Verne Langdon - Paramount On Parade

VERNE LANGDON - PIPE DREAMS /
Pipe Dreams is not your typical theatre organ album, but it is a fine example of another application of the instrument. In addition to accompaniment for silent films and organ solos, the theatre organ was used to accompany live vaudeville performances. This is a collection of historical recordings from 1973-1974 of this genre of music expertly performed by Verne Langdon. In fact, the CD itself is set up like an actual vaudeville show and opens with a "Magic Medley" which includes the tunes "Old Black Magic," "Magic Is The Moonlight," and "It's Magic." It's so obvious from listening to this console-riser that Verne is a master at classic theatre organ stylings. Presented in the next 11 cuts on this CD are original accompaniments and segues composed by Mr. Langdon himself that could have been used for a live magic show. If you just close your eyes you can imagine the action that is transpiring on the stage. Verne's arrangements are aurally graphic and very clever. The album concludes with a rousing rendition of the Paramount Pictures theme , "Paramount on Parade." Verne is certainly not a neophyte in the world of performance music or theatre organ. He studied with the famous Korla Pandit, and he has performed at piano and organ on national radio and television over many years. His copious recordings range from theatre organ to harpsichord, and his arrangements span comedy to circus steam calliope. This instrument on this CD is the notable Lorin Whitney 4/34 Robert-Morton/Wurlitzer composite heard on many vintage theatre organ recordings such as Eddie Dunstedter, Gordon Kibbee, Jim Roseveare, and others. Mr. Langdon released the cult collector's album, Phantom of the Organ, on this very instrument in 1973. I think you will find this CD to be an interesting historical archive of material not so often found in recordings of the theatre organ. Pipe Dreams can be purchased from Mr. Langdon's eBay store for $24.00,including shipping and handling, or by writing Dejavu Record Company, P.O. Box 50813, Montecito, California 93150.

- Andy Antonczyk
For the Records Reviews
Theatre Organ Magazine (March/April 2010)
Journal of The American Theatre Organ Society
© 2010 Journal of The American Theatre Organ Society. All Rights Reserved.

"Paramount On Parade" © 2010 Paramount Music Company (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved."Verne Langdon Pipe Dreams" © 2010 Dejavu Record Company. All Rights Reserved.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Verne Langdon
• Pipe Organ
• Theatre Organ
• news reel
• Wurli-Morton Lorin Whitney
• Kelly Mann
• ATOS
• Eddie Dunstedter
• Gordon Kibbee
• Jim Roseveare
• George Wright
• Gaylord Carter
• Richard Liebert
• Korla Pandit
• Buddy Cole
• Phantom of the Organ

[32elvismovies]

If only modern-day audiences could enjoy this instead of being subjected to much commercial drivel, the world would be a better place!

Here in Toronto, a single Wurlitzer survives at Casa Loma. It once resided at Shea's Hippodrome, and was almost lost to the wrecking ball when Shea's was demolished in 1956. It was moved to Maple Leaf Gardens, where it was heard on radio broadcasts for over a decade, until preserved by the Toronto Theatre Organ Society.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Verne!

[donho57]

A magnificent job, maestro. One of my favorite movie/theatre memories!