From Sonyatone STS-3001:

Our society is truly unique in the extent that our daily lives are affected by machines From the moment we are awakened by an alarm cluck to the time we are lulled to sleep by a T.V. set, we are on intimate terms with electro-mechanical devices hundreds if not thousands of times each day.

The machines heard on this record represent the ultimate in mechanical reproduction of human orchestras or ensembles, and were referred to as 'Orchestrions" or "Nickelodeons". By the time these units were manufactured in the late 1920's, mechanical sound production was already being replaced by the reproduction of man-made music by phonograph records. Many ads for Orchestrions claimed that they sounded exactly like a "live" performance by musicians (some even extolled the reliability of their machines in contrast to the vagaries of bar musicians!).

Actually, the charm of the music produced by these devices lies in the fact that it sounds different from anything any human musicians could reproduce: the phrasing, timing, attack and incidental noises (included on this record for completeness and accuracy) make this music exciting and unique in several ways, and bring back the times when anything done by a machine was a new "wonder of the world".

Perhaps it is our own mechanicalness that allows us to enjoy these often awkward-sounding excursions into the realm of music. As with modern computers, which are often called upon to compose and perform music today. these 'Nickelodeons' and "Orchestrions' often develop personalities which seem to color the feeling of the music they produce. These machines housed in tine oak or mahogany cabinets decorated with intricate carvings, moving figures and art glass come alive with the music our grandparents enjoyed at the drop of a coin. Quite rare now, these devices command collectors prices of many thousands of dollars but their music has been preserved in binaural stereo for your enjoyment at home. For more information on this fascinating subject, we heartily recommend the Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments by Q. David Bowers (Vestal Press).

The instruments heard on this record include-

The WEBER-MAESTO. One of the finest and most elaborate Orchestrions ever Produced, this machine, from Waldkirch, Germany, includes a concert piano with violin, violincello, flute, clarinet, trumpet saxophone, lotus flute and jazz trumpet pipes, complete xylophone, bass and snare drums, tambourine, castanets, triangle, cymbal and wood blocks. Early Weber Orchestrions were controlled by cylinders or "barrels', much as many music boxes use on a smaller scale. This machine, built in the 1920's, uses perforated paper rolls (like all the other machines on this record) to control not only the notes and instruments played but the volume as well, by means of "swell shutters" which open and close to regulate the volume. The MAESTO'S degree of sophistication marks a high point of design complexity which undoubtedly will never be surpassed.

The HUPFIELD PHONOLIST-VIOLINA, MODEL A. Produced by the German firm of Ludwig Hupfield, A.G , the Phonolist-Violina was the most successful violin player ever built. The Violina's ingenious method included a circular bow, strung with 1,350 strands of horsehair tangent to the inside of a rotating wooden bow frame. Each of the three violins placed within the circular bow had one raised playing string (the other three were for show). Eleven to fifteen pneumatic metal fingers stopped the strings, and the entire instrument was pressed against the rotating bow to sound the note. (See cover photo.) Accompanying the violins was an "expression piano". which could reproduce the dynamics as well as the notes of the composition. A Hupfield distributor wrote:"... also all other effects and finesses in playing are provided for, such as staccato, legato, glissando vibrato, as naturally as hand playing, and where the sordino effect is necessary, it will certainly surprise you, as it works without any noise as by human hand..."

The COINOLA CUPID. The smallest unit heard on this record was produced by the Operator's Piano Co of Chicago. Fitted with piano, "mandolin" (produced by special dampening of the piano strings) and xylophone, its well-cut paper rolls still provide entertaining listening.

The SEEBURG STYLE KT MIDGET ORCHESTRATION. Another example of a smaller unit, the KT provided entertainment to many smaller clubs, restaurants and speakeasies during the 1920's. This machine crowded a piano, flute pipes, castanets, triangle and tambourine into its small oak cabinet.

The WURLITZER CALIOLA. First manufactured in 1928, this calliope entered late into the market, which was declining by that time. Only 68 were ever manufactured and were used to draw crowds at fairs, amusement parks carouselles and circuses. The pipes are accompanied by a cvmbal, snare and bass drums.

We wish to express our appreciation for the cooperation and help provided by the fine staff of American International Galleries. Inc of Irvine, California, where these recordings were made, especially that of Bonnie Tekstra, President, and Noel Burndahl, General Manager, whose patience and enthusiasm helped to see us through this project. A visit to their facilities is a wonderful experience. David Bower's fine reference work, Encyclopedia of Automatic Musical Instruments provided much vita! information. We hope to issue further albums of this fascinating music in the future for your enjoyment.

Peter Feldmann, Santa Barbara, California 1979. Recording- PETER FELDMANN and JONNIE KAY NEAVILLE Photos: TOM MOORE Pressings: K-DISC, SAUGUS, CALIF.