Although it plays from traditional cardboard book music with a tubular pneumatic action, this organ was actually built in 1984, by the late Johnny Verbeeck. It is called the "Centenary Organ" because it was built to commemorate 100 years of organbuilding by the Verbeeck family in Belgium (a tradition which I think Johnny's son and associates still carry on today). I believe it was the largest organ he built up to that point (although the 118 key organ "Victory", built in the early 2000s, is larger; and some non-traveling 125 key Verbeeck organs are even larger!) They started out building and maintaining barrel organs, and later built cardboard book organs, including family members Pierre Verbeeck and (in England) Jimmy Verbeeck. Johnny was I think the third or fourth generation to carry on the family tradition. There were some nice articles about this organ with full specification (scale and list of ranks in each division) in "Het Pierement" magazine (in Dutch; journal of the Kring van Draaiorgelvrienden) and in "The Key Frame" magazine (in English; journal of the Fair Organ Preservation Society) when the organ was first completed, about 1984 I think. I'm pretty sure I have/have seen the FOPS article; will look for the other one as well.
Just came across a few of these old organ videos. All good , but this machine seems like it has a much better sound then the others. Would love to hear it in HQ.
Another large Verbeeck organ once in the UK DID have a small organ console wired into it which sat in front of the organ in a trailer, so it could be played live by an organist if desired, as well as automatically. However, I think the console for that organ was removed sometime during a restoration, so it no longer has it. Would be neat to see it brought back however. Most other fairground/band organs have the *problem* of not being fully chromatic, meaning any organ "keyboard" would be missing accidentals etc. It is only chromatic organs from about this size, down to about 80 or so keys, that have enough notes to warrant being hand played by someone, without said *someone* tearing out their hair!
It fascinates me so much that these organs existed that played music automatically before there were MIDI synthesizers, and this roll for "Billie Jean" had to be made long after the organ was made, because the song didn't exist until 1982. I'm wondering if this particular organ has an electric motor to feed the roll, or if it's the kind that someone has to operate with a crank.
Bubba Ray Because, apparently at some point in the organ's change in ownership, a more recent owner decided that they didn't like the old green facade with the mermaids, and commissioned this new facade to replace it. Frankly, I think BOTH the old and new facades look great- WITHOUT the carved figures. I think the old mermaids were OK, but these new figures are pretty horrible, and I think they belong in a gallery far, far away from the organ, while the rest of the facade, of course, can remain. Figures like this, to me, beg the question as to why organs need figures at all? Anyway, fortunately, the organ itself is excellent!
still manufactured in the pre-crap society where thing had a lifetime 100 years, didnt stop playing randomly every 3 minute s and when you connect a charger, tohe touchacrendkidnt stiart yo produce a complsteo ab abhorrexnt crp.
Stuff like this is still available. Just not for the mass market, and it comes with a price, just as it did back then. Today, a smaller used organ goes for at least 150.000€. If you would buy a smartphone for that money, it wouldn't be buggy and have some lifetime (although it would probably be outdated rather soon, just as this organ was by the introduction of vinyl and loudspeakers.).
![일상 속 기분 좋음 [Proto disco meme]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DwmEIaZ7XGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Although it plays from traditional cardboard book music with a tubular pneumatic action, this organ was actually built in 1984, by the late Johnny Verbeeck.
It is called the "Centenary Organ" because it was built to commemorate 100 years of organbuilding by the Verbeeck family in Belgium (a tradition which I think Johnny's son and associates still carry on today). I believe it was the largest organ he built up to that point (although the 118 key organ "Victory", built in the early 2000s, is larger; and some non-traveling 125 key Verbeeck organs are even larger!)
They started out building and maintaining barrel organs, and later built cardboard book organs, including family members Pierre Verbeeck and (in England) Jimmy Verbeeck.
Johnny was I think the third or fourth generation to carry on the family tradition.
There were some nice articles about this organ with full specification (scale and list of ranks in each division) in "Het Pierement" magazine (in Dutch; journal of the Kring van Draaiorgelvrienden) and in "The Key Frame" magazine (in English; journal of the Fair Organ Preservation Society) when the organ was first completed, about 1984 I think. I'm pretty sure I have/have seen the FOPS article; will look for the other one as well.
I hope this organ outlives every Buzzkill on earth.
When Billie Jean is the final boss in your RPG
And moon walking is part of an attack animation.
R.I.P. Micheal Jackson (1958-2009)
Another of my favourite singers, Michael Jackson, this is a lovely rendition. Thank you so much ❤️👏🏴
MJ would have loved this. Excellent.
Great "Oompa Whoompa" baseline. Such a great arrangement.
Sounds like a train is passing by
The person who did this is incredibly talented, and well worth the web traffic the official videos get!
