home again" LOL!

But just FYI Sarasota is maybe more suited to rich retired Yank-, uh, Northerners than guys from L.A. (Lower Alabama right?!?) By contrast Tampa is a very cool town! --Even if the baseball team does play on fake grass.