Presented by Liblab Music
@The Garden of Unearthly Delights – Umbrella Revolution
WEDNEDAY 7th March (until March 18)

What exactly is Barry Morgan’s World of Organs? Mere analogue synthesizer cabaret? An interactive infomercial for Sunnyside Mall, Adelaide, South Australia? A time-machine to the glorious yesteryear of polyester, beehives and farfisas? All of the above? The one thing that I can tell you for sure is that once Mr Barry Morgan shows you his organ, you won’t be the same way again.

Mr Barry Morgan, owner of Barry Morgan’s World of Organs, Adelaide’s finest Organ emporium, is ready to take you on a whirlwind ride through the features of his beloved Hammond Aurora, including a hands-on lesson in the Barry Morgan “One Finger Method” whereby even the most oblivious of beginners can be playing the Organ in just five minutes. Well, that’s the plan anyway –  as to how well it works on the night is another kettle of fish. Not that it matters much, Barry is just as happy watching the audience play with his Organ as he is playing with it himself.

The musical aptitude of audience interaction aside, Barry Morgan’s world is one that I want to take a trip back to already. Solid silver bouffant and moustache, polyester safari suit and paisley ascot, more bling than Lil’ Jon, Barry Morgan is as fabulous as he is hilarious. Barry came to fame through his many performances on ABC’s (now sadly departed) Spicks and Specks, but hearing the once silent Barry Morgan’s over the top delivery and catchphrase “Oh Barrreeee!” bring to mind a little bit of Bob Downe mixed with a dash of Dame Edna, jewelery and all.

Silliness and schtick aside, Barry Morgan’s skill on the organ is really quite impressive. With a GoPro camera setup over the keyboard, you can see Barry playing both upper and lower decks of keys, as well as changing the “state of the art” drum samples, key samples – “close your eyes and you’d think you’re sitting at a Steinway!” – equaliser, all while triggering the bass and drums with his feet! Somewhere between operating a spaceship and a 1950s switchboard, Barry blazed through classic television theme tunes, classical masterpieces and some funky original compositions.

The performances were punctuated with literally in-your-face promotions for Barry’s neighbouring businesses at the Sunnyside Mall, slinging a fine line of wares from meaty smallgoods to up-to-the-minute menswear (provided your watch is set to 1970) with Barry showing a little skin for the camera during some impressively quick costume changes.

With Barry’s performances and sales pitch coming to an end, a lonely uncalled telephone cast what seemed a gloomy spell upon the end of the show. Fortunately, as Barry himself says, “you can’t stay sad forever!” and we were treated to something a little more modern for “the kids” as Barry donned his 3D glasses and DJ headphones to blast us out of our seats with some “state of the art” drum and bass.

I know what I’m doing this weekend: Sunnyside Mall’s World of Organs, here I come!

P.S Be sure to check out Barry’s website at http://www.worldoforgans.com/, it really is a blast from the past.