WURLITZER 165 SOUND FILES
This page is an annex to my online catalog of Wurlitzer Style 165 Band Organ rolls,
to which you can be transported by clicking HERE
All the tunes you will hear were recorded from style 165 band organ rolls played on various Wurlitzer 165 band organs, particulars for which are given with each selection.
The first group of tunes are ones that nobody has yet been able to identify, the labels on their rolls being lost and no Wurlitzer literature having surfaced that gives the program for the roll the tune comes from.
If by a stroke of luck or genius you recognize a tune in this group, please email me, Matthew Caulfield, RIGHT HERE
UNKNOWN TUNES
No. 1. A march from roll 6504, made ca. 1919-1920. This recording was made from the Glen Echo Park Wurlitzer 165 band organ owned by the U.S. National Park Service and expertly maintained by Durward Center, a mechanical music restoration man in Baltimore, Md.
The Glen Echo band organ, built in 1926, is the only Wurlitzer 165 still playing on its own merry-go-round.
No. 2. A raggy tune from before 1915 found on roll 6505-A, made in 1914 or early 1915. The recording was made from the Wurlitzer 165 band organ of Carrousel Music, Chambersburg, Pa.
No. 3. A waltz from roll 6505-A, which dates the waltz before 1915. This was also recorded from the Carrousel Music Wurlitzer 165.
No. 4. A peppy march or two-step from roll 6505, probably made in 1917 or shortly thereafter, recorded from the Seabreeze Park, Rochester, N.Y., Wurlitzer 165 that was destroyed by fire March 31, 1994.
No. 5. An unidentified waltz, a rather melancholy one, from roll 6509-A, made in early 1915. The organ is the Glen Echo Park Wurlitzer 165 in Glen Echo, Md., just inside the Washington Beltway on the Potomac River.
No. 6. A fox trot from roll 6509-A, also recorded on the Glen Echo 165.
Identified 3-12-06 by Michael J. Phillips as "In The Candle-Light," by Fleta Jan Brown (Oct 27, 1913)
No. 7. A waltz, probably from 1914 or 1915, on roll 6516-A, issued in 1915. Played on the Carrousel Music Wurlitzer 165.
No. 8. A waltz from 1915 or 1916 on roll 6521, issued in 1916. Played on the late Seabreeze Wurlitzer 165.
No. 9. A one-step, perhaps a medley, from the same roll and organ as no. 8.
No. 10. A second waltz from the same roll and organ as no. 8.
No. 11. A very lively waltz from roll 6523-A, a spirited roll from mid-1916. The organ heard here is not a Wurlitzer, but a German organ made by A. Ruth & Sohn, now playing 165 rolls at Crescent Park, Riverside, R.I.
Identified 3-12-06 by Michael J. Phillips as "Mo-ana; Hawaiian Waltz," by Harry B. Olsen (May 5, 1916)
No. 12. Roll 6529-A from early 1917 contains this unidentified two-step, played here on the Carrousel Music Wurlitzer 165.
Identified 4-19-01 by Kathy Pfeufer (later confirmed by Frank Himpsl) as "The Navy Took Them Over And The Navy Will Bring Them Back," by Ira Schuster (1918).
No. 13. A march or two-step from roll 6532 (mid-1917), on the old Seabreeze Wurlitzer 165.
No. 14. A waltz from 1930 or 1931, found on roll 6661 from early 1931. It is played here on a home-made organ owned by Ray Siou, of Oakland, Calif.
No. 15. This final unidentified tune, lost up to now but discovered in the collection of Donald Neilson, is a two-step from the WW I era, found on roll 6532 from 1917. It was recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Identified 10-2-00 by Tim Trager as "Ching Chong," by Lee S. Roberts (1917).
FAVORITE TUNES
Now that we have the obligatory stuff out of the way, it's time to offer you some of the best (in my opinion) tunes that the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company arranged for its style 165 rolls -- and I have them all, over 105 ten-tune rolls and 53 six-tune rolls.
Salut a Pesth, by Henri Kowalski (1877). A lively Hungarian concert march from roll 6522, played on the Glen Echo organ (courtesy of their website, which mis-identifies the march as "Hornpipe Polka," another tune on the same roll, which you will find played below).
Mi Teresita, by Teresa Carreño (1898). This waltz, sometimes called "Petite Waltz," was written by the Venezuelan composer for her little daughter, Teresa Tagliapietra (the title means "My Little Teresa"). Wurlitzer arranged it in 1923 for roll 6535-A, heard here from the Glen Echo 165.
