Beer Barrel Polka [Import]

1. Annaleisa

2. There's A Tavern In Town

3. She's Too Fat Polka

4. La Campagnola

5. Hoop De Doo Polka

6. Clarinet Polka

7. Zillertaller Polka

8. Happy For Me Polka

9. Herz Schmerz Rad'l Doa

10. Deer Barrel Polka/Pennsylvania Polka/Pretty Maid

11. Happy Wanderer

12. Julid Polka

13. Alpen Boarischer

14. Lichtensteiner Polka

15. Timpel Boarischer

16. Amboss Polka

17. Tiroler Hut

18. Ziga Zaga Polka

Tracks:

A Smile Will Go A Long, Long Way
The Petite Waltz
Die Regimentskinder
With The Wind and Rain In Your Hair
Nights Of Gladness
Espanita Waltz
Three Little Fishes
Scatter Brain
Beer Barrel Polka
Over The Top
Royal Trumpeters
Say It Again
Georgia On My mind
After the Ball
Unter Dem Siegesbanner
Just A Gigolo
The Sidewalks of New York
Deep Purple
Liberty Bell
Trisch-Trasch
The Kings Horses and The Kings Men
Sweet Rosie O' Grady
The Carousel Waltz (Recorded on Moving Carousel)

Album Description

More marches, waltzes, and fox trots in this recording of the New Verbeeck Band Organ at Seabreeze Park in Upstate New York. On a hill above scenic Lake Ontario, the music of the band organ can be heard on the breezes drifting over the blue water. Twenty-three tunes bring back the sounds of summer from Seabreeze Park - the whirling carousel and prancing horses spin around to the music of childhood, and this fabulous recording captures the wonderful memories. Grab the popcorn, and come for a ride! This completely digital recording is crystal clear and an oversized insert includes pictures and fond memories of Merrick Price - to whom the album is dedicated. The last song was recorded on the carousel while it was moving - an innovative idea that captures the sensation of really being on the ride is enhanced by wearing headphones. This piece of Americana in music - a must for the audio collector, carousel enthusiast, or fan of mechanical music, is a one-of-a-kind gift item.

Customer Reviews:

carousel.......2007-01-03

Carousel Memories does not have the luster that I had expected. The music is not as clear as I would have liked, however, it does have some good qualities that make it worth while to listen.

The Ideal Merry-Go-Round.......2005-07-18

This is a recording by and for merry-go-round lovers. It assembles 23 tracks of mostly characteristic carousel music, played upon a newly constructed band organ handmade by Belgian Johnny Verbeeck to replicate the old Wurlitzer 165 destroyed by a fire around 1995. The fire also claimed most of the carousel itself, which was rebuilt using some restored parts from the original (PTC#36). The recording site is Seabreeze Park on Lake Ontario in upper New York.

In another review I mentioned that that CD offered a partial and rather idealized carousel experience, for it could only provide the sound, and that sound was much more refined and free of ambient noise than would be encountered during an actual carousel ride. That comment applies as well to this recording, and perhaps more so, for the band organ in a typical operating carousel never sounded so good as the one here. This instrument has a remarkably lovely, sweet tone and, being brand new, is in perfect condition. The rolls used were obtained from no less a source than the Library of Congress, and represent a very choice selection.

The music itself includes mostly waltzes, marches, polkas, and one-time popular songs, such as Beer Barrel Polka, Sweet Rosie O'Grady, Liberty Bell, and Scatter-Brain. Less to be expected, but supremely apt, is the fine waltz from Richard Rodger's overture to the musical show Carousel. This last was experimentally recorded on the moving carousel, and thus provides an especially realistic auditory image.

For merry-go-round and band organ enthusiasts this recording might well occupy a place of honor in their CD collection. For those who desire a more realistic, though less ideal, recording I would recommend the old 1973 Takoma Records release "Last Chance on the Merry-Go-Round" (# A 1038), which I believe is no longer in the catalog. (Takoma Records was acquired in 1995 by Fantasy Records.) My personal copy of A 1038 is an LP, and I suspect no CD version was ever released. That recording was made at the carousel on the pier at Santa Monica, California, shortly before the pier was to be demolished. (Thus the title of the recording.) Since it was made while the carousel was actually in operation, the sounds of bystanders and children, along with the carousel drive motor are included. I don't know what ever became of that carousel or its band organ, but would guess they were moved to some collection somewhere. In any case, I have fond memories of wandering along the pier on a fine Saturday afternoon and watching and listening to the carousel and its excited young customers.

