Artist: Marjorie MeinertLP: Vive La Différence
I received a note yesterday informing me that Marjorie Meinert died last Saturday at the age of 88. With her breezy, other-worldly arrangements, Meinert is one of my favorite organists who recorded in the 1950s and '60s. In April I posted a track from her "Hi-Fi and Mighty" LP (see here), where I included a link to a page where you can find an amazing video clip of 'Marge' performing "Flight of the Bumble Bee" on Ken Griffin's 67 Melody Lane TV show. She seems like a real swell gal; I wonder if she ever did make it to Paris. You can read Meinert's obituary from the Quad City Times here and find notes and photos from the back of her terrific Paris-themed debut LP, "Vive La Différence," below.
Who hasn't been to Paris, in person or in spirit, at leastonce in his lifetime? There's something magical—and
very personal—about this City of Light. Something, too,
is magical about the music of Paris. Whether it actually
comes from Paris, or merely describes the city, a song
seems to belong there as much as the kiosks and
the Louvre. Thus, while many of the songs collected
on this recording are imported from the site of sights,
there are some which were penned more than 3,500
miles away. Both types mix freely, go well together,
and bring that Parisian magic to the fore...just as,
say, a fine French wine does something mystical
to that superb Gallic cuisine.
The songs that were born, raised, and hummed all over
Paris include "La Vie en Rose" (one of its writers, in fact,
is a living legend bound to Paris as tightly as the Arch
of Triumph—the fabulous Edith Piaf); "Under Paris Skies";
"The Poor People of Paris"; "Under the Bridges of Paris";
"The River Seine"; "C'est si Bon"; and the lovely, wistful
"Autumn Leaves." The rest are American products that
have captured the flavor of the city and the people
and their way of life.
Giving the songs in the set an aura all their own is a
Parisian out of Davenport, Iowa—organist Marjorie Meinert,
making her RCA Victor debut in this album. The LOWREY
"Lincoln-wood" played by Miss Meinert brings to organ
music a whole complement of brilliant sounds, including
an exciting range of "percussion" and orchestral effects.
Working with a guitar accompaniment, Miss Meinert
creates some sounds on these familiar melodies that
spice them with an air of frivolity, sadness, deep
romance, and the pulse of life that courses through
the city as steadily as the Seine.
Although it hasn't yet been established that Miss
Meinert has actually ever been to the French capital,
one thing is sure: Marjorie can make the city and the
tower and the Seine and the carts and the bookstalls
and all that is Paris come winging to mind
when she sits down to play.
— FERRIS BENDA
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A fine record deserves the finest phonograph—an RCA Victor Stereo High Fidelity "Victrola."
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Marjorie Meinert[June 16, 1921 - August 29, 2009]
We will miss you, Marjorie.
We will miss you, Marjorie.
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