Boston Commandery, by T.M. Carter (1892). A march from the very popular march/waltz roll 6502, recorded from the old Seabreeze Wurlitzer 165
The Triumphant Banner, by E. T. Paull (1907). Another march from the very popular march/waltz roll 6502, recorded from the Play-Rite Wurlitzer 165
Go Home And Tell Your Mother (That I Love You), by Baer, Russell & Schuster (1927). This fox trot, from the show "Love In The Rough," is on roll 6643 and is played here on the Glen Echo Wurlitzer 165 (via their website)
The Alley Cat Song, by Frank Bjørn (1962). A clever fox trot arrangement by Ralph Tussing, sucessor to Wurlitzer's band organ business, in 1962 on roll 6722. It was recorded in too-cold weather from the Glen Echo organ.
Roll 'Em Girls (Roll Your Own), by Marr, Heath & Fletcher (1925). A fox trot celebrating the daring fashion of wearing stockings rolled down to the ankles. The tune was included on roll 6633 from late 1925, and is recorded here on the old Seabreeze 165 when it used a wood block rather than tympani action, sounding like a crazed woodpecker.
Good Night, by Wood, Bibo & Conrad (1923). A waltz lullaby on roll 6617, made in mid-1923. Recorded from the Glen Echo Wurlitzer 165.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (Op. 61), by Felix Mendelssohn (1844); arranged by Sidney Smith. From roll 6514, recorded from the Glen Echo Wurlitzer 165.
Maggie Murphy's Home, by Dave Braham (1890). A waltz from the 1890 musical comedy "Reilly And The 400," which was included on roll 6519, a re-issue of roll 6551 (1919). Recorded from the Glen Echo organ.
Santiago, by A. Corbin (1911). A Spanish waltz from roll 6529, made in late 1921. Recorded from the new Seabreeze Verbeeck Wurlitzer-165 replica.
Repasz Band, by Charles C. Sweeley (1901). The signature march of the award-winning Williamsport, Pa., band of the same name, from roll 6530, made in late 1921. Recorded, a bit too fast, from the old Seabreeze Wurlitzer 165.
Here is the same march played at a better tempo on the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Sheila Hornberger, who is a current member of the Repasz Band, says "Both speeds are acceptable, we've played it both ways. The
slower of the two, though, is the more common tempo, and thank goodness,
because on most occasions, we stand up after we play the break strain for the
2nd time."
At The Darktown Strutters' Ball, by Shelton Brooks (1917). A well-known fox trot on roll 6546, from late 1918. Recorded from the old Seabreeze 165, affected at the time by cold fall weather.
Pickaninny Dreams, by Peter De Rose (1919). A waltz from roll 6554, made in mid-1919. Recorded from the old Seabreeze Wurlitzer 165.
Ka-Lu-A, by Jerome Kern (1921). This fox trot, from the stage musical "Good Morning Dearie," was found by the courts to infringe, perhaps unconsciously, on Bernard & Black's 1919 "Dardanella." From roll 6606, made in early 1922. Recorded from the old Seabreeze Wurlitzer 165.
Pick Me Up And Lay Me Down In Dear Old Dixieland, by Kalmar & Ruby (1922). A foxtrot missing from roll 6609, here newly arranged by Tom Meijer in 1999 to perfect the mid-1922 roll. Recorded from the Carrousel Music Wurlitzer 165.
Georgette, by Ray Henderson (1922). A lively two step from roll 6612, made in late 1922. Recorded from the old Seabreeze 165.
Jealous, by "Little" Jack Little (1924). A flowing fox trot from roll 6625, made in mid-1924. Recorded from the Glen Echo 165 on the day it was tuned for the season.
Oh Lizzie (A Lover's Lament), by Irving Bibo (1927). A clever but little-known fox-trot lamentation from roll 6641, made in mid-1927. Recorded from the old Seabreeze 165.
Happy Days Are Here Again, by Milton Ager (1929). A fox trot originally from the 1930 MGM film "Chasing Rainbows" and the 1930 Columbia film "Rain Or Shine," but today best known from its being played at Democratic nominating conventions. From roll 6656, made in early 1930. Recorded from the old Seabreeze 165.
Carioca, by Vincent Youmans (1933). A fox trot with a Latin flavor, from the RKO film "Flying Down To Rio," on roll 6672, made in early 1934. Recorded from the Glen Echo 165.
Lights Out, Sweetheart (Close Your Eyes And Dream Of Me), by Billy Hill (1935). A very danceable fox trot from roll 6674, made in early 1936. Recorded from the Glen Echo 165.
Lambeth Walk, by Noel Gay (1937). A fox trot from "Me And My Girl" on roll 6680, made in early 1939. Recorded from the Glen Echo 165.
Whispering Hope, by Alice Hawthorne (1868). An old waltz/hymn put onto roll 6698, made in early 1950. Recorded from the Glen Echo organ.
Regimentskinder Marsch, by Julius Fucik. A favorite European march from roll Eur-165-1, arranged by Tom Meijer. Played on the Carrousel Music Wurlitzer 165.
