FAIR ORGAN REVIEWS

Pierre Eich 89 Key Fair Organ

2011-03-08T01:27:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-08T01:23:00.000-08:00

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

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

2011-03-08T01:21:00.000-08:00

“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

De Gertruida Volume 2

2011-03-08T01:11:00.000-08:00

“De Gertruida Street Organ Favourites Volume 2”.

A very enjoyable mellow instrument built in Holland by Simon Loopstra and imported into the UK two years ago by the present owner, Mr Stewart Graves. De Gertruida is a 52 key instrument which uses the Limonaire / Bursens scale.

If you enjoy lots of continental music with a few English pieces to add variety you will appreciate this recording. Again this CD is well produced by James.

Order your CD from James (details given earlier).

1. Blaze Away
2. The Entertainer
3. Zeeman Liederen Potpourri
4. Samba Medley
5. St Nicolas Waltz
6. Waltz Potpourri
7. Op De Rode Rosen Vallen Tranen
8. Olimpia March
9. Old Time Hits
10. Oh Marie
11. Oh Amsterdam
12. Never On A Sunday
13. Morgen Blatter
14. The Macarena
15. Kinder Liedjes Potpourri
16. Invercargil March
17. Het Leidse Leid
18. Foot Tapper
19. Daar Bij De Molen
20. Amparita Roca March
21. Andre Duin
22. Bring Me Sunshine

47 Key Marenghi

2011-03-08T01:08:00.000-08:00

47 Key Marenghi Plays Popular Melodies – Past & Present.

This very spritely fair organ is owned by Robert Wichall and once again the CD is produced by James Reid. It was built by Charles Marenghi and later re-built by Gaudin, hence Gaudin & Cie appearing on the organ case. The organ plays on a very rare scale, not the standard 46 / 48 key Gavioli scale which many similar instruments have been converted to.

The Marenghi has a good fairground sound with a characteristic similar to the older trumpet barrel organs but rather more refined. It plays very well and tackles a variety of musical styles in the 24 tracks on the CD.

Order your CD from James Reid (details given earlier)

1. Chasse aux Gazelies
2. Rossignolette Valse
3. Girls In Grey
4. You Made Me Love You
5. La Gioconda Gallop
6. La Fille De Mme Angol
7. Chinese Moon
8. Un Laiser De Paris
9. Chianti Lied (New Version)
10. This Is My Song
11. Folie Bergere Gallop
12. Charmaine
13. Lotto Samba
14. Vienna, City Of My Dreams
15. Cocktails For Two
16. Concert Waltz
17. A Night Like This
18. Carnival Of Venice
19. A Nightengale sang In Berekley Square
20. Life Begins At Oxford Circus
21. J'attendrai
22. C'est La Vie
23. True Love
24. Rigoletto

2011-03-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

Troubadour
“Ain’t She Sweet” is a CD of the Troubadour 87key Gavioli that has had a varied existence over the last half Century. The CD can be purchased from The FOPS Stock Controller Tony Harrison (address at back of magazine) The CD costs £8-99 from the sales stand; if ordering by post please add a further £1-20. Cheques should be made payable to “FOPS”. If you live outside the UK it will be best to contact Tony to find out current postage charges.
“De Troubadour” was built in the early 1900’s and began life in a Belgian Dance Hall and with this in mind the organ received a rather wide and tall, ornately decorated front. The instrument enjoyed various stays on showgrounds.
It appears that the FOPS could have bought the organ for £550 in 1960, but funds could not be raised quickly enough and “De Troubadour” was purchased by William J ”Bill” Barlow and kept in his museum at Cleobury Mortimer. After Mr Barlow died the organ went to Arthur Prinsen in Belgium and after that ended up in the ‘Turner’s Merry–go-Round’ in Northampton and now after some wilderness years the fine instrument has become part of the Saunders Collection. The Saunders family are well known for their well presented Showmens engines and 98 key Gavioli fair organ at rallies in the UK.
This recording in itself is rather historical as it was made by Les Brumpton and Ken Mellor in 1967 in Bill Barlow’s storage yard – a very quiet location that enabled the recording to be made with no background noises. Four microphones were used to achieve the best recording possible. The LP record that was produced at this time was only available in the USA so it is unlikely that many members will have heard this recording. The recording has survived well over the years and the new CD is very accurate enabling the wide range of sounds from the pipework and percussion to be heard to good effect and I am pleased that the cymbals and drums don’t overpower the rest of the instrument.

