Nicholas Martin at the Turners Wurlitzer Theatre Organ

[@jacksonsthumb]

John Bowen and I rebuilt that organ including the console in 1985. It took about a year all told. Nigel Turner owned a nursery spanning an acre or more in Harpole, Northampton and he had a passion for the Wurlitzer. He bought this instument for a few hundred pounds in the late 70s early 80s and had what looked like a giant nissen hut built on the grounds to house it. John Bowen and his former apprentice, Bob Shaftoe did the basic installation. Nigel intended it to be entertainment for his friends at weekends but it took off with people coming from all parts of the country to see and hear this instrument. I'm not sure but I think he hired Nick to play it back then. He needed a bigger building and so 'Turner's Musical Merry Go Round' was built. John and Bob were hired for installation duties yet again. It was an immediate success but the instrument needed a vast overhaul, which Nigel was able to afford a couple of years later when it started making a profit. Time to call John in again, but Bob wasn't available, so being his other former apprentice, he tracked me down a decade after leaving his employ and work began. We had to work on the instument as it was being played most days of the week, mainly for afternoon tea dances. Nick was the house organist by then. We'd let him know which parts of the instument we'd be shutting down and when they would be up and running again. The Steck player grand piano was there and connected up but there was problem with the electropneumatic switching system in that the contacts were phosphor bronze and would oxidize, causing notes to go off. Nick left us a list of them after every recital and into the giant switching chamber we would go with the wire wool trying to track down the offending contacts. Eventually it became a ridiculous daily occurence so John suggested replacing the whole system with a digital one. The fight began. The conservationists were up in arms and the meetings began. A compromise was reached weeks later whereby the clanky mechanical switching system would remain in its chamber but disconnected. The new digital one would now reside in the swell chamber. I spent a week or more soldering thousands of wires. I still have nightmares. The big day arrived when the switchover was to take place and it was a celebration for all! Alchohol was consumed in great quantities. Nigel threw the switch and Nicholas started to play. No off notes, cyphers or anything like that. Success!...that is until Nick threw the piano tab. The instrument became silent. John and I rushed up into the chambers only to find the new switching system on fire! John had failed to notice the Steck piano was reverse polarity! Oops!!! If you get this far, well done! Steve Musgrove Apprentice to John Bowen 1970-75.

[@rietkoelman4364]

geniet er elke dag van,💋 much thank you my dear

[@rietkoelman4364]

geweldig hoe hij kan spelen een geweldige vtrtuoos splendid

[@stevedevlin3739]

Absolutely delightful, perfection in both organist and organ.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Couldn't agree more!

[@Mike-kc8rl]

Always enjoyed Nick Martins playing and another organist inspired by the legendary Mr Dixon! What a pity this venue closed rather abruptly? The organ is still silent i believe and awaiting a new home!

[@simonfisher836]

So pleased to see this again, thanks for uploading. Many happy memories of Turners!😊

[@OrganMusicYT]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dessiplaer]

Great sounding organ played by a great organist. I'm very much enjoying this video!

[@OrganMusicYT]

Thanks for listening

[@BrantDisneyfan]

19:24 this organ was formerly owned by the krinjnen collection and its now owned by NBC in triburg

[@richardpenstone4330]

Just found the video. Very sad that the collection has gone but glad it is available to see and listen to here. I presume the film was made in the 90s so luckily the film did not get lost or destroyed.

[@mechanicalmusings6301]

Brings back happy childhood memories listening to this instrument playing on a Sunday afternoon. A little piece of magic.

[@rwhb1]

Happy memories of works outings to Turners

[@hastaluego461]

Fabulous spent many times here as a child and when i was young had organ lessons from nick Martin. I even played the organ there once. What a very fitting place with lots of memories. A strange world we live in at the moment where memories are one of the most important things, this certainly bought them back. Thanks for posting and thanks to Nick for allowing. I would love to get enough enough people in place to fund a venue and set something similar but with a modern twist up now. i think it would fit right in to society. Maybe even get this organ out of storage and installed. How good would that be.

[@edpickering8075]

Wonderful........

