Mechanical Music Radio: Recent Episodes
James Dundon
Automatic Musical Instruments playing all day! Broadcasting 24 hours. Whenever you tune in, you're never far away from a style of mechanical music you'll love. Every hour takes you on a journey though automatic instruments. Mechanical Organs, self playing Pianos, Musical Boxes, Orchestrions and more.
www.mechanicalmusicradio.com to listen live now.
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We present a special tribute programme to Roger Burville, who sadly passed away on the morning on 04/02/26.The hour of music will feature recordings of Mortier Organ De Kluisberg, plus some archive interviews of Roger telling the story of his remarkable 60+ year association with this iconic dance organ.
Do you remember tuning in SEVEN YEARS AGO to hear the launch of Mechanical Music Radio? Our first song was 'Entry of the Gladiators'.I must admit, it's been quite the ride! Thank you to the team of presenters - past and present - who dial in every week to do a show voluntarily. Also, thanks to you, the listener, for your unwavering loyalty to one of the more unique radio stations on the planet!Tonight, we celebrate together at 2100hrs BST. Join us for a special Tuesday Night Live. Do join us.
Join James for some new recordings of the legendary Dutch Street Organ Veronica.Plus that 'Mystery Noise' from the organ builders workshop is still causing some head-scratching!Also the backwards book returns. Can you identify it?Listen back to our fully live and interactive show.
Then & now. An opportunity to appreciate just how well White's Mammoth Gavioli is currently playing. Tonight on Tuesday Night Live, you'll hear the same arrangement played 60 years apart. The famous Decca LP of 1964, followed by an up-to-date recording in 2024.Join us for our White's Gavioli special from 2100hrs (9pm UK time).It's the last Tuesday Night Live before our Summer break, so make sure you tune in. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
It's been 15 years since the legendary notary Albert Decap passed away. Tonight at 2100hrs BST, a Tuesday Night Live special. Enthusiast Peter Craig joins James to tell us a little more about Albert's achievements and we'll let you hear some examples of his varied arranging style.
Join Johnny Claes for an hour of Albert Decap arrangements on the world's finest Dance Organs. Johnny has plenty of history in terms of instruments and music, and, of course, Albert Decap, who died 15 years ago this May. We pay tribute to his wonderful music with a programme packed full.TRACKLIST121 KEY DECAP ANTWERP 'METRO' - LES MILLIONS D'ARLEQUIN84 KEY MORTIER 'VENUS DE MILO' - ALS HET WEER LENTE IS92 KEY DECAP 'CRAIG COLLECTION' - BABY LOVER121 KEY DECAP 'FRANGEMA' - DENISE121 KEY MORTIER 'DE NACHTEGAAL' - INCH ALLAH121 KEY DANCE ORGAN 'DE MEERMIN' - EEN VIOOL IN DE NACHT105 KEY 'DECAP SOUND' - SON OF MY FATHER92 KEY DECAP 'JEANNEKE' - PLAY A SIMPLE MELODY121 KEY DANCE ORGAN 'DE MEERMIN' - VIVA LA MAMMA105 KEY DECAP 'DANCING EUROPA' - L'AMOUR EST BLEU68 KEY DECAP 'LUCY' - BANANA BOAT SONG84 KEY MORTIER 'BRABANCON' - LES ENFANTS DU PIRÉE105 KEY SEMI-ELECTRONIC 'METROPOOL' - MUSETTE WALTZ92 KEY DECAP 'MUSEUM SPEELKLOK' - BUNGALOW FOX121 KEY DECAP 'ENGLAND'S PRIDE' - PEPPERMINT TWIST105 KEY FORTIER FLAMINGO - ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI121 KEY DANCE ORGAN 'DE MEERMIN' - CALCUTTA LIEGT AM GANGES & PAPER ROSES105 KEY 'A DECAP SOUND' - JACK IN THE BOX121 KEY DECAP 'GOLIATH' - SHAME & SCANDAL IN THE FAMILY92 KEY DECAP 'DE VLINDER' - CRIONOLLES95 KEY BURSENS 'ST ALBANS ORGAN MUSEUM' - LUCKY LIPS
Tuesday Night Live tonight will be filled with instruments that have attended Trevithick Day over the 40 years.We’ll be celebrating the great Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick, who built the first ever steam locomotive and changed the world forever.Hear all about this replica engine, and meet the 26-year-old who has just followed in Trevithick’s footsteps to research about the great man.www.mechanicalmusicradio.com at 2100hrs tonight.
On Tuesday Night Live tonight, we take you on a tour of the collection of the late Bill Nunn. His friend Dick Lokemoen restored many of the instruments you hear, and Dick will be our special guest talking us through the instruments and sharing his memories of Bill.Plus, a special tribute to Carl Frei on his 140th birthday - and music from the St Albans Organ Museum ahead of the MOOS AGM.
Tonight's Tuesday Night Live takes you behind the scenes at the Scarborough Fair Collection & Vintage Transport Museum as they reopen for the 2024 season to big crowds (pictured just last weekend).We have some exclusively recorded tracks from Condor, The Oktoberfest and Accordion Castle to bring you tonight.
On tonight's Tuesday Night Live, we find out all about the new partnership between the Nederlands Boekorgel Centrum and Decap Herentals, as they launch a new range of tiny dance organs with a big sound. This 2m by 1.5m instrument can sound like a full sized Dance Organ. Hiddo Van Os (pictured) joins us on the show to tell us more.
A special Wednesday Night Live show. After Cornwall's St Piran's Day yesterday, we thought we'd treat you to some archive recordings of Paul Corin's Magnificent Music Machines. The collection was a must-visit attraction in Cornwall for over 40 years.www.mechanicalmusicradio.com(Pictured the 92 key Decap thanks to Michael Morris).
Lincoln Rally calls it a day. After 38 years, the committee say the event will 'bow out', blaming increasing costs and health and safety changes, saying the event is getting 'harder and harder to organise'.Join us for a special Tuesday Night Live with all Lincoln Organs and Fairground Sounds.