Track 1. Ain’t she sweet, Yes Sir that’s my baby, When the Saints go marching in, Bye Bye Blackbird.
Track 2. Atcheson,Topeka & Santa Fe, Deep in the heart of Texas, Cochabamba, Beautiful Dreamer.
Track 3. Rockabye my baby, California here I come, For me and my gal, I’m just wild about Harry. Lullaby of Broadway, Avalon, 42nd Street.
Track 4. Semper Fidelis, I could have danced all night, Wouldn’t it be lovely, With a little bit of luck, On the street where you live, Get me to the church on time.
Track 5. Yes sir that’s my baby (reprise), Bye Bye Blackbird (reprise), You’re driving me crazy, When the red red Robin, My blue heaven, Ukelele lady, I’ll see you in my dreams, I wonder where my baby is tonight.
Track 6. American Patrol, R.A.F. March, Tico Tico.
Track 7. Blaze Away, Old Comrades, Wedding of the painted doll, Never on a Sunday, Amsterdam Holiday, Into each life some rain must fall.
Track 8. Pepe’s Party, Come out and play, Hi Hi Hi Maria, The curse of an aching heart, El Capitan.

The Palm Court Orchestrion

2010-06-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Palm Court Orchestrion 105 note David Leach Electro-mechanical Dance/Concert Organ Volumes 1 & 2 have just been released and can be obtained from the owner Michael Harris, 93 High Street, Treorchy, Rhondda, CF42 6PD At rallies the CD’s cost £5 each or £9 for both volumes. By post £6-50 each or £11 for the pair.

You may well have seen Welte or Imhof & Mukle Orchestrions on visits to museums or stately homes – these were the indoor version of the fair organ normally playing Classical Romantic music and played from a very large pinned barrel or paper roll that was often driven by a very large weight that had to be wound up to gain height. This Orchestrion is a modern day counterpart of these grand old instruments. Unlike its predecessors this instrument is mounted in a van and can be enjoyed at many outdoor locations.

The Palm Court Orchestrion consists of 100 pipes (50 Violin and 50 Bourdon), Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Temple Blocks, Wood Block, Cymbal, Saxophone and Accordion. You will also hear the sounds of a Clarinet, xylophone, piccolo and electric organ.

The instrument sounds rather similar to the DeCap Cafe Organs that featured a Hammond tone wheel generating system along with accordion and percussion; this is particularly apparent in “Tango Decap”. It is obviously designed to entertain a wide audience and the live accordion and percussion are bound to attract youngsters. The characteristics of the instrument are lively, jolly and well performed with the added novelty element.

These volumes recorded by M.D.Fisher will make a welcome addition to your CD collection – being just a little different from the normal Fair or Dance Organ. The Palm Court Orchestrion has great expression and can play gentle sections in “Gluhwumchen (Glow-worm) Idylle” so delicately or race along with “Zampa Overture” – a piece more familiar on the Theatre Organ that has very peaceful almost celestial moments then builds into tempestuous flurry of activity from the varied sections of the Orchestrion. In my opinion the track most suited to the instrument is the “Paris By Night Medley” that begins with the well known “Maigret” theme when the accordion really comes into its own; the “Gigi” section of the medley is also most exquisite.

Volume One
1 Ay-Ay Twist
2 Anvil Polka
3 Prelude to Carmen
4 Foxtrot Medley No.1
5 Musette Waltzes
6 Paris By Night Medley
7 Pennsylvania Polka
8 12th Regiment March
9 Cornelita Tango
10 Flemish Serenade
11 Music to Watch Girls By
12 One Step Medley
13 Rag Mop
14 Teddy Bears Picnic
15 Zampa Overture
16 Swinging Safari
17 Foxtrot Medley No. 2
18 Mr Sandman
19 Cocktails for Two

Volume Two
1 Boogie Twist
2 Bungalow Foxtrot
3 Fleiss March
4 JoJo Waltz
5 Judas Rumba
6 Glenn Miller Medley
7 Gluhwurmchen Idylle
8. Old Time Hits
9 Limbo Rock
10 Locarno March
11 Violin in the Night
12 12th Street Rag
13 Sancta Maria Waltz
14 Tango DeCap
15 Spanish Madelon
16 Sensation
17 Zorba’s Dance
18 Pandora
19 Berliner Luft March
20 China Boogie