Average customer rating:

The essence of a great entertainer catpured.

At The Hollywood Bowl + Encore

Manufacturer: Collectables
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Live in London
16 Biggest Hits

ASIN: B00005Y8VW
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Tracks:

I'll Be Right Back
Alouette - Liberace, George Liberace, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Theme and Welcome Back
Gershwin Medley: Rhapsody in Blue/Embraceable You/Love Walked ...
Hillbilly Music
Hey Liberace
Intro
Liberace Boogie
Intro
Rosary
George and His Hot Fiddle
Sweet Sue, Just You
How About Another One?
Tea for Two
Sometimes I'm Ashamed to Take the Money
Alexander's Ragtime Band/Old Folks at Home
Taking Requests
Hollywood Bowl Concerto: Jalousie (Jealousy)/Star Dust/Walkin' My Baby
Closing Theme and Good Night

Album Description

2 CD set includes-At The Hollywood Bowl & Hollywood Bowl Encore. These two albums comprise a memorable 1954 performance including, for the first time, the entire concert, complete with Liberace's colorful monologues. Highlights include 'Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)', 'Bumble Boogie' and 'Twelfth Street Rag'. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

The essence of a great entertainer catpured........2004-05-03

Liberace was a great showman and entertainer. This double CD is the best record of his classic act and demonstrates what Liberace was all about. Although recorded in 1954 the sound quality is fine and many of the elements from that period remained part of Liberace's act over more than 30 years. Interestingly - he was not yet using "I'll Be Seeing You" as his exit music. If there is anything you like about Liberace - get this CD.
NB Amazon (on 2/5/04) was only listing the tracks on the second CD.

Average customer rating:

This Merry-Go-Round Doesn't Break Down!
Saluting the Wurlitzer 165
A must-have for anyone who loves band organs!
For certain ambient moods....
The happiest music on earth!

Catch the Brass Ring

Manufacturer: Klavier
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

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Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Catch Another Brass Ring (Nostalgic Carousel Music)
Carousel Memories

ASIN: B00000DUWQ
Release Date: 1987-01-01

Tracks:

Alexander's Ragtime Band
Beside a Babbling Brook
You Gotta See Mamma Every Night
Old Reliable March
Missouri Waltz
Beer Barrel Polka
Yes, We have no Bananas
Barney Google
Boston Commandery March
When My sugar Walks Down the Street
Oh Katherina
Paddlin' Madeline Home
Always
Alley Cat
Doo Wacka Doo
King of the Air March
Show Me the Way to Go Home
I Love My Baby, By Baby Loves Me
Me and My Shadow
Louise
American Patrol (March)
All Alone
Bye Bye Blackbird
The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down
Agravatin'Papa
Yes sir That's my Baby
Roses From the South
Ja Da
Heaven's Artillery March
Waltz
Goodnite Waltz

Album Description

Old-fashioned Merry-Go-Round music including favorites such as "The Beer Barrel Polka", "Bye-Bye Blackbird", "The Missouri Waltz" and 28 others.

Customer Reviews:

This Merry-Go-Round Doesn't Break Down!.......2005-04-12

Since several other reviewers have given very good descriptions of this CD, I won't re-hash here, but simply say I agree with what they've said. I will add my two cents on a few points not mentioned, though.

Since the Wurlitzer 165 band organ upon which these musical selections are played is in such good condition, we get a musically idealized version of what we once heard at the merry-go-round. The sonic reality often was quite a bit less, with imperfectly working instruments and the sound of the drive motor as it pumped away to turn the carousel, not to mention the noise of the crowd and the children shouting and squealing. This is no criticism of the CD, though, since it only purports to present the music; it would take a lot more than a CD to present a realistic facsimile of the total experience.

The liner notes are brief, but provide some interesting background on the origin of carousels and the words themselves. I think the writer, Tupper L. Turner, deserves credit for his/her efforts.

I was surprised to see Track #30 listed as "Waltz (Title unknown)" when opera lovers will immediately recognize it as two tunes from Verdi's opera "Il Trovatore" (The Troubadour). The first tune is the soprano/tenor duet in the Miserere scene of Act IV; the second is the baritone aria "Il balen del suo sorriso." In any case, neither is a waltz proper, for both are in 6/8, not 3/4 time.

The selection of tunes, of course, depends on availability of the paper rolls which encoded them. I liked most of the tunes, familiar and otherwise, pretty well, and with 31 tracks there's quite a bit of all kinds there, including "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down."

