Hi,
I saw in the old arranger archive that
John Smies has been a streetorgangrinder
in Amsterdam. Can you tell us about this kind
of musicinstrument?
Where can I hear you when I come to Amsterdam
next month?

Donovan: Hurdy Gurdy Man

Sorry 'bout that...

http://www.hurdygurdy.com/hg/hghome.html

Nice site Leon, very interesting.
John Smies can you tell us something like
this about your streetorgan?

Don't forget John is a singer, maybe he is on
tour.How did you know Wis that John was an
streetorgangrinder(or had been).

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

guys, guys,guys !!!!!!

What the heck is all this about me being a streetorgangrinder ?
Are you having me on ? I actually hate the darn things much as I admire the technique which was developed either in Holland or Belgium no doubt, but way back in the past.
Maybe some of my forefathers may have been involved, not that I know of any, come to think of I don't even wanna know !!!!
what I do do and have done over the last twelve months you can listen to on :
http://artists.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Smies/

kind regards to you all.
john

Bevan when you read better and a little bit
more you could see in the old arrangerarchive
that John Smies is not an organgrinder.
But thanks to Paul C for your organsite.
It is nice to hear such an old instrument!
There is not only one John in Amsterdam but
maybe thousand or even more. There is just
one John Smies and we are happy to have him
here.

Wis when you read better and a little bit
more you could see in the old arrangerarchive
that John Smies is not an organgrinder.
But thanks to Paul C for your organsite.
It is nice to hear such an old instrument!
There is not only one John in Amsterdam but
maybe thousand or even more. There is just
one John Smies and we are happy to have him
here.

I am very sorry that I spoke to you Bevan,
it must have been Wis.