Steam Calliope on the NATCHEZ 18

[@runner0075]

This is the unique instrument in the whole world that sounds happy and sad together at the same moment.

[@robwilkes3351]

The fun part about it is the fact that the Natchez is a steam powered paddle boat, so the steam for the organ is literally excess energy from the boilers.

[@runner0075]

@@robwilkes3351 mine was more an aesthetic evaluation. There are instruments with an inner sadness by their own, other sound always happy and joyful. This is happy and sad at the same moment. Like an hamburger with honey.

[@robwilkes3351]

@@runner0075 Hamburgers are happy all by themselves, especially with cheese. Anyway, you misunderstood the meaning of "fun" fact. I just meant it was an interesting thing to know.

[@JonathansImprovements]

Also sounds dangerous

[@lynnohl2526]

Imagine how the calliope could be used to start a trend of steam-punk rock.

[@davewoolford6641]

That tune 'Whispering' always reminds me of breaking up with my first girlfriend a long, long time ago. A sad and beautiful tune.

[@StrMinneHaHa]

Yes, a sad and beautiful tune indeed!

[@Spooky304]

"Be still, for there is strange music."

[@Xx_Eric_was_Here_xX]

sounds so dreamy and nostalgic.. for some reason these old steam organs make the boats sound like little lost children

[@CivilDefenseEngineer]

Probably because of the movie Pinocchio.

[@Tigersguy]

Rode on this around 2010 my mom moved from Michigan to New Orleans from what she read in a book inspired her. She knew a musician that played in the bass band on board. He walked us on before the regular people boarded and we got a tour of the boat it was really neat. I was surprised how hastily it was and what a quick turn they make and all the musicians just lean a little lol. I will never forget that and how kind the people were when she passed. What a great town ❤

[@MrJimbru]

Very interesting and a rare treat! Your Mom & bro would be proud of you! Calliope needs a few notes tuned - just like an old pipe organ I saw on Sunday. Thanks for sharing.

[@StrMinneHaHa]

Thank you :) This is an old video, but yeah, a couple of whistles could currently use some tweaking.

[@palref]

Even if you get 'em all perfectly in tune, the minute that hot steam hits them, they won't stay in tune.

[@xmagsmarie]

I’m visiting NOLA and got to hear this beautiful and unique sound coming across the French quarter.. I am learnt..😊

[@rayinpau.s.a.6351]

My Mother (born 1929) always admired the Music of a Calliope . Primitive and quaint . Enjoyable sound and light display !

[@redeagle5813]

I need this on a 10 hour loop so i can imagine Chillen in Old Algiers point eating a Opelousas snowball on a hot summer mornings 🥰

[@Mr.Harland91]

3:29 🎶 Oh when the blues go marching in, Oh when the blues go marching in, oh I want to be in that number, Oh when the blues go marching in 🎶

[@ivanthevaluable2559]

*SAINTS* go marching in

[@Mr.Harland91]

@@ivanthevaluable2559 Blues go marching in screw the saints

[@ivanthevaluable2559]

@@Mr.Harland91 .

[@lullyoliva8602]

Always makes my heart sad and so happy at the same time…..❤😂😢

[@jayepride98]

The tuning issues make it sound creepy as hell

[@HaddaClu]

Most of that tuning seems to be due to the boiler not being able supply the required amount of steam for the calliope to play. The rest of the issues seem to have to do with the mic not being set up correctly to capture the sound.

[@jessegoldman4272]

​@HaddaClu it's just because steam is very unpredictable - temperature and pressure fluctuates constantly especially with calliopes, greatly effecting pitch and note quality. The temperature and brass makeup of the chimes matters a lot as well. Compressed air fixes most of these issues but you don't get the visual effects.

[@rainbowrailroadcrossing7798]

The beginning is me coming out of quarantine

[@lukuscarter3563]

After hearing about the "Eastland", which was a tragedy. It had a calliope, I wanted to hear what it sounded like. And I found yours sir, The Natchez. I appreciate you taking the time to keep up the equipment and to record it for us all to hear. Otherwise none of us would of got to hear what people heard 100 years ago.

[@StrMinneHaHa]

Thank you very much for the compliment :)

[@israpianoman]

I'm here for the same reason

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

That's a fancy tea kettle

[@calliopist]

Boy, your "Whispering" was FANTASTIC! Just like the Good Doctor, but it's definitely your own too!

[@riverexplorer]

What a grey ol day that was! Bet you had crowds on the decks of the cruise ships looking at the beautiful NATCHEZ, though!

[@nedmarc]

Such a good video on so many levels. Thanks for creating and posting.

[@echoecho3108]

Beautiful! Thank you, kind sir, for sharing your gift with the world. Calliope always takes me back. Thanx so much for the music, magic and memories. (edit bc my stupidphone doesn't know how to spell. 🙄 😊 )

[@Tomi.762]

Gonna install this on a train for shits and giggles

[@kylemccourt663]

You need to do that! I have been thinking it for years! How could no one have done it?

[@cleannewyork]

Oh and nice playing too! Sounds real good.LOVE IT!

[@Keith-nm3uf]

You hit it out of the park Matt.