“Het Kleine Juweel” (The Little Gem)

2010-06-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ian Crisp presents “Het Kleine Juweel” (The Little Gem) Volume 6 is now available and is probably the last CD to be commissioned by Ian who has spent the last 2 years obtaining high quality music for his exceptionally tuneful organ. The CD along with the earlier 5 volumes can be purchased by post for £8-75 from Ian at The Cottage, Green End, Weston, Hitchin Herts SG4 7AL Tel 01462 790333.

The 56 key Dutch Street organ was built in 2001 by Albert Pluer of Bussum near Amsterdam and is operated by the Casio digital system using the Limonaire Music Scale. The recording by Ken Slow is very accurate and the excellent performance of The Little Gem is most pleasing. Ian has chosen music that he likes rather than just what is easily available. Looking at the track listings you will be able to see Ian’s tastes in Easy Listening. If you were born in the 1940’s or 50’s you will feel very much at home with the selection of music which may well bring back memories of your youth.

Playing the CD in my car which I think has a good sound system with 6 speakers I found the CD to be very pleasing with a great depth of expression that gives the impression of a much larger organ. The 26 tracks are mainly 2 or 3 minutes in length and provide an ideal background to a car journey or indeed enjoyed at home.

What must be remembered is that a good organ needs good arrangements of music to show its full potential and you will find that the accompaniment and counter melodies heard on the CD are most imaginative and pleasing to the ear. I can recall reading rally programmes from the 1970’s mentioning that Mr X cuts his own music and quite often you could tell this by the very basic tune that somehow emerged from the instrument. The arrangers for this CD are Tom Meijer, Jan Kees de Ruijter, Gerard Razenberg, Carl Frei and Weima all of whom are to be applauded for their work.

1 Children of the Regiment March
2 Martha, Rambling Rose of my Childhood
3 Penny Serenade
4 The Girls from Cologne can kiss very well
5 No Matter What, Boyzone
6 Night Flute Serenade
7 Quicksilver March
8 Jesus Christ Superstar / I don’t know how to love Him
9 Mother, How Are You Today?
10 That’s Amore
11 Alice, Where Art Thou?
12 Kramer March
13 Sere Nana
14 Telstar
15 Toe Rosen (Waltz from the Poet & Peasant)
16 Women in Love
17 This is My Song
18 Pretty Woman
19 Ais Ik Naar Je Blinde Kijk (Blind Eyes)
20 Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
21 The 12th Regiment March
22 The Finken Waltz
23 Granada
24 O Mein Papa
25 Banditesteiche (Jolly Robbers Overture by Franz Von Suppe)
26 O Holy Night

The Secret Life of an Organ Builder

2010-04-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

Alan Pell the well known organ builder from Whaplode Drove is also a keen film maker and editor. The DVD that he has recently completed shows life at his workshop and gives a humorous look at what it takes to make the various components of his fine organs.

To make a one hour DVD that maintains the attention of an audience throughout is something of an achievement in itself. Throughout the film there are minor excursions to add interest: Alan is seen riding his bike to work; a steam roller takes water out in the street; a pheasant is seen out of the window; we are told of a mouse that crawled up a trouser leg and there is a trip to the Great Dorset Steam Fair with the company sales stand.

We are shown how great attention is given to measuring, cutting, planing, routing and gluing organ cases and pipework, how bellows are made, how spraying is carried out and the organ fronts decorated. Health and safety are very important and Alan tells us of his father’s unfortunate accident with an electric planing machine.

Being only a small concern of only four staff the workshop has a happy atmosphere and all four workers really seemed to enjoy taking part in the filming which was mainly done by Alan who also features as the main character and narrator. Each person’s skills are shown and they in turn explain what they are doing. The good thing is that they talk in everyday language and don’t get too technical – after all most people who buy or who are interested in mechanical instruments don’t know how many inches of air pressure are required to make the pipes sound or understand the computer system that operates these instruments.

I found the section on making the pipes very interesting. From a large plank of wood we can see how the sweet sounding pipes are manufactured and Alan explains how the correct pitch is arrived at. Even if you prefer the much larger show organs you will still appreciate how the characteristic sounds of violin and bourdon pipes are achieved.

