Are the old automatic Music machines better than new ones, or stereos?

The questions posed by Tony Decap in today's MMD are ones I wish were
raised much more frequently in MMD.  Having been involved with
automatic musical instruments for the past 35 years, I would like to
respond to these questions.

Because I have not heard any "new" automatic musical instruments of the
kind which Tony referred to, I cannot say whether new ones are better
than authentic "old" ones.  So far, well-restored authentic old
automatic original coin-pianos seem far superior to MIDI-controlled
modern pianos.  The mechanical pumps and especially the "A" and "O"
roll arrangements are more interesting to me than the majority of songs
available on solenoid-operated player pianos.  Authentic, restored
automatic pipe organs (cafe/dance organs, military band organs),
MIDI-controlled or not, are more or less enjoyable depending upon the
specific song and the arranger's skills.

Some of the European arrangers of cafe/dance organs of the 1920's and
1930's profiled in "Het Pierement" were masters of their art.  Current
arrangements done by such contemporary artists as Tom Meijer and Jan
Kees de Ruyter and others are magnificent, too!

I have heard two modern, small street organs built by Johnny Verbeeck,
and they are very enjoyable to listen to.  Great arrangements, even on
smaller automatic organs, are essential, in my opinion.

Hypothetically, if modern technology were capable of creating early
jazz of the kind heard on more and more niche CDs via mechanical music,
that would be ideal.  Despite incredible developments in MIDI-controlled
multitimbral synthesizers and very sophisticated MIDI samplers, they
all still use speakers and lose the immediacy and "presence" that one
is struck by in live performances by live musicians on real acoustic
instruments.  Listen to Vince Giordano's Nighthawks Orchestra play
"Royal Garden Blues" and you'll discover that even the most expensive
surround-sound systems (and, alas, even $650,000.00 Mortier cafe
organs) cannot even approach the ultimate jazz experience.  Regrettably,
very few of us ever have the chance to hear good musicians play early
jazz.

If we focus instead on automatic music for its own sake, in my opinion,
it all depends on what one likes to hear.  If Tony Decap and his
associates succeed in recreating Bix Beiderbecke cornet solos using
MIDI technology, more power to them!  I would venture that there are
many mechanical music devotees who would just as well enjoy a solid "A"
roll tune played on a well-restored Cremona coin-piano.  It's all a
matter of taste!

Regards,
Bob Baker