[@andrewrobles3888]

Oh my I love these songs much I even recognize them hehe

[@Grampsrn]

The tuning depended on steam pressure. The bass notes use more pressure as does holding 2 or more notes for a long time. The lowered pressures cause the notes to "sag" or go flat.😊

[@TheDeathWillCome2012]

The Steam Calliope would be Perfect for Hockey. It would of been cool if The St.Louis Blues used one, it would fit the team perfectly.

[@ZAV1944]

Steam Power rocks.

[@corniss]

Aww. So precious. I love it.

[@WestWalesFarmBoy]

love all the stream funnelling out, very steam punk

[@ashscott6068]

Oof. Can they not be tuned? It sounds like I'm about to be murdered by an evil clown. I love it!

[@billymanners9629]

Not really, the pitch depends on the steam temperature, which varies wildly depending on exactly what's going on in the boiler, so they're always a little out of tune

[@TomAZ1984]

This sounds like it would be playing in a scary old time radio play

[@JohnPiperBoots]

Amazing and very beautiful thank you! :)

[@Keith-nm3uf]

The natchez calliope is my favorite

[@GTech-nz7xp]

This is Anastasia's favorite steam calliope

[@kurtak9452]

I love that!

[@jamesanthony8438]

... It's like y'all crawled into my skull and plugged into the music that's always echoing in there. =)

[@obliviousfafnir01]

This particular calliope always sounds slightly out of tune to me.

[@StrMinneHaHa]

No steam calliope is ever perfectly in tune. Too many variables: weather that day, wind, hot steam and sometimes cold whistles. Sure, a couple of whistles could be tweaked, but this instrument is actually one of the best tuned steam calliopes out there :)

[@kylemccourt663]

It kills me when I hear people say this while walking down Decatur. I'm like look at the big picture, people!

[@cak6831]

But that's why it's SO GUD

[@monkeyman8393]

@@StrMinneHaHa that’s so interesting

[@runner0075]

You can try to invite the best clarinet player to play in tune on a ship deck in the middle of a big river, in a cold foggy day. He will not nor a single note.

[@Keith-nm3uf]

The Saints got their name from this song.

[@joanbarrett8254]

I love calliope music .

[@thelastwildcolonialboy3667]

I think you'd better contact Tom Waits. He'd definitely appreciate your antique noise machine and your talents

[@Guitcad1]

Oh man, that thing needs tuning, *_real_* bad!

[@LegoWormNoah101]

Song begins at 1:37

[@XianKai]

What a cool job!

[@-CT-SODBUSTER]

Cruise ship; my whistle is louder and it's based on modern technology Riverboat; yeah, but mine Plays songs and entertains passengers & spectators Cruise ship; WTF???!!!

[@runawaysmudger7181]

I mean...when you're doing 10 knots average that's the kind of entertainment you're gonna need tho

[@Remibiggestfan]

Modern cruise ships have horns tho not whistles

[@ivanthevaluable2559]

Technically a calliope is not the main whistle of a steamboat. It is merely there to play music and entertain all near the boat, not to serve as a warning device.

[@josephastier7421]

Damn near impossible to tune one of those things, so they never are. Especially at the higher frequencies.

[@robertjonasson2527]

Needs steam pressure regulation and a good tuning!

[@cleannewyork]

Awesome video! You sure know how to take em!

[@barzoly]

I know it’s music for kids but it’s freaky as hell

[@danielmkubacki]

Well done.

[@lycanrocdusk848]

1:04 there's the valor

[@DanielFCutter]

It sounds disturbing with the wavering sometimes bubbling notes. Creepy.

[@matiasgrimoure4533]

Love it. What is the name of the first tune you play? Its stucked in my head

[@bobprochko832]

"Whispering". The Paul Whiteman Orchestra made the definitive hit recording of the song for Victor in '21.

[@palref]

@@bobprochko832 "Whispering" on a roaring calliope is funny in itself!

[@rayc.8555]

This is so cool.

[@edward002gaming]

Sound good but lil bit harsh

[@StrMinneHaHa]

The mic on the camera wasn't good, and I didn't have a tripod, so I just put the camera on the console. Still a neat angle to see the instrument, especially with the boat being underway and turning around :)

[@noreason2701]

Steam calliopes are always out of tune. The heat and rapid cooling makes it impossible to tune them properly. It's just part of their character.

[@thatonecaledonian812]

what song is the 1st one?

[@StrMinneHaHa]

The first song is called, "Whispering".

[@williamhasselbach1037]

As Jethro’s violin teacher told him, it’s called tuning up you oaf.

[@tommywallbanger]

Sounds EErie

[@VELOC113]

What's the second song, I keep thinking that's it's called "when the band comes marching in" but I cant fond much when I look it up.

[@StrMinneHaHa]

The first song is "Whispering" and the second song is "When The Saints Go Marching In".

[@ThatUtahRailfan]

what's the first song?

[@StrMinneHaHa]

"Whispering"

[@Cardinal421]

faster faster

[@davidstringer6395]

What was the first piece?

[@echoecho3108]

Whispering. First recorded by Paul Whiteman Orchestra, in 1920s, I think.

[@ВадимМаракулин-з8с]

пароходная каллирпа!

[@AGldmn]

Because it's so whacky.

[@adeisidaemon]

jesus christ the state of it