Search - Come to the Fair :: Old Time Carousel Music

Heavenly

Danielle Bennignus | 03/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the band organ recordings I own, this is the one I would consider at Gold Standard status. This is a very special instrument, playing truly delightful arrangements, recorded under ideal conditions. Seriously, you are in for a treat.



I admit that this band organ, a Wurlitzer 157, is deeply special to me. I first heard it as I was just beginning to fall in love with automatic musical instruments, and it set firmly into motion my adoration for Wurlitzer organs in particular. Then accompanying the 1926 PTC carousel at Kings Island in Cincinnati, I came to know and love its tone, pitch, quirks and foibles - making a weekly practice of carrying my Walkman into the park, to record the different paper rolls that were played in cycles on the organ. I nearly stripped every tape I made, listening over and over (particularly in the off-season winter months) to the wonderful music. That was 23 years ago. Had anyone told me then that I would find some of these same rolls available in a professionally-recorded format, I'd have swooned then and there. Lucky me - thanks to Chris' collection of his grandfather's recordings, I can enjoy now what I'd only dreamed of back then.



Each selection is a joy to hear, but several stand out prominently, thanks mainly to the arrangement style: "Wedding of the Winds", "Maggie Murphy's Home", "Just Like a Butterfly", "Me and My Shadow", and "Hula Lou". Cheerful, vibrant and so enjoyable.



Finally, I should mention that recordings of Wurlitzer 157's are relatively unusual - I feel that this fits right in with the model's relative rarity in terms of public accessibility. They just aren't as easy to run across as the 125, 146, 153 or 165 models, and what a shame - the sound is incomparable, and full of character. All the more reason to be so grateful for the Carlisle albums - they're worth their weight in gold."

Authentic Old Time Wurlitzer Carousel Music

Chris Carlisle | Sikeston | 10/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ahhh..Remember the days of going to the county fair and eating the cotton candy and riding the Carousel? This recording will bring back those memories of you youth. This beautiful Band Organ began its career at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, in the early 1900's. It was then moved across the boardwalk to Asbury Park, New Jersey, where it furnished music for a carousel for many years. In the mid 1960's, Paul Eakins bought the organ and completely restored it. The organ toured State Fairs and Expositions for years and was also featured at the Gay 90's Village in Sikeston, Missouri, and the Gay 90's Melody Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. It is now featured on the carousel at Kings Island in Ohio, where it is lovingly nicknamed, "The Queen of Kings Island". The Wurlitzer #157 Band Organ is a masterpiece of automation. A paper roll controls the organ which plays like a band, hence the name, Band Organ. The wind instruments are ready to play solos just like a living band. The machine has a double tracker bar, so that when one roll of music finishes playing, the other one plays. Each roll has 5 to 10 tunes. The Band Organ contains the following instruments: Bass-6 wood trombones; 6 stopped diapason pipes; 6 stopped octave diapason pipes. Accompaniments-10 stopped flute pipes; 10 open flute pipes; 10 open piccolo pipes. Melody-44 violin pipes; 22 octave violin pipes; 22 piccolo pipes; 22 open flute pipes; 22 stopped flute pipes; 16 bell bars. Traps-bass drum (automatic tension); snare drum; cymbal; triangle; double castanets; tympani. Automatic stops- 1 for bells; 1 for swell and wood trombones. Draw stops-1 for wood trombones; 1 for wood trumpets; 1 for violins; 1 for flutes; 1 for piccolos. Dimensions: Height, 8 feet 4 1/2 inches. Width, 12 feet 2 inches. Depth, 3 feet 10 inches. The front is a beautiful light cream color, elaborately carved, and decorated with gold leaf and vivid colors. The panels and screen over the swell shutters are beautifully decorated with realistic landscapes. To further set off the organ, the decorative front is wired for 34 small red, white and blue lights, thus making a wonderful display at night. This CD is perfect for carnvial or fair themed events, or children's birthday parties. It has over 70 minutes of some of the most beautiful music ever recorded. Each songs has been professionally recorded by Paul Eakins himself, so you know the quality is top notch. [...]"