On Tuesday Night Live tonight, some wonderful music from the Ex-Margaret Cook Ruth, as the much-admired organ finds a new home in the United States.Bill Hall has added it to his collection and tells us it will give its debut performance at the combined COAA and MBSI meeting on the 1st March.
On Tuesday Night Live tonight, we're celebrating some beautiful barrel instruments. We're off to the collection of Keith Hilson and Richard Kerridge. Keith, as a boy, used to get in trouble with his aunt when he went out on the streets of London and helped the men with the barrel piano. Some lovely stories and sounds of a bygone era will fill the show.We've also got the return of the Backwards Book, and have a go at Connect Four!
A show full of Christmas greetings, festive music and play along with our new game - Bits and Pieces!
In this episode, hear tracks from some brand new CD recordings released by the Draaiorgel Museum in Haarlem. It's a good stocking filler idea that raises money for the foundation. Sjoerd Caspers from the museum will tell us about the latest happenings in the collection.To order, please email Sjoerd on museumpenningmeester@gmail.com
Tonight on Tuesday Night Live, we're joined by woodcarver, restorer and president of the COAA, Bob Yorburg for an interesting chat about his work. Pictured is the Edgerton Gavioli which was carved by Bob.
The Amersham Fair Organ Museum begin their winter open days this weekend and have made some new recordings of their instruments, just for you lucky listeners of Mechanical Music Radio!They hold a series of six open days over the autumn – spring period, as detailed below – 11:00 – 17:00, parking & admission free:5th November 20233rd December 202314th January 202411th February 202417th March 202414th April 2024See their website on https://afom.org.uk/
On Tuesday Night Live, American organ builder Bruce Newman joins us to chat about his latest work, a Decap Antwerp Fair Organ 'De Nachtegaal'. The Nightingale' is now back in the Collectors Museum in San Rafael, CA and playing most days. Hear all about it.Also October means OKTOBERFEST! On Tuesday Night Live, we have some exclusive audio from the “Oide Wiesn" event, which features traditional fairground rides and organs.
It's always exciting when an organ appears again after many years away. The 91 Key Dance Organ "Neptunus", formerly owned by the late Pete Watts, has made its first public appearance in 20 years. It is now owned by Robert Harris, and it was a thrill for many enthusiasts to see the instrument again at Fair Organ Day at The Grange Musical Collection on Sunday - and it played far better than anyone expected after two decades away.Robert Harris joins James on Tuesday Night Live to have a chat about his future plans for the instrument.
A special programme about the paintwork of organ fronts. We are joined for a chat by Pieter van Aken, who was commissioned to restore the front of the Lekkerkerker - our instrument of the week - several years ago. Pieter talks about the time and preparation it takes - and the satisfaction of a properly restored organ front.
It’s quite rare to get a new Fair Organ on the scene. Tonight, Nick Williams is on Tuesday Night Live telling James about his latest acquisition - this compact yet full-sounding instrument.
You'll hear an hour of organs recorded on the field and plenty of chat with the owners who proudly presented them. A special look back at the 2019 GDSF. It'll really make you feel like you are there!
Missing the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Here is a five hour playlist of instruments that have famously appeared at the event over the years, interspersed with sound effects we've recorded at GDSF. You can catch Fairground Sounds live every night at 6pm or listen again on our website and on your Podcasts app.
An hour of instruments that have been on the Great Dorset Steam Fair field through the years, plus some interviews from the archives we’ve done with organ owners at Blandford Forum. GDSF is immortalised for your pleasure right here! www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
The Oktoberfest as you've never heard it before. On Tuesday Night Live, we treat you to a set of recordings made of the 97 Key Voigt played on paper roll. Expect well-known classics which bring out a very different side to this organ.
Organ builder Kevin Meayers joins us to talk about the recent restoration work on White's Gavioli, and we'll let you hear some exclusive new recordings.
A Tuesday Night Live exclusive. Terry and Sandra Sleeman have four new CD recordings now available of the Ex-Jennings Marenghi. For details of the new CD releases, email mechmusicradio@outlook.com
In this episode, we feature what is possibly one of the most played organs in the country! The Dean Organ in the Brighton Beach Gallopers, owned by Owen Smith, regularly plays up to 12 hours a day through the season. We have a couple of recordings of it (without the perspex covers) and the story of how it turned out to be a very different instrument from the one originally commissioned by the late Dave Corbin. Richard Dean from Dean Organ Builders is our guest at 2100hrs (9pm). www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
A special programme about the Southern Counties Organ Festival which returns this weekend on Devizes Green. We have a packed hour of interviews and music, and the usual games such as Connect Four and the One Second Song.
Join us for a special Tuesday Night Live tonight with organ builder David Burville from The Repair Shop. He was behind the application to get mechanical organ building listed as an endangered craft, which should open up some exciting opportunities and interest.Of course, while he's on, we asked him a few questions about the filming of the hit BBC One television show too!Read more about the Heritage Crafts listing here: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/mechanical-organ-making/
James is joined by Nick Williams who will tell us about this new and promising event which will take place this weekend—the Shrewsbury Mechanical Organ Festival.
We bring you some sounds we recorded at the MOOS AGM at the premises of Anthony Cowell, including the reappearance of Carl Frei Organ “De Ocher” after more than 20 years tucked away in storage.
Established 1st April 2018. Thank you for listening. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com Join James for a special Tuesday Night Live marking five years of radio broadcasting.Please, if you value the service we provide and want us to survive, set up a monthly payment - or donate as a one-off birthday gift. Click here: https://bit.ly/mmradio-support
It's Tuesday Night Live tonight. A tour around the Rogers Collection in Cornwall - the venue for this year's 2023 FOPS AGM.Tune in to hear all about the collection and visiting organs tonight from 2100hrs BST.
