Tim Baxter and Meliora Music Rolls just did all connoisseurs of loud,
fast and stupid music a great service by re-cutting Automatic Music
Roll Company's "G-783", "All Hit Review By Request". This is among the
hottest rolls ever perforated. Incredibly, to the best of our knowledge,
it has never before been re-cut.

For those of you who loved the old Musical Museum in Deansboro, New
York, this is the roll that was on their "KT Special". I am sure that
there are others out there, like me, who played this roll through many
times at the museum, yet never tired of it.

The tune selections are great, the arrangements are fantastic, and the
drum tracks are outstanding (see notes under "Red Hot Henry Brown",
below). Here is what you get:

1. Novelty Rag: G-783 leaps out of the gate with a rollicking rag! From
the opening phrase, you can tell that you're in for something good.

2. Steppin' in Society: This is probably the best song on an all-around
superb roll. It's a barn-burner. Mechanical music at its best. Worth the
cost of admission.

3. Wonder Why I Love You: Okay, it's a waltz, but it's a nice full
arrangement. (And it's the only waltz on the roll.)

4. When My Sugar Walks Down the Street: A terrific, bouncy arrangement
of a very happy song.

5. Alabamy Bound: Those of you who love hot music are probably fans of
Fletcher Henderson, the trailblazing (and much under-appreciated) big
band leader who recorded some of the hottest music ever put to record.
Well, this version of "Alabamy Bound" manages to out-swing Fletcher's
version -- which is not easily done!

6. Red Hot Henry Brown: This tune shows off the brilliant drum arranging
on G-783. The QRS 88-note version of this song, on which this tune is
based, is not exactly memorable. But the drum tracks bring it to life,
elevating it to a smokin' hot delight!

7. Red Hot Blues: Appropriately named. Hot and low-down.

8. Smile All the While: A pleasant tune arranged so that it keeps
evolving, and getting better, all the way to the end.

9. Don't Bring Lulu: A crackerjack arrangement of one of the best
novelty songs of all time.

10. Fascinating Rhythm: What better way to end a great roll than with
a masterful arrangement of a Gershwin classic?

I think that Clark had to transition to those asbestos boxes upon
issuing this roll!

If you have a "G" roll machine, you will want this roll (I ordered
two copies).

Kudos to Tim Baxter for making this treasure available to all of us!

Happy Holidays!
Tom Chase