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Memories of Jerry Allen
I respected Jerry's organ playing for many years,and enjoyed hearing his all too rare appearances on BBC radio--probably most of these when it was still the Light Programme.
I have just one LP--"Jerry Allen plays some of the Oscars"---it features some spectacular arrangements,and of course Jerry's perfect playing. "Buttons and Bows" is particularly brilliant,with chords and timings that even today seem very bold!
But my memory that I hope will amuse readers consists of a moment during a concert at the Moot Hall,Colchester,at a Lowrey publicity event.JA had progressed through a single manual model,through one or two larger models,to,finally,a three manual "Concert" model. He pointed out that electronic organs are capable of playing any type of music,classical/church etc. As he commenced "In a monastery garden",he raised his eyes to the massive organ pipes of the built in pipe organ in a rueful gesture--as if to say--Sorry,but I had to say that"!
My pal and I laughed loudly,and were astonished that no one else of the 50 or 60 others in the audience even raised a titter!. I don't know if this was a regular part of his demonstration,if held in premises with a church or theatre organ,with prominent pipes--but I will never forget that moment,and recall,it every time I drive through Dunstable and past the shop.
It is a lovely thought that Jerry,somewhere,somehow,could see this and smile with me!
Mike Plant
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