The film is interspersed with mechanical music and other music to add to the enjoyment, is well planned, well paced and most professional in its presentation. The DVD should appeal to a wide audience and with the two ladies involved in the organ production, the film will find favour with both male and female viewers. One thing that was apparent from watching the film was that neither Alan or his female assistant could get the office computer going properly – so it seems that even a genius like Alan has his limitations!

The Secret Life of an Organ Builder is available from Alan Pell Music, Whaplode Drove, Spalding Lincolnshire. PE12 0TN. The cost of the DVD is £9-99 which includes postage.

“My Happy Day” Jan Van Eyk 51 Key

2010-02-13T11:37:00.001-08:00

“My Happy Day” Jan Van Eyk 51 Key Draaaiorgel plays International Melodies

This Street Organ CD has been recorded by James Reid and features the pride and joy of Martyn Threapleton. The 51 key instrument was built in 1987 and plays on the Limonaire scale. Like the Pierre Eich that follows, the organ plays very well indeed, the first track “Buglers Holiday” races away showing that the organ has a very quick action that relishes a fast moving piece of music. I can remember less able organs groaning and gasping at such a challenge.

The track listings show many familiar titles and even those titles you don’t recognize you should enjoy. The organ has a very smooth sound – no rough edges. The indoor recording adds a little depth to the 21 tracks. If you like a good Dutch Street Organ sound you should enjoy this entertaining CD.

1. Buglers Holiday

2. Maak Me Gek

3. Zyn Het Je Ogen

4. Mexico

5. Bedelaar van Parys

6. Tea Time Boogie

7. Carioca

8. Judas

9. Kleine Café op de Haven

10. Schlager Festival

11. Jan Van Eyk March

12. Spanish Eyes

13. Andre Hazes Medley

14. Berliner Luft

15. Swanny

16. Jolanda Boogie

17. Sons of the Brave

18. Amsterdam Potpori

19. Rock Around The Clock

20. Oh Honolulu

21. Zeemans Potpori

The price for the Jan van Eyk CD is £8 and they are available from James Reid at Rose House Farm, High Levels, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5SH. Please make cheques payable to Martyn Threapleton. They are also available from Dean Organs and the F.O.P.S stall / mail order service.

This organ and the following review organ the Pierre Eich can be seen and heard on youtube www.youtube.com/pierreeich

You can also see my earlier review pages on www.fairorganreviews.blogspot.com

89 key G4 Pierre Eich Fairground Organ Volumes 1 & 2.

2010-02-13T00:38:00.000-08:00

A very welcome package arrived at my door recently with 3 CD’s from James Reid. One of organs featured really got me thinking as it sounded familiar – but the manufacturers name was something of a mystery to me.

The mystery organ is an 89key Fairground Organ, 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 fairground music. Indeed most of the tunes it played are the very ones I used to record with my cassette recorder in the 1970’s.

A little searching on the internet solved my queries as I found that this instrument was at one time owned by the Cole Brothers and was adorned with the name of Gavioli rather than Pierre Eich, it’s present identity. Perhaps an historian can shed light on this change.

The good thing about these CD’s is that you get a real feel of being on a roundabout with the excellent riding tunes with the bonus that the organ plays really well – no false starts or discordant notes to cause distractions. As I mentioned before, the tunes are all good old favourites. The organ is full of character and represents the best in old time fairground music.

The Sing-a-long Medley No.1 starts with “Bring Me Sunshine” the song made famous by Morecambe & Wise which was written by Sylvia Dee and Arthur Kent, Sylvia came from Little Rock, Arkansas and also wrote for Nat King Cole and Elvis Presley, If you want nostalgia you can’t beat “Oh Johnny” – close your eyes and you can imagine the steam centre engine getting into action and your wooden horse start to gently gain momentum – all the fun of the fair!

Sing-along-Medley No.2 is also arranged by Tom Meijer one the the present day providers of organ music and this track starts with “On Mother Kelly’s Doorstep”, followed by “Music, Music, Music”, “Singing in the Rain” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”; these pieces all sound most pleasing and atmospheric.

The arrangements on the C.D.'s are as follows :

Volume 1.
01 Fliger March - Carl Frei
02 Ever So Goosey - Chiappa Ltd
03 Groet aan de Jordaan - Comp & Arr Jeroen van Baden
04 Sally - Chiappa Ltd - Louis Blache
05 Farmers Boy - Chiappa Ltd
06 Krasno Selo March - Chiappa Ltd
07 Don't Ask Me Why I'm Leaving - Carl Frei
08 Les Cloches de Corneville - Arranger unknown but cut by Marcel van Boxtel
09 Sing-a-long Medley No.1 - Tom Meijer
10 633 Squadron - Jan kees de Ruijter
11 Oh Johnny - Chiappa Ltd
12 El Capitan March - Carl Frei
13 My Girls a Yorkshire Girl - Chiappa Ltd - John Cocchi
14 The Army Fell For Isabel - Chiappa Ltd
15 A Broken Doll - Chiappa Ltd
16 Third Dragoon Guards March - Chiappa Ltd
17 If I Had a Talking Picture of You - Chiappa Ltd
18 Mr Moon You Have a Million Sweethearts - Unknown
19 Hommerson March - Comp - Carl Frei - Arr. Unknown

Volume 2.
01 Hans Albers March - Arr & Comp Carl Frei
02 On The Good Ship Yaki Hicki Dooda - Chiappa Ltd
03 A L'attaque March - A. Scholleart
04 I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles - Chiappa Ltd
05 Tina - Chiappa Ltd - Louis Blache
06 Bye Bye Blackbird - Chiappa Ltd - John Cocchi
07 Sing-a-long Medley No.2 - Tom Meijer
08 The Big Push March - Chiappa Ltd
09 When The Guardsman Crooned on Parade - Chiappa Ltd
10 Irish Jig - Chiappa Ltd
11 Swing Medley - Jan kees de Ruijter
12 Lynwood March - Chiappa Ltd
13 I wouldn't Leave My Little Wooden Hut For You - Chiappa Ltd
14 Viscount Nelson March - Chiappa Ltd
15 The Sheik Of Arabi - Chiappa Ltd
16 Le Reve Passe March - Chiappa Ltd
17 What do You Do On A Sunday Mary - Chiappa Ltd
18 Wellington March - Chiappa Ltd
19 Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna Overture - Chiappa Ltd

Volumes 3 and 4 are in the planning stage at present.

With the advent of internet sales becoming more popular it is interesting to find that the price of these CD’s can vary by as much as £5 between different online sellers. Dean Organs and the F.O.P.S stall / mail order service can also supply the CD’s. In Holland they are available from Marcel van Andel (www.draaiorgelshop.nl) and also in the organ museum in Haarlem. If in doubt contact James Reid at Rose House Farm, High Levels, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5SH. He can accept money by cheque or paypal. His email address is 01405@tiscali.co.uk

Dawn of the Century

2009-11-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

One of the most enjoyable modern-build Dutch Street Organ has now been recorded on 2 CD’s.

Dawn of The Century is a 51 Key Jan Van Eijk traditional book operated organ that was completed and first played at the beginning of the year 2000 – hence its name. The very proud owners are John & Kevin Selwood, a father and son team from 24 Hammer Lane, Warborough, Wallingford, Oxon. OX10 7DJ.

The 2 CD’s that were recorded by Graham Spencer are most enjoyable and cost £10 each by post; cheques should be made payable to J & K Selwood.

Dawn of the Century is one of those organs that will find interested listeners wherever it goes whether it be a fete, wedding or steam show. The repertoire is very ‘Easy Listening’ with the sort of tunes you can tap you foot to or whistle along with the music. Both CD’s contain a few continental street organ tunes augmented by tunes from the pop music world, Music Halls , Broadway and the Musicals on the big screen.

Another feature that attracts the crowds to the organ is the splendid animated figures and paintwork. The bandmaster is dressed as a Cavalier in a costume researched by Mike Hart who created this work of art that has a moving head and hands and is painted to look very lifelike. Mike also made the two central figures of female dancers. Even when Dawn of the Century is not playing the organ front cannot fail to give pleasure.

