The 4/23 Wonder Morton Organ at The Loew's Jersey Theatre

[2reeler]

Superb organist and what a surprise to see the mighty wonder morton turn as it rises from the pit! Of course its the organist that makes it speak in it most grandeous tones! Thanks for recording this stellar moment in this theaters illustrious history! Wish I had been there!

[lipsbach]

i'm REALLY sorry ralph is gone. this was one fine musician folks.

[pebrogan]

Terrific - really brings out the goosebumps. Thanks for sharing this experience. P.S. Love the song, "Drums in My Heart" a rarely heard song by Youmans that Nelson Eddy popularized on his radio show in the 40's.

[steamboat75043]

well done and well played - i used to get to hear a morton down in Austin Texas at Pizza and Pipes (I think) back when I was in university.

[plappin]

Chills.

[Cubik303]

Awesome performance! That organ sounds absolutely brilliant. A wonderful restoration job to be sure.

[jltbb62]

LOVE IT thanks

[ASSEMblerEX]

BRAVO! And this is so close to me! I HAVE to see it now.

[bh4bhwgm]

Only one word fits....Great. Thanks...keep him on here - please.

[bh4bhwgm]

Ralph is truly one of the greatest.  Only wish I could play like him. He really knows how to handle that instrument to get the most from it. Thanks for the post.

[torganist]

Wonderful sounding instrument -- I'd love to play it sometime --

[sylvi2909]

This is superb, wow !! I have always wanted to see one of these wonderful old Pipe Organs rise from the bowels of the Theatre. Thank you so much for posting this to YouTube, the sound is terrific and the talent is unmistakeable.

[Brandotuomikoski]

It must be SCARRY to play that organ AS THE ENTIRE CONSOLE SHAKES WHEN IT RISES!! LOL!! :)

[Silentscreengoddess]

Ralph, you just blow me away with your playing. Blow some more please. Hazel x

[Organsk8er]

BIG congratulations to all of those in GSTOS! This is a wonderful accomplishment for them, and a triumph for the theatre organ world as a whole! I hope the thunderous sounds of this wonderful Morton are enjoyed by many, many people for a very long time to come!

[DrkOne633]

Wow. I wish there were more organs in places like the Wirlitzer and the Morton. Thanks for the video response!

[loewsjersey]

DrkOne,

I am a VCU alumni with fond memories of The Byrd, The Mosque and The Carpenter Center. And it was those experiences that led me to the Loew's Jersey, where I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time with my trusty little Panasonic camcorder.

[Streetcar1743]

@DrkOne633 I agree! I am a member of the St. Louis chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society. Some people don't seem to realize what these old machines can do.

[friendlier]

WOW!

[SwankyCub]

Yet another reason to keep going to this marvelous theater!

[chem100]

It occurred to me that I have been whistling this tune everywhere I go (since I keep playing this clip over and over), but I haven't got a clue as to its title. Does anyone know what the title of this song is?

Ralph, you are a master of the theatre organ. I was there at the Loew's Jersey for "The Jazz Singer" and heard your entire mini-concert. I was in heaven. The organ is like velvet brocade (very rich and luxurious sounding yet never strident) and you play it perfectly.

[perfectjazz78]

The first song is "Drums In My Heart". It is from the 1932 Vincent Youmans Broadway flop "Through The Years"..... sad because the show had a beautiful score . It was recorded by Leo Reisman on Victor. I have the 78 and will have to dig it out some time. The Second song is "You" and it is from 1934.

[loewsjersey]

Corrections (from video's creator)

- Bob Martin is the person being recognized at the start of the speaker's intro

- The name of the society is "Garden State Theatre Organ Society"

- This is a Robert Morton Wonder Morton Organ

[edonmusic]

What a swell performance. Nice going Ralph, Bob and all others connected. It's the cleanest sounding and best quality video so far on Youtube...Congrats!! More please.

Don Hayek

[organloft2001]

Great playing by Ralph Ringstad once again. He is a dear friend and one hell of an organist. Thank you Bob Balfour for this wonderful gift and for all the hard work the crew has done and especially to my friends Bob and Cathy Martin and all of GSTOS. I love you all! Greg Owen

[16MutedHorn]

This is a genuine miracle to get this historic organ back in operation. Many thanks to Bob Martin and all the others who have been involved with the installation.

[Kiddman32]

Fabulous! Already, I'm making mental travel wish-list plans... My GF's parents live in Jersey :)

[laughgasm]

excellent!! i hope there are many performances planned for the future.

[chem100]

An utterly magnificent instrument that everyone should hear in person.

[hudsoncom]

A Triumph!

[diaphone32]

One of the greatest theater organs of the roaring 20s is back.