For supposedly entertaining others, Ray looks extremely non-plussed. His slight sneer and uncomfortable body language suggest that he really doesn't give a rat's ass about any of the people he's entertaining, and to be quite frank he probably hates what he does from an aesthetic standpoint. Given the bizarre electronics on his organ, it's entirely possible that he doesn't even play the organ himself, choosing instead to merely program the machine to do his bidding, causing the sham that is his pathetic existence to be revealed even further. But hey, recommendations from The Organist don't come every day, so I suppose you have to do what you have to do.
16 comments:
I'm seriously considering passing on this hate-entry. You've lied about that man's career.
You have lied.
The memory of this wonderful man is very dear to a lot of people. God will judge you accordingly to your words regardless of your ignorance.
Having personally known the man, he was one of the most humble men I have ever meet, but also one of the most talented. I heard him play live, on a number of occasions and he was absolutely amazing. He knew how to play, really play. Please don't talk about him disrespectfully, as you have never meet him.
Don't prove your ignorance. The electronic organ pictured is pre-digital, and other than some basic sound presets and a basic "drum section", it is analogue electronics, and requires a highly skilled musician to be played properly. The way dear Ray Thornley played these complicated beasts was incredible to watch, he was truly world class. The man was a genius, a bloody nice guy, and one of my childhood musical heroes.
The fact it is the 70's and early 80's when these instruments and their musical masters were relatively common makes it more incredible. No youtube or fancy computer assisted learning programs back then. The performer didn't copy others, he invented and innovated techniques and sounds based on imagination.
Ray Thornley may have sadly passed on, but as they say, LONG LIVE THE KING.
I only sat behind this man for one concert and watched his pedal work. I play organ myself and thought his pedal technique was quite good. Does anybody know how he departed this mortal coil ? Rumors of self inflicted death abound ?
Rumors are true unfortunately. :/
I went to school with Ray.
If there was any sneer it would be for the photo shoot.
Ray was not one to suffer such foolishness.
Vale my friend.
I knew dear Ray for many years, and admired his incredible musicianship and skill. He was a gentleman with a gentle cheeky wit. His professionalism inspired a great many, myself included. For me it is a great sadness Ray is no longer with us.
Detractors of great talents like Ray Thornley prove their ignorance with every word. The skill required to get the most out of these complicated and difficult to master musical machines is far beyond the imagination of any person who has NOT mastered one.
It is equivalent to ice skating while juggling whilst conducting an orchestra when programming a computer, all while portraying emotion through song.
Fortunately for those of us who have mastered these machines in the past, opinions of naysayers are of the same ilk as the opinions of members of the flat earth society (or perhaps the local pub darts team ?).
I knew Ray for many years. We were both mentored by theatre organ master, Penn Hughes.
I found him to be a bright and extremely talented musician. Such a tragic loss.
That organ on the album cover is a Lowrey H25-3 and there were only ever three of them in Australia, and I happened to own one of them. I actually still have it. A monstrosity of an organ that took four strong men to move.
So I know for a fact, that that organ does not do anything of its own accord, except for drum rhythms.
Ray Thornley was also my organ teacher for over twelve months at that time (I was 15-16 years old), and he was a seriously talented musician and teacher.
I was extremely saddened to learn of his death.
Just finished listening to side one of Ray Thornley in Yamaha Music-land. Great LP.
Just listened to Black and White. Great album, and will get the rest eventually.
I don’t know why I’ve taken so long to write this – after all, it’s 19 years after Ray’s tragic choice. But, I knew him well and I now feel compelled to have my say – particularly in the light of the very cruel and unfair summation which headed this particular page.
My first encounter with Ray Thornley was at the first “meet your organ” night at Marrickville Town Hall. I was number four on the list of budding (but terrified) folk who would take the plunge to play this 2/10 WurliTzer beast. My item was to be “Tammy” and I had practiced it for weeks in preparation. Number three on the list to play was a sixteen year old kid who nobody knew but, you guessed it, it was Ray. Not only did he play the organ with the skill and feeling of somebody who knew the instrument inside out but to top it off, guess which song he had chosen to play! I was devastated and had to choose a different one which I totally butchered.It was years later when I told the story to Ray and despite being innocent of any wrongdoing, he was embarrassed and very apologetic.
For many years thereafter I would always attend the Mecca Theatre at Kogarah every Friday and Saturday night where he would amaze me with his interludes on the Conn 640 console during pre-show and intermission. The movies didn’t always excite me but his dexterity (and particularly his pedal work) surely did.
To this day I’m not sure I have heard another organist who could put so much feeling of heart and soul in their playing and although he was often the butt of other well known theatre organists criticism at the time, I felt he had a style that was second to none when it came to arranging music and entertaining an audience. I will not detract from Tony Fenelon here who in the technical department and “stage communication” would surpass Ray but Tony has a habit of making what he achieves look so easy (it is to him!) whereas with Ray, one could always see in more detail what he was doing to achieve what he did. (*Does that make sense?)
Eventually Ray and I had become good friends which was bound to happen since I always rocked up at his concerts as well as the Mecca Theatre. I was invited to his wedding to Carrol and some years later I was honoured to be the god-father to two of his kids. Ray is a Christian having been “born again” around the late eighties (or maybe it was the early nineties).
My regret is that I lost touch to a large extent when I left Australia for some twenty years. I came home to the news of what had happened.
I know he had struggled with depression particularly after the death of his father and I know that many of his fellow organists where unkind in their criticism of him which may have been due to their different – and probably less appealing – style of presenting music.
I can truthfully say that not a week would go by that I do not grieve the death of Ray. My style of playing organ , though nowhere near his talent, probably reflects what I picked up from him and just occasionally I can hear a bit of him in my attempts – sometimes producing a tear or two.
I will see him again, thanks to the God Whom we both serve.
By the way, on the above criticised album, his father was playing the drums in “In the Mood”
Relating to the previous comment, Ron's email is pngron2312@gmail.com
I was shocked to see this unfortunate description of one of the best organists I have ever had the pleasure of hearing and seeing on many occasions. He was so talented and inspired me to a career in the music industry, still would you believe playing and selling organs until this day. Everytime I heard Ray he was the complete musician and entertainer. His arrangements were so orchestral and he had a natural ability to bring an instrument to life. The album that he recordered that was reviewed was a Lowrey H25-3 and was amazing for its time, as an organist had to do everything manually, and produce at the same time a beautifully arranged and performed piece of music. Ray nailed this, as his coordination and dexterity seemed effortless. I have every album he produced, and the same high standard is on every one, including not only electronic/digital but real theatre pipe organs.
I will never forget his music, and compered some of his concerts where he received standing ovations, I pray he is now playing the mightest of organs in the heavens above as we certainly lost one of the finest organists. Leith
I will never not love this album cover. The sneer for the troglodytes. The uncomfortable realisation this was done to make a buck. The look of tolerance, because there were better things to do. This was perfect.
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