Launching the “At the Organ Grinder 3 1/2 Volume Collection”
After months of research & preparation, we are enthusiastically delighted to announce the release of “3 1/2 Volumes” of Organ Grinder performances on CD as a means of crowdfunding for the documentary. You can order these CDs today! Please read on for details.
Big Update! – September 18, 2024:
The first batch of CD sets has been produced and all orders to-date have shipped!
But that’s not even the best news! – Previously this post mentioned that the music was being restored from factory test pressings of the vinyl albums, because the digital versions of the master recordings had been lost over the years.
But, just this month, while searching for something else, the digital copies of the masters were found – for all three albums and the bonus tracks. Everything you will receive on these CDs will be the best possible audio quality, with digital copies that were made by the original recording engineer from the original masters. The text below has been updated to reflect this.
Background
Multiple albums were recorded over the years at both the Portland and Denver locations. These albums were released on vinyl (and later on cassette) and were much beloved by patrons. Out-of-print for decades, most people’s well-loved copies of these albums have worn out or have been lost.
The most popular albums sold in the gift shop were commonly known as “At the Organ Grinder”. Portland had two volumes, recorded in 1974 and 1980, and Denver had one recorded in 1981.
Most of the reel-to-reel master recordings are no longer in existence. At one time, Organ Grinder co-founder (and the man who recorded and engineered the albums) Dennis Hedberg had created professional digital copies of the original masters and had placed those files on various drives. Over time, the digital files were thought to have been accidentally lost. But as part of the documentary project, Dennis has been searching his archives for materials, and while looking for something else, discovered that the digital files still exist! You’ll be able to hear the music with greater clarity and depth than ever before.
PLUS: Dennis also found over 16 minutes of tracks which were recorded for a never-released Denver album by organist Ray Young. These performances have never been heard by the public!
The original performers who are still around have all agreed to allow the re-release of these albums, and proceeds from the sale will not only support the continued production of the documentary, but will benefit the American Theatre Organ Society’s youth programs, which help future organists with training, travel, and special events.
Ordering is Open Now!
These CDs are being offered to backers as a perk at $80. They can be ordered direct from our web site, with free US shipping. ($80 may seem like a bit of a stretch, but remember that this benefits the documentary project, and a portion goes to ATOS youth programs. Think of it like an NPR Tote-bag – it’s not really the cost of the bag that you are funding.)
Please see below for all that is included!
What’s Included
38 Tracks – 2 Hrs, 8 min of music!
“At the Organ Grinder” Portland Vols. 1 & 2, and Denver Vol. 1, plus 16 minutes of Bonus Tracks. Thus “3 1/2 volumes”, all packaged in a beautiful full-color DigiPak with commemorative 10-page color booklet with photos, bios, and track listings.
Eight performing artists are featured! Russ Chilson, Jack Coxon, David Lee, Jonas Nordwall, Paul Quarino, Don Simmons, Patti Simon, and Ray Young.
DigiPaks are more durable than traditional “jewel cases”, and use much less plastic, while providing beautiful color inside and out, and trays to help keep your discs safe.
This release also has “Special Backer Edition” artwork on the DigiPak, indicating that you are an early backer of the film. You will also receive a signed thank-you card from the film’s producer.
Here’s what you will receive:
- 6-Panel deluxe full-color DigiPak containing “3 1/2 volumes” on 2 CDs and a 10-page color information booklet.
- 2hrs, 8min of music – 38 tracks
- Screen credit in the film
- A signed thank-you card from the producer.
- Free US shipping (Allow 5 business days for delivery.)
- Eco-friendly shipping materials
Track Listing
At the Organ Grinder – Portland, Vol. 1:
- Music from 2001 (Also sprach Zarathustra, The Blue Danube) – performed by Paul Quarino
- Classic 1920s & 1930s Songs (The Object of My Affection, Button Up your Overcoat, Little White Lies) – performed by Paul Quarino
- Disney Tunes (Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, It’s a Small World) – performed by Paul Quarino
- Tubular Bells (theme from the “Exorcist”) – performed by David Lee
- The Entertainer – performed by David Lee
- Consider Yourself – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Willow Weep for Me – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Fugue à la Gigue (Jig Fugue) – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Flight of the Bumblebee – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- When Your Lover Has Gone – performed by Don Simmons
- Java – performed by Don Simmons
At the Organ Grinder – Portland, Vol. 2:
- Chattanooga Choo Choo – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Makin’ Whoopee – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- The Hustle – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Mae (She’s Just a Quiet Girl) – performed by Don Simmons
- Pennsylvania 6-5000 – performed by Don Simmons
- Classic 1920s Songs (You, Who) – performed by Paul Quarino
- The Hands of Time – performed by Paul Quarino
- After the Lovin’ – performed by Paul Quarino
- Y.M.C.A. – performed by Paul Quarino
- Baby – Oh Where Can You Be? – performed by Jack Coxon
- Paloma Blanca – performed by Russ Chilson
At the Organ Grinder – Denver, Vol. 1:
- My Life – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- I Don’t Know Why (I Just Do) – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Birth of the Blues – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Malagueña – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Music from “Saturday Night Fever” (How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin’ Alive) – performed by Patti Simon
- Tiger Rag – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Annie’s Song – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Méditation from “Thaïs” – performed by Jonas Nordwall
- Over the Rainbow – performed by Patti Simon
- Hopelessly Devoted to You – performed by Patti Simon
- Children’s Film Tunes (Mickey Mouse March, Talk to the Animals, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, It’s a Small World) – performed by Patti Simon
Denver Bonus Tracks:
- Rock Around the Clock – performed by Ray Young
- Never on Sunday – performed by Ray Young
- Moonglow – performed by Ray Young
- In the Mood – performed by Ray Young
- Over the Rainbow – performed by Ray Young
Ray Young recorded several tracks for an unreleased Organ Grinder album. Those recordings were recently rediscovered, and we are pleased to
bring them to you in this collection. Across the multiple volumes there are two duplicate titles, “It’s a Small World” and “Over the Rainbow”. Although these are the same songs, they serve as an excellent illustration of the variety of interpretations brought by different performers.
You can help support the project by purchasing from the Crowdfunding Shop.
