Mechanical Music Radio

Do you remember tuning in SEVEN YEARS AGO to hear the launch of Mechanical Music Radio? Our first song was 'Entry of the Gladiators'. I must admit, it's been quite the ride! Thank you to the team of presenters - past and present - who dial in every week to do a show voluntarily. Also, thanks to you, the listener, for your unwavering loyalty to one of the more unique radio stations on the planet! Tonight, we celebrate together at 2100hrs BST. Join us for a special Tuesday Night Live. Do join us.

Join James for some new recordings of the legendary Dutch Street Organ Veronica. Plus that 'Mystery Noise' from the organ builders workshop is still causing some head-scratching! Also the backwards book returns. Can you identify it? Listen back to our fully live and interactive show.

Banishing those winter blues, we're filling this live show with the best rallyscene instruments. Also, can we solve the Mystery Noise recorded in the organ builders workshop? Plus play the One Second Song and Connect Four.

Then & now. An opportunity to appreciate just how well White's Mammoth Gavioli is currently playing. Tonight on Tuesday Night Live, you'll hear the same arrangement played 60 years apart. The famous Decca LP of 1964, followed by an up-to-date recording in 2024. Join us for our White's Gavioli special from 2100hrs (9pm UK time). It's the last Tuesday Night Live before our Summer break, so make sure you tune in. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com

It's been 15 years since the legendary notary Albert Decap passed away. Tonight at 2100hrs BST, a Tuesday Night Live special. Enthusiast Peter Craig joins James to tell us a little more about Albert's achievements and we'll let you hear some examples of his varied arranging style.

Join Johnny Claes for an hour of Albert Decap arrangements on the world's finest Dance Organs. Johnny has plenty of history in terms of instruments and music, and, of course, Albert Decap, who died 15 years ago this May. We pay tribute to his wonderful music with a programme packed full. TRACKLIST 121 KEY DECAP ANTWERP 'METRO' - LES MILLIONS D'ARLEQUIN 84 KEY MORTIER 'VENUS DE MILO' - ALS HET WEER LENTE IS 92 KEY DECAP 'CRAIG COLLECTION' - BABY LOVER 121 KEY DECAP 'FRANGEMA' - DENISE 121 KEY MORTIER 'DE NACHTEGAAL' - INCH ALLAH 121 KEY DANCE ORGAN 'DE MEERMIN' - EEN VIOOL IN DE NACHT 105 KEY 'DECAP SOUND' - SON OF MY FATHER 92 KEY DECAP 'JEANNEKE' - PLAY A SIMPLE MELODY 121 KEY DANCE ORGAN 'DE MEERMIN' - VIVA LA MAMMA 105 KEY DECAP 'DANCING EUROPA' - L'AMOUR EST BLEU 68 KEY DECAP 'LUCY' - BANANA BOAT SONG 84 KEY MORTIER 'BRABANCON' - LES ENFANTS DU PIRÉE 105 KEY SEMI-ELECTRONIC 'METROPOOL' - MUSETTE WALTZ 92 KEY DECAP 'MUSEUM SPEELKLOK' - BUNGALOW FOX 121 KEY DECAP 'ENGLAND'S PRIDE' - PEPPERMINT TWIST 105 KEY FORTIER FLAMINGO - ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI 121 KEY DANCE ORGAN 'DE MEERMIN' - CALCUTTA LIEGT AM GANGES & PAPER ROSES 105 KEY 'A DECAP SOUND' - JACK IN THE BOX 121 KEY DECAP 'GOLIATH' - SHAME & SCANDAL IN THE FAMILY 92 KEY DECAP 'DE VLINDER' - CRIONOLLES 95 KEY BURSENS 'ST ALBANS ORGAN MUSEUM' - LUCKY LIPS

Tuesday Night Live tonight will be filled with instruments that have attended Trevithick Day over the 40 years. We'll be celebrating the great Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick, who built the first ever steam locomotive and changed the world forever. Hear all about this replica engine, and meet the 26-year-old who has just followed in Trevithick's footsteps to research about the great man. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com at 2100hrs tonight.

