Letkiss (Hugo Strasser) in an arrangement by Louis Somers on 121 key Decap dance organ “England’s Pride” (formerly known as “Nethe”). Built in 1939, the organ is a permanent working exhibit at St Albans Organ Theatre. This recording was made on the occasion of Mechanical Organ Owners Society (MOOS) AGM in March 2004. Apologies this is not the best quality sound as I used a rather primitive tape recorder.

Let Kiss - 121 Key Decap Dance Organ “England’s Pride” - St Albans Organ Theatre

Arrangement by Louis Somers. 

Played on 101 key Mortier dance organ “Oscar” (serial number 1041). Built in 1931, the organ had been heavily rebuilt and modified by the time it came to England in 1974.

Taken from a cassette recording “The Sound of Oscar volume 2” released in 1984 when the organ was an exhibit at St. Albans Organ Theatre. Since 1985 the organ has been on permanent display at Watermouth Castle, Devon, UK.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - 101 Key Mortier Dance Organ “Oscar”

101 key Mortier dance organ (built 1937, serial number 1075) plays an arrangement of Ciao Ciao Bambina, arranged by Louis Somers. Posted in December 2022 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Louis Somers.

Recorded when the organ had just been restored by A C Pilmer mechanical organ builders by the late Stephen Simpson, a lifelong fan and promoter of the arrangements of Louis Somers.

Ciao Ciao Bambina (Piove)

“La Rosita” composed by Paul DuPont (1923). Played on 84 key Mortier orchestrion “Venus di Milo” in an arrangement by Louis Somers.

La Rosita

Played on 92 key Decap dance organ “Jeanneke” recorded at St Albans Organ Theatre.

Potpourri arranger Louis Somers

98 key Marenghi fairground organ, Thursford collection, Norfolk.

Selection: “Fifty years of waltzes part 1”. Arranged by Louis Blache for Chiappa Ltd.

Recorded on 23rd May 2022.

Fifty years of waltzes part 1

72 key Decap dance organ 'Lili'. Built in 1952 by the famous organ building family of Gebroders Decap Antwerpen. Having been used in a cafe setting during its working life, the organ came to U.K. in 1973. At the time of recording this track in 1983 the organ was in the ownership of the late Fay and Ken Wood. 'Lili' is still in the U.K in a private collection. As of 2020 the organ is no longer exhibited but is still played regularly. The arrangement featured was made by Arthur Prinsen (Belgium).

The Sound of Lili Volume 6

White Cliffs of Dover/Yours

72 key Decap dance organ 'Lili'. Built in 1952 by the famous organ building family of Gebroeders Decap Antwerpen. Having been used in a cafe setting during its working life, the organ came to U.K. in 1973. At the time of recording this track in 1983 the organ was in the ownership of the late Fay and Ken Wood. 'Lili' is still in the U.K in a private collection. As of 2020 the organ is no longer exhibited but is still played regularly. This arrangement featured was made by Arthur Prinsen (Belgium).

David Dingwall

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