Customer Reviews

Wedding Music

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

One has to be an organ afficianado, and, especially familiar with Jesse Crawford and his style to appreciate this CD. Crawford's unique style is patently obvious here. One doesn't buy this CD for 'uplifting' music. One would expect one to buy it because they are familiar with Crawford and admire his style. As for being truly representative of his style, I give it 4 stars. For pipe organ/Crawford fans especially/only.

I own this album on its original LP issue from Decca [DL-78750]. For the casual listener, this does remind many of funeral music. However, for those who have a keen interest in organ music, this is a spectacular piece to listen to. According to the album notes, these recordings were played by Mr. Crawford on the Lorin Whitney Pipe Organ in Los Angeles, California. I am not sure of the manufacturer. I would recommend this to anyone interested in knowing more about organ music or nostalgic music in general.

This is probably the most available CD of the organ-playing of Jesse Crawford (1895-1962), and it can often be obtained at a pretty cheap price by anyone who desires a little sample of the work of this pioneering and very popular organist of the 20s through the 50s. If it is to be used for a wedding, please note my caution below.

Crawford is most remembered for his work at the Paramount Theater in New York, where he began playing on the large Wurlitzer in 1926, occasionally accompanied by his wife in duets at the twin consoles. (He had already signed a recording contract with RCA Victor in 1925.) He became widely known through his performances there and elsewhere and through his many records on up through the 40s and 50s.

The present recording of typical "wedding music" contains 12 tracks lasting a total of about 35 minutes. On my copy (MCA MCAD-20777) there is an error in the listing of contents: tracks 6 and 12 are interchanged. The sound is pretty decent for an AAD recording of unknown (to me) provenance.

The performances are straight-forward and characteristic of the organ-playing style of the first half of the 20th century. Crawford plays well overall and his arrangements are good, with only a few exceptions. In a few places the bass seems a bit overbearing and the swell pedal somewhat heavy. The ubiquitous heavy vibrato can also get to be tiresome, but that may be due to the organ's design. On track #1 Crawford's playing sounds humdrum, stiff and chunky, and his registrations anything but subtle. As this is the music (Wagner's Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin) often used when the bride marches down the aisle on her father's arm (a highlight of the ceremony), I would suggest finding another recording to use in place of this one. (There are many fine recordings of this music available.)

The remaining 11 tracks are much better and are generally quite satisfying. Two of the tunes were unfamiliar to me: "Love, Here Is My Heart" (#8) and "L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour" (9). The others are familiar and quite commonly played at weddings.

Although there is no mention of the organ used for this recording, it sounds like a Wurlitzer to me, and a pretty fair-sized one at that (perhaps the Paramount organ). In any case I'd say it's more a theater organ than a church organ.

This CD is my first taste of Jesse Crawford, and I'm pleased to have this sample of his playing, both as a historical document and for its musical values.

Here's a list of possible uses for this CD because this is NOT wedding music:

1) Carnival
2) Funeral
3) Silent film
4) Haunted House
5) Broadway play
5) Mass

It's a pretty versatile CD. However I wouldn't recommend this for your wedding unless you want to get married in a graveyard.

One reviewer had a point about its suitability at a wedding. Blame it on bad marketting. Awful cover layout as well.

But the deep bass of the organ is sooo satisfying.

If you got a big stereo, with a couple 15 inch subs, set aside your bass bumpin hip hop or sub sub dub and throw on some Jesse Crawford recordings. They are so well realized and even old vinyl copies have deep deep bass heavy grooves.

If you dont like organ, or if you have a cheap cruddy stereo, or you dont like dark wedding music, this might not be for you.

Audiofiles or stereophiles may dig this. Dont let the cheapness of the package discourage.

See if the samples give you some idea of the BASS.

Not to forget that Jesse Crawford is a unique and accomplished organist.

BASS.

How low can you go.

BASS.

The music overall seemed to be too dark and "heavy". The deep sound of the pipe organ was not what I would like to hear for an uplifting occasion like a wedding. Save this disc as prelude music at your next funeral.

The music overall seemed to be too dark and "heavy". The deep sound of the pipe organ was not what I would like to hear for an uplifting occasion like a wedding. Save this disc as prelude music at your next funeral.