On Tuesday Night Live tonight, we take you on a tour of the collection of the late Bill Nunn. His friend Dick Lokemoen restored many of the instruments you hear, and Dick will be our special guest talking us through the instruments and sharing his memories of Bill. Plus, a special tribute to Carl Frei on his 140th birthday - and music from the St Albans Organ Museum ahead of the MOOS AGM.

Tonight's Tuesday Night Live takes you behind the scenes at the Scarborough Fair Collection & Vintage Transport Museum as they reopen for the 2024 season to big crowds (pictured just last weekend). We have some exclusively recorded tracks from Condor, The Oktoberfest and Accordion Castle to bring you tonight.

On tonight's Tuesday Night Live, we find out all about the new partnership between the Nederlands Boekorgel Centrum and Decap Herentals, as they launch a new range of tiny dance organs with a big sound. This 2m by 1.5m instrument can sound like a full sized Dance Organ. Hiddo Van Os (pictured) joins us on the show to tell us more.

A special Wednesday Night Live show. After Cornwall's St Piran's Day yesterday, we thought we'd treat you to some archive recordings of Paul Corin's Magnificent Music Machines. The collection was a must-visit attraction in Cornwall for over 40 years. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com (Pictured the 92 key Decap thanks to Michael Morris).

Lincoln Rally calls it a day. After 38 years, the committee say the event will 'bow out', blaming increasing costs and health and safety changes, saying the event is getting 'harder and harder to organise'. Join us for a special Tuesday Night Live with all Lincoln Organs and Fairground Sounds.

On Tuesday Night Live tonight, some wonderful music from the Ex-Margaret Cook Ruth, as the much-admired organ finds a new home in the United States. Bill Hall has added it to his collection and tells us it will give its debut performance at the combined COAA and MBSI meeting on the 1st March.

On Tuesday Night Live tonight, we're celebrating some beautiful barrel instruments. We're off to the collection of Keith Hilson and Richard Kerridge. Keith, as a boy, used to get in trouble with his aunt when he went out on the streets of London and helped the men with the barrel piano. Some lovely stories and sounds of a bygone era will fill the show. We've also got the return of the Backwards Book, and have a go at Connect Four!

A show full of Christmas greetings, festive music and play along with our new game - Bits and Pieces!

In this episode, hear tracks from some brand new CD recordings released by the Draaiorgel Museum in Haarlem. It's a good stocking filler idea that raises money for the foundation. Sjoerd Caspers from the museum will tell us about the latest happenings in the collection. To order, please email Sjoerd on museumpenningmeester@gmail.com

Tonight on Tuesday Night Live, we're joined by woodcarver, restorer and president of the COAA, Bob Yorburg for an interesting chat about his work. Pictured is the Edgerton Gavioli which was carved by Bob.

The Amersham Fair Organ Museum begin their winter open days this weekend and have made some new recordings of their instruments, just for you lucky listeners of Mechanical Music Radio! ​They hold a series of six open days over the autumn – spring period, as detailed below – 11:00 – 17:00, parking & admission free: 5th November 2023 3rd December 2023 14th January 2024 11th February 2024 17th March 2024 ​14th April 2024 See their website on https://afom.org.uk/

On Tuesday Night Live, American organ builder Bruce Newman joins us to chat about his latest work, a Decap Antwerp Fair Organ 'De Nachtegaal'. The Nightingale' is now back in the Collectors Museum in San Rafael, CA and playing most days. Hear all about it. Also October means OKTOBERFEST! On Tuesday Night Live, we have some exclusive audio from the “Oide Wiesn" event, which features traditional fairground rides and organs.

It's always exciting when an organ appears again after many years away. The 91 Key Dance Organ "Neptunus", formerly owned by the late Pete Watts, has made its first public appearance in 20 years. It is now owned by Robert Harris, and it was a thrill for many enthusiasts to see the instrument again at Fair Organ Day at The Grange Musical Collection on Sunday - and it played far better than anyone expected after two decades away. Robert Harris joins James on Tuesday Night Live to have a chat about his future plans for the instrument.