Tuesday Night Live is back at 9pm (2100hrs GMT).Tonight we have a special programme about the Dingles Fairground Museum. James went to meet trustee Guy Belshaw for an update on the exhibits, including their recent addition - The Anderton and Rowland Grand Organ.
Tuesday Night Live is back at 9pm (2100hrs GMT).Tonight we have a special programme about the Dingles Fairground Museum. James went to meet trustee Guy Belshaw for an update on the exhibits, including their recent addition - The Anderton and Rowland Grand Organ.
Organ builder Allan Guest joins us on Tuesday Night Live to speak about recent work undertaken on the Lythgoe 98 Key Marenghi - and how there are plans for it to be seen in public again this year.Lots of previously unheard audio of the Lythgoe 98 Key Marenghi from down through the years, plus our instrument of the week De Jupiter has some new tracks too.
Vader’s Model 39 plays three very different arrangements.Details of the Mechanical Organ Owners Society AGM.Fun and games with the One Second Song and Connect Four.www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
Johnny Van Eijk joins us to chat about their concert organ, 'De Ruisdael' - our instrument of the week. Lots of memories of his grandfather Jan Van Eijk and the history of the family business.
Presenter Paul Kirrage is joined by well known mechanical organ builder and music arranger Kevin Meayers to pay tribute to the pioneering mechanical organ preservationist Ted Reed who passed away earlier this week at the age of 96. Paul and Kevin will take a look back at the life of this modest and unassuming gentleman of the fair organ world and discuss the legacy he has left for us all to enjoy as well as playing tracks from several of the instruments from his collection at Amersham.
Enjoy an hour of wonderful Christmas tunes you know and a few you might be surprised to hear on mechanical instruments.
Tonight, we bring you a mini documentary about organ building. 'Pipe Dreams' was made by student Claire Blann, covering many different aspects of the trade of organ building, past present and future. We bring you a flavour of the documentary which features Repair Shop expert David Burville to your radio.
The Thursford Christmas Spectacular began its 82 show run today with a packed audience enjoying a show that encorporates the Gondola Ride and the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Hear all about it on Tuesday Night Live.
This programme is a Carters Steam Fair special, celebrating 45 years of one of the world's biggest touring vintage Fairgrounds. We bring you the sounds of their final touring day recorded on site at Prospect Park in Reading. You'll hear the last tunes played on the Gavioli in the gallopers and an exclusive chat with Joby Carter to get his thoughts on the past and the future. Hear the history unfold in this special radio programme.
As the BBC celebrates 100 years of broadcasting, we’re filling Tuesday Night Live with TV theme tunes tonight. You’d be surprised how many have been done for the mechanical organ!Also more tracks from our instrument of the week - the stunning De Frei, a beautiful street organ built by Ap Knopper. Enjoy some wonderful music.
This week we showcased our instrument of the week - the McDonough 36 Ruth. Music arranger Mikey Mills lets us hear some of his work and tells us all about the instrument.Made in Waldkirch, now owned and restored by Gavin McDonough. A custom order for a man in America who owned a patent for mechanical figures on amusement rides, this truly rare and fantastic organ is one like none other!
It was a great shock for many enthusiasts to hear there will not be a Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2023 due to unpredictable costs in the current climate.
In this episode, James Dundon brings you a 'Dorset Organs Special' packed full of the iconic instruments past and present - from both Blandford and Stourpaine.
Read GDSF's full statement on their website. https://www.gdsf.co.uk/ We send our thanks to the Oliver family for organising a great event for many years and hope it continues to go from strength to strength in the future.
Tonight we look back on a superb Sunday at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, where they held their first organ festival.
The location is where they film the Repair Shop, and we caught a word with resident expert David Burville of D.R. Burville Organ Builders.
Also, hear four exclusive tracks of White’s Mamoth Gavioli on Tuesday Night Live tonight after its recent restoration by Meayers Organs.
Join James Dundon for another Tuesday Night Live.
With Paddington 2 capturing the hearts of the nation, it's only right we play some tracks from the instrument that featured in the movie.
Join James Dundon for another Tuesday Night Live.
On Tuesday Night Live, we mark the hottest day on record with some people (and an organ) that know how to handle the heat!
We'll bring you music from three groups that accompany their book playing instrument with some great salsa grooves!
- Ajo U Su Organo Oriental
- El Organo De Los Hermanos Ajo
- Remasterizado
We also have Leon from Perlee Draaiorgels telling us about the traditions of these instruments and hear the one from his collection. Hear the beautiful mechanical music from Cuba.
James will return with Tuesday Night Live in September.
Tuesday Night Live focusses on the instruments of the Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem tonight. Sjoerd Caspers joins James for a chat - and we've got some exclusive recordings of their new addition - De Lekkerkerker.
Glenn Thomas joined James on Tuesday Night Live tonight, to tell us all about the Waldkirch festival, which returned at the weekend after a 5 year break.
On tonight's show... - Marking the longest day with the longest piece of organ music ever punched onto card.
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Vivaldi's Four Seasons in concert on four different mechanical music instruments.
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In the middle of the train strikes, we bring you some train themed tunes!
Tonight, we have some exclusive recordings of the Ex-Bernard Broad Marenghi made by Meayers Organs.
Now owned by the Sleeman Family in Cornwall, it entertained thousands at the Royal Cornwall Show at the weekend.
Hear it playing at its best from 2100hrs BST on Tuesday Night Live. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
On the latest edition of Tuesday Night Live, James paid tribute to Asta Nielsen, an unjustly forgotten Danish silent movie actress who would have died 50 years ago this week. As well as playing the Waltz composed in her name, he filled the radio with an hour of the most beautiful waltzes. Listen again now by going to mechanicalmusicradio.com and click Tuesday Night Live.
Join the team as we look back at Sunday’s Diss Organ Festival with plenty of interviews and music from the event.
The programme for the Diss Organ Festival has been sent to the printers (and we have an exclusive copy!)
Tonight James has all the news about the organs that will appear at this Sunday’s event.
