Big Bertha Band Organ

Big Bertha Band Organ - Big Bertha Band Organ

released on LP

This great Band Organ was made in the late 1800's. Originally the big wheel operating the machine was turned by hand, but early in the 1900's the machine was changed over to operate by an electric motor. At this time, the exact identity of the maker is not certain, but we have been told that it is a Limonaire, made in France. In the early days, the organ played from cardboard books of music but now it plays from an 82 key North Tonawanda paper roll. Used along with two other big band organs on a huge handcarved Carousel in an amusement park in Grand Rapids, Michigan for years, it was later moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama and stored in a shed. Paul Eakins purchased two of the organs in August 1963, the third organ having been purchased by a gentleman who operates an amusement park in Iowa. Big Bertha, as this lovely Band Organ is now called, was the most dilapidated of the three machines. Over 2500 man hours were spent from August 1963 to June 1966 completely restoring it. Big Bertha gets its name from the lovely female Director who stands in front and directs as any band or orchestra leader does, using a baton. When she turns her head to the left, she lowers her left arm. When she looks straight forward again, she raises her left arm. The baton is held in the right hand. On each side of Big Bertha is a bell-ringer. One is a lovely girl and the other a strikingly handsome man. This great organ plays 369 pipes, bass drum, snare drum, two bells, and cymbal. The hand-carved embellishments are beautiful - the golden colored tassels that dangle like real ones, the figurehead on top resembling Columbus, the highly decorative newel posts, the ferocious looking gargoyle, along with the other elaborately carved parts, are all examples of the highly specialized art of wood-carving. The three figures on the front look like real people and are beautifully proportioned. All three organs that were on the old carousel are now owned by Paul Eakins. Since they are all completely different in sound, albums on the others will follow as soon as they are restored. (from the liner notes)

Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. Colonel Bogey {2:44}

2. When It's Springtime in the Rockies {3:33}

3. The Stein Song {2:51}

4. My Melancholy Baby {2:44}

5. Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella {2:24}

6. Away Down South in Heaven {2:10}

Side 2

1. All By Myself in the Moonlight {2:15}

2. I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream {2:53}

3. Skaters Waltz {6:20}

4. Wedding Bells are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine {2:17}

5. Queen City {2:26}

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