Chattanooga Choo Choo played by Lew Williams

[@gol10dr45]

My dad took me here when I was a kid. I've been going twice a year with my kids now. My dad loved this song. I request it every time I go. I cry every time cause it reminds me of my late dad. Tearing up now. :(

[@barbaralcharles]

You had a wonderful father.

[@donbrynelsen2157]

Love the train special effects!

[@bobkonradi1027]

YOu should be there and "feel" the train effects as generated on the low, low, low base pipes. The whole building vibrates.

[@megelizabeth9492]

The piece is perfect for the Theatre Organ. The train effect is very true to it's roots, and is a good excuse to use the Toy Counter.

[@tempetiger]

I live in Tempe and go to Organ Stop to hear Lew. You just have to be there to hear the power of this organ. The beginning of Chattanooga Choo-Choo uses bass pipes that literally vibrate the building!

[@evankeal]

I miss the old one in west mesa, they had the sound baffles all the way to the ground, I remember thinking it was so cool seeing these large panels opening and closing very rapidly right next to you, all just to control volume of groups of pipes.

[@JonasClark]

Wow! Great vid. Lew Williams is even better in person, on this incredible organ!

[@steveo288]

This is the song I remember from my stop there, probably 30+ years ago. At that time, the organ was hooked up to several other instruments around the whole room, above our heads. Amazing fun time!

[@falconmm1614]

steveo288 that might have been the old organ stop

[@gfbumble]

Absolutely one of the most beautiful instruments in the world. I visited Springdale music palace with my family in Cincinnati Ohio many times in the 80’s and 90’s. Such wonderful memories to see these old videos. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@ozarkarma]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! And Wow! I want to hear Lew play in person!!!

[@trainfan-ks5hk]

Got goosebumps listening to this

[@Vasileva85]

I eat here all the time. I absolutely love the sound and power of the Wurlitzer

[@vickysampson3255]

my son took me there last year for the first time and I loved it I would love to go back again soon

[@normangibbins5841]

vicky sampson janecovo soprano

[@vickysampson3255]

I was there last year

[@gol10dr45]

TO hear this in person is AMAZING! No video camera can grasp the sound of this! The sound is soooo amazing your pizza can shake!

[@bobkonradi1027]

I've only been to Organ Stop Pizza once (I live out of state) but you're correct, its amazing. I made the choice (mistake.?) to sit in the balcony, and the trumpet section was just behind my right ear. Wow...!!! Somebody requested the Lone Ranger Theme Song, and the trumpets just behind me about tore my ears off. Once I covered up my ears, it was much less loud.

[@nmlooner]

I would LUV to hear telstar done on this! These are a fabuluous piece of history to be preserved and loved! BRAVO!

[@CircaRigeI]

I used to go to the very first Pizza parlor with a theater organ... Ye Ole Pizza Joynt... all the rest came after. Loved the place, and this was my favorite song there. Unfortunately, it burned down a few years ago, although it's my understanding that the owners do have a backup Wurlitzer organ and are working on restoring the one that was in the fire. Their organ came from the Berkeley Paramount, I believe.

[@BigLarry1950]

I sure want to see this. I've never been to the Phoenix / Mesa area but would love to see this organ and enjoy the pizza as well. Now my hometown has direct flights to the area at this time, if I could only afford to buy the tickets. ~~ From South Bend, IN.

[@whitelark87]

WHAT THE BALLS. IT IS COMING OUT OF THE FLOOR.

[@falconmm1614]

whitelark87 its called a hydraulic lift

[@Halo1Buff]

Can't believe I missed this one before. The sound effects from the organ are creative and fantastic!

[@greyantelope]

His demeanor belies the level of skill and concentration involved in playing at his level, not to mention the years of practice that went into developing his talent.

[@999Phineas]

wow he is amazing. I liked the begining.