March Of The Mannikins, adapted by D. Onivas (1923). A sprightly fox trot, missing for years from roll 6617, recovered from a perfect roll owned by Steve Lanick. Recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Yes! We Have No Bananas, by Silver & Cohn (1923). A fox trot from the stage revue "Make It Snappy." Recorded from the Glen Echo organ playing roll 6617.
Drifting Along, by M. K. Jerome (1936). A waltz from the Warner Brothers film "The Captain's Kid" included on roll 6678 (late 1937). An abridgement from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Take Me To My Alabam', by Harry Tobias (1916). A lively one step from an equally lively 1916 roll, 6525. An abridgement from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Hello, Dolly!, by Jerry Herman (1963). Made famous in the 1964 stage musical of the same name. Arranged by Ralph Tussing for the last 165 roll issued by him, roll 6724 in 1967. Ralph's arrangement began with the verse (14 seconds into the MP-3); I added on recuts a bit of his chorus as an intro for the tune. Played on the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Raggedy Ann, by Jerome Kern (1923). A forgotten but interesting fox trot from the equally-forgotten 1923 stage musical "The Stepping Stones," preserved on roll 6624 (mid-1924). Recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Home Sweet Home (Medley Waltzes). Short excerpt from the middle of this 12-minute-long waltz roll containing one continuous medley of traditional tunes. Recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Lady Luck, by Ray Perkins (1929). A fox trot from the Warner Brothers film "Show Of Shows" included on roll 6655 (early 1930). From the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Ivy (Cling To Me), by Johnson & Jones (1922). A fox trot on roll 6616, made in June 1923. Recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Bombasto, by O. R. Farrar (1895). A march, missing from roll 6530 (Nov. 1921), though believed to still be in someone's roll collection as a fragment. Failing to locate the original after long search, I had this new arrangement made by Tom Meijer, of Goes, Holland, to be added to new recuts. Recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
Red Moon, by Henri De Martini (1922). A good waltz for skating and dancing from roll 6616 (June 1923). Recorded from the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165.
The Wang Wang Blues, by Mueller, Johnson & Busse (1921). A great old standard that is arranged for roll 6577, from August 1921, to really give the band organ a workout. Recorded from the Play-Rite Wurlitzer 165.
Estudiantina, by Emile Waldteufel; arranged by Lacome (1881). A famous waltz from roll 6502, recorded in 1985 from the Griffith Park 165, remarkable, in the words of long-time owner Ross R. Davis, for "its smooth, flowing, mellow tone."
Entry Of The Gladiators (Thunder And Blazes) (Op. 68), by Julius Fucik (1902/1911). A triumphal march from roll 6526, recorded in 1985 from the Griffith Park 165.
Jolly Fellows, by Robert Vollstedt (ca. 1895). This waltz from roll 6530 (Nov. 1921) was captured during the 1985 Griffith Park recording session.
The Minstrel King, by Charles C. Sweeley (1911). A fine march from roll 6512, which was a reissue of a 1918 roll, recorded from the Griffith Park 165 in 1985.
Palesteena, by Conrad & Robinson (1920). A novelty two step or fox trot from roll 6577, issued in August 1921. From the Griffith Park organ in 1985.
Thurston, by Anthony J.
Stasny. This march, composed ca. 1918 to honor the once-famous magician Howard Thurston, was recorded from the Carrousel Music Wurlitzer 165 playing roll 6505.
Cecile Waltz, by Frank W. McKee (1914). Recorded from the Carrousel Music 165's playing of roll 6505.
Our Director, by F. E. Bigelow (1895). A spirited march from roll 6503, recorded from the old Seabreeze Park 165 in the late 1960's, when the organ was using a wood block instead of the proper tympani action. You can also hear the Seabreeze sparrows at the beginning of the recording. They were impossible to remove from the merry-go-round building and are always to be heard in the silence between tunes.
Hornpipe Polka, by F.J. Smith (1888). This polka was recorded from roll 6522 on the Seabreeze Verbeeck 165, while the park was in operation, with rider noises in the background.
Scatter-Brain, by Masters, Keene & Bean (1939). A fox trot from roll 6682, issued Feb. 17, 1940. From the Glen Echo organ.
Los Matrimonios, Salvavidas, by Armando Romeu. A danzon from roll 6524. This tune is missing on known copies, but exists here in a recording, made from a Wurlitzer 157 band organ by Paul Eakins, and now owned by his grandson Chris Carlisle, proprietor of the http://www.bandorganmusic.com website.
In addition to these selected tunes you can hear any of the ten tunes on newly discovered roll 6504 (which I am now offering for sale) by clicking here and going to the catalog entry for that roll.
To hear any of the ten tunes on newly discovered roll 6720 (which is also for sale), click here to go to the catalog entry for that roll.