Thursday, January 04, 2007

Gerald Ford, James Brown...and a Church Organ?

I received this video from a member of an e-mail list of which I am a member. During the New Year's Eve Service at Trinity Church - Wall Street, the organist did a short improvisation just prior to the beginning of communion in tribute to President Ford and James Brown. It combines "Hail to the Chief" with a portion of "I Feel Good." I couldn't help but smile when I watched it -- it's a great tribute to both men, and certainly shows that church musicians can go outside the usual boundaries and have some fun during the service.

8 comments:

karen said...

I haven't even read this post yet. I just had to say: YOU have the COOLEST HAIR!!!!

ipanema said...

That's my favourite James Brown song. :)

Anonymous said...

Reminds me of playing the organ for a church service back in the 60s (GASP!) and doing variations on "Puff the Magic Dragon" - only the teens got it! I wonder how many of the congregation at Trinity Church actually "heard" what was going on!

NoVA Dad said...

Karen - Thanks! I worked hard on the color;-)

Dad - Didn't realize you had done that; Trinity Church in Lynchburg?

- Matt

kc bob said...

I caught Hail but missed I Feel Good. Nice new profile pic Matt.

Anonymous said...

Well, the comment about Trinity Church was for your post - perhaps I should have made another paragraph? My playing of "Puff" was at a Baptist Church!!

Unknown said...

oookay...I missed the feeling good part, too...definitely heard Hail to the Chief in there, though!

NoVA Dad said...

The opening portion of the piece which you hear in the pedals (and scattered throughout) is from the opening/bridge of "I Feel Good." I guess I should have pointed out that it wasn't the more well-known part....

- Matt