Doreen Chadwick – Oh! Lady Be Good CD (2002) Manchester Gaumont

2002 release recorded at the Manchester Gaumont Wurlitzer.
Released on the Audicord label in 2002. Previously released on cassette in 1997.
Taken from the Amberlee Records LP (AML304X) originally released in 1972.
Digitally remastered from the original master tapes.

Running time: 48.28.
Code: ACD 185.

S’wonderful / Looking for a Boy / The Man I Love / Oh Lady Be Good / I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise / I’ve Got Rhythm
Spoken introduction
Waltzing Through the Years
The Chianti Song
I Will Wait for You
The Jolly Juggler
Tenement Symphony
Yes Sir, That’s My Baby / Bye Bye Blackbird / You’re Driving Me Crazy / When the Red Red Robin / My Blue Heaven / I’ll See You in My Dreams / Coal Black Mammy / I Wonder Where My Baby is Tonight
Theme from “The Onedin Line”
Poupee Valsante
Meditation
Down Town / The Song of My Life / This is My Song / I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love
Tiger Rag

Alan Ashton’s Original Sleeve Notes from 2002.

Can it really be 30 years since I wrote my first sleeve notes for an LP? You do remember what an LP was, don’t you? Upon reflection, I recall it being a great honour at that time, because if there was one lady organist who had an immense following, a situation that still exists to this day, it was Doreen Chadwick.

So why is this 30-year-old “biscuit” worth considering bringing into the 21st century? For my money the reasons are threefold, firstly, it remains to this day as one of the finest recorded examples of the original Gaumont, Manchester WurliTzer organ, taped when it still formed the occasional part of cinemagoing and broadcasting life. Secondly, the programme chosen by the artist reflects not only the tunes we all enjoyed back then, but which remain as fresh and up-beat to this day, and thirdly, in the absence of the organist who put that WurliTzer on the broadcasting map, there could be no finer musician to collectively embrace the famous Stanley Tudor sound with that of her own unique style of playing. In this day and age it’s all too easy for honours to be handed out to people in the entertainment world, and not always for the right reasons. Having said that, I know that Doreen, in all modesty, would be the first to say that she has been honoured on numerous occasions within the confines of the organ world. Justifiably so.

So sit back and dismiss the knowledge that this recording was made three decades ago, because it still deserves to be a part of today’s music scene.

“Oh, Lady Be Good!” was originally released in 1972 on Amberlee LP AML304X.

Original production – John Peters
Recording engineer – John Bales
Digital remastering – John Greenwood