The Music of Al Jolson - Richard Hills

[@ohjeeztwr]

Everyone has their style but I think Richard Hills is one of a small handful of organists left that can play the instrument to it's full potential making it "Sing." We need to remember to praise these organists and appreciate their interest in the theater organ. This kind of music is becoming harder and harder to find with fewer and fewer people interested in it, and sadly, the generation that enjoyed it from the beginning is fading away and it becomes more difficult to get our youth interested in this style. It's harder and harder to find a school and/or instructor to teach this kind of music to some potentially talented kids. ANY theater/restaurant/home/concert hall that has one of these installed should be welcoming any potential or current organists to practice their art so that we can continue to keep this wonderful music and instrument alive for future generations to enjoy. Fire up the blowers and let's keep the keys shined up for our future generations!

[@gilloselton824]

To it's potential and Beyond! :)

[@cygil1]

The instrument will play whatever you want it to. We just need to change up the repertoire. Add some Taylor Swift, Carly RaeJepsen and some K-pop. A lot of BTS translates well to the organ. It won't do metal but it will do a lot of bright happy pop.

[@rolandvandenberg2002]

Yes another brilliant organist! I heard him together with Simon Gledhill on the newly restored 4/19 Compton organ of the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep in Hilversum Holland. Hopefully they will visit again in future. :-)

[@glenny56]

I have never heard the organ sound better than it did that day. Richard proved he has to be the best Organist in this country. He showed mastery of both music and organ. Just a shame it wasn't recorded, so that other 'organ nuts' could here what it was like. all credit should be given to Steve, Cameron and gang for keeping this original installation Wurlitzer in tip top condition and sounding so good.

[@schifahrer123]

Great music! Thank you for uploading!

[@Organsk8er]

I really love this! Richard is fantastic as always, and this is a fabulous sounding original Wurlitzer!!

[@robstockton2463]

Richard Hills is the epitome of theater organ, and this performance is the epitome of Richard Hills. Love the rapid manual-hopping sections he often throws in. The control and musicianship astound.

[@giannizeno2879]

Richard Hills is in a class by himself. Brilliant.

[@marekkudriaszow3943]

Beautiful music! Its a dream playing organ like this

[@Soulsmurf]

I was fortunate enough to attend this very entertaining concert. It's nothing like your average "Jolson" medley is it? Richard's total mastery of this fabulous WurliTzer is truly outstanding, his very imaginative registrations and arrangements shone through from start to finish. It's the first time I've seen him "live" - but it won't be the last - Superb !!!!

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent with very good interesting videos

[@jeffjarboe5079]

Richard performed a flawless concert on a two manual Wurlitzer at the Virginia Theater in Champaign, IL. It was a true joy to listen to Richard make that instrument sing so tremendously.

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent with very good interesting video

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent organist

[@OrganMusicYT]

It is unfortunate that we have only one video camera, however any donations would be greatfully accepted.

[@louploch3992]

It's nice to hear another artist's interpretation of these classic songs. Each one shows their mastery of the theater organ.

[@chops8550]

One of the best and most technically capable players in the business.Would listen to this chap and Simon Gledhill all day.

[@Goodchappy]

Denby Media Yes, I saw them both at Watford a few years ago, I wish they would play there more often.

[@dimmytimmy]

I saw Richard at the opening of the Troxy Wurlitzer, what an amazing night!

[@markharris6886]

I love Al Jolson,s music.So light hearted and happy music.Great Player.

[@thechrisnab1009]

Richard is one fine organist! I love his registration use very unique. One thing I notice about his playing. Is how "precise" he is. He seems to play with many jazz runs which give his music a different flavor ... Love it

[@arkaisk2]

Richard Hills - what a musician! I wish I had half of his capability at the console.

[@gawins]

Lovr this kind of music and being well played. From Seattle, Wa.

[@dmcoles88]

Great video (I would pay good money to have this on a dvd) Beautifully played by Mr Richard Hills, as usual. Two dislikes ?? These people have no soul !

[@Larsky1010]

Glorious sound! Fantastic playing!

[@gilloselton824]

I just realized something ... i saw Richard LIVE for the first time at Stockport town hall He played a 2 hour concert ... NOT ONE SHEET of MUSIC On the Organ's Music stand .. I just also realized every youtube i saw of Richard Hills .. NO MUSIC ................. What a True genius and a real MUSICIAN this Gentleman is !

[@OrganMusicYT]

+Gill Oselton There are a couple with music on the rest. However, for the most part, there are very few videos on KZbin of any theatre organist with Sheet music on the rest.

