Chris Powell - In The Mood (Double DVD)
November 2011 Review (Available from ORGANS.co.uk) Filed in: DVD
This is another first as it's a double DVD with each disc played on a different organ. Disc one is played on the Roland Atelier AT-900C electronic, while disc two played on a Wurlitzer. Both instruments were recorded in the Burton Upon Trent Town Hall. The filming of this DVD is pretty straight forward, but effectively done as it seems to use two cameras, both fixed on the console (one left, one right). Apart from the occasional full-length and picture-in-picture shots, everything is shot like this, which I think looks a more professional than some of the hand-held shots from other releases. The close-ups of the Atelier are especially ‘shiny'.
As you would expect, Chris' playing is extremely good throughout and there is a good cross section of tunes to keep the interest going throughout. One slight niggle is the lack of chapters on the DVD as it would be nice to be able to go to a specific track instead of midway through a medley. The inlay also just lists the tracks with no mention of what's a medley or what chapter to go to (if there were chapters to go to).
OK, niggle over..., this is a really great set for the electronic and theatre organ fan and, if you're one not the other, then this double is only £2 more than Chris's recent single DVDs (which were "Wurlitzer Live" and "Happy Music" on Atelier), so you get the extra disc for a couple of quid. Good value, or what?
Highlights of disc one (the Atelier one) include "Mamma Mia", the Glen Miller medley and "Alfie", while the theatre organ disc's highlights include "All I Ask of You", "Dardanella" and "Whispering".
I should also point out that both DVDs are recorded without an audience. It's down to you if you prefer that, or a "live in concert" environment.
FULL TRACKS: Disc One - At the Roland Atelier AT-900C (Running Time 79 minutes): Mamma Mia • You've Gotta Pick a Pocket or Two / Food Glorious Food / Any Dream Will Do / Don't Cry For Me Argentina / One / If I Were a Rich Man / Consider Yourself • Heartbeat / True Love Ways / It's Raining in My Heart / That'll Be the Day / Oh Boy • Pennsylvania 6-5000 / Moonlight Serenade / In the Mood • Downtown • Conquest of Paradise • Gabriel's Oboe • For Ever and Ever / Save Your Love / Una Paloma Blanca • The Wonder of You / Can't Help Falling in Love / American Trilogy • Largo / Barcarolle / Eine Kleine Nachtmusik • Super Trouper / Gimme Gimme Gimme • When the Snow is on the Roses • I Only Wanna Be with You • Alfie • Walking Back to Happiness • Pomp and Circumstance March No.1
Disc Two - At the Wurlitzer in Burton Upon Trent Town Hall (Running Time 56 minutes): Brass Buttons • Another Openin', Another Show / You Do Something to Me / It's De-Lovely / Begin the Beguine / True Love / Night and Day / It's Alright with Me / Anything Goes / So in Love • Eleanora • Phantom of the Opera / All I Ask of You / Some Enchanted Evening / Lullaby of Broadway / I Could Have Danced All Night / Tonight / Chitty Chitty Bang Bang / Music of the Night • Dardanella • Anchors Away / Drunken Sailor / My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean / In an English Country Garden / All Through the Night / We'll Keep a Welcome / Danny Boy / How Can You Buy Killarney? / Cock O' the North / Scotland the Brave / Road to the Isles / There'll Always Be an England • Whispering / Walking My Baby Back Home / Now is the Hour / You Made Me Love You / Glad Rag Doll / White Cliffs of Dover / You're Driving Me Crazy / Boo Hoo / Sweet Georgia Brown / I Wonder Where My Baby is Tonight? / The Old Pianna Rag.