[@mike.7021]

Wow!! I remember a local pub coach trip to Turners about 20 years ago, it was a great night and the food was excellent, a good time was had by all. With several cameras picking up the various foot and hand actions to make this marvellous music, it was hard to keep up with it all. A brilliant night out, keep up the good works Turners. Not sure if it was Nigel at the organ for that first visit but he certainly knows how to play it! Perhaps it’s time to organise a new outing? Mike.

[@OrganMusicYT]

As per the video description, Turners closed down in 2001 and the building was demolished. The collection was sold off and the Wurlitzer has remained in storage ever since.

[@chriswardlow9441]

I had the great privilege to meet Nicholas Martin when he did a concert at the Scarborough Fair Collection North Yorkshire a number of years ago,what a nice guy and a great organist and have got this programme on DVD.

[@edpickering8075]

Thank you ...

[@OrganMusicYT]

You're welcome!

[@TheConsettonian1987]

The Turners Wurlitzer was the ex Newcastle Paramount organ as most people know and I just hope that they install it one day at some location and get it playing once again as it’s been in storage for nearly 20 years since Turners closed for good.

[@MmpRail]

I thought the organ was in Diss for a while?

[@TheConsettonian1987]

The organ was in Diss, Norfolk before it was purchased to Turners in 1983

[@MmpRail]

@@TheConsettonian1987 I see. Thank you. 🙂

[@tiggy444]

@@MmpRail Hi, I was so lucky enough to play this most beautiful organ at Kitchen Bros Diss, in the garage show room it sounded wonderful, I was then 17 yrs old about early to mid 70's. Garry

[@dessiplaer]

Talented organist!

[@redcap774]

Came across your video and enjoyed the music that brings back happy memories. There was two cinemas in the town where I was born 1937, the Ritz and Regent, both had Wurlitzer organs. I was totally captivated when I first heard the wonderful sound with songs of time, 1950s era. The organist at the Regent cinema was Mr Harold Flatman. I have enjoyed you playing and thank you for posting this video.

[@jrzzrj]

👍..love it!

[@georgewerderich4489]

Wonderful recording, many thanks for producing. Great songs, wonderful artist playing. You people in UK are very lucky to have as many talented theatre organ players. Also the number of Theatre Organs available for listening is great. It is really nice to see and hear these talented musicians with great instruments. Thank You

[@OrganMusicYT]

Funny you say that, as this organ has been in storage now for the past 19 years, lol. But we are lucky that we have such a high number of them in a country that's about the same size as Michigan.

[@daverichardson5861]

Throughly enjoyed, watching, listening and the history behind it. Many thanks for sharing it.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Thanks for taking the time to watch, much appreciated!

[@saintsarus]

Brilliant! I remember hearing Nick on the Organist Entertains in the 80’s. some years ago I was told that when it comes to really capturing the sound of Reg’s playing, Nick was the one who got closet. I I think the tribute medley proves that beyond doubt. It’s not just the quick stuff that Reg was known for, he had a lyrical side to his playing typified by pieces like Charmaine and Bells Across The Meadows.

[@OrganMusicYT]

There's many different sides to Reg's playing, and he played in different styles too, so it's hard to typify all of Reg's playing because it is so varied and, to me, that's what his appeal was, he kept it fresh.

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent with very good interesting videos

[@waltertegelaar6352]

Beautiful sound and played in a style that gets the most out of the organ. Many thanks!

[@OrganMusicYT]

Thanks for listening

[@paulj0557tonehead]

That's an incredibly solid sounding Wurli! She needs a good home.

[@OrganMusicYT]

It's a real shame that it is still in storage, and in what condition after all this time? It'll be a pretty intensive restoration job I would imagine. It's a shame that the owners plans for a museum never came to fruition as it looked fantastic on paper. A similar setup to Thursford.

[@hv1946FLUSA]

Enjoyable performance and interestingly interwoven with the Turner's story.

[@Lost_in_transit]

Outstanding, a true master at work.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Thank you!

[@iamrepete]

Thank you so very much for sharing this.

