Cuban Organ Sounds from Holland

Robbie Rhodes was very enthusiastic about a musical saw performance, in
his comment on Tim Trager's subject "Orchestrions With Animated Musical
Novelties" (990822 MMD).  I think that he and many other MMD-readers
will be surprised to learn that there is a recording of a musical saw
in perfect harmony with a mechanical organ !

Recently in Holland a very special CD was issued: "The Cuban --
Musical Adventures with a Street Organ".  We hear a 35-key Verbeeck
organ, accompanied by percussion, vocals and several other instruments
(trumpet, alto saxophone, sousaphone and double bass).

On this CD the Verbeeck organ plays a bolero-cha, titled "Je t'ai vu
passer" (composition: E. Lecuona/d'Arnaiz Dayra) in combination with
a singing saw (Sandvik, model Stradivarius).  This really is a great
experience!  The saw is played by Gert-Jan Blom, a Dutch talent on
vaudeville music, who was also responsible for the production of the
two CDs "The Beau Hunks Play the Original Laurel & Hardy Music".

The trio "Dansorgel de Cubaan" was founded by Jaap de Kwaasteniet of
Amsterdam in 1991.  The ensemble was based on the traditions of the
Cuban barrel organ.  Years of experience as a percussionist, combined
with his extensive collection of authentic Caribbean music provided
Jaap de Kwaasteniet with a readily available source of inspiration.

The barrel organ provides the opportunity par excellence for combining
old traditional tunes and the latest hits.  This means that "De Cubaan"
also has the ingredients (including mambo, son, bolero, merengue, and
chachacha) which make up the sauce which currently goes by the name
of "Salsa".

The CD is a fascinating musical journey throughout the Caribbean re-
gion.  We hear 20 swinging tunes -- e.g., the well-known "Mambo Nr. 5"
by Perez Prado -- all played by the Verbeeck organ and the ensemble.

The recording and production was made by Channel Classics Records (the
CD number is CCS 15098).  This company also does the distribution of
this CD in the USA and many other countries.  They also offer an MP3
audio sample, but it did not work on my computer.  More information can
be found on their web site; click to "New releases" for details on the
CD.  Under "Distribution" you will find the addresses where the CD can
be ordered.

  http://www.channelclassics.com/
  http://www.channelclassics.com/newrel/nrCCS%2015098.html
  http://www.channelclassics.com/diversen/distrib.htm

"Dansorgel de Cubaan" can also be found on:

  http://www.primateria.nl/cubaan

No, I am not commercially involved with this CD (I only have arranged
some of the organ books), but I can recommend it to every MMD-reader
who likes "something completely different".  %-)

Musical regards from Holland,

Tom Meijer