"The Golden Age of Mechanical Music" series
Many of Saydisc's mechanical music releases were reviewed by The Music Box (the Journal of the Music Box Society of Great Britain, first distributed January 1963 and still going strong) and where these exist there is a link through to the specific edition of the journal (in PDF format). I've included the page number the review is on so that you can navigate to the correct place once the PDF is opened.
Several earlier releases of mechanical music predate the series, these being Pianola Jazz, Enchanted Carols, Music of the Streets (SDL 117, SD 119 and SDL 121 - all reviewed in Vol. 3 No. 4, Christmas 1967, p. 228) and The Street Piano (SD 158 - reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 2, summer 1969, p. 149). Both SDL 209/SD SAM 209 and SD (SAM) 218, however, point out to prospective customers that these earlier releases exist, as does a Saydisc advert on p. 311 of the Christmas 1969 edition (Vol. 4 No. 4) of The Music Box, which also lists the Bornand and Supraphon records distributed in the UK by Saydisc (all are quaintly described, even in 1969, as "Gramophone records").
The Limonaire Fair Organ (SDL 212) is not included in this series, because it was, despite the Saydisc catalogue number, effectively a contract pressing for the Organ's owner, R. Finbow of Stowmarket, Suffolk, who marketed the record. By the time that Music for the Magic Lantern (SDL 297) was released in 1978 no further mention was made of the series on sleeves.
'The Golden Age of Mechanical Music' series name was adopted by Saydisc from the US Hathaway and Bowers label, from which four albums were licensed for UK release (even if only three were issued). This might be a little confusing because this brings the slight anomaly of, for example, Giant German Orchestrions appearing as Vol. 2 of "The Golden Age of Mechanical Music" on Hathaway and Bowers in the US, whilst it was Vol. 4 of the series of the same name on Saydisc in the UK.
Several earlier releases of mechanical music predate the series, these being Pianola Jazz, Enchanted Carols, Music of the Streets (SDL 117, SD 119 and SDL 121 - all reviewed in Vol. 3 No. 4, Christmas 1967, p. 228) and The Street Piano (SD 158 - reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 2, summer 1969, p. 149). Both SDL 209/SD SAM 209 and SD (SAM) 218, however, point out to prospective customers that these earlier releases exist, as does a Saydisc advert on p. 311 of the Christmas 1969 edition (Vol. 4 No. 4) of The Music Box, which also lists the Bornand and Supraphon records distributed in the UK by Saydisc (all are quaintly described, even in 1969, as "Gramophone records").
The Limonaire Fair Organ (SDL 212) is not included in this series, because it was, despite the Saydisc catalogue number, effectively a contract pressing for the Organ's owner, R. Finbow of Stowmarket, Suffolk, who marketed the record. By the time that Music for the Magic Lantern (SDL 297) was released in 1978 no further mention was made of the series on sleeves.
'The Golden Age of Mechanical Music' series name was adopted by Saydisc from the US Hathaway and Bowers label, from which four albums were licensed for UK release (even if only three were issued). This might be a little confusing because this brings the slight anomaly of, for example, Giant German Orchestrions appearing as Vol. 2 of "The Golden Age of Mechanical Music" on Hathaway and Bowers in the US, whilst it was Vol. 4 of the series of the same name on Saydisc in the UK.
Vol. 1 - Pianola Ragtime (SDL 132)
Vol. 2 - Story of the Polyphon (SDL 145)
This was reviewed in Vol. 3 No. 8, Christmas 1968 (p. 600), where it is stated to be the first in a new series of mechanical music releases, whilst the Bruce Angrave sleeve shown in the discography clearly shows it to be Vol. 2; perhaps this is further evidence of the initial pressing having been in generic sleeve design, where this fact was not clearly stated.
This was reviewed in Vol. 3 No. 8, Christmas 1968 (p. 600), where it is stated to be the first in a new series of mechanical music releases, whilst the Bruce Angrave sleeve shown in the discography clearly shows it to be Vol. 2; perhaps this is further evidence of the initial pressing having been in generic sleeve design, where this fact was not clearly stated.
Vol. 3 - Wurlitzer (SDL 151)
This was probably first issued in generic sleeve design before repressing in the updated Bruce Angrave-picture sleeve included in the discography; reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 4, Christmas 1969 (p. 308), according to which, this is a mono issue of a Hathaway and Bowers US-only stereo LP.
This was probably first issued in generic sleeve design before repressing in the updated Bruce Angrave-picture sleeve included in the discography; reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 4, Christmas 1969 (p. 308), according to which, this is a mono issue of a Hathaway and Bowers US-only stereo LP.
Vol. 4 - Giant German Orchestrions (SDL 152)
This is known to have been first issued in generic sleeve design before repressing in the updated Bruce Angrave-picture sleeve included in the discography; reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 2, summer 1969 (p. 149), according to which, this is a mono issue of the Hathaway and Bowers US-only stereo LP.
