PRE-ORDER: This item will be shipped with the aim to deliver on release day.
Format Details: 2CD + Dvd Set /
Release Date: 28 March 2025
Label: Tony Palmer Films
Packaging Type: Clamshell
No of Units: 3
Barcode: 5056083214853
Genres: Easy Listening Pop
Description
This very special box set (2CD + DVD), contains two CD's of the best and rarest performances of organist Reginald Dixons's amazing playing along with the previously unreleased film by legendary directory Tony Palmer simply entitled "The Mighty Wurlitzer", which not only features Mr Dixon, but a whole host of his contemporaries.
This legendary film, originally made for Granada Television in 1978 and now released on DVD for the first time, features many of the great organist of that era, most sadly no longer with us. The Mighty Wurlitzer organ is an iconic instrument renowned for its versatility and grandeur, particularly in the context of cinema and theater organs. Developed by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in the early 20th century, it became synonymous with the golden age of silent films, providing live musical accompaniment to movies. The organ's ability to produce a wide range of sounds, from orchestral instruments to percussion and sound effects, made it a perfect fit for enhancing the cinematic experience. Its theatrical flair and dynamic range captivated audiences, and it remains a beloved symbol of early 20th-century entertainment. Reginald Dixon, a celebrated British organist, became one of the most famous performers associated with the Mighty Wurlitzer. Serving as the resident organist at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, England, from 1930 to 1970, Dixon brought the instrument to life with his virtuosic playing and charismatic performances. His renditions of popular tunes, light classics, and his signature piece, *"Oh, I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside,"* endeared him to millions of listeners. Dixon's broadcasts on BBC Radio, particularly during the Second World War, brought cheer to countless people and cemented his reputation as a national treasure.
The legacy of the Mighty Wurlitzer and Reginald Dixon continues to resonate today. Dixon's influence inspired generations of organists, and his recordings remain popular among enthusiasts of theater organ music. The Mighty Wurlitzer, meanwhile, has seen a resurgence in interest, with many instruments being restored and preserved in theatres, concert halls, and private collections. Together, Dixon and the Wurlitzer represent a bygone era of entertainment, where the magic of live music and the allure of the cinema organ created unforgettable experiences for audiences worldwide.
Tracklisting
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Bernstein
Carl Orff
Reginald Dixon
Tony Palmer
Tony Palmer
Richard Wagner
Benjamin Britten
The Joshua Hotel
Reginald Dixon
Barbara Moore
Caroline Polachek
Ada Morghe
Louise
Brinsley Schwarz
Roy Orbison
