Charlie Balogh – Maestro!

This is the first CD we have stocked from top American theatre organist Charlie Balogh, this was due to getting several requests from our customers at the same time as receiving an email from Mr. Balogh about his latest release. The said Mr. Balogh is one of the leading American theatre organists and was named ‘Organist of the Year’ by the American Theatre Organ Society back in 2000. He has performed on most theatre organs in the USA, Australia and here in the UK.

The organ used on this recording is the 1927 Organ Stop Pizza Wurlitzer in Phoenix, Arizona (where he has been a permanent member of the music staff since 1990). The organ was originally a 3m,15r ‘model 260’ built for the Denver Theatre in Colorado, until it was purchased by Organ Stop Pizza in 1973. Another manual was added and it was moved to a larger venue in 1995 and it now boasts 78 ranks, nearly 6,000 pipes and holds the title of the largest theatre organ in the world (a case of ‘Pimp My Wurlitzer’).

However that’s just the half of it… not content with that, this CD also features it all mixed up with modern digital sampling and computer technology; we have jazz bands, marching bands, rock bands and a even a full symphony orchestra! Unfortunately, the inlay doesn’t go into any great depth about how this was achieved, but after an email to Mr. Balogh, the said information came winging back to me in a few hours. The CD inlay states that it’s hard to tell where “the Wurlitzer ends and the orchestra begins” (which is true) and going by the technical details on the email, this was just what was required.

Firstly, the Wurlitzer doesn’t have MIDI (although it is installed, just not functioning as yet), so all the technical stuff was achieved at Charlie Balogh’s home studio. The Wurlitzer was recorded first (with a click-track) and then the ‘wizardry’ was added over that using Digital Performer. The whole project took nearly a year to complete with a lot of time and thought given to blending the samples and the Wurlitzer together so they sounded as if they were in the same ‘acoustical space’. If you think that sounds easy, then I have half a page of email that says different.

If you are technically minded, then the main keyboard for the electronic side of things is a Roland JV-1000 workstation, with Korg Triton and Roland JV-1080 rack-mount modules. However, the sample software is at the heart of things and these are the high-end ones including Garritan, East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra, Vienna Instruments, Spectrasonics Omnisphere, Synthogy Ivory (Piano), Vir2 Elite Percussion / Mojo Horns, Drumcore and the list goes on.

This is the first recording I have seen which blends a theatre organ with modern samples and synthesizers. While I have reviewed a couple of CDs where electronic organs and keyboards have controlled software and samples to make them sound ‘Wurlitzery’, this is the first where an ‘analogue’ instrument has been used 50/50 with samples. If it has been done before, then this is certainly the first to do it to such a high standard.

Highlights of the CD include the opening swing track “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”, “Bumble Boogie” (a Disco/Boogie-Woogie version of “Flight of the Bumble Bee”). “National Emblem March” is another great track with Marching Band samples and organ intermixed to great effect.

“Fanfare for the Common Man” starts off with the Omnisphere (and Keith Emerson’s original voicing), before the drums and synthesizer join in. The sound of the Wurlitzer is again mixed in beautifully and really stands out, especially with the great power-chords.

“You Raise Me Up” is a popular choice (in fact we currently stock 23 CDs and DVDs with it on). However, none do the song justice like this version and I nearly lost a filling with the bass rattling the speakers!

The “Theme from The Simpsons” is a lesser chosen piece (although I feel many may have tried to do it!). This one sounds great with the Wurlitzer in the forefront of the extremely busy arrangement, which also incorporates symphonic choir samples.

However, the highlight of the highlights is a speaker-blistering version of The Who’s “Pinball Wizard”. This one lulls you into a false sense of security before the bass kicks in (there goes another filling). There is also a great sounding guitar solo in there too (courtesy of the Korg Triton).

This really is one of the ‘must have’ organ CDs of the year, whether you are a theatre organ fan or not. If you are, then rest assured that the Wurlitzer sound has not been lost amongst the technology (if you can indeed ‘lose’ the sound from the biggest Wurlitzer in the world).

