I never tire of listening to the endless styles of music that can be produced on the Mighty Wurlitzer. Especially when played by such a pro. as Mark Herman.
Dare I say: "Not just another pretty face..." Mark is a true spokesperson (yes, including his professional console demeanor and communication with his audiences) for our art form. His vivid and fresh arrangements are never contrived and show a spirit of enthusiasm and respect for every composition he puts before us. Mark, I join thousands of other listeners in thanking you for enriching our ears and our hearts in 2020. Lay it on again in 2021; we are the folks "out there in the dark" whom you have so richly blessed.
Mark, how wonderful to hear music of the 20's and 30's played with so much warmth and color. Our ears are constantly refreshed by your kaleidoscopic, imaginative registrations. You have a wonderful gift. If you haven't already, could you play "Let's Face the Music and Dance". It's in one of the most elegant scenes ever from a Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movie. Many thanks.
Great performance Mark, you had me tapping my toes to Baby Face and rocking back and forth to It Had To Be You. Just love your way of playing and wishing you a wonderful 2021, Thanks so much and keep up the good talent!!
Mark is a stellar musician. The music and its phrases come first. They are embellished by his orchestration. They don't suffer from pyrotechnical displays requiring chopped phrases and herniated rhythm. Perhaps a lot of this stems from him being a composer and orchestrator. Mark, thank you for sharing your talents with us. Happy New Year! May it be so much better than last year!
A total delight from start to finish! The piano/organ duet on "Top Hat" especially delightful, the subtle manner the organ began to slip into the sound is great fun! Happy New Year! The organ is in superb shape, and Mr. Herman truly is its master!
Thanks for uploading this video, it's a great showcase for the organ and venue. I live in Great Britain and have only visited El Segundo on business trips, so have never been able to visit the Old Town Music Hall in person. Mark really shows off the qualities of the Wurlitzer with his melodic playing and his counter-melodies put me in mind of the great George Wright. I especially enjoyed his rendition of Sleigh Ride with the Auto Horn horse imitation at the end. Thanks also for leaving the trumpet cipher in the recording, it certainly added to the concert feel of the video! This is a nice installation and I like the way the traps are on display. I believe this 4 manual Wurlitzer organ now has 26 ranks of pipes and is based on Opus 1002, a Style 235 (3/11) Wurlitzer originally installed in the Fox West Coast Theatre, Long Beach, CA in 1925.
I'd like to borrow a quote left by "Nicholas" on an album from Takashi Kokubo posted online (also on RU-vid): "I feel like this was created by a man who had no ego. Someone who genuinely wanted to serve others and bring them to a state of calmness through his art. Listening to this album felt like the artist made it specifically for me. He wasn't trying to impress with his technical skill (even though its obviously there) rather he used his ability to serve the purpose of making something extremely enjoyable to the listener. I aspire to create something like this one day."
A terrific organist and splendid instrument/venue. But then, with his abilities, Mark would sound great on a kazoo!! As we bid adieu to 2020, let's forget or forgive any unwelcome changes of the past 365 days and expect only good in the new year.
Yes another fantastic offering from Mark.Who was the pianist on the Top Hat White Tie?The organ sounds wonderful and as it was new in 1925 for the Fox West Coast Theatre its earlyish Tibias are Georgeous!It appears the console is not original but from the Metropolitan/Paramount Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.So maybe the original organ was a smaller organ that was augmented?
Ah,Ive just looked in the Wurlitzer book and the West Coast Long Beach Wurlitzer Opus 1002 was a 3-11 from the 21st February 1925.So its been doubled in size.Not that it matters as it looks and sounds wonderful.