We also have some archive interviews done at previous events to bring you. All part of Tuesday Night Live from 9pm.
Tonight James is joined by organiser Jonny Ling. With just 12 days to go, until the Diss Organ Festival, we have big announcements about a number of instruments that will be seen in public for the first time in a while, plus news of a continental headliner!
We have a packed show of new recordings you won't have heard before, including the latest books from the Van Eijk family and their concert organ 'De Ruisdael'.
Also some exclusive music from the Johnny Claes collection in Belgium and a couple of tracks from Craig Robson's Fairground Follies collection near Sydney, Australia.
Fun and games with James. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
It was 60 years ago that Roger Burville first saw and heard the Kluisberg Mortier. Little did he know he would one day end up owning the organ!
He joins James as a special guest on Tuesday Night Live to recall some memories of the early days and how he and his friends came to tour the instrument far and wide.
Imagine playing the same organ for 53 days in a row, 8 hours a day! De Adriaen is back at Visit Keukenhof from tomorrow, for it’s 30th year as the resident organ. The instrument has just had a little releathering work to prepare it for its gruelling marathon ahead!
Sjoerd Caspers has kindly done three recordings of the instrument after completion, which we play tonight.
We wish the team good weather and many visitors! For more information: www.keukenhof.nl
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Some new archive recordings of the famous 98 Key Lythgoe Marenghi recorded in 1991.
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Changes to burning coal in Steam Engines with the The National Traction Engine Trust
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A tribute to a man who made a difference to the organ world. Tune in NOW. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
(PIc- Keith Pritchett)
Our special guest is Christian Cartwright from the Pipes In The Peaks collection in Ashbourne.
Learn all about the mechanical music within it's collection, plus its 'souped-up' Compton that contains some very interesting additions (including a Decap Herentals drum kit!)
On the latest Tuesday Night Live, we enjoyed music from Auke which is a 76 Key Verbeeck Concert Organ. In some exclusive recordings, we enjoyed what this super instrument is capable of.
Our EP45 comes from the Kunkelsorgel in the Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem. A superb recording.
Tonight on Tuesday Night Live, Bruce Newman joins us for a chat about his latest project, a replica Wurlitzer 165 Band Organ.
Here some exclusive recordings of this stunning new build instrument.
Tuesday Night Live is back tonight! In this new year, we’re going to delve into a collection of EP vinyl records that have been donated to the station by the late Austin Burgess.
Tonight we start with a very familiar instrument . Hear it played out live from the record player after 9pm tonight!
It’s Christmas Party time! Grab a festive drink and join us for a special Tuesday Night Live special.
Tonight's Tuesday Night Live, we continue the festive flavour. We have a couple of exclusive Christmas books recorded from the Amersham Fair Organ Museum's 89 Key Bailey Gavioli.
A bit of a different tripleplay tonight. The street organ built by Chris Chandler (now named the Texas Rose and touring with concert organ Whistling Dixie) was recorded back in the 90’s. Many have not heard this instrument play solo, so tune in and enjoy at 9pm
Tonight on Tuesday Night Live we preview three tracks from the brand new CD of The Gouwe - the 90 Key Carl Frei Street Organ.
Order your CD copy from Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem in NL or James Reid Mechanical Music in the UK.
All proceeds go to Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem.
In the final few moments of November, we step into Christmas with some of the new unheard festive tunes on mechanical music in 2021.
A real exclusive on the live show tonight. Never heard before recordings of the Cleethorpes Gavioli playing in 1966.
Also the current owner of the instrument, Roger Wiegand in the US, talks about it's history and restoration, and where he tours the Diamond Jubilee Fair Organ today.
Tonight, we hear recordings of the ex-Show Organ Society's 98 Key Gaudin captured in 1988 at Houghton Feast, with thanks to David Aldridge for raiding his archive!
We bring you a special hour to reflect and remember those who lost their lives and those affected by all wars, across the world.
We'll be hearing some beautiful and rousing music played on FAIRGROUND ORGANS and we'll be thinking about some of the people and companies involved with Mechanical Music, who lost their lives or livelihoods.
Pictured: Albert Chiappa. Older brother of organ builder and restorer Victor Chiappa, who lost his life in the Great War.
We're bringing you sounds of Teddy Reed's Sleighbell Marenghi recorded at Hinkley Point in 1979 courtesy of Karl Plastow's microphone.
Also the usual fun and games with James, play along with Connect Four and the One Second Song.
This Autumn, we've delved into an archive of recordings made by Karl Plastow at various events over the last 40 years. All of them captured on excellent equipment and really give the atmosphere of the rally field.
We started with the Dorset Phoenix at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in 1996, shortly after being rebuilt for George Brackstone to a 90 Key instrument.
We were very sad to hear that veteran showman and organ owner Bobby Rawlins has passed away. He was 92. Our presenter Paul Kirrage shared some memories of Bobby in a moving tribute.
The superb Weber Maesto Orchestrion in the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht. One of the biggest the firm had built. We enjoy some tracks and find out more about it's history. Join James Dundon from 9pm (2100hrs) at www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
After being tucked away in a shed since it was built, this 89 Key Whitehead Fairground Organ has made it's official public debut. It's new owner Ben Kellett talked about the journey from Shed to Southport!
- Also the Tuesday Talking Point: what does a Mechanical Organ smell of?!
Tonight, Jonathan Ling from The Grange Musical Collection talks about the recent additions, his ambitions for the future and this Sunday’s Fair Organ Day event.
We also had a Triple Play of the Newton family's 89 Key replica Marenghi.
And the MYSTERY NOISE WAS GUESSED!
Tonight we find out about this weekend’s event at Southport Pleasureland - the Festival of Fantastic Machines.
Two organs will be making their public appearance in the UK, including the 72Key A.Pluer Dutch Street Organ ‘Hooiwagen’
Be listening to Tuesday Night Live at 9pm and be there this weekend!