[@audinos4827]

You have to hand it to this guy for his patience. People are so rude these days. Why would people come to a place where live music is being performed and continue to hold loud conversations? They even do this in school concerts when their own children are performing. If they want to talk while eating pizza, there's always Pizza Hut. I would go insane trying to perform in front of people like that.

[@m4dan]

I'm sure I will. I can't wait to see him play.

[@greyantelope]

You should be so lame. Lew was not performing in a concert hall but in a noisy pizzeria which he does almost daily all year round. He is among the top organists in the country and goes to great lengths to entertain everyone from dedicated organ buffs to the totally uninitiated. When we vacationed in Arizona, we had to must see venues on our itinerary, Organ Stop Pizza and the Grand Canyon, and in that order too.

[@ellieroar]

We loved this clip, keep it up!

[@m4dan]

Yes! I saw the concert today and I had the pleasure of meeting Lew yesterday while he was practicing before Bro. Rob and I tuned the organ. Look for a video of Lew Williams and I on youtube (I'm not playing the concert just open console). Someone from NYTOS said he'd post a video.

[@Foxybiker72]

This is the most amazing sight I have ever seen I have watched the Blackpool Tower ballroom Wurlitzer just go up and down over the years I have never seen a cinema organ twist and turn on it's lift before. I hope to see this with my own eyes 1 day in real life. So please if anyone has any more information about this organ and of it's location of this organ etc I would appreciate it

[@jacknphntmgrl]

i luv this place!!!!!

[@greyantelope]

Lew is shown playing at the Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, Arizona which is a suburb of Phoenix. Its a great and friendly place designed specifically to house their Wurlitzer pipe organ. I highly it.

[@themagicboy6548]

Lol when the vid started I was like "Where's the console at?"

[@uwchlaw]

unbelievable!

[@TimTaylor27]

aayyy, this is great, i love this dude.

[@evankeal]

The actual organ isn't fully shown in this video, it dwarfs the range of the camera in all directions from the photographer's vantage.

[@greyantelope]

Lew will be playing at Chaminade High School in Mineola, NY, as posted in the 'about the video'.

[@Kiddman32]

Lew's da MAN!

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Brilliant.

[@m4dan]

He's playing at my school on sunday.

[@unequally-tempered]

It's WONDERFUL! What fun! You'd play it that fast if you corkscrewed up through the floor like that too! Very disorientating. Brilliant toy counter!

[@greyantelope]

I hope that you enjoy him.

[@Sjlviu]

very nice:X

[@joanerhard454]

well done .

[@steamrocks]

Before we get world war IV started here, I'd like to clarify my original remarks. The original version is an extremly clever swing orchestration and does not have the same train imitation intro to it. Since a steam engine does not 'chuff' in 6/8 time (unless its a Euro built 3 cylinder model or a 3 cylinder Shay Geared), the 4/4 segway is obvious, almost forced. A segway from chuff to a transcription of the swing version would REALLY show off Lew's talents, which this guy could do in his sleep.

[@friday79m]

I honestly believe there was a type of small town pizza-gate going on at the paramount.

[@luticia]

i like the rotating organ.

[@chaz1138]

Lew definitely rules. So what's the lucky school?

[@blackpoolbob1]

felt sorry for that talented organist battling the din - pearls before swine -comes to mind!

[@manga12]

Oh that is a big organ, I have seen videos of this place before but never saw the chambers and chambers of pipes like this. Though He is playing it a bit fast , on I been working on the railroad, I bet if he wanted to he could play rock music on that theater organ, and play as fast as a gitarist playing something like thunderstruck or something like that.

[@Celwind]

o.0 cool!!!! :P

[@greyantelope]

Lew is one of the most accomplished organists in the country and it must take a lot of self control to remain focused on playing against the constant din of witless chatter in the back ground.

[@CircaRigeI]

Heh... it's not your typical organ. The 1920's theater organ is basically a consul that can be connected with MANY different instruments, including piano, organ, woodwinds, chimes, kaliope, train whistle, bells, drums, symbols, etc. It's basically the world's first synthesizer... except that nothing is synthesized.