A special programme about the paintwork of organ fronts. We are joined for a chat by Pieter van Aken, who was commissioned to restore the front of the Lekkerkerker - our instrument of the week - several years ago. Pieter talks about the time and preparation it takes - and the satisfaction of a properly restored organ front.

It's quite rare to get a new Fair Organ on the scene. Tonight, Nick Williams is on Tuesday Night Live telling James about his latest acquisition - this compact yet full-sounding instrument.

You'll hear an hour of organs recorded on the field and plenty of chat with the owners who proudly presented them. A special look back at the 2019 GDSF. It'll really make you feel like you are there!

Missing the Great Dorset Steam Fair. Here is a five hour playlist of instruments that have famously appeared at the event over the years, interspersed with sound effects we've recorded at GDSF. You can catch Fairground Sounds live every night at 6pm or listen again on our website and on your Podcasts app.

An hour of instruments that have been on the Great Dorset Steam Fair field through the years, plus some interviews from the archives we've done with organ owners at Blandford Forum. GDSF is immortalised for your pleasure right here! www.mechanicalmusicradio.com

The Oktoberfest as you've never heard it before. On Tuesday Night Live, we treat you to a set of recordings made of the 97 Key Voigt played on paper roll. Expect well-known classics which bring out a very different side to this organ.

Organ builder Kevin Meayers joins us to talk about the recent restoration work on White's Gavioli, and we'll let you hear some exclusive new recordings.

A Tuesday Night Live exclusive. Terry and Sandra Sleeman have four new CD recordings now available of the Ex-Jennings Marenghi. For details of the new CD releases, email mechmusicradio@outlook.com

In this episode, we feature what is possibly one of the most played organs in the country! The Dean Organ in the Brighton Beach Gallopers, owned by Owen Smith, regularly plays up to 12 hours a day through the season. We have a couple of recordings of it (without the perspex covers) and the story of how it turned out to be a very different instrument from the one originally commissioned by the late Dave Corbin. Richard Dean from Dean Organ Builders is our guest at 2100hrs (9pm). www.mechanicalmusicradio.com

A special programme about the Southern Counties Organ Festival which returns this weekend on Devizes Green. We have a packed hour of interviews and music, and the usual games such as Connect Four and the One Second Song.

Join us for a special Tuesday Night Live tonight with organ builder David Burville from The Repair Shop. He was behind the application to get mechanical organ building listed as an endangered craft, which should open up some exciting opportunities and interest. Of course, while he's on, we asked him a few questions about the filming of the hit BBC One television show too! Read more about the Heritage Crafts listing here: https://heritagecrafts.org.uk/mechanical-organ-making/

James is joined by Nick Williams who will tell us about this new and promising event which will take place this weekend—the Shrewsbury Mechanical Organ Festival.

We bring you some sounds we recorded at the MOOS AGM at the premises of Anthony Cowell, including the reappearance of Carl Frei Organ “De Ocher” after more than 20 years tucked away in storage.

Established 1st April 2018. Thank you for listening. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com Join James for a special Tuesday Night Live marking five years of radio broadcasting. Please, if you value the service we provide and want us to survive, set up a monthly payment - or donate as a one-off birthday gift. Click here: https://bit.ly/mmradio-support

It's Tuesday Night Live tonight. A tour around the Rogers Collection in Cornwall - the venue for this year's 2023 FOPS AGM. Tune in to hear all about the collection and visiting organs tonight from 2100hrs BST.

Tuesday Night Live is back at 9pm (2100hrs GMT). Tonight we have a special programme about the Dingles Fairground Museum. James went to meet trustee Guy Belshaw for an update on the exhibits, including their recent addition - The Anderton and Rowland Grand Organ.

Tuesday Night Live is back at 9pm (2100hrs GMT). Tonight we have a special programme about the Dingles Fairground Museum. James went to meet trustee Guy Belshaw for an update on the exhibits, including their recent addition - The Anderton and Rowland Grand Organ.

