Log In
Register
6.59pm
11 November 2010
Offline
Hey, so I know this thread is usually for famous people, but someone I knew and really liked passed last weekend.
Silent film organist Dennis Wolkowicz, known professionally as Jay Warren, passes away at 74
I first met Jay Warren in 2017 after my sister Kim gifted me a membership to The Silent Film Society of Chicago. At the time, I had never seen a silent film with live accompaniment and I felt compelled to go to the accompanist after the movie and tell him this. I found him to be very kind and approachable. What followed was eight years of following Jay and Linda to see movies in far-flung areas in Chicagoland and beyond. This took me to theaters, concert venues, churches, libraries, even a news stand and an organ store. I often went up before the show and talked with Jay and Linda. Jay was full of interesting stories, such as playing venues that do not exist anymore, being "unofficially mentored" by silent era accompanist Gaylord Carter, and the time some film students insisted that Metropolis should be run at a slower speed and the movie wound up lasting four hours. I'm really going to miss Jay and the Silent Film Society of Chicago. My thoughts go out to Linda at this time.
The following people thank Necko for this post:
Oakwood, Ahhh Girl, Beatlebug, vonbonteeI'm Necko. I'm like Ringo except I wear necklaces.
I'm also ewe2 on weekends.
Most likely to post things that make you go hmm... 2015, 2016, 2017. 
5.57pm
1 December 2009
Offline
Sorry about the loss of your friend, Necko. 
Providing accompaniment for a silent film can so easily be done badly - five years ago I was visiting a friend, watching his own Blu-ray copy of "Metropolis", and the accompanying music was just fine. Recently, though, I found the film available on the Tubi free streaming service, and began rewatching, only to find a different music track - a ridiculously inappropriate one, solo piano playing slow relaxed blues, entirely unrelated to the film's mood or any of the onscreen action. I ended up shutting it off before too long; and vowing to someday try to rewatch it with its sound muted, while simultaneously listening to Beethoven symphonies, for the dynamics.
The following people thank vonbontee for this post:
Beatlebug, NeckoGEORGE: In fact, The Detroit Sound. JOHN: In fact, yes. GEORGE: In fact, yeah. Tamla-Motown artists are our favorites. The Miracles. JOHN: We like Marvin Gaye. GEORGE: The Impressions PAUL & GEORGE: Mary Wells. GEORGE: The Exciters. RINGO: Chuck Jackson. JOHN: To name but eighty.
1.43am
11 November 2010
Offline
RIP Val Kilmer
I always liked him.
The following people thank Necko for this post:
Beatlebug, Shamrock WomlbsI'm Necko. I'm like Ringo except I wear necklaces.
I'm also ewe2 on weekends.
Most likely to post things that make you go hmm... 2015, 2016, 2017.
1 Guest(s)