Southport Pleasureland Marine Drive Southport PR8 1RX
Tonight’s Tripleplay features De Hagenaar with contrasting tracks from the old LP Record and latest CD from 2018.
The Mystery Noise continues to puzzle.
Our Tuesday Talking Point is "what is your Winter project"
Tuesday Night Live is BACK! Join James Dundon at 2100hrs BST (9pm) every week.
We've got the return of the Mystery Noise, Connect Four, the Trippleplay and the One Second Song.
We'll be looking forward to Southport Pleasureland’s Festival of Fantastic Machines on the 25th & 26th September 2021.
On Tuesday Night Live, interviews and organs from the weekend’s Southern Counties Organ Festival.
Pour a cool drink and join us for some Summer sounds.
If you missed Tuesday Night Live, we brought you some exclusive recordings of the Ex. Whitelegg 89 key Marenghi. We also spoke to the firm behind the restoration of the organ; Kevin Meayers Organ Builders.
A trip to Thursford. As they open their doors for the first time this year, Jonathan Ling has been to record some interviews and instruments for us. Hear his reports on our live show.
If you missed Tuesday Night Live, James had exclusive recordings of the Byass Gavioli, digitised from cassette. It was recorded in 1983 by Huntcluff Recording Services in Saltburn-by-sea.
Also our Tuesday Talking Point was "The best food to eat when you're at a Steam Rally?" (see our facebook comments! Hilarious!)
Listen again by going to mechanicalmusicradio.com, click shows and TUESDAY NIGHT LIVE, or subscribe to us on your podcasts app, just search for Mechanical Music Radio.
James had another co-host. Our weekday Lunchtime presenter Ian Wolstenholme joined James and chose the 'Accordion Castle' for the Trippleplay. We showed how versatile the instrument really is!
Also we had some tracks from the 89 Key Marenghi of Frank Lythgoe, recorded in 1989 at a rally in Sunderland.
Listen again here, or subscribe to us on your podcasts app, just search for Mechanical Music Radio.
The theme on the live show is the Museum Speelklok, after they finally reopened during the week. Their first customer through the door received a free gift. Bless him!
Also we have a tripple play of the Jonas Gavioli, and lots of fun and games.
Tonight’s live show plays a track from every instrument in the Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem. Ahead is their reopening this coming Sunday 6th June, we hear from Sjoerd Caspers and friends!
Our presenter Mikey Mills has just visited this 1910 Ruth model 36-X.
Made in Waldkirch, Germany owned and restored by Gavin McDonough. A custom order for a man in America who owned a patent for mechanical figures on amusement rides, this truly rare and fantastic organ is one like none other!
Mikey co-hosted the Tuesday Night Live show with James, and gave us exclusive tracks from the instrument.
If you missed Tuesday Night Live, James Dundon bought you a virtual tour of the Scarborough Fair Collection, part of the flower of may holiday park.
They have set a reopening date for the 23rd of June. Every Wednesday it's a Tea Dance with Michael Carr at the Wurlitzer, and every Thursday, the Mechanical Organs are in play.
Our Trippleplay will be three from the Condor, a 100 Key Hooghys. We’ve digitised one of the classic records of the instrument and will play three contrasting pieces.
Also on the show, instruments from Mortier, Verbeeck, Marenghi, Decap, Leach, Bruder and more.
Earlier this week, we heard Nick Williams has acquired the ex-Day 89 key G4 Gavioli.
We’ve got an exclusive chat with Nick on the live show tonight, where he’ll tell you a little about it’s history, and his future plans to travel it.
James did a two hour live show for Twitter Steam Rally with loads of great Fairground Sounds.
Has anyone got this cassette at home in the drawer? Volume One of Preston’s Gavioliphone. It features on tonight's Trippleplay on the live show.
Who remembers visiting this museum?
We take a virtual trip to the ex-York Museum of Mechanical Music.
We've been given the master recordings from John Hulse from 1990 and we'll be playing a selection of instruments through the show.
A big announcement from James. You can now request your favourite tracks day and night. Listen for details.
Also Bill Nunn’s 81 Key Marenghi is our Trippleplay on the live show.
And the usual fun and games like the Connect Four and One Second Song.
Who would have believed we've been on air for 3 years this coming Thursday? Do you remember listening to the launch?
Why is a 72 Key Dutch Street Organ 80ft up in the air?
Also the Trippleplay from Kluisberg Mortier.
And, the strangest place you’ve slept on the rallyfield?
The Tuesday Talking Point is NOISE COMPLAINTS with plenty of stories involving the phrase "can you turn it down?!"
Someone get's their choice of three on the Jukebox.
Simon Loopstra's Mortier is our trippleplay (pictured)
So, again, it’s not possible to run the Dorset Steam Fair in 2021.
We did a live show that tried to take you there, playing some of the best Dorset Organs with the usual fun and games.
We had a big announcement about a new weekend presenter who is joining our line up!
Also the Trippleplay is from Teddy Reed’s Sleighbell Marenghi, and the Jukebox was chosen by someone seeking a BIG sound.
Go to mechanicalmusicradio.com and click Tuesday Night Live.
You can also subscribe to us on your podcast app, so you never miss an episode. Just search 'Mechanical Music Radio'
“What instrument would you want at your wedding?”
Valentines Day is just round the corner, so we’re thinking about romantic things. What grunter would welcome your guests?
Also we're playing three tracks from Dance Organ Marcel from the Thursford Collection.
James had to work, so recorded a special Tuesday Night NOTlive!
The Trippleplay is a big-un. Three tracks from the 125 Key Carl Frei from the Barth family.
Also the usual fun and games like Connect Four and the One Second Song!
It was cold and wet, but James went out to the shed to play Blawutje and took his recorder with him!
Tonight's Trippleplay was from the Utrect Museum, also James had a big announcement for those who struggle to sleep at night, or maybe live in a different timezone, as our overnight output changes for the good!
