FAIR ORGAN REVIEWS

Michael Morris of The Fair Organ Preservation Society is the regular reviewer of CD's and DVD's for The Key Frame magazine. email gloucester17plus@yahoo.co.uk

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Tuesday, 8 March 2011

Pierre Eich 89 Key Fair Organ

James Reid has been busy producing a number of very interesting recordings. All of the CD’s that follow can be purchased from James or at the organs at shows. You may well find these CD’s advertised on the internet at considerably higher prices.

They are all available to buy from James Reid Mechanical Music priced at £8 each to which should be added UK postage at £1-50 and a further 50p postage for each extra CD you may wish to purchase. He can accept money by cheque or paypal.

Cheques should be made payable to James Reid. If in doubt contact James at Willow Garth, Thorne Road, Hatfield, Doncaster, DN7 6EN. Tel: 0775 228 8703 Email: 01405@tiscali.co.uk and web site www.organbooks.co.uk



89 key G4 Pierre Eich Fairground Organ Volumes 3 & 4.

This 89key Fairground Organ was rebuilt by the Belgian organ builder Pierre Eich from the remains of a large (108 key) Gavioli barrel organ., This instrument looks very good and sounds very good and the music is of very traditional British and a few more modern compositions

The Pierre Eich organ as seen today was built in about 1906 in Ghent, Belgium and plays on the Gavioli number 4 scale and was restored in 2003 by Peter Griffiths and has had further work done by James and his father Andrew Reid. The excellent recordings were made by James.

I have fond memories listening to this instrument for the first time at the Crich Tramway Extravaganza in the early 1970’s. Len Cole one of the owners at that time was on the stage in front of the organ speaking through a very powerful loudspeaker system – he seemed a little tipsy as he told us various interesting facts about the organ and various forthcoming events as the organ was playing.


Volume 3

When it comes to fair organs there are various categories that come to mind; you have the very grand organs that exude pomp and dignity; this 89 key displays vitality as it romps with perfection through the many tunes listed below. I must give praise to the first and last tracks on this CD. The first track will be well known to many folk who watch the annual Festival of Remembrance from the Royal Albert Hall every year; this stirring piece is a very welcome addition to the organ’s repertoire. The ‘William Tell Overture’ is a very full version of the Rossini classic – not just the Lone Ranger bit.


1. British Legion March
2. Alice Blue Gown
3. You Made Me Love You
4. The Last Stand March
5. La Gioconda Gallop
6. Yes Sir, That’s My Baby!
7. Vienna, City Of My Dreams
8. Stephanie Gavotte
9. Wellington March
10 Flowers of Hawaii
11. Chinese Moon
12. She’s a Lassie From Lancashire
13. Tritsch Tratsch Polka
14. Peg O’ My Heart
15 Over The Waves
16. On The Quarter Deck March
17. At The Balalaika
18. Thunder and Lightning Gallop
19. William Tell Overture

Volume 4


James Reid has been busy producing a number of very interesting recordings. All of the CD’s that follow can be purchased from James or at the organs at shows. You may well find these CD’s advertised on the internet at considerably higher prices.

They are all available to buy from James Reid Mechanical Music priced at £8 each to which should be added UK postage at £1-50 and a further 50p postage for each extra CD you may wish to purchase. He can accept money by cheque or paypal.

Cheques should be made payable to James Reid. If in doubt contact James at Willow Garth, Thorne Road, Hatfield, Doncaster, DN7 6EN. Tel: 0775 228 8703 Email: 01405@tiscali.co.uk and web site www.organbooks.co.uk


89 key G4 Pierre Eich Fairground Organ Volumes 3 & 4.

This 89key Fairground Organ was rebuilt by the Belgian organ builder Pierre Eich from the remains of a large (108 key) Gavioli barrel organ., This instrument looks very good and sounds very good and the music is of very traditional British and a few more modern compositions

The Pierre Eich organ as seen today was built in about 1906 in Ghent, Belgium and plays on the Gavioli number 4 scale and was restored in 2003 by Peter Griffiths and has had further work done by James and his father Andrew Reid. The excellent recordings were made by James.

I have fond memories listening to this instrument for the first time at the Crich Tramway Extravaganza in the early 1970’s. Len Cole one of the owners at that time was on the stage in front of the organ speaking through a very powerful loudspeaker system – he seemed a little tipsy as he told us various interesting facts about the organ and various forthcoming events as the organ was playing.


Volume 4
This volume has more very enjoyable pieces. I really like ‘La Danza’ the first item which is a very lively classical piece.’ Happy Days Are Here Again’ has a very expressive arrangement that really cheers you up.

Right up to date is ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ from the blockbuster movie. This is one of the powerful pieces to be heard on the mighty Victory 118key Verbeeck and I must say that the Pierre Eich does a very good job playing it with gusto. For the patriotic, the CD concludes with a very embellished version of ‘God Save The Queen’.


1. La Danza
2. Charmaine
3. Scottish Medley
4. Bullfighters Gallop
5. Happy Days Are Here Again
6. The Last All Clear March
7. If You Knew Susie
8. With Sword And Lance March
9. 12th Street Rag
10. Hellbardier March
11. The Birds
12. Pirates Of The Caribbean
13. O Sole Mio
14. Sussex By The Sea
15. Lonesome And Sorry
16. Light Of Foot March
17. Cavalleira Rusticana
18 Prinz Eitel Friedrich March
19. God Save The Queen



My Happy Day Volume 2

James Reid has been busy producing a number of very interesting recordings. All of the CD’s that follow can be purchased from James or at the organs at shows. You may well find these CD’s advertised on the internet at considerably higher prices.

They are all available to buy from James Reid Mechanical Music priced at £8 each to which should be added UK postage at £1-50 and a further 50p postage for each extra CD you may wish to purchase. He can accept money by cheque or paypal.

Cheques should be made payable to James Reid. If in doubt contact James at Willow Garth, Thorne Road, Hatfield, Doncaster, DN7 6EN. Tel: 0775 228 8703 Email: 01405@tiscali.co.uk and web site www.organbooks.co.uk


“My Happy Day Plays Continental Favourites, Volume 2”. 51 Key Jan van Eyk Street Organ.

This Street Organ CD has been recorded by James Reid and features the very enjoyable instrument owned by Martyn Threapleton who operates the instrument in streets as well as at shows. The 51 key instrument was built in 1987 and plays on the Limonaire scale.

The organ plays very well indeed. I had his CD playing in the car for a number of days and it was difficult to get bored listening to it repeatedly – it has a very smooth intricate action that gets the best out of a piece of music and the pipework is what you would expect from a very good Dutch Street Organ. I found that the last track ‘Het Dorp’ is an enchanting piece which I am sure members will find very pleasing on the ear.

My Happy Day has a vast musical repertoire and new arrangements continue to be added so I anticipate a further volume soon.

Order your CD from James Reid (details given earlier)

1. Albert Schweitser March
2. Lotto Samba
3. Cuckoo Waltz
4. Old Time Hits Selection
5. Chianti Lied (New Version)
6. Edith Piaf Medley
7. Tulips from Amsterdam
8. On the Amsterdam Canals
9. Foxtrot Medley
10. Our Director March
11. Paris Boogie
12. Happy Days are here again
13. Elvis Presley Medley
14. Marsen der Medici
15. Ik ben verliefd (Shalalie)
16. Nachtfluit serenade
17. Stomping at the Savoy
18. I only want to be with you
19. Tritch Tratch Polka
20. O Sole Mio Boogie
21. Het Dorp

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