Organ builder Allan Guest joins us on Tuesday Night Live to speak about recent work undertaken on the Lythgoe 98 Key Marenghi - and how there are plans for it to be seen in public again this year. Lots of previously unheard audio of the Lythgoe 98 Key Marenghi from down through the years, plus our instrument of the week De Jupiter has some new tracks too.

Vader's Model 39 plays three very different arrangements. Details of the Mechanical Organ Owners Society AGM. Fun and games with the One Second Song and Connect Four. www.mechanicalmusicradio.com

Johnny Van Eijk joins us to chat about their concert organ, 'De Ruisdael' - our instrument of the week. Lots of memories of his grandfather Jan Van Eijk and the history of the family business.

Presenter Paul Kirrage is joined by well known mechanical organ builder and music arranger Kevin Meayers to pay tribute to the pioneering mechanical organ preservationist Ted Reed who passed away earlier this week at the age of 96. Paul and Kevin will take a look back at the life of this modest and unassuming gentleman of the fair organ world and discuss the legacy he has left for us all to enjoy as well as playing tracks from several of the instruments from his collection at Amersham.

Enjoy an hour of wonderful Christmas tunes you know and a few you might be surprised to hear on mechanical instruments.

Tonight, we bring you a mini documentary about organ building. 'Pipe Dreams' was made by student Claire Blann, covering many different aspects of the trade of organ building, past present and future. We bring you a flavour of the documentary which features Repair Shop expert David Burville to your radio.

The Thursford Christmas Spectacular began its 82 show run today with a packed audience enjoying a show that encorporates the Gondola Ride and the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. Hear all about it on Tuesday Night Live.

This programme is a Carters Steam Fair special, celebrating 45 years of one of the world's biggest touring vintage Fairgrounds. We bring you the sounds of their final touring day recorded on site at Prospect Park in Reading. You'll hear the last tunes played on the Gavioli in the gallopers and an exclusive chat with Joby Carter to get his thoughts on the past and the future. Hear the history unfold in this special radio programme.

As the BBC celebrates 100 years of broadcasting, we're filling Tuesday Night Live with TV theme tunes tonight. You'd be surprised how many have been done for the mechanical organ! Also more tracks from our instrument of the week - the stunning De Frei, a beautiful street organ built by Ap Knopper. Enjoy some wonderful music.

This week we showcased our instrument of the week - the McDonough 36 Ruth. Music arranger Mikey Mills lets us hear some of his work and tells us all about the instrument. Made in Waldkirch, now owned and restored by Gavin McDonough. A custom order for a man in America who owned a patent for mechanical figures on amusement rides, this truly rare and fantastic organ is one like none other!

It was a great shock for many enthusiasts to hear there will not be a Great Dorset Steam Fair in 2023 due to unpredictable costs in the current climate. In this episode, James Dundon brings you a 'Dorset Organs Special' packed full of the iconic instruments past and present - from both Blandford and Stourpaine. Read GDSF's full statement on their website. https://www.gdsf.co.uk/ We send our thanks to the Oliver family for organising a great event for many years and hope it continues to go from strength to strength in the future.

Tonight we look back on a superb Sunday at the Weald and Downland Living Museum, where they held their first organ festival. The location is where they film the Repair Shop, and we caught a word with resident expert David Burville of D.R. Burville Organ Builders. Also, hear four exclusive tracks of White's Mamoth Gavioli on Tuesday Night Live tonight after its recent restoration by Meayers Organs. Join James Dundon for another Tuesday Night Live.

With Paddington 2 capturing the hearts of the nation, it's only right we play some tracks from the instrument that featured in the movie. Join James Dundon for another Tuesday Night Live.

On Tuesday Night Live, we mark the hottest day on record with some people (and an organ) that know how to handle the heat! We'll bring you music from three groups that accompany their book playing instrument with some great salsa grooves! - Ajo U Su Organo Oriental - El Organo De Los Hermanos Ajo - Remasterizado We also have Leon from Perlee Draaiorgels telling us about the traditions of these instruments and hear the one from his collection. Hear the beautiful mechanical music from Cuba. James will return with Tuesday Night Live in September.