- The Jukebox features the Savin Rock Gavioli (pictured)
- The Tripple Play showcases three tracks from Dance organ Neptunus.
- The Connect Four will be out of this world! (Yes that’s a clue).
Exciting news! In 2021, we're bringing you a special weekly programme all about THEATRE ORGANS.
Such instruments have always been an important part of Mechanical Music collections around the world, and it's important we carry on a tradition of a Theatre Organ show, since 'The Organist Entertains' left BBC Radio Two's schedule.
The programme will be hosted by Damon Cox, Nigel Ogden and John Leeming, every Thursday night at 8pm (2000hrs GMT). This week, a special edition detailing the history of the pipe organ.
After a very difficult year, we celebrate making it through to Christmas with lots of festive tunes, fun and games.
Tonight, the live show will feature the belting little Marenghi in the Scarborough Fair Collection & Vintage Transport Museum.
Also the usual fun and games, and one listener gets their choice of three on the Jukebox.
Tonight on the live show, we’ve got a triple play from an instrument in the Museum Speelklok.
Also exclusive tracks from the new Christmas CD from the Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem.
Welcome to December. Lots of festive tunes. The ex-Lincoln Park Wurlitzer is our triple play star!
Also your choice on the Jukebox, connect four and more.
Tonight on our live show, the ‘tripple play’ comes from the Thursford Gondola's Organ.
Also the usual fun and games, and someone gets their choice of three on the Jukebox.
- A trippleplay of the Pijpenburger.
- Three really different Jukebox tracks.
- The world’s easiest Connect Four (maybe).
An organ named after 'Radio Veronica' after it was played on air. Maybe now we've featured it, we should change it's name again to 'De MechanicalMusicRadio'
Hear De Veronica on the Tripple Play, plus the usual fun and features, including a One Second Song NO ONE got correct!
Enjoy tracks old and new from Whites Mammoth Gavioli, plus the usual fun and games of the live show!
Congratulations to Barry Kirke for winning £135 on the Mystery Noise.
After 18 weeks and nearly a hundred wrong answers, we're delighted to see it gone!
Click to listen to the winning moment!
The star of tonight's live show is 'De Witte', a 90 Key Page & Howard Street Organ which now lives in the USA. (Picture from johnpage.co.uk).
We treat you to two stunning pieces, and give a little history of the organ. Both tracks are from a CD release by it's owner, John Ravert Snr.
Also we had a Mystery Noise winner!
We're hear from a lady whose doctorate in Music was based partly on studying early forms of mechanical music, such as this 1793 Haydn Organ Clock (pictured).
The Organiser of the East Yorkshire Organ Festival gives us some exclusive news about instruments attending, and how the event will be Covid safe.
We gave you your BIGGEST CHANCE YET to win the £100 Mystery Noise, and made it EVEN EASIER with a new clue.
Tonight's live show is staring this beautiful 61 Key Wilhelm Bruder in the Museum Speelklok, Utrecht.
We are treated to two specially composed fanfares, plus a couple of stunning concert pieces.
Also will we give away the £95 on the Mystery Noise!
Tonight, something a little different. We feature the Vicar who provided employment for old soldiers renovating barrel pianos.
Canon Wintle (pictured) produced 6 programmes for the Home Service in the 1950's. Tonight you’ll hear some bits from the archives.
Also off to 'Hollycombe Steam in the country' for a virtual organ festival.
We've got the fascinating story of the 'Cuban Organ' from the Perlee Draaiorgels collection.
Plus reaction at the Thursford Christmas Spectacular is cancelled.
And will the Mystery Noise finally go?
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We find out all about the Aalster Gavioli from Museum Speelklok.
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Edwin Thomas tells us about his 35 Key Limonaire
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£65 to win on the Mystery Noise!
Join us shortly from 9pm for the fun and games.
www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
-£60 jackpot on the Mystery Noise... and James has something you need to know. It will help you win the money!
-The TG Musical Collection confirm when you can see them on BBC 1's Bargain Hunt.
- TWO ORGAN EVENTS to tell you about. We thought 2020 was a write off, but there are still two places you can exhibit/ visit in August.
The Lekkerkerker gets the ‘now and then’ treatment. £55 to win on the Mystery Noise. And we explore Mechanical Music that was invented in the 1300’s; The Water Organ! (Pictured)
It's very rare to find Mechanical Music on Gramaphone records. Tonight we played an unidentified organ, which turned out to be Peter Wareing's 61 Key Verbeeck (pictured) which was recorded shortly after being built.
Also on the show, much excitement as we launched 'The Mechanical Music Mystery Noise'. Identify it and win cash, every Tuesday night!
Tonight, singer Aubrey Logan performs with Brice Dudouet’s hand turned organ.
Also detailing the registers of a Fair Organ, letting you hear the pipework, rank by rank.
Join us for the usual fun and games.
Find out about the stunning and unique ‘Double Ruth’ at the Museum Speelklok. Jan Kees tells us it’s history, and why it’s named the ‘double’.
Also how radio in Norfolk has been featuring Mechanical Music in a series of special programmes.
And the usual fun and games with the backwards book and our Connect Four.
Tonight, memories of Redruth May Fair in 1995 with some music from Anderton & Rowland's Grand Organ and some words from George Devey.
Also some more tracks from the Mechanical Music Archive, the Connect Four game and more!
The Backwards Book is our new TRICKY game. Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough!
Also we’ll be remembering the Diss Organ Festival, which would have happened a couple of days ago. Highlights of music boxes to concert organs.
We speak to the Meulkens family about Street Organ 'De Freie' (pictured)
And along side the usual games, we do something new... 'Backward Books'
We did an hour long special 'Virtual Vintage Rally' for VE Day, with the songs that won the war.
A packed live show.
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An exclusive announcement from the organiser of the #TwitterSteamRally - 9th May 2020.
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An exclusive CD release from Jerome Colloumb's Limonaire.
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Behind the scenes of the BBC's Bargain Hunt as they film at TG Musical Collection.
