Troubadour
“Ain’t She Sweet” is a CD of the Troubadour 87key Gavioli that has had a varied existence over the last half Century. The CD can be purchased from The FOPS Stock Controller Tony Harrison (address at back of magazine) The CD costs £8-99 from the sales stand; if ordering by post please add a further £1-20. Cheques should be made payable to “FOPS”. If you live outside the UK it will be best to contact Tony to find out current postage charges.
“De Troubadour” was built in the early 1900’s and began life in a Belgian Dance Hall and with this in mind the organ received a rather wide and tall, ornately decorated front. The instrument enjoyed various stays on showgrounds.
It appears that the FOPS could have bought the organ for £550 in 1960, but funds could not be raised quickly enough and “De Troubadour” was purchased by William J ”Bill” Barlow and kept in his museum at Cleobury Mortimer. After Mr Barlow died the organ went to Arthur Prinsen in Belgium and after that ended up in the ‘Turner’s Merry–go-Round’ in Northampton and now after some wilderness years the fine instrument has become part of the Saunders Collection. The Saunders family are well known for their well presented Showmens engines and 98 key Gavioli fair organ at rallies in the UK.
This recording in itself is rather historical as it was made by Les Brumpton and Ken Mellor in 1967 in Bill Barlow’s storage yard – a very quiet location that enabled the recording to be made with no background noises. Four microphones were used to achieve the best recording possible. The LP record that was produced at this time was only available in the USA so it is unlikely that many members will have heard this recording. The recording has survived well over the years and the new CD is very accurate enabling the wide range of sounds from the pipework and percussion to be heard to good effect and I am pleased that the cymbals and drums don’t overpower the rest of the instrument.


Track 1. Ain’t she sweet, Yes Sir that’s my baby, When the Saints go marching in, Bye Bye Blackbird.
Track 2. Atcheson,Topeka & Santa Fe, Deep in the heart of Texas, Cochabamba, Beautiful Dreamer.
Track 3. Rockabye my baby, California here I come, For me and my gal, I’m just wild about Harry. Lullaby of Broadway, Avalon, 42nd Street.
Track 4. Semper Fidelis, I could have danced all night, Wouldn’t it be lovely, With a little bit of luck, On the street where you live, Get me to the church on time.
Track 5. Yes sir that’s my baby (reprise), Bye Bye Blackbird (reprise), You’re driving me crazy, When the red red Robin, My blue heaven, Ukelele lady, I’ll see you in my dreams, I wonder where my baby is tonight.
Track 6. American Patrol, R.A.F. March, Tico Tico.
Track 7. Blaze Away, Old Comrades, Wedding of the painted doll, Never on a Sunday, Amsterdam Holiday, Into each life some rain must fall.
Track 8. Pepe’s Party, Come out and play, Hi Hi Hi Maria, The curse of an aching heart, El Capitan.