Mike Hall – Into The Future (1991) (Lowrey MX2)

1991 release at the Lowery MX2 electronic organ. Released on the Audicord label.

Running time: 61.38.
Code: ACD 218.

Walking My Baby Back Home
A Foggy Day
Rainy Days and Mondays
In A Little Spanish Town
What Kind of Fool Am I
Meditation
Around the World
They Can’t Take That Away from Me
Varsity Drag
Stardust
Alexander’s Ragtime Band
Theme from ‘Star Trek’
This Masquerade
Old Devil Moon
The Lady in My Life

ORIGINAL SLEEVE NOTES (1991):

Yes, it really is Mike Hall on Lowrey! His decision to become freelance now allows more time to explore the consoles of other electronic organ builders and featured here is the Lowrey MX2 which represents the ultimate in today’s home organ technology. Traditions which began in the early 80s with the MX1 are continued here resulting in rich organ flutes, lush orchestral strings, authentic big band brass and a startling realism to the solo instruments. Piano and vibes are in there too and all are complemented by a sound system flexible enough to suit the home music room or auditorium and a cabinet that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

The MX2 is the flagship of a new range from Lowrey, Heritage and Holiday being the other models, both of which recall classic names from the 1960s. All these models feature auto-backing which Mike aptly demonstrates on Alexanders Ragtime Band. Although it should be stressed that as with all Mike’s previous releases, these are live performances recorded in his home studio without the need for multi-tracking or electronic tricks.

The selection of music is intended to provide an entertaining hour and to demonstrate some of the claims featured in the maker’s sales literature. Mike’s many followers will not be disappointed with his jazz-rock version of Old Devil Moon which originally featured in the musical Finian’s Rainbow and for lovers of old standards, titles such as Stardust and a couple of Gershwin evergreens should fit the bill. Perhaps not featured often are This Masquerade and Rainy Days and Mondays two titles from the seventies originally sung by The Carpenters.

But lovers of the big American theatre organ sound will enjoy Mike’s rendering of What Kind of Fool Am I and Varsity Drag, two numbers which recall the heyday of vast theatres and cinemas that were once the norm across America. More up to date is the decision to introduce a futuristic theme with the music from the long-running television series Star Trek Perhaps not such a difficult choice as Mike has most of the episodes on video and often views them after arriving back home in the early hours following a concert. My way of unwinding, he admits. Completing the modern image is the inclusion of The Lady in my Life a title which featured on Michael Jackson’s album Thriller the sales of which are now quoted in millions! Once again Mike’s arrangement turns what some may regard as just another pop song into a blend of harmony and melodies that proves we should not dismiss tunes out of the current hit parades without a fair hearing. All in all, this is a typical performance by Mike, containing all the hallmarks! (sorry Mike) that we have come to enjoy both in his recordings and at his many concerts throughout Britain. That dexterous technique that inserts notes into gaps where none existed before is now well known and is used to good effect on both electronic and pipe organs. A list of Mike’s other recordings is given just in case you’re meeting him for the first time. That’s Hall folks!