JAV Recordings' "1929 Skinner Organ-Opus 783 Residence Player Organ
at Elm Court, Butler, PA", a 2-CD set with exceptional 64-page
accompanying booklet, is an automatic musical instrument enthusiast's
super-production.  The program is very enjoyable to listen to and it's
loaded with every kind of production-value: flawless performance of the
E. M. Skinner full-automatic reproducing pipe organ (which is in tune),
contrasting performances by the gifted organist Ken Cowan, excellent
program notes by Skinner authority Rollin Smith, and a solid
description of the Skinner player mechanism proper.  Nelson Barden
contributed "Recording Skinner Organ Rolls."

Despite the fact that Ernest M. Skinner lived long enough to see his
ideas about pipe organ construction fall out of favor, today, intact
Skinner pipe organs are highly regarded by pipe organ enthusiasts for
their "orchestral" pipe ranks.  This JAV set of 2 CDs provides ample
evidence of why aficionados speak so highly of Ernest Skinner's
instruments.

The accompanying 64-page booklet reveals that a great deal of work went
into the rebuilding of this 15-rank 1929 Skinner Reproducing Pipe Organ
and its extensive player equipment by the firm of A. Thompson-Allen
Company of New Haven, CT.

No less impressive is the quality of the recordings with exceptional
bass resonance, even at low listening levels.

Having some familiarity with E. M. Skinner's semi-automatic organ
rolls, which formed the basis of the Aeolian-Hammond player organs
library, I was impressed with the organ rolls selected for these two
CDs.  Of course, hearing them played on an authentic pipe organ makes a
great difference in the musicality.  I'll admit that there are several
instances on these CDs where melody and accompaniment lose their
respective relationships.  Yet, even these few slips are educational
for the careful listener.

Even after only one listening, it's plain that Joseph A. Vitacco III
of JAV Recordings has created a superb program that functions on many
different levels and sets a new standard for automatic musical
instrument recording.

Best wishes,

Bob Baker