Al Melgard plays "Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue" on the Chicago Stadium theatre pipe organ

[andyt1424]

Well I know for a fact that this wasn't the biggest theature organ in the world. Atlantic City's Midmer-Losh Organ has 7 manuals and 33,077 + pipes.

[furrypeanut1]

@andyt1424 It isnt a theatre organ though. It's more classical than anything.

[rdadal]

@furrypeanut1

Yes it is a theater organ, you can hear the bells. It also had drums and whistles.

[furrypeanut1]

@rdadal that doesnt make it a theatre organ. It is a conglomeration of everything. It certainly can play theatre organ music, as it has all the Tibias, voxes, and strings you need. But the majority of the instrument is classically focused.

[paulj0557]

@furrypeanut1 Who wants to play classical when you can get a theater tone like this? That's about when I'd start calling it a theater organ too.

[furrypeanut1]

@paulj0557 You cant get an exact theatre tone because it isnt a true theatre organ. You can get it close enough to play theatre organ music relatively well, but It isnt exact. Take a close look at the stoplist. You'll find its almost entirely classical.

[paulj0557]

@paulj0557 The tremulents are there, the tibia clausa, nice selection of brass, piccolo's, couplers, but yes you're right there is something not there. It's not missed IMO in fact this is an excellent example of a unique personality that results from a unique registration assembled by an above average player. Bravo!

[csbartonorgan83]

@andyt1424 but I don't think the Midmer-Losh is fully operational. At least not yet. And it's closer in sound to the Wanamaker organ than the Chicago Stadium organ.

[danielmkubacki]

NOT A WURLITZER THEATER ORGAN BUT STILL COOL!

[rdadal]

It is not only Al. It is not only the organ. It is not only The Stadium. But, the engineers for the recording, really knew how to capture the sound.

[koasterkav]

More of Al PLEASE! When you can just upload more audio of his wonderful playing.

[ipodspartan]

iTunes has Al Melgard now, but it the first 2 volumes.

[rdadal]

This organ, there was a boxing match. People did not like the decision on the fight. They started rioting and throwing chairs in the ring. The organist opened this organ up and played a rousing march. The riot stopped. Why? The organ started to bust windows and burst light bulbs in the building.

[TouchMeKnott]

Please put on My Vision played by Melgard. It would be a tremendous tribute to a tremendous organist, tremendous organ, and all the oChicago Fans, especially the older ones who had the privilege of listening to him play. He wrote My Vision.

[WinnersCircleMan]

Al was nicknamed "the melancholy Dane"---he was the best part of staying late after the game..nice memories

[rdadal]

I was lucky, I found all of Al Melgard's recordings on CDs. I found them at Ebay.

[koasterkav]

If you can download more from this album, it would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance.

[rdadal]

Nothing like the sound of The Chicago Stadium organ. Did you know that Al was missing one finger? I really loved his version of "Stormy Weather."

[rdadal]

My very favorite Al Melgard song played at The Chicago Stadium was "Stormy Weather." With the sounds of rolling thumder.

[KCMDButcher42]

Actually, only the 6 manual still exists and is in the Phil Maloof residence in Las Vegas. The organ was removed from chicago stadium to escape the wrecking ball.  The guy who bought it had it in storage. There was a fire, destroying the entire organ. They should have just installed into the new stadium.

[GreatBlackLeviathan]

awesome!!!!!! :D

[Hi65Fi]

Wow, that is what it said on the back....thought it sounded a bit much. I hope to post better quality videos soon with stereo sound. Thanks

[slyfoxx6969]

Actually, the Barton Pipe Organ at Chicago Stadium had 3663 pipes with a 100 horsepower blower.  But thank you for posting this clip.

I truly miss that organ and the Stadium itself. The greatest NHL arena of all-time.