[@dessiplaer]

I know that the sound of organ depends on the selection of ranks the organ has, but did the different organ manufactures have a signature sound? For instance, a Hammond organ sounds different from a Lorwery organ. Is that the way it is with theater organs? It seems to me that Wurlitzers have sound that I prefer.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Absolutely! Wurlitzers have the "standard" theatre organ sound, mainly because they built so many. Different builders had different ideas on tone and buildup. Even from one instrument to the other of the same builder, there can often be differences in how the instrument sounds, but the biggest and most important part of it is the room. If you have a poor-sounding room, the organ can be the best in the world, but the room will never do it justice.

[@ianmclaughlan]

I met Nicholas Martyn brilliant organist he played at Turner's in Northampton sadly the.music go round there is now gone

[@angelsone-five7912]

Without doubt the best video of its` kind that I have seen and heard. So sad to read the bottom part of the intro, hope the WurliTzer finds anew home.

[@OrganMusicYT]

I hope so too, it's too good to go unheard and it's a shame that it is still in storage.

[@angelsone-five7912]

@@OrganMusicYT No good ever came to an organ being in long term storage. Hope its` whereabouts is a well kept secret.

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@angelsone-five7912 People do know where it is and who it belongs to and the owners do have good intentions.

[@davidwalters4517]

i was shocked to read that turners merry go round had gone. i went there on a number of occasions with a very good friend who introduced me to the joys of listening to theatre organs. he himself had been an organ builder at hill norman and beard, before taking up a career on the railway footplate

[@vincentneale2620]

Oh boy this takes me back to my boyhood at the Empire in New Tredegar - I got goosebumps :-)

[@OrganMusicYT]

Goosebumps are always good. That's when you know there's some magic happening!

[@patriciacoombs562]

Met nicholas numerous times in the 80's at Turner's musical merry Go round in Northampton, along with the fabulous John Walker we spent MANY happy hours there

[@ShirleyLynn-f6i]

Can any one tell me , when the beautiful glamorous Jane Mansfield came to switch the ilumanation lights on in Blackpool , could be 19 56 ??

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@ShirleyLynn-f6i Reg Dixon turned them on in 1956, Jane Mansfield was 1959.

[@ShirleyLynn-f6i]

Thank you got that sorted ; Got a couch trip up for Reg only 16 Girls at the factory clamoured Stayed on Lords St Great time Met my Life Partner for Jane Mansfield ; beautiful dressed all in Pink remember Jane ; Love to go visit again It’s on my bucket List 😂 once more Thank You ; There was no flies on me then : and they are still not settling 😂 ❤

[@holly123140]

Very enjoyable im yet to see nick play in person was going to his Shrewsbury buttermarket concert this year but if course that's out the window now, he's very talented

[@mainaccount131]

Super excellent with very good interesting video

[@markshillinglaw3003]

Who was the lady that used to sing along with Nicholas Martin and John walker? I was about 7 when my grandad and nan took me to turners, I’m 47 now

[@mike.7021]

Oh! Just reading some of the other comments, I was getting all excited about arranging a revisit, but Turners is no longer open😢 so sad does Nick play Wurlitzers at any other venues?

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@mike.7021 Yes, very sad. This is only two Wurlitzers built for the Paramount circuit in the UK and it was highly regarded. It's sad that it hasn't been heard in all that time. Nick still gives concerts around the UK, the best place to visit to find out where he is playing is the Cinema Organ Societies website which has a pretty comprehensive list of all theatre organ concerts in the UK.

[@danielmurphy4415]

I believe Nicholas is the only organist I know who uses the crescendo pedal a lot. One of my favorites that’s for sure

[@OrganMusicYT]

Robert Wolfe, Phil Kelsall, Cameron Lloyd, David Lobban, even Reg Dixon himself, none of them were scared to use a crescendo pedal. If you can use it, use it, it's a very useful feature of the theatre organ that is often underused.

[@danielmurphy4415]

OrganMusicYT yea I always forget to use it when I’m playing as I’m so focused on getting the notes right and also getting the registration right too. Anyways is Nicholas still alive? If so does he do concerts?