That bassline tho
This is absoloutly fantastic!!! I didnt think id get to hear the new book. More!!!!!!!
0:49-1:06 is possibly the best thing. Period.
It's been 23 hours since I made that comment? Wow...
@@phosphatepodNow 4 years!
I'm going to watch more of these during covid, they make me smile.
I did and they did.
Fab arrangement for a wonderful organ. Next time I throw a party I'm going to invite the Centenary!!
Pick me, pick me! I'll be there!!!
just love this backing beat,and all of it.Foot Tapping Great.
Its all too much fopr me. Its just fantastic. I am incredibly impressed. Amazing. Thanks
awesome base, like other comments have said - I wish I could have that separated out - I'd have it on loop all day.
It's AMAZING! Please bring these back to main stream. Love them sooo much!!!!
Sounds like a marching band. Xhaha awesome, where them cheerleaders. Xhaha and crowd. xx😆xxbest version. Xx
Rockstar Games should have put this version in GTA Vice City.
The used time machine salesman was out of town (Vice City was 2002, this is from about 8 years later).
Centenary Organ Best organ on the planet well one of them, youtube videos don't do it justice at all. lovely owners to boot.
Just came across a few of these old organ videos. All good , but this machine seems like it has a much better sound then the others. Would love to hear it in HQ.
dat percussion!
It would be really cool to play one of these live through a keyboard.
They are designed to be played through a punched rolls or books of card.
But some have been modified to play MIDI files.
This Organ has been played by punched carboard
@@1973Washu How do you convert a MIDI file into the punched cardboard?
It's kinda like a theatre organ, if you want stuff like the percussion.
Another large Verbeeck organ once in the UK DID have a small organ console wired into it which sat in front of the organ in a trailer, so it could be played live by an organist if desired, as well as automatically. However, I think the console for that organ was removed sometime during a restoration, so it no longer has it. Would be neat to see it brought back however. Most other fairground/band organs have the *problem* of not being fully chromatic, meaning any organ "keyboard" would be missing accidentals etc. It is only chromatic organs from about this size, down to about 80 or so keys, that have enough notes to warrant being hand played by someone, without said *someone* tearing out their hair!
Beautiful!
Oh my lord I could get this to play King K. Rool’s theme song from SSBU
It fascinates me so much that these organs existed that played music automatically before there were MIDI synthesizers, and this roll for "Billie Jean" had to be made long after the organ was made, because the song didn't exist until 1982. I'm wondering if this particular organ has an electric motor to feed the roll, or if it's the kind that someone has to operate with a crank.
How does this video not have more views
I really dont know but holding out hope it picks up traction (see what i did there) in the future qs organs slowly become more prominent.
Awesome. Good music doesn't depend on instrumentation.
Ghost Of Michael playing Billie Jean on “The Centenary Organ”
Is no one gonna mention this sounds like super smash bros?...
No.
Other than you.
I was surprised when there was no comments saying that. But then I found this and it's the only one saying that.
Superb
Sweeeet
All these organ re-do's sound like they come from the Bioshock Infinate universe. They're still stealing them from us.
Fókking tight
Machtig dit orgel nu nog staccato
Far away the organ looked like a cacodemon
Billie Jean - Mexican cover
He he
billie jean is not my organ 🗣🗣
Its cool but why is donald trump holding that nekkid chick.
Bubba Ray Because, apparently at some point in the organ's change in ownership, a more recent owner decided that they didn't like the old green facade with the mermaids, and commissioned this new facade to replace it. Frankly, I think BOTH the old and new facades look great- WITHOUT the carved figures. I think the old mermaids were OK, but these new figures are pretty horrible, and I think they belong in a gallery far, far away from the organ, while the rest of the facade, of course, can remain. Figures like this, to me, beg the question as to why organs need figures at all? Anyway, fortunately, the organ itself is excellent!
The pornography doesn't belong on the organ. Also, somewhat surprising youtube didn't pick up on the boobs and try to remove the video.
@@DGneoseeker1 Artistic nudity is allowed.
This is wrong on so many levels...way worse than your favorite dance tune in the evator music realm. 3:28 It may grow on me though😊
still manufactured in the pre-crap society where thing had a lifetime 100 years, didnt stop playing randomly every 3 minute s and when you connect a charger, tohe touchacrendkidnt stiart yo produce a complsteo ab abhorrexnt crp.
Stuff like this is still available. Just not for the mass market, and it comes with a price, just as it did back then. Today, a smaller used organ goes for at least 150.000€. If you would buy a smartphone for that money, it wouldn't be buggy and have some lifetime (although it would probably be outdated rather soon, just as this organ was by the introduction of vinyl and loudspeakers.).