John Innes and Bill Fasig - Crown Him with Many Crowns

from their mid to late 1960s album "Crown Him with Many Crowns" Here are two extremely talented gentlemen who were one of the better gospel organ/piano duos of the past 50 years. The two gentlemen pictured are John Innes (left) and Bill Fasig (right) of the famed Billy Graham crusades. Both are very competent musicians and they trade off on each instrument. The album doesn't say who is playing what so it's hard to tell if it's John who's playing the piano or if it's Bill (or vise versa). Either way you look at it, both are proficient on the two instruments and each of them seems to have intimate knowledge of what the other is doing and either complements him or enhances his playing. Although the organ pictured on top is a Baldwin, this particular recording features the Robert Morton Theatre Pipe Organ found in the old Lorin Whitney studio. These theatre organs don't seem to have the range that a traditional pipe organ does. But the organist on this recording makes a valiant effort to maximize the tonal resources on this magnificent instrument and seamlessly blends usual theatre organ and classical organ techniques into one. It's really quite a treat. The piano leads where appropriate and many times, it becomes the sparkling solo instrument. Listening to this song should help you understand the role the two instruments play when combined. Bill Fasig died a number of years ago while I believe John Innes still plays in the Atlanta Georgia area.These two musicians are an inspiration to me and I think they'll inspire you too as you listen to them.