Why not put a piece of American musical history---one that only lasted about fifteen years (1915-1930)---up for all the world to see and enjoy once again. It's terrific stuff!
Featured here are my very cool (at least I think so...) "Phantom Duets": vintage Ampico reproducing piano roll performances, MIDI'd into a Steinway/PianoDisc, then enhanced live by me on the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. Honestly, it's some of the happiest, smile-on-your-face music you've ever heard!
Пікірлер
I watch this over and over…it’s wonderful each time…”The excellent is always new…”. Ralph Waldo Emerson
This fine talented theatre organist has passed away, sometime in 2023. I am happy that I heard him play in person at the stunning Paramount theatre in Oakland Ca. His style and tonal artistry was breathtakingly beautiful. We have lost one of the truly greats in his field. Thankfully his music will live on and on to enjoy! God bless you, dear man. Thankyou for all your wonderful Wurly music you captivated us with. 🎶❤ Jim Riggs, You will be missed!
Jim passed away in October 2023.
Sounds like jesse Crowfard...
A wonderful addition, placing a chorus of "Little Grey Home in the West" in the middle section.
From a tribute to Mr. Riggs upon his death in 2022: “Renowned theatre organist Jim Riggs passed away on October 3, 2022. He will be remembered for his vintage theatre organ stylings and his congenial manner towards everyone he met. During his long career he served as house organist at many different venues, including 20 years at the Oakland Paramount. He is also associated with the Seattle Paramount, the Castro Theater in San Francisco, the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland, and the Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto.”
The lyricist of this song, Irving Caesar, whom I was fortunate to know quite well, would have been delighted by your superb playing! In his Manhattan apartment, he had an Ampico reproducing piano which he had bought new when “No, No, Nanette” became a hit show on Broadway in 1925-and he had the Ampico restored when the show was revived and was a hit again on Broadway in 1971.
great --have to wonder where it is.
get that 1 finger right hand to add play more notes, will sound fuller, takes a little time to discover but much more full ps f*** with your voicings then hit record
What organ is this?
U are great🎉
Excellent 😁
And this only has 68000 views.
Still love this video. I ended up learning to play and was a church organist in an Anglican church for nearly 7 years! Not like theatre organ but I did my best to simulate Console Up! and Console Down! for my improvized Preludes and Postludes.
My, this lovely duet made me smile :) well played. Absolutely delightful. Great arrangement on the Ampico too.
Mr Riggs passed away on October 3, 2022. The console was constructed for the 4/36 home instrument of Mr Richard Symington, Toluca Lake, California.
Efforts to contact him have been unsuccessful-and now, sadly, we know why. Thanks to these videos and his recordings, his legacy will endure.
I just learned that Jim passed away October 3, 2023. He is already missed.
Yes, last October 3 2022.
rip
🎼 today (Oct 3rd 2022) i learned that Mr Riggs has just passed away ….. He wil be missed….RIP 🙏🙏🙏
OMG, this is so sad :( thank you for the information
This is honestly so cool to see thank you for these. Not to mention they sound great :>
My Dad used to sing this song. You brought back wonderful memories. Thank you. Geraldine Salveson Kassel
quite a toe tapper, brilliant
Yowza
I *love* this song! Out of all the arrangements I’ve heard, this is *the best* arrangement/performance!
Absolute GEM !!! Thanks for sharing your time and Talent !!! Can not stop listening this fantastic piece Master !!!
Eto ocheshuenno!! 👍🏼
Still magical in 2021
Y E S ! ! ! Wonderful !!!!
I contribute to a majority of the view count 😂
This is one dreadful video!!!! There are skips and clicks all over the place. The music is disjointed and incredibly difficult to even attempt to listen to!!!! It's a shame to ruin such an otherwise good rendition of this song and does terrible disservice to Jim Riggs!!!!!
Hi Jim, do you remember the happy days with Les and me (Dave) at the State Theatre, middle of the night, recording?
Super excellent with very good interesting video
Super excellent with very good interesting video b
Super excellent with very good interesting video
Thank you sir. That was a beautiful performance. It must be difficult for a real human being to accompany a piano roll machine and keep up with it . My grandmother was born in 1898 in Queens NYC and played piano in the local movie house as a teenager. That's a beautiful skill that you have !
Should not have made that thump at the end.
Super excellent with very good interesting video
Mr. Riggs, miss you playing at the Oakland Paramount Theater. Do you still play there?
What a wonderful re-creation of Jesse Crawford’s arrangement for his Victor recording. The song was further popularized by the great tenor John McCormack, who recorded it for Victor in April 1929.
Every one of these “phantom duets” is extraordinary-especially the beauty of the reproducing piano coupled with the unmatched sound of the theater organ. And what playing! At least three key changes, and masterful playing on all four manuals!
It sounds like I'm watching a vintage movie.
Wow. A wonderful ‘20s tune known only previously to me as recorded by Waring’s Pennsylvanians...this is great listening!
I toured the Paramount Theatre, Oakland several months ago, and at one point we sat down to hear recordings (played back on speakers, as the organ was inaccessible) of some music. This was one of the songs that played. I don't know if it was this particular recording, but this really sounds like what it did during the tour.
It must not have been, but it's pretty close.
I wish you had “dancing tambourine” uploaded! The time you played it was just awe inspiring on this organ!!!
This is a captivating arrangement on the piano roll, and a splendid accompaniment on the Wurlitzer. The pity is that the BALANCE does not work to best advantage to pair the two instruments. The piano needed more amplification of sound. Otherwise this is is a energy filled and pleasant arrangement. DJ
What a unique sound, mixing piano and organ. That organ makes me want to go to a baseball game!
Jim, a wonderful duet that I never get tired of hearing. Your playing is some of the finest theatre organ performance I've ever heard.
Very nice!
Cool!!!!!
The whurltizer organ being used how many ranks is it?
Hey Jim! I am back. More of the great organ!