L.C. BOURDON

L.C. Bourdon Plays the Mighty Wurlitzer for Theatre Organ Cows

I would be the first to admit that I have very little first-hand knowledge of the legendary, albeit reclusive, theatre organist, L.C. Bourdon. Most of the information I have gleaned from corresponding with my friend, the internationally known musicologist, Dr. Beau Vyne, who states that “many years ago a new theatre organist was introduced to the public via a very limited release cassette tape entitled, ‘L.C. Bourdon Plays the Mighty Wurlitzer for Theatre Organ Cows’. It was rumored at that time that L.C. studied organ in Nice, France with Georges Montalba when Georges was in that city making several recordings himself. L.C.’s cassette received unprecedented acclaim, and even after several generations of audiences, it is still traded for over fifty dollars when one of the rare limited copies surfaces on the Internet. Amazingly a new cache of L.C. Bourdon material was recently found by a farmer in Wisconsin in a metal container that was used to prop up a milking stool replacing a third leg which had broken off that stool. Prying open the container, the farmer discovered a dozen transcription discs. The only marking on the discs was ‘L.C. Bourdon Organ Performances.’ Several of the discs had the additional legend ‘Cosme McMoon, Piano Accompaniment.’”

It is this bevy of previously undiscovered material that is presented on this all new CD, “L.C. Bourdon Plays the Mighty Wurlitzer for Theatre Organ Cows.” It was decided that the original title was so successful for the cassette; it would most certainly be successful for this new album. Unfortunately, there is no information about the instruments used for these recordings, but I can report that the instruments embodied in this recording sound formidable and spectacular. L.C. Bourdon’s musicianship is indeed legendary and Bourdon’s vintage theatre organ stylings are accurate and most entertaining. The track list of this album is a follows: “Hello Bluebird”; “The Dream of Olwin”; “Look for the Silver Lining”; “June Night”; “Londonderry Air”; “As Time Goes By”; “Never-Never Land”; “Dear Mr. Gable, You Made Me Love You”; “The Rainbow Connection”; “One”; “I Write the Songs”; “Italian Medley”; “Sunny Disposish”; “Gone With the Wind”; “I Just Couldn’t Take It Baby”; “Somewhere in Time”; “The Words Are in My Heart”; “America, I Love You”; and “Showboat Medley”.

L.C.’ s arrangements on this album are authentic vintage theatre organ, and they are highly entertaining examples of the best musicianship of the golden era of the instrument. The interwoven piano embellishments on some of the selections are beautiful, and they perfectly compliment the theatre organ arrangements. The identity of L.C. really does not matter as the music on this disc so genuinely performed. L.C. and company obviously made these recordings on some of the finest examples of theatre organs, and the recordings themselves were propitiously transcribed and presented on this disc. You’ll not be disappointed as you listen to “L.C. Bourdon Plays the Mighty Wurlitzer for Theatre Organ Cows.” I am certain that you’ll enjoy this most entertaining album. It is available for $14.95 (plus $2 shipping U.S. and Canada. All other countries $4) at www.theatreorgancds.com and may be ordered online or by writing TheatreOrganCDs.com by mail: Mark Herman Productions LLC, 5510 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN 46208.

-Andy Antonczyk

COVER IMAGE

: