121 key Decap dance organ "England's Pride" - April 2024

[@bietebouwer]

0:00 Marjolaine 47:52 Kili watch Fantastic recording!

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Thanks very much Bjorn!

[@boblloyd75]

Very Happy to find this and an Organization that helps cherish and preserves these instruments from the past.

[@Vrolijkemuzikant]

Great! Thanks a lot!

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Thank you!

[@PeterMackett]

01:16 :26 is also called "Twistin' the Twist" The only reason the glockenspiel never played for years is because it hadn't been connected up! A guest appearance by me at the end, lol!

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

David told me that the tube had sort of twisted itself round in a knot, but either way it's great to see it playing again.

[@orchestrophone]

Maria from Bahia and Mélodie d'Amour : arranger Urbain Van Wichelen. Source : The sound of England's Pride, 121 Decap, cassette audio, Copyright 1979.

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Interesting, I never knew any cassettes of this organ had been produced apart from the 2 LPs released in the 1960s and 70s.

[@orchestrophone]

@@MechanicalMusicTravels Merci. Il est écrit :"Recording First Issued 1966. Re-issued on cassette 1979. Produced ST. Albans musical museum society, ST. Albans organ Museum. Side one 1.St. Albans March arr. E. Peersman (Excellente marche) 2.Foxtrots Bona sera, Pepe, C'est magnifique : arr. U. Van Wichelen 3 Tangos The Elephant Tango arr. U. Van Wichelen The magic Tango arr. M. Bartier 4.Sambas Maria van Bahia arr. U. van Wichelen Daddies going to Cuba arr. A. Decap 5 Waltzes Valse à Moulin arr. A. Decap Look another Innn arr. L. Somers Side Two 1.March Potpourri Wat zyt ge sehoon, Sante, Sante, Colonel Bogey, Carnival in Rio, arr. A. Decap 2 Swing Medley Kinep Boogie arr. U. Van Wichelen Rock around the clock arr. Teugels Tiger Rock arr. A. Decap 3 Rumbas Melodie d'amour arr. U. Van Wichelen The Calypso rumba arr. A. Decap 4. Overture The Thieving Magpie arr. E. Peersman

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

@@orchestrophone Ahh I see, so it sounds like it's a re-issue of the 1st LP.

[@orchestrophone]

@@MechanicalMusicTravels Oui, la cassette correspond à un enregistrement de 1966. L'histoire de l'orgue y est présentée : "Appropriately named "England's Pride" by the Belgians, this magnificent 121 key DECAP orchestral dance organ takes pride of place at Mr. C. H. Hart's Organ Museum at St. Alban. Speedily built by the Cecap Bothers at Antwerp in the first year of the last war, it was delivered to its Belgian owner, on schedule, before Easter of 1940. Alas, the Dark Schadow which was stalking across Europe relagated entertainment ti the memory and the organ becam silent. As the prospect of gayer times became apparent the bright lights reappeared ; and so did the organ. It was brought out of retirement, renamed "Nethe" and installed by its new owner in a Boutersem dancehall-to the delight of thousands of service stationed in the vicinity. The final phase of "Nethe's" undulated life in Belgium was confined occasional fairground performances until, fortunately for Bristish enthusiasts, this almost forgotten. Decap organ was discovered by Mr. Hart during one of his visits to the Continent. Recognising the potential of this versatile giant, he arranged for those experts of mechanical organ restoration, Oscar and Leonard Grymonprez to purshase the instrument for the the St. Albans Organ Museum. An unusual feature of Decap is the second counter melody section which is additional to the melody, counter melody, accompaniment, bass and percussion departments. And in true Continental style the accordion is frequently featured solo as well as in unisson with other stop combinations. Many famous masters of mechanical-pneumatic organ music among them Scholaert, Peersman and Prinsen, have contributed to the library of perforated music books for Decap. Indeed, "The St. Albans march" was specially composed and cut by Eugène Peersman for its British debut which illustrate the comprehensive orchestral character of the instrument. This cassette exemplifies the capability of the 121-Key Decap Organ to reproduce faithful interpretation within the extensive classics-to-jazz range, and will perhaps encourage greater interest in these grand mechanical organ. G.G."

[@musicmachinesuk]

Great video Lucas, I've got the tape of England's Pride and LP of it on CD (and also the CD which features all of instruments in collection plus the two theatre organs). It's the 1st time I've heard the 1812 Overture on a Decap before.

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Thanks Ben, I also have the 1970's LP of it but not the 1st one that was made in the 1960's! I think 1812 Overture was arranged by Keith Pinner.

[@PeterMackett]

@@MechanicalMusicTravels Ken Slow arranged it.

[@orchestrophone]

01:01:57 : The Calypso Rumba, arrangement Albert Decap.

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Merci beaucoup!

[@HarryYT22]

I like No Ho L’Eta! Famous Eurovision tune!

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Indeed, it's a Eurovision classic! :)

[@jorybennett5932]

You can hear the glock in 'Letkiss'.

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Indeed - it's a good piece that particularly seems to showcase it.

[@betsyh1437]

@khmam - this is great

[@perleeman]

22:08 Si Jamais (arranger Arthur Prinsen).

[@MechanicalMusicTravels]

Thanks David! 😊

[@elfurrohetero3518]

I can now know why is this the "Egnland's Pride"

[@wilcovanthillo7402]

The organ is in good condition but the people that take care of the maintenance should fix the Tremelo, it goes way too fast and that’s why all registers sound out of tune with play in combination with the Tremelo. If they fix that jou should be amazed bij the sound that comes out of the Jazz-flute and Vibraton. Good luck with it and keep going it’s sound great and will be super when the fix that 😉🥳

[@carsten4594]

All Decap organs I have heard sound like this. I think it is by design.

[@121omePiet]

47:33 Kili watch

[@SintBernard68]

47:33 = Killi Watch

[@SintBernard68]

Nr 1 = Marjoleintje