[@XI_Daisy_XI]

He looks like an audioanimatronic, lol. He's real huh? PeacexXx!!!

[@dkpygman]

Fun and entertaining. Lew's a great guy. I think I like Dwight Thomas's rendition better.....more volume and dynamic control, creating an even more realistic train effect. He played the same kind of theater organ when it was in Indianapolis, IN and Ellenton, FL. That particular organ is moving to Jacksonville, FL where hopefully, it will enjoy a long and beautiful life. Don't know who'll play her, though.

[@jwcarty]

I still wonder how they get the sound of the train speeding up on the tracks.

[@MelodyMaestroMarco]

Jack C lots of 16 foot stops and 32 foot pedals being pressed simultaneously on clashing notes does the trick

[@matts.3761]

@@MelodyMaestroMarco It is usually done on the manuals because it is easier to catch more notes. The 16' Post Horn is essential in producing the "chugging" sound of a steam locomotive.

[@MelodyMaestroMarco]

Matt S. I was just referring to when Lew plays the very beginning, he smashes the bottom four pedals

[@matts.3761]

@@MelodyMaestroMarco You are very observant! I did not realize this. Thank you for your reply.

[@captainleisuresuit]

Awesome! Where is this show performed?

[@manga12]

some do, of course some people would have the rational that you would want it to slow down so people stay longer and eat more order more stuff.

[@Adamrc98]

@milofire Hes totally real I have seen him in person

[@FuzzyElf]

@COMALiteJ The pizza is mediocre. Not bad. The entertainment is tops! I've only been once; but I really want to go back. If I lived in or near Mesa / Tempe instead of in Texas, I would certainly be going back.

[@treb1986]

the man is an orcastra all by his lonesome:p

[@jfwfreo]

Is that a smoke machine attached to a pipe organ?

[@OrganMusicYT]

The audience arent fussed about the details. Audiences want to be entertained. Its about having fun.

[@MANTLEBERG]

I dont get it whats the rush???

[@Adamrc98]

anybody know what song the cats dance in?

[@OrganMusicYT]

@steamrocks the audience isnt there to pick out and listen to every little note in detail, they have come to eat and be entertained.

[@windfreak69]

He should get back to the Original Tune and Pace The Noise is driving the man to distraction and Obviously not following the Glenn Miller Pace Great Installation by the Looks of it

[@OrganMusicYT]

What a boring world it would be if everyone played everything "how it should be"

[@markrichardson1732]

Organ Crazy i

[@steamrocks]

I do not just mean the 'numerical' tempo as much as the generally 'rushed' feel of the song. Listen to the original orchestral versions of this tune to hear the comparison (as British great Sydney Torch suggests). The tune has a groove to it, a term virtually unknown to theater organists, which is truly a shame. Let the tune swing a bit more easily, as in the original recording did. The groundwork is already laid. It could be a good swing jazz vehicle, not just a way to show off the toy counter.

[@greyantelope]

With will due respect to your opinion, an artist who plays three or four sets night and many nights in a row at that for perhaps fifteen years, is not as inclined to stick to the right tempo as much as try to entertain a diverse audience during every show which is what he's getting paid to do. Its not a concert venue, at which I can assure you that he measures up to the best.

[@steamrocks]

Playing and effects are WAY too rushed. Man, what kind of coffee does that pizza joynt serve anyway? High Octane! You can get a lot more 'feel', drama, and yes, even some 'soul' out of the piece if you take the tempo down, elimininate the choppiness, (a lazier 6/8 would be better and let some easy goin phraising do the talkin'. Trills and ornimentation could be slower, more accurate, and the audience would pick up more on all the detail he is putting into the playing.

[@luticia]

hahahaha americans

[@falconmm1614]

luticia and you aren't jealous that you don't have this organ near your house?