Overall, then, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the CD and the appropriateness of its content. There are several other CDs of this nature available, I know, but I'm not familiar enough with them to offer any comparisons. I just know that I like this one and am happy to have it in my collection. And I suspect that little children will love it!

Saluting the Wurlitzer 165.......2004-12-30

It's a toughie reviewing this album - I don't know quite how to rate it for the everyday listener, seeing as how band organ music is definitely an acquired taste. However, that said, if you happen to be a band organ nut, you're in for a treat with this CD. It's about as good as it gets.

Kudos to Klavier records for making a recording of this wonderful Wurlitzer 165 band organ - it sounds like a dream, and has transferred relatively well to CD format. My only complaint is that the glockenspiel sounds rather abrasive, and gets really grating when recorded onto a cassette tape. Otherwise, the album is pristine.

The tunes featured are all classic band organ offerings, and the rolls used are in splendid shape. The organ's mechanism performs beautifully - whatever "prominent Midwestern collection", as the liner notes read, it comes from is taking very good care of it.

Basically, this, alongside its sister album "Catch Another Brass Ring", stands as an ideal representation of what a Wurlitzer 165 should sound like. Band organ lovers will adore it. The average Joe? Hard to say...but it's certainly worth a try.

A must-have for anyone who loves band organs!.......2003-05-17

This is the real thing,not some [poor],boring pipe organ imitation.You'll feel like you're really at the fair again when you listen to this CD!

For certain ambient moods...........2002-10-13

Play this CD on a system in another room, at low volume, for that ineffable feeling that there's a tumble-down old-fashioned trolley park just over the next hill.

The happiest music on earth!.......2002-09-17

This is the perfect antidote for the blues! It is absolutely impossible to feel down once you begin listening to this CD! I use it to give me a lift whenever I need it. I DARE you to not giggle with glee upon pressing the "play" button! If you have fond remembrances of carousel music as a child, you will get goosebumps and feel warm and fuzzy all at once when you listen to this! Why take anti-depressant drugs when you can cure the blahs quickly and naturally with this CD? An exceptionally clear recording, I bumped it down to four stars ONLY because I liked the musical selection slightly better on their follow-up album, "Catch Another Brass Ring."

Average customer rating:

Liberace and the Lond

Manufacturer: Entree (Soh)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

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16 Biggest Hits
The Best of Liberace

ASIN: B0000695V1
Release Date: 2002-06-05

Tracks:

Classic Concertos: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat/Hungarian ...
Chopsticks
Die Fledermaus
Strauss Medley: Also Sprach Zarathustra (Opening Fanfare)/The Blue ...
Gershwin Medley: Rhapsody in Blue/Embraceable You/Swanee/The Man I ...
I'll Be Seeing You

Tracks:

Mexican Fanfare: Spanish Eyes/La Paloma/Mexican Hat Dance
Fire Dance
Stardust
Chopin Medley: Nocturne in E Flat
Chopin Medley: Minute Waltz
Chopin Medley: Polonaise in a Flat
Chopin Medley: Claire de Lune
Cats Clown Medley: Memory/Send in the Clowns
New York, New York
As Long as He Needs Me
Chariots of Fire
Chopin Nocturne in E Flat
Boogie Woogie
You Made Me Love You
Beer Barrel Polka

Average customer rating:

The World of Liberace:Moon River

Manufacturer: Trace
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000B23QXK

Product Description

Contains a wide variety of styles of music by Liberace. Import from Canada. Includes 10 tracks as follows. 1.Moon River 2.Suite: Judy Blue Eyes 3.Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Minor 4.Clair De Lune 5.Beer Barrel Polka 6.How Insensitive 7.Exodus 8.The Third Man Theme 9.French Medley 10. Mixed Emotions

Average customer rating:

Polka Polka Polka, Vol.1
Various
Manufacturer: Madacy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CS3BS8
Release Date: 1992-01-01

Tracks:

Beer Barrel Polka
Pennsylvania Polka
Helena Polka
Farmer's Polka
Annen Polka
Bavaria Polka
Clarinet Polka
The Jolly Brother Polka
Martha Polka
Rixdorfer Polka
The World Polka
Faithful Coppersmith

Product Description

1.beer barrel polka.2.pennsylvania polka.3.helena polka.4.farmer's polka.5.annen polka.6.bavaria polka.7.clarinet polka.8.the jolly brother polka.9.martha polka.10.rixdorfer polka.11.the world polka.12.faithful coppersmith