FULL TRACKS: It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) • Bahn Frei! • Medley from “Pirates of The Caribbean”: Davy Jones / Dinner is Served / Jack Sparrow / He’s a Pirate • Nights in White Satin • Bolero • National Emblem March • Bumble Boogie • Fur Elise • Fanfare for the Common Man • You Raise Me Up • Theme from “The Simpsons” • Pinball Wizard • This is Halloween • Hooked on Classics.

Ian Griffin and His World of Dreams

This new CD is from one of the favourites on the keyboard circuit and one-half of keyboard duo “KeyKlix”, namely Ian Griffin. It’s his first release since “Up On The Roof” in 2007 and, as with that release, he is playing the Ketron keyboards and Roland pedal-board setup that he uses on his concerts. The inlay states the CD contains a “selection of music made famous by many stars in show business” (although isn’t that what all keyboard CDs are?). Having said that, there is a good selection of tunes with most you will know (although there are a couple that are new to me).

The CD starts with a lovely laid back arrangement of “On This Night of a Thousand Stars” with guitar and piano leads. “Mississippi” is next before the piano flourishes and sweeping strings of the title track “World of Dreams”. I thought track four was going to be “Copacabana” after the opening few bars, but no… it’s an unusual arrangement of “So In Love” with a sax lead. “The Way We Were” starts out as a straight solo piano piece, before a lovely string backing appears, then drums, bass and orchestral bits and bobs finish it off nicely.

We get “Kicked in the Head” next with the swing classic, with sax and brass ensemble leads and nice walking bass. The only medley of the CD follows; a James Last style version of “Somewhere My Love” and his “Mornings at Seven” hit. “I Wanna Wake Up With You” makes a rare appearance (remember that one from the 1980s?) with a soprano sax and flute lead.

The Carpenter’s “Sing” has sax/clarinet leads and pretty piano backing and this is followed by Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” with a trumpet lead over full string/orchestral backing.

A steel guitar / rock ‘n’ roll piano arrangement of Chuck Berry’s “You Never Can Tell” follows, with a couple of key changes thrown in for good measure, then the second swing piece; “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with sax ensemble lead. “Always on My Mind” has an oboe and piano melody which builds with strings and choirs with a good guitar solo in the middle. The penultimate track is a bossa nova and guitar arrangement of Sinatra’s “A Day in the Life of a Fool” before the CD closes with “Temptation”.

As I said, this CD contains a good mix of tunes and, as well as the faultless playing and realistic sounds of the Ketron, special mention should be made of Ian’s arrangements which do make this CD stand out from many of the others around at the moment. This all makes for an enjoyable and entertaining release and let’s hope it isn’t another four years before his next one. I also have to declare my interest in this CD as I designed the inlay and booklet.

FULL TRACKS: On This Night of a Thousand Stars • Mississippi • World of Dreams • So in Love • The Way We Were • Ain’t That a Kick in the Head • Medley: Somewhere My Love / Mornings at Seven • I Wanna Wake Up With You • Sing • You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me • You Never Can Tell • I’ve Got You Under My Skin • Always on My Mind • A Day in the Life of a Fool • Temptation.

Ronnie Ross – I Just Wanna Dance With You

This is Ronnie Ross’s first CD since “An Evening With…” last year and only his second CD for Maestro Records. If you don’t know anything about Ronnie (and I didn’t), then it’s well worth visiting his website as the opening page shows him in a very smart blue Tartan outfit with the header – “Ronnie Ross, Scottish Entertainer”. It goes on to say that he recorded three LPs with his father Stuart in “The Stewart Ross Dance Band” in the late sixties and early seventies, so he’s been in the music business for over forty years. He’s also a black belt in Karate and the chief instructor of the Highland Karate Association, holding the rank of 6th Dan. Well, THAT’S not on the CD inlay.

The CD was recorded in his studio in Inverness and a quick look at the equipment list on his website shows that this is not really a keyboard CD, even the cover has him holding an electric guitar. The keyboards used seem to be the Ketron X1 and SD5 and these give the main backing, but then there are various acoustic and electric guitars, plus an accordion and a mandolin. Also, two-thirds of the tracks are vocals.

Having said all that, the fact that other instruments are used does make this CD more interesting and Ronnie’s vocals are very pleasant to listen to. Vocal highlights include; “I Just Wanna Dance with You”, “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You” and “Memories Are Made of This”. Instrumental highlights include “You’re Sixteen / Return to Sender” and the lovely accordion piece “Highland Wedding”.