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@danielmurphy4415 I figure that's why it's underused, by the time people get going with getting the right notes, second touch, registration and what's coming next, crescendo pedals are another addition to the thought process. It's alot to keep ontop of. Nick is very much alive, at least I hope he was when I spoke to him last week. Still doing concerts too of course. His website is www.www.nickmartin.co.uk/

[@sdgelectronics]

List of tracks: Organ Show Time, Hey Look Me Over, No Matter What; Quickstep Medley: Boo Hoo / The World is Waiting for the Sunrise / The Best Things in Life are Free; March Medley: With Sword and Lance / Imperial Echoes Legend of the Glass Mountain 12th Street Rag; Reginald Dixon Medley: I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside / Stein Song / Charmaine / Bells Across the Meadow / That's A Plenty Coronation Scot; Jerome Kern Medley: All the Things You Are / Who / Way You Look Tonight / She Didn't Say "Yes" / Sunny / I Won't Dance / Smoke Gets in Your Eyes / Dam Busters March / Hey Look Me Over / Organ Show Time (Music Played on the Decap Mechanical Organ: Y Viva Espana) (Bonus Material: Don't Be Cross, Destiny Waltz, Blue Tango, The Continental, and Organ Showtime)

[@michaelfitzgerald1865]

If you don't like theatre organ, why are you watching? I'd give many thumbs up if I could.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Don't worry about it. Nearly every video I upload has 1 or 2 dislikes which are most likely from the same two people...people are that sad.

[@masterkey2554]

@@OrganMusicYT and who think of "clown horror organ"

[@jamesdunn8893]

Wow that was the most beautiful pipe organ

[@OrganMusicYT]

Yes, such a shame it's in storage. However, better that than destroyed. It's twin at Thursford is in stunning condition though, and benefits from a better acoustic than this one did.

[@jamesdunn8893]

@@OrganMusicYT I've never been to turners before I'm from the United States of America

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@jamesdunn8893 Turners is now gone, this organ has been in storage for about 20 years now. It was destined to go into a new museum space, however, that project has been on hold for a number of years.

[@jamesdunn8893]

@@OrganMusicYT who bought the merry go round in there ?

[@LarcR]

Masterful playing. Great sounding Wurlitzer, but the tremulants are set just a bit too fast.

[@OrganMusicYT]

In your opinion. There is nothing wrong with the tremulant settings, they are well within the normal range. Anyway, it won't matter, the organ has been in storage for over 20 years now so it doesn't trem at all.

[@khb259]

Beautiful! Does anyone know the name of the song he’s playing at 1:35? Thanks!

[@OrganMusicYT]

No matter what they tell us.

[@billbickley5798]

Great Player On a Great Organ.....................Bill Bickley uk

[@markrevis6175]

The Late David Pawlyn and The late and great Graeme Wright one of my mentors removed this organ from the Paramount. All history but you should hear the last performance before removal. Organ1st radio 2015.

[@kennethjordan3345]

hi nick its ken we met a long time go from leicester

[@gary1705]

👏👏👏☑️😍🎶🎹👍🇦🇺

[@anton27able]

Listened to the whole and it was ab fab. Except 'Destinty Waltz' Nick, you could have done more with that! Keep smiling - (Reginald Foort recorded it, and it was just about the best ever!) . Off now to listen to "Welcome to Nicholas Martin" LP. What an inspiration! You taught me from that LP that theatre style needs both feet on the pedals!.

[@cinema104]

Too lazy to add song titles. I see this a lot on you tube. How do you expect to attract new fans to the hobby.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Why should I add song titles if you intend to watch the whole thing? I don't expect anything, you do, however. I have traveled the length and breadth of the country to volunteer myself to work on these instruments for the benefit of the public for half of my life. What have you done?

[@dietmarhoelzner7082]

Fingers that just won't quit.....yikes!

[@michaelciccone2194]

Dumb commercials

[@OrganMusicYT]

Without them, there would be no KZbin. They have to find a source of income from somewhere, as well as artist and composers royalties.

[@michaelciccone2194]

@@OrganMusicYT Hi Kev! I deeply apologize to you! Thank you for correcting me. Yes, you are so correct! Here in New York City....commercials are usually for things like timeshare rescues or for some new floor cleaner. Some commercials are nice ----especially food commercials !

[@michaelciccone2194]

@@OrganMusicYT Nicholas Martjn is just excellent!