The Polyphon Musical Box - Music Box Dancer
released on LP in 1985
In 1885, Mr. Ellis Parr of London, England, invented a musical box that operated with flat steel discs instead of a cylinder. The difference was obvious - a cylinder could play only a severely limited programme whilst the Polyphon (as it was known) was only limited by the amount of discs available. The instrument featured in this album was made in Leipzig in 1899. After years of neglect, it has been expertly restored by Keith Harding in his famous London Workshops. (from the liner notes)
Tracklisting:
Side A
1. La Paloma (The Dove) {3:30}
2. I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen {1:48}
3. The Magic Flute: Glockenspiel and Slave Dance {3:19}
4. I'll Be Your Sweetheart {1:41}
5. Trobatore Miserere {3:23}
Side B
1. The Honey Suckle and the Bee {1:42}
2. Mignon Polonaise {3:25}
3. Mandolinata {3:31}
4. Jewel Song from Faust {1:45}
5. O Rest in the Lord {1:41}
6. Music Box Dancer {2:11}
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wowza. thanks
ReplyDeleteIt's a joy having your postings again, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe last track is fairly modern -- 1974, I think. Did they cut a new disk for it?
ReplyDelete"Music Box Dancer" by Frank Mills came out in 1978. I read somewhere that it placed as high as #3 on the Billboard charts in America. I do remember hearing that schmaltzy tune since it was played often on the radio when I was a kid. I think I may have even enjoyed it. Anyway there really wasn't much info provided on the music box album, but I assume they did cut a new disk for the song.
ReplyDeletejust found your blog, and like what I see so far.
ReplyDeletedon't know but you might find a few things of interest on mine, but worth a shot.
http://uuhngschpugg.blogspot.com/
hey grey calx, long time no see! one for your files:
ReplyDeletehttp://slothyspigeonshit.blogspot.com/2009/09/fairground-fantasia-in-stereo.html
-psb
It's great to have the music box recordings, especially the classical/opera sort. There's something that pleases me in seeing how tiny a piece written for large forces can become!
ReplyDeleteThe "Music Box Dancer" track is a fraud, though, with a completely different sound than the genuine Polyphon recordings. It sounds like it was recorded on a synthesizer using whatever bell-like setting was available in 1985. It's amusing, at least, and played in a very mechanical way by whoever did it.
I'm surprised, though, that they didn't simply have a modern disk of the piece to resort to. Disks and disk players are still made, and a piece like this almost certainly has been put on one. The place I used to work had modern disk players with disks that are still being cranked out somewhere.
Anyway, thanks for the download. I'm glad to have this to listen to.
Thank You!
ReplyDeletemercimerci
ReplyDeleteYes, your music box stuff is priceless and amazing. But this link is muerte. If you could re-post at some future date I would appreciate mucho.
ReplyDeleteAny chance of a re-up for this? I'd be super-pumped - I love music boxes and metal music discs.
ReplyDelete