While I can't speak for John Smies, my wife is from the Netherlands and I've been there with her several times and heard the street organs played on the streets in Amsterdam some years ago. There are also street organ museums where you can see a wide assortment of these rather elaborate devices. I came across a link to a site (see below) that tells a bit more about the Dutch street organs and even includes an Mp3. (which sounds like it was made from a pretty old and scratchy recording.) We've accumulated several street organ LP's over the years as well. It will be interesting to hear more from John and his experiences with street organs when he next checks into the Forum.
Paul C.
http://www.draaiorgel.org/english/street%20organs.htm