My dad grew up in Stepney , before the war (Skidmore street ). His house backed on the the barrel organ workshop ……. They could be hired , people would hire them , earn a few Bob cranking the handle playing tunes . On the proceeds they would get drunk and stagger off home and forget the barrel organ , the owner then had to retrieve it Sunday morning back of the yard the cart would be full of recovered barrel organs !
When I was a kid in 1950's Bermondsey South London I remember these barrel organs - we used to get them played for us regularly in the streets - some people back then didn't even have radios; my Nan used to dance to these barrel organs in Victorian London when she was a child; times have changed but the music still remains I guess - at least I hope so. Thank you for putting this video on RUclips. So many memories.
Thanks for sharing this unusual recording of what is correctly known as a street barrel piano. These are wonderful instruments, and unusual to find a contemporary recording of one. There are still a few around in private collections. Barrel organs did and do exist too, but they are different instruments, using pipes sounded by air to provide the sound, rather than a piano action. The "barrel" part refers to the revolving wooden drum inside, driven by the grinding wheel and studded with pins. The pins move mechanical fingers called "keys" which do the same job as the keys on a piano, when a note is required, the key moves and the action strikes the hammer against the string. Shame the recording is undated, nice to hear though :)
MELODIES: 0:03 Knees up mother Brown. 1:30 Here's to Good Old Beer. 2:10 O du lieber Augustin. -folk song, before 1820. 2:51 Funiculi funicula= Funicoli funicola/ Jammo Jammo/ Mit dir allein = Mit dir vereint mit dir allein/ Some say the world is made for fun and frolic/ На качелях [Napolitan. - Luigi Denza (1846-1922). 3:53 Tesoro mio / my treasure. - Ernesto Becucci [1845 - Firenze, 1905)
This is a Barrel Piano - Unfortunately in the UK this instrument seems to have been erroneously called a barrel organ - I do not know why but perhaps it was because people could not really tell the significant difference or because of a possible similar appearance. On another point a "Regal" is a pipe organ with short resonator reed pipes. However in this instance I think it it is the 78 RPM record label!
Spanish Barrel Piano is what I was told Today . I was shown a Monkey organ he said it was last played in England in 1975 , Jeff replaced the pins and it sounded great . Search Barrel Organ Phil and you will see a 2013 video " Vintage organ Phil " . It is the very same Machine but has been restored . I listened to and saw it Today .
My dad grew up in Stepney , before the war (Skidmore street ). His house backed on the the barrel organ workshop ……. They could be hired , people would hire them , earn a few Bob cranking the handle playing tunes . On the proceeds they would get drunk and stagger off home and forget the barrel organ , the owner then had to retrieve it Sunday morning back of the yard the cart would be full of recovered barrel organs !
Brilliant!
When I was a kid in 1950's Bermondsey South London I remember these barrel organs - we used to get them played for us regularly in the streets - some people back then didn't even have radios; my Nan used to dance to these barrel organs in Victorian London when she was a child; times have changed but the music still remains I guess - at least I hope so. Thank you for putting this video on RUclips. So many memories.
Fantastic bring them back
Excelent I like tune plays after 2,10 min very catchy 150+ likes the old music was the best
Lovely sound of times gone forever on London stress. A man and his wife in the photo hoping to make a few coppers.
Thanks for sharing this unusual recording of what is correctly known as a street barrel piano. These are wonderful instruments, and unusual to find a contemporary recording of one. There are still a few around in private collections. Barrel organs did and do exist too, but they are different instruments, using pipes sounded by air to provide the sound, rather than a piano action. The "barrel" part refers to the revolving wooden drum inside, driven by the grinding wheel and studded with pins. The pins move mechanical fingers called "keys" which do the same job as the keys on a piano, when a note is required, the key moves and the action strikes the hammer against the string. Shame the recording is undated, nice to hear though :)
According to the discogs site the date is 1931. Hope that helps.
I had this very disc!
So cool to find this! I have this very 78!
So have I, but it's in storage.
I’m the only one listening in 2021 as a history task about Italians
Yes. So tell us more please.
MELODIES: 0:03 Knees up mother Brown. 1:30 Here's to Good Old Beer.
2:10 O du lieber Augustin. -folk song, before 1820.
2:51 Funiculi funicula= Funicoli funicola/ Jammo Jammo/ Mit dir allein = Mit dir vereint mit dir allein/ Some say the world is made for fun and frolic/ На качелях [Napolitan. - Luigi Denza (1846-1922).
3:53 Tesoro mio / my treasure. - Ernesto Becucci [1845 - Firenze, 1905)
Thank you!
This is a Barrel Piano - Unfortunately in the UK this instrument seems to have been erroneously called a barrel organ - I do not know why but perhaps it was because people could not really tell the significant difference or because of a possible similar appearance. On another point a "Regal" is a pipe organ with short resonator reed pipes. However in this instance I think it it is the 78 RPM record label!
Spanish Barrel Piano is what I was told Today . I was shown a Monkey organ he said it was last played in England in 1975 , Jeff replaced the pins and it sounded great . Search Barrel Organ Phil and you will see a 2013 video " Vintage organ Phil " . It is the very same Machine but has been restored . I listened to and saw it Today .
Kind of sounds like Chico Marx. Wonder if he was inspired by these in old NYC?
❤❤
Where can I go to sell my antique barrel organ.
How much are you wanting may I ask?
Found on the discogs site
www.discogs.com/Unknown-Artist-Street-Barrel-Organ/release/5396688
👍😀
opps type .. Streets