-The usual fun and games with the One Second Song and Connect Four.
We get the turntable fired up to bring you this very unusual jazzbandaphone.
Also Connect Four and the Virtual Vintage Rally!
Every night at 6pm, we do our 'Virtual Vintage Rally', and on the day the Great Dorset Steam Fair was postponed because of Covid-19, we did a special hour of Dorset Organs, past and present.
We spread a little joy. Loads of dedications and mentions for all around the world. Some top music played!
Our Steam Engine friends will be whistling every Thursday night at 8pm, as we clap for carers. Tune in live every week, open your windows and doors, and applaud those doing so much for our country.
Anthony Coulls was one of the people who created the 'Twitter Steam Rally' movement. 48 hours in, and the Facebook had 2000 people joining in! We spoke to him to find out what will 'virtually' happen on the 9th May.
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During these times of self isolation, one steam enthusiast has organised a ‘virtual steam rally’ that we’re all invited to! He joins us for a chat!
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Roger Burville pays a touching to an organ enthusiast that reached the grand age of 99.
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Finding out about Dance Organ Westfries speaking to Ash Lombers (pictured).
Great music. Ives Limonaire, The Westfries and The Weber Maesto play in the first bit.
Nick Williams (pictured) demonstrates his handturned Raffin.
Mechanical Music goes viral with the Mathis Brothers.
AND MORE!
James is currently working away in the Channel Islands, but he returned home for a weeks 'holiday' and did a Tuesday Night Live show.
-We speak to Jan Kees to find out all about the 105 key Carl Frei Concert Organ "De Schuyt".
- An organ in a dining room. (Everyone should have one!) Barnaby Newton’s 46 Key Limonaire.
-Play along with the old favourites, like the One Second Song and Connect Four.
Two hours of back to back Mechanical Music.
From mammoth orchestrions to unusual organs to... mechanical singing birds!
Listen again for two hours of quality music, chosen by our listeners.
We go behind the scenes at the world famous Perlee Draaiorgels in Amsterdam, to speak to Leon and hear Pipo.
It’s Sinterklaas in Holland this week. We hear a couple of medleys to get us in the mood.
Have you ever played a mechanical organ at a funeral?!
This week, countries around the world celebrate the start of the Christmas Season with Thanksgiving, so we give you an hour of American instruments and themes. Also joined by 21 year old Mikey Mills who talks about his website, and Glen Thomas is in the hustle and bustle of New York City.
-We go behind the scenes at the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht and hear all about the Golden Limonaire, one of the most played instruments during the daily tours.
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We hear music from a freshly digitised record entitled 'Music from the Magic Lantern' featuring some beautiful barrel instruments.
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We ask the question... "Should be play a Christmas song?!"
A behind the scenes tour of the new premises of Robin Hendriks.
Details of a Mechanical Music Holiday to the Scarborough Fair Collection.
www.mechanicalmusicradio.com
This episode is a bit of fun. Part of it is broadcast from James' lounge (for reasons that will become clear!) and we spoke to organ builder Allan Guest from Lancashire about his new Street Organ (pictured)
-The Raven family (including 15 year old William) chat about their new organ.
-An EXCLUSIVE announcement about the Diss Organ Festival, happening next May.
-A frustrating One Second Song!
We speak to the people involved in the new Mortier book (out now) Also a behind the scenes look at the Mortier in Utrecht.
It's a Street Organ Special! We celebrate Organ Grinder being officially recognised as part of the Dutch Culture, by grabbing word with a host of 'Draaiorgel Celebrities' including Hiddo Van Os and Rudd Breinen.
Also we preview a track rock band 'The Kik' have done that features a Street Organ.
Celebrating 50 years of the Draaiorgelmuseum Haarlem, with plenty of music from the collection, and we’re in conversation with world famous music arranger Jan Kees De Ruijter.
We’ve also got news of a brand new Sunday Night Show launching this weekend.
Our new show on a Thursday Night, with an hour of the best Fairground Organs from 2100hrs. Please note Fair Organ Thursday won't usually be available on Listen Again.
Autumn is full of some great events. We preview a couple of them tonight. Plus play along with our new game 'Connect Four'.
The Great Dorset Steam Fair Highlights Show. Hear all the key instruments on site, and plenty of conversation with the organ owners & builders.
James arrived back from Dorset just a couple of hours before we went live. Yes he'd lost his voice. It was just a simple show tonight with some great music and requests.
Our Tuesday Night show went on the road for the first time with exclusives from Mark Rawlins Replica and a track from the brand new Grand Organ CD.
Exclusive interviews and news about the 2019 show.
We find out about the Marenghi gathering which is set to be a big display of instruments and information marking 100 years since the passing of Charles Marenghi.
We also catch up with the team at Steam Fair FM to find out about the Mechanical Music reports they will be broadcasting to the tens of thousands of listeners.
-60 minutes of listener requests. - A festival craze that could come to Dorset Steam Fair. -Organs you've slept in the back of(!)
This week... Sounds from Hollycombe Steven Reed on the Electric Steam Whistle *The One Second Song
Tonight it was all about Summer events in England, America and the Netherlands.
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An exclusive announcement about an instrument thats attending the Great Dorset Steam Fair for the first time this year.
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Previewing the Musical Box Society International 44th Band Organ Rally which is happening this weekend.
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Sounds from an Organ Festival in the Netherlands. The 90key Carl Frei ‘De Gouwe’ from the Kunkels organ foundation was a special guest in Leeuwarden at the weekend where it used to play on the streets over 30 years ago. (Picture from Johnny Van Eyjk)
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A documentary from the Poldark Organ Festival 2018 which is happening again in Cornwall this weekend.
Summery sounds tonight on our request show, including these guys on percussion instruments, jamming with a book playing Fair Organ. It has to be heard to be believed!
This weeks live show...
-An Orchestrion on a ceiling.
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The One Second Song is something you'd do on a boat!