If you like a laid-back vocal style with some good arrangements, then this CD is sure to please.

FULL TRACKS: [Cha Cha] I Just Wanna Dance with You • [Cha Cha] Pizzirico • [Waltz] When the Girl in Your Arms • [Waltz] Edelweiss / Let The Rest of the World Go By / Old Rugged Cross • [Swing] Sugar in the Morning • [Swing] When I Was a Lad • [Blues] You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You • [Blues] Red River Valley • [Jive] You’re Sixteen / Return to Sender • [Jive] Walk On By • [Rhumba] Partners in Rhyme • [Rhumba] Eres Tu • [Waltz] Nearest to Perfect • [Waltz] Plaisir d’Amour • [Saunter] Memories Are Made of This • [Saunter] I’ll Take You Home Again Kathleen / Maggie • [Quickstep] Highland Wedding • [Quickstep] Leaving of Liverpool • [Tango] Tango of Romance • [Tango] Blue Tango.

Klaus Wunderlich – Sound Explosion! (Double CD)

June 18th 2011 would have been Klaus Wunderlich’s 80th birthday and to mark this special event Werner Kohlhammer and Bell Musik have produced this double CD set (their twenty-fourth Klaus release so far). This is another two-disc set and contains material from four LPs that were never intended for sale in High Street shops, only from Wersi dealerships & outlets, so they are in effect ‘demonstration’ recordings for the Wersi W248S & Helios W2S organs. The LPs which have been used are: “Wersitime vol.1”, “Sound Explosion” & “Fascination vol.1 & 2”. Because of the rarity of this material I think it will be new to many people, even Klaus’ fans may not have all of these LPs in their collection.

As soon as you start the CD you are hit with the five-minute self-composition “Wersirama Overture” and THAT sound… the unmistakable sound of an old Wersi at the height of it’s popularity. No-one made it sound as good as Klaus and this track is a Wersi demonstration in itself, covering most of the sounds the organ had to offer, played by Klaus (in most of the styles he had to offer).

Only two of the tracks from “Wersitime vol.1” have been included as it evidently contained a German woman bestowing the virtues of the organ, followed by short musical snippets from Klaus. However all the material from the other three LPs has made it safely to this set.

The tracks are nice selection of old, new, obscure and well known pieces which will drag you down memory lane with an old Wersi rhythm box comfortingly chugging along in the background. The tracks may well be played on thirty-plus year old organs, but they do sound surprisingly fresh, mainly due to the intricate arrangements that Klaus was so good at. Also, the sound quality is excellent as Werner has worked his magic from the original master tapes from Klaus’ archive.

Highlights include the opening track, a swing version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”, “Whispering”, “The House of the Rising Sun”. “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, “Caravan” and “Swinging Mozart”. While most of the tracks feature the organ’s rhythm box, there are a few with real drums, guitar and bass.The sleeve notes are by Alan Ashton and we even get a plug for OrganRadio.com on there.

A lovely CD set by a great organist and a mention for our website, what more could I ask.

FULL TRACKS: DISC ONE (Running Time: 61.00): Wersirama Overture • Tico Tico • Solveig’s Lied • In der Halle des Bergkönigs • Sentimental Journey • Olé Guapa • Smoke Gets in Your Eyes • Let’s Dance • Gioconda Beat • Dream • Whispering • Nur Eine Stunde • Blumenwalzer • Für Eine Nacht Voller Seligkeit • The House of the Rising Sun • Bye Bye Cha Cha • Dobs Boogie • Wah-Wah’re Liebe • Ramona Mambo • DISC TWO (Running Time: 55.00): American Patrol • Love Story • Bubble Gum • An der Schönen Blauen Donau • Exodus • Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head • Mackie-Messer-Song • Rosen aus deem Süden • Klaviwersi Rag • Chattanooga Choo Choo • The Green Leaves of Summer • In a Little Spanish Town • Caravan • Goin’ Out of My Head • Komm mit mir ins Chambre Separee • Thema Konzert 1 B-moll (Thema) • Swinging Mozart • Slalom Beat • Freie Fahrt Für Wersi.