Mike hall and his Orla GT8000
Mike Hall
August 5th 2006
Take a look at Mike Hall's web site and you will read "Organist, Keyboard Player and Entertainer", well Mike certainly entertained us.
We were treated to a variety of songs played on the ORLA GT8000. Opening with 'Amor', a lively Samba, backlit by a bright orange stage courtesy of Keith, followed by 'Somewhere My Love' from 'Doctor Zhivago', using marimba, accordion then strings with Mike donning a Cossack hat to complete the image!
Mike's Sat' Nav' had difficulty locating James Hornsby High School, but luckily he found the way.
Asking if we had a preference for a style of music, he mentioned he still has a Pat Boone song sheet marked three shillings! 'Stardust' played to a Bossa Nova rhythm followed by 'Meditation' using a breathy drawbar sound before going onto 'Spanish Eyes'. Next an up-tempo Latin number 'Brazil' with alternating orange and red backdrop plus spinning lights, super. Using a Theatre Organ sound Mike went into 'I Love You And Don't You Forget It'. He said he has a penchant for the Big Band sound and mentioned E.O. (Poggy) Pogson. To demonstrate 'Our Love Is Here To Stay' with Doo-dah voices plus guitar, played to a gentle Foxtrot tempo then, 'POGGY', Big Band sounds with sax and piano accompaniment.
Julia & Bernard did not want any romantic music for their 45th Wedding Anniversary (Oh Dear & Congratulations!), so Mike chose the lively 'I've Got Rhythm' followed by 'Fascinating Rhythm' using the Wurlitzer sound to a quick tempo. He continued with 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' with a full spectrum of colours from our lighting Supremo. 'You're The Cream In My Coffee' followed - but not quite break time yet!
Having no CD's for sale but some cassettes, Mike mentioned recordings he had made playing a Gem Sapphire II and a Lowrey MX2.
Mike asked the audience if they liked Jazz, Dixie, Shearing or 'late night listening' music, they got 'I Won't Send Roses' from Mack and Mabel with clarinet and strings and a lovely red centred and orange-fringed backdrop. Rounding off the first half, Mike played the '12th Street Rag' using Wurlitzer, then Big Band and finally Theatre Organ all with 'whizzy' flying colours backdrop.
Opening the second half with 'A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square', set to a slow fox-trot, a breathy sounding sax', complete with night sky and full moon! Now, said Mike, it's fun time folks! His version of "Name That Tune". Recognise these TV theme tunes? Of course we got them all, well almost! First was 'Double Your Money' with Mike naming the organist who played for the show as Jackie Brown, so there was a connection! Then 'Sale Of The Century', organist Peter Fenn, says Mike.
A big screen tune followed from the film 'Finian's Rainbow' entitled 'Look To The Rainbow' with lovely clarinet and strings registrations. Next 'On The Street Where You Live' from 'My Fair Lady' or Pygmalion if you prefer. 'I Could Have Danced All Night' with a moonscape courtesy of Keith, nice. Back again to TV and 'Eye Level' from 'Vandervalk' starring Barry Foster. From the 1950's film 'Calamity Jane' came 'Secret Love' sung originally by Doris Day and later, in the 70's, by Kathy Kirby. Mike put a twist to this number by 'jazzing' it up using xylophone then guitar and finally Hammond Organ sounds, quite novel.
We were then asked to recognize the middle section of a tune; yep, got it: 'Blue Moon' of course. Following on with a lovely green background, 'Danny Boy' or 'Londonderry Air' using pipe organ and strings.
Keith requested a March composed by Mike way back, called 'Fenland Ride', set to a backdrop of whirling dots Mike played the piece using a Compton Organ registration. We then had 'S Wonderful, It's Marvellous' using the GT8000's vocal backing. Mike suggested the 'Shearing sound' for 'What A Difference A Day Makes', making full use of pedals, very nice.
With an appropriate 'churchy' sound came 'Crimond', then breaking into 'Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside'! What a different evening this turned out to be. 'Wonderful World' used electric guitar and strings. Mike mentioned his mentor, the famous Jerry Allen and Brian, who he affectionately called 'Dad', hence concluded with the jazz number on 'Green Dolphin Street'.
John reminded Mike that no one leaves the BKC without the obligatory encore; we duly received 'In The Still Of The Night' to a slow Jazz tempo with jazz organ, brass, clarinet, harmonica, trombone and finally Hammond organ.
We were glad that Mike found his way on Saturday as we were treated to a show that was definitely not 'run of the mill'.
Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.