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The A&R Grand Organ recorded by the Gladiator Club in 1963.
LIVE FROM 21:00hrs TONIGHT! - We're off to Scotland and Kinloch Castle, for a tour of their Imhof Orchestrion. - With an impending heatwave, we get our Summer Playlist together. - The One Second Song is back! Tonight it's the easiest yet! AND MORE.
We had exclusive music from Thijs and the 'Fata Morgana' as he joins up for a chat about everything from Dutch Street Organs to cycling! Also the one second song returned, and we talked towing trailers.
We're back! After James moved house and changed jobs, life has been a little busy. We return with a request hour packed full of incredible sounds.
A hour long show all about Mechanical Music and Self Playing Instruments.
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The Folk singer who is touring with his 19th Century Polyphon (Pictured: www.lukedanielsmusic.com)
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A Mechanical Music 'Eurovision' Party is coming soon.
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The One Second Song gets tough!
60 minutes where every track was chosen by you, and we played a lot of unusual stuff.
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A superb Bango Orchestrion
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'Fur Elise' the musical box tune in swing style!
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The Grandson of Bernard True undertakes a 600 mile Steam Engine journey for charity. (Pictured, the bandmaster of the late Bernard True's Dean Organ)
On this week's Live Show...
The Street Organ that was packed into a KLM airline container and traveled the world (pictured).
The fete of the Notre Dame Cathedral Organ after this weeks devastating fire.
Game of Thrones, played on a Mechancial Organ!
The Englishman who toured a Luton Box Van of Mechanical Music.
and MORE!
We launched on the 1st April 2018. Several people thought it was an April Fools gag, but we're still going 365 days later!
Mechanical Music Radio is FREE to listen to, and always will be. I don’t want to charge listening subscriptions, as I want Mechanical Music to reach new audiences and bring happiness to all.
In our first year, i’ve chosen not to charge a penny to any business, individual or event wanting exposure. I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to be heard.
Launching the station has been an extremely expensive time for me. Now, a year on, i’m having to renew all the licences for the various computer software, plus PRS, PPL and other broadcasting licences I need to transmit.
If you appreciate the work Mechanical Music Radio does, please give us a donation as a little birthday present. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com.
Finally please keep spreading the word about us. There is no other place to hear this type of music 24 hours a day, and by providing this as a free service, I hope it will be of great benefit not just to the businesses and societies, but also to the future of the Mechanical Music scene.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Here’s to another year of great music.
James Dundon.
A special show celebrating the late George Cushing MBE, who founded the Thursford Collection in West Norfolk. George would have celebrated his 115th Birthday this week.
This episode featured all the instruments at Thursford, including rare recordings from Decca in the 1960's.
We heard Archive interviews from George Cushing, and his son John.
Resident Theatre Organist Robert Wolfe joined us on the phone for a chat.
And a special 'One Second Song' competition featuring a Thursford instrument.
We let you choose all the tracks for 60 minutes. It threw up a really interesting selection.
Freddy Mercury's 'We Will Rock You' drums layered over an Organ.
Celebrating the life of Carl Frei with his upcoming Birthday.
An incredible sounding Banjo Orchestra.
AND MORE.
On this week's Tuesday Night Live...
-Using Alexa from 2019, to power a Mills Violano from 1919.
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Celebrating 50 years of Decca Records with their Mechanical Music releases.
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Two clowns duet on a hand turned organ and a clarinet.
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Also, exclusive tracks from Norman Hobb’s Mortier, Brian Hunt’s Gosling and a Nichole Frere Musical Box from a private collection.
It's another Mechanical Music Radio exclusive!
The Anderton and Rowland Marenghi, as captured by Causeway Recordings in 1995, when under the Custodianship of Steve and Vicky Postlethwaite. In this episode, you hear the digital copy from the master disk, donated by John Hulse.
Only ever released on Cassette, so lovely to hear the organ in Stereo quality.
Also on this episode, the 'One Second Song' game, we do our new feature 'First Timers', and speak to Zara Dunford about the families 89 Key Gavioli.
It's a special music edition of Tuesday Night Live with the most iconic instruments on our playlist, and this show had ANOTHER Mechanical Music Radio EXCLUSIVE!
We had the master disk of the Jonas Gavioli, donated by PM Sound. This recording was made in 1998 and only ever released on cassette, so it's great to hear the organ in crystal clear quality through the CD.
Tuesday Night Live is ON tonight.
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A demonstation of all the registers and pipework on an 89 Key Gavioli.
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Johnny Ling of the Grange Musical Collection in Norfolk plays a charming Chiappa Barrel Organ (pictured).
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Banishing the winter blues by speaking to an organiser of an exciting event. Roll on the Summer!
Plus tracks from the John Hulse Archive, and win on the 'One Second Song' competition.
This is a packed episode!
- A Tribute to Dorothy Robinson as we hear some archive tracks of the families 89 Key Gavioli (Photo: Craig Bennett)
-David Dingwall from the St Albans Organ Museum near London talks about their recent 'brush with royalty', and brings us some exclusive music from their newly restored Decap 'Jeanneke'
-More about the 'Pianola In Primetime' event with recordings from the rehearsals.
-We've made the 'One Second Song' even easier! Play along for fun.
Listen again to our latest edition of Tuesday Night Live.
- The Organ everyone has been waiting to hear! The replica Gavioli from the Newton family.
- Max Lakeman about taking Mechanical Music to the mainstream.
- Your chance to WIN with the One Second Song competition. -More unheard tracks from the John Hulse archive.
60 minutes worth of music and entertainment for the Mechanical Music world!
On this weeks show.
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Herbert Epton’s 89 Key Marenghi recorded at Stourpane Bushes in 1978.
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22 year old Sander Seleski talks about new MIDI systems he’s developing.
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A live demonstration of all the stops found on an Aeolian Orchestrelle at 'Smithysville!' (Picture: Andrew Smith)
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The John Hulse Archive brings us more forgotten instruments.