[@dimmytimmy]

I can't remember who it was but a theatre organist once said that there are 19 different things going through a theatre organists head at any one time. For example: which notes to play, which stops to choose next, which sound effects to use and when. It just makes music impractical and would actually make playing the instrument harder.

[@bobemdog]

A very gifted organist.....great style!!

[@georgestrum3478]

Beautiful tribute to Al Jolson.

[@Tipledan]

Absolutely fabulous.

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent

[@sirandrew7457]

lovely and thanks

[@adarveperezrodriguez7713]

Magistral interpretacion estupendisima saludos desde España

[@tpkirkp]

Richard is an outstanding organist. Wish I could have kept my Devtronix Paramount, but had to sell it in order to complete the living room remodel. I miss playing.

[@deigitalempire]

Great playing. Can't wait for your return to Weston-super-Mare.

[@steamrocks]

This WurliTzer must have been a special for the UK. 13 ranks including a Krumet and a Posthorn, also sounds like maybe a couple extra Tibia mutations. Very UK, and Richard shows exactly how to use it tastefully, down to the un-tremmed registrations. I see why theater organ lasted longer in the UK. There's more pep and 'teeth' to it than most Yank organists play.

[@OrganMusicYT]

+steamrocks Yes, the Opera House organ was a special design for the UK, drawn up by Winter Gardens organist, Horace Finch. It also has a Tuba Mirabalis and Tibia Plena (the only remaining example in the UK) and more meaty Strings, Gamba and Gamba Celeste. It has Tibia Plena at 5 1/3 on the Solo. Theatre organ lasted longer in the UK primarily thanks to Reg Dixons popularity (Still regularly heard and mentioned on TV) who was still broadcasting and recording right into the late 70's.

[@bazmiller34]

It's great to hear a Wurlitzer still in its original home and singing its heart out under the control of one of this countries finest organist's. Credit to the great team of people that keep this organ in great condition and working really hard to get it back totally to how it's was in the 30's Thank you Richard for showing this organ off in another style other than what is the Blackpool style. A true master at work.

[@UncleLouie867]

Love the sound of a theater organ. Great playing. This is "theater organ" for me.

[@caputostefano1053]

What stops did you use at 3.01 minutes? I don't think it was tibia clausa, maybe vox humana?

[@shorttim77]

Always good listening anywhere!

[@MrMartmatsil]

I am an avid fan of the pipe organ,and the new digital organs that can sound like both,church,and theatre organs.they are amazing.Amen.

[@783nata]

Спасибо! Великолепно! :)

[@EstateManor]

This is excellent, vintage and unchanged Wurlitzer and superb artistry.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Forgot to mention, this is not the same organ as seen in the Tiger Rag video. That organ is an amalgamation of two organs which were broken up, one of them highly historic. The organ seen here is the Blackpool Opera House Wurlitzer, which was installed in 1939.

[@michaelsmusicservice]

He really gets the British organ style!

[@hughvane]

As I commented in the video of Richard playing Tiger Rag at this same (I assume) organ, it would be great to see more of the footwork. Two cameras recording simultaneously, and then video editing to follow. A continuous mini-window of the pedals video in one corner (eg. left side where there's just a sloping facia in view) would give us a good idea of that's going on 'down there'. Cheers.

[@MrMartmatsil]

If the tremulants are switched off,the organ will then sound like a Church,or cathedral Organ.Like the sound heard during the wedding scene in the Rodgers & Hammerstein,musical,movie The Sound of Music.The organ is like having a full orchestra in your hands.

[@robertsmith-sj6ib]

Do you ever come to Sacramento,Ca. Usa😊

[@nibornm1]

Next recording, please turn the gain up a little. This one was a little short on the decibels. Gongs were fine, just not enough decibes :)

[@rty1955]

My dad recorded the organ @ Radio City in NYC. He used DOZENS of mics of different types (I helped run the cables) Properly recording an instrument like this requires a lot of skills and knowledge

[@JoePeterzak]

What do you mean Ian ? It's recorded right here on youtube - for years to come ! What more can you ask for ?

[@execelsior999]

Good, but lacks that 'certain something' present when Robert Wolf playis Al Jolson - forgive me fans.

[@thechrisnab1009]

He just has a different approach but I get what you mean. It's not in the blackpool style hence why you refer to Robert

[@comptonplus]

Or 'Theatre Organ' here in the UK! lol

[@wurlitzer1883]

"Best"

[@wurlitzer1883]

Has to be the beat player in the uk.

[@patrickvansoest9286]

Or you turn up the volume einstein...!

[@williamstone2917]

Prefer Robert Wolfs version

[@klavier1us]

@Soulsmurf

[@555antoni]

r

[@dimmytimmy]

I saw Richard at the opening of the Troxy Wurlitzer, what an amazing night!