Uploaded with the kind permission of Phil Kelsall - This recording holds a significant place in theatre organ history as it was the first to be released on VHS format. Phil Kelsall was a fresh face in the theatre organ scene at the time, having just started at the Tower Ballroom five years before Ernest Broadbent's retirement. I have done my best to restore the recording, which dates from 1982, using the software available to me. Considering the age of the tape (which is older than myself) I think it has turned out not too badly. The transfer to the digital format has been made possible by @FraserGartshore and I thank him for making it possible. I hope you enjoy this piece of nostalgia and fun, which is certainly a product of its time and runs for 30 minutes. 00:00 - I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside 00:40 - Tiger Rag 05:06 - Cavatina 11:16 - The St Bernards Waltz 12:20 - Quickstep - Ma, She's Making Eyes at Me / Whispering / Don't Dilly Dally on the Way / The Black and White Rag 16:14 - The Birdy Dance 17:55 - Chattanooga Choo Choo 21:44 - Memory (From Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Cats") 26:08 - 12th Street Rag
Phil Kelsall is my favorite organist to observe and play, and I abusultely adore whenever videos of him playing are posted online! I especially like watching him in his earlier years, as his playing seems to carry much more energy. I do wish Phil is able to make a trip to the states at some point, as I'd love to hear him play again!
I think the first one I had was the 25th anniversary tape. Just as I was starting out, like yourself, played it to death. The days before RU-vid... long long ago lol
Wonderful nostalgia - Thanks so much for sharing this and what a great shame the BBC decided to pull 'The Organist Entertains' from it's regular Tuesday slot on radio 2. Nice to see Phil and Nigel - a real trip down memory lane,
When purchased this Wurlitzer was probably just an other in a long line of modest instruments! But once Reg Dixon got his hands on it the world soon came to know of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom Wurlitzer! This is probably the most famous of its type? Phil Kelsall carries on the Blackpool style still forty plus years on however i do think Reg was the true master of this organ!
From the very beginning, it was evident that this was no ordinary situation, as Reg had specifically tailored the new Wurlitzer to suit his own unique playing style. While many attribute Reg's success to being in the right place at the right time, there was much more to his achievements than mere coincidence. Other individuals who played in Blackpool never attained the same level of fame as Reg, despite their talents. Reg possessed a certain special quality that set him apart from the rest. Undoubtedly, this Wurlitzer pipe organ is the most renowned of its kind. For nearly a century, it has been captured in countless photographs, recordings, videos, and has been mentioned in various forms of media such as novels, books, TV shows, radio, magazines, newspapers, websites, and social media. The distinct sound of this organ has become synonymous with Blackpool and, to some extent, with the seaside experience in our country, much like the iconic elements of buckets and spades and fish and chips.
Phil's role necessitates a flair for the dramatic and a talent for capturing attention. Playing the theatre organ involves more than just a static presence; it requires an animated performance that engages the audience visually and aurally, especially in a BIG bustling ballroom setting. The primary reason for his reduced level of animation now is simply due to his age.
Actually its one of the finest theatre organs ever built, and it's Wurlitzers most successful installation having been played every day since it was installed in 1935. Its probably the most recorded pipe organ in the world, thousands of recordings have been made on it, countless thousands of broadcasts have been made on it too. Its sound has become synonymous with the British seaside, and it is a priceless cultural and musical icon. Try listening to a modern recording of it.
He was just starting out in his career. Since then he has gone on to become the best selling and most recorded theatre organist of the past 50 years. He's had platinum awards for sales, played for royalty several times, received an MBE for services to the music industry, awards from several music bodies, toured the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and inspired hundreds of younger theatre organists to take up the instrument. What have you done?
There is always someone out there to bellyache about something or someone. A former teacher of mine (both of us organists) had a way dealing with those kinds of people. She would slide off the bench and say to that antagonist straight in the face, "... get on this bench and show me how to do it." She said it worked every time. She has a doctorate plus two more degrees. @@danielmurphy4415