This is known to have been first issued in generic sleeve design before repressing in the updated Bruce Angrave-picture sleeve included in the discography; reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 2, summer 1969 (p. 149), according to which, this is a mono issue of the Hathaway and Bowers US-only stereo LP.
Vol. 5 - Story of a Mechanical Organ (SDL 153)
This was probably first issued in generic sleeve design before repressing in the updated Bruce Angrave-picture sleeve included in the discography.
This was probably first issued in generic sleeve design before repressing in the updated Bruce Angrave-picture sleeve included in the discography.
Vol. 6 - Honky-Tonk Nickelodeons (SDL 173)
This was reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 4, Christmas 1969 (p. 308), according to which, this is a mono issue of a Hathaway and Bowers US-only stereo LP.
This was reviewed in Vol. 4 No. 4, Christmas 1969 (p. 308), according to which, this is a mono issue of a Hathaway and Bowers US-only stereo LP.
Vol. 7 - Mechanical Opera (SDL 181)
Vol. 8 - The Reproducing Piano (SDL 193)
Vol. 9 - Piston Polka (SDL 209, later reissued as a budget release, SD SAM 209)
This was belatedly reviewed, i.e. this being a review of the original release but, by this time, after its reissue as a budget LP, in Vol. 6 No. 5, spring 1979 (p. 369).
This was belatedly reviewed, i.e. this being a review of the original release but, by this time, after its reissue as a budget LP, in Vol. 6 No. 5, spring 1979 (p. 369).
Sampler - The Golden Age of Mechanical Music (SD (SAM) 218)
Although this was a sampler, it included much material not previously released in the series.
Although this was a sampler, it included much material not previously released in the series.
Vol. 11 - Parry's Barrel Organ (SDL 234)
This was belatedly reviewed in Vol. 6 No. 5, spring 1974 (p. 369).
This was belatedly reviewed in Vol. 6 No. 5, spring 1974 (p. 369).
(Vol. 12) - Music from the West Cornwall Museum of Mechanical Music (SDLB 248)
The sleeve makes no mention of "The Golden Age of Mechanical Music" series, however, the second volume (SDLB 256) states that it is Vol. 13, which makes SDLB 248 Vol. 12. This is also Vol. 1 in it's own series by default on issue of a Vol. 2 - see the "West Cornwall Museum of Mechanical Music" series. This is reviewed in Vol. 6 No. 2, summer 1973 (p. 127).
The sleeve makes no mention of "The Golden Age of Mechanical Music" series, however, the second volume (SDLB 256) states that it is Vol. 13, which makes SDLB 248 Vol. 12. This is also Vol. 1 in it's own series by default on issue of a Vol. 2 - see the "West Cornwall Museum of Mechanical Music" series. This is reviewed in Vol. 6 No. 2, summer 1973 (p. 127).
Vol. 13 - More Music from the West Cornwall Museum of Mechanical Music (SDLB 256)
This was also Vol. 2 in it's own series - follow the link directly above for more information - and was reviewed in Vol. 6 No. 6, summer 1974 (p. 427).
This was also Vol. 2 in it's own series - follow the link directly above for more information - and was reviewed in Vol. 6 No. 6, summer 1974 (p. 427).
Vol. 14 - Poppers Happy Jazz Band & The Ruth Fair Organ (SDLB 263)
This was reviewed in Vol. 7 No. 3, autumn 1975 (p. 119).
This was reviewed in Vol. 7 No. 3, autumn 1975 (p. 119).
Vol. 15 - Pipes, Barrels and Pins (SDLB 271)
This was reviewed in Vol. 7 No. 7, autumn 1976 (p. 286).
This was reviewed in Vol. 7 No. 7, autumn 1976 (p. 286).
The 1972 Saydisc catalogue states that the following are also in the same series, "...though not assigned Vol. Nos...":
- Pianola Jazz (SDL 117)
- Enchanted Carols (SD 119, 7" EP)
- Music of the Streets (SDL 121)
- The Street Piano (SD 158, 7" EP)
To return to The Music Box Society of Great Britain, it should come as no surprise to discover that two of the first members (both listed in Vol. 1 No. 2, Easter 1963 (p. 19), the first edition to list members, were E. R. Mickleburgh (member number 20) of 5, Upper Belgrave Road (misspelled as "Balgrave"), Bristol 8, whose collection later provided much of Saydisc's mechanical music output (as well as being a Director of Saydisc until 1971), and Bruce Angrave (member number 5) of 5, Haven Green, London, W.5, whose illustrations adorned many of the early Golden Age of Mechanical Music sleeves as well as narrating two LPs. E. R. Mickleburgh, now shortened to R. Mickleburgh, is listed with a change of address to the more familiar 1-7, Stokes Croft, Bristol 1 (i.e. Mickleburgh's music shop, which is still in the same premises - the collection used to be housed upstairs) in Vol. 2 No. 5, the Easter 1965 edition (p. 256).
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