There is often a little confusion over this instrument in the organ listings at steam shows; while it can play 52 key music it only has 51 keys operating as at present it does not have a glockenspiel which would use the extra key. The disposition of the organ comprises: Violin, Bourdon, Piccolo, Accompaniment, Cello Bass, Snare Drum, Cymbal, Woodblock and Bass Drum. ‘Dawn of the Century’ has an air of purpose in its music; the listener can almost think that the organ is a living creation as it has such an exuberance in its playing.

CD2 is equally varied with 26 tracks that include ‘One Fine Day’, ‘Girls in Grey’ ( the old BBC Newsreel March), ‘Bobby’s Girl’. ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Music Hall Medley’, and ‘The Rose’.

New CD of Continental Superstar Collection

2009-02-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

CD Review for The Key Frame
The Official Publication of
Fair Organ Preservation Society
February 2009

Michael Morris

gloucester17plus@yahoo.co.uk

As I write this review it is snowing heavily in England, while my Aunt in Australia is enduring a heat wave – ideal times to look ahead and think of getting out to enjoy a visit to a rally or Organ Museum. The CD reviewed this time comes from a renowned collection that is definitely worth hearing.
Please note that my contact details now appear in the list of officials elsewhere in the Key Frame and as usual I look forward to receiving new CD’s or DVD’s for review.

“Continental Superstar” is the collective title of the former
Jef Ghysels collection which when under threat of being dispersed was purchased in 2007 by Flemish Minister for Culture, Bert Anciaux, and is now presented to the public at the Royal Museums for Art and History at the Jubelpark Museum (Musée du Cinquantenaire) in Brussels where you can enjoy dance organs, fairground organs and domestic instruments that have been displayed there since October 2008 until a new home is arranged hopefully in 2009.

The 16 mechanical instruments are displayed in the "rectangular court" of the Jubelpark museum in Brussels and are played every day from 14.00 till 16.00 hours. (except on Mondays). Apart from the musical instruments, dozens of statuettes and documents are displayed and there is also a bar with a small buffet.

The café and domestic instruments include a large orchestrion by Theophiel Mortier (Antwerp, 1928), a player piano by Pierre Eich from Ghent, an Aeolian Orchestrelle reed organ and a Piano Melodico by Giovanni Racca. The street and fairground organs were built by famous names such as Hooghuys, Bursens, Vander Beken, Bruder and Gröseling. The collection also includes two barrel pianos. The four impressive dance organs were built by Mortier (80 key from 1905 and 92 key "Continental Superstar" from 1923), by Eusèbe Fasano (78 key from 1912) and by Decap (121 key "Frangema" from 1946).

This well known collection is at present in the custody of Jo Santy the curator and he is responsible for the superb recording of the 35 tracks on a CD that lasts a very generous 78 minutes. Many of the books of music were produced by Arthur Prinsen who helped build up the collection; other books come from Dick Gillet, Albert Decap and Symphonia. Incidentally Jef Ghysels is still involved with the organs and was at the key frame for most of the recordings.

The CD simply named “Ghysels Collection” features all that you would expect from a visit to a top rate collection of Mechanical Music. All the instruments are in fine playing condition and the recording quality is very pleasing to the ear. I won’t list all of the tracks, but rest assured that many of the pieces are well known or are good tunes that can display the playing qualities of the many instruments, particularly those with piano accordions and plenty of percussion.

The CD comes with a 20 page booklet in English, Dutch and French, containing numerous colour photographs of the instruments together with track listings and is in itself a collectors piece.
One organ that I must make special mention of is the 68 key Bursens Fair Organ that has an amazing sound. It’s playing of Disney tunes is really entertaining; “The Second Star” from the cartoon Peter Pan is quite stunning with an almost angelic flute sound that has to be heard to be believed.

As I mentioned earlier the Ghysels Collection is in a temporary location and may be moving soon, so if you are planning to see it this year you are advised to check with the museum to find out if this magnificent collection is open to visitors.
I am not certain of the price of the CD especially with the ups and downs with the economic state of the world. For further information about purchase or visiting the collection you can write to:

KMKG / MRAH
Brigitte Fluyts
Jubelpark 10
B-1000 BRUSSEL
Belgium

email address: museumshop@kmkg-mrah.be

Or go to http://www.kmkg-mrah.be/, choose Dutch, click on “museumshops”, then click on “Jubelparkmuseum” and fill in the form at the bottom of the page. In French, it’s “museumshops” and then “Musée du Cinquantenaire”.