Phil Kelsall at the Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer organ

Phil Kelsall at the Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer organ

[@Mrphilharmonic]

Start tempo = 200 BPM. Middle tempo = 200 BPM. End tempo= 200 BPM!!! Unbelievable. A human metronome!! Even with this ‘tricks’ of shuffling manuals. Phil was just incredible. And a heck of a nice fella too. I met him whilst doing a summer season at the BTB, and he was so helpful and personable. A sign of not just a true great, but a legend!

[@PinkPanther4958]

i love how he bounces to keep his mental tempo going

[@tenthreeleader]

Good Lord, what a tremendous piece of musicianship. I just marvel at Phil Kelsall. Thank you for the post!

[@1952emirates]

There is only one word for it FANTASTIC.

[@rosieallan]

I am in awe. I saw a comment on here somewhere criticising Phil Kelsall's timing saying he should use a metronome. to that I say 'rubbish'. my parents were among the many dancers at the tower in the late 40's. my mother always said that a certain conductor and his dance orchestra were rather strict in there timing. these dancers are musical people too and just go with the flow of a good organist.

[@ianstewartorr8455]

Wonderful greetings from Scotland 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@specialkvi]

With a video camera overhead and on either side of the console, it is amazing that Phil stays "in the zone" while performing on the Wurlitzer.

[@SiegfriedPretsch]

I am speechless! Happy Sunday afternoon to all!

[@TheHonourableTeddy]

One word.....bloody fantabulous!! From 4:30 till the end is just absolutely magnificent! Non - obtrusive camera work is great als,o capturing the blur that Phil's fingers are! 11/10 all round, love it.

[@LeighWilbraham]

Absolutely brilliant in every way. 10/10. There is only one Phil Kelsall.

[@jrbs]

My brain has just melted.

[@wersiorgan]

Why?

[@elkax30]

I've seen a few versions of 12th Street Rag, this is without doubt my favourite. Hope you'll be uploading more videos of Phil and yourself in the future.

[@stephenjervis2612]

He’s the best that has ever been, Dixon a close second

[@tonyknowles1864]

I'd listen to Ernest Broadbent first before making that assumption!

[@TheBaritoneCrooner]

Sounds to me he's also got "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" and "I Won't Dance" in there as well!

[@postwar46]

Wow !!! just like the old master himself [ Reginald Dixon ] , and have realised that Phil has been principal organists at Blackpool, for almost 40 years now. Great listening, thanks for posting.

[@JakeZelmore]

simply amazing!

[@eddiethefiddler]

As a result of this fantastic performance we've booked afternoon tea at the tower ballroom to hear Phil playing live!

[@Mrphilharmonic]

Happy music. What a terrific sense of rhythm. Phil's tempos are spot on!

[@Mike-kc8rl]

This organ was a good purchase for the owners past and present of the Tower complex! And probably only exists today for the efforts of Reg Dixon, Ernest Broadbent and of course Phil Kelsall who put it through daily workouts? I guess i should have mentioned Ena Baga as well as she played at the Tower for the five war years! All should be commended for their craft!

[@dalemartinpromotions4692]

Love that unique Blackpool style which is been kept alive by the very talented Phil Kelsall and his team. Great upload Chris 👍🏻

[@robertbeacham4314]

Man, he can make that thing talk

[@TheHonourableTeddy]

Oh how i just love this video... kudos to Phil & Chris, magnifico! x

[@williamtyson2507]

TheHonourableTeddy j

[@williamtyson2507]

I’m

[@MopsusHears]

Amazing!!!

[@HESOYAM442]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[@execelsior999]

Wonderful stuff!!!

[@gremlinuk1968]

Thats 2 words,! ;-) bloody fantabulous!!

[@northviewchristmasdisplayb8680]

Do you have a video of him doing sweet georgie brown anywhere please. I remember having a VHS of it as a kid and was mesmerised by all the jumping around he does on it I'd love to watch it again but can't seem to track it down on KZbin

[@gremlinuk1968]

thanks,,, ! chris ,, but it is still a great tune & playen,!!! god bless,, from ,Alister ,, portstewart northern ireland,!

[@RonN448]

This my first time seeing Phil. What amazing keyboard work! I think he could have given George Wright a run for his money.

[@1952emirates]

ONE WORD, BRILL, WHAT A GREAT PLAYER.

[@gabrielletessier]

Where could i find the score?? :O

[@ambulet]

It is pretty obvious he is having way too much fun at the keyboard. Way to go Phil.

[@joostderidder]

fantastic !!! Just a pity that the sound-recording isn't the best to honour this performance.

[@wersiorgan]

@@joostderidder I do apologise, it wasn't meant to be Pro! It was recorded many years ago on a Panasonic hand held camera, I'll take it down if it's offensive.

[@joostderidder]

​@@wersiorgan no way ... I'm totally aware that a sound-recording of such an instrument is very difficult. You did the best you could with the means you had. Big thanks for this document.

[@FXTSUFF44]

Incredible showmanship. I couldn't even hit the right keys if I tried playing at 10% speed.

[@danielvrolijk9272]

Ah yes the original one man band :) nothing like a good wurlitzer still working. It makes me sad when these organs go. I'm more of a classical organ person I respect the organists that play these because they aren't easy to play at all.

[@rosieallan]

He was. like a lot of organists, Phil Kelsall often solos on the top manual. In the clip he definitely uses the top manual.

[@montystelevision3238]

4:39 😮

[@KoKaungSetLin]

What is the technique Phil Kelsall does just into the 3rd minute where he hands bounces between manuals playing chords? What is it called? How do you do this technique too? I've been wanting to do this technique for a long time.

[@comms9803]

I do it carefully with much elasticity in my arms

[@ThePaulHealy]

wow!

[@gremlinuk1968]

why not play the top keys,?

[@wersiorgan]

Always

[@alanwilling1]

Phew fanatastic he's the best. Is he human or from a distant planet? And the film director wasn't bad. from Natallia a Russian fan .

[@OrganMusicYT]

I think I'm right in saying Phil always uses a metronome when playing for dancing.

[@AnnaTheresia78]

This is cascade, cascading.

[@wimvanstek8165]

crawford sophia

[@john111257]

the place to be

[@praestant8]

I think its a bit more for visual effect, especially when an identical registration is used for all three manuals. They like to remind us how good they really are by moving all over the console and not even break tempo to do so. Truly remarkable! My suggestion, get out the metronome and practice quick manual changes.

[@wersiorgan]

I don't think he was use to playing the top keys!!!

[@xxxSTEPHENxxx1]

Hi there, can I ask what the first tune is that Phil is playing? Many thanks

[@chrishulk1]

I think he's missing a couple of keyboards there hey.

[@gremlinuk1968]

he did play the top keys,!! sorry,!!

[@gremlinuk1968]

sorry he did play the top keys,,, sorry i must have drink to much whisky,,, ;-)),!

[@nicklavorata1653]

All it is is just random notes idk. If he knows how to play the organ at all