Album Notes

Loudmouth Sadie Mae was made in France in the late 1800's by Gavioli, who has been called the greatest of all organ makers. She is a Military Trumpet Organ.

There were 99 keys and although it played from a pinned cylinder called a cob at one time, it was converted to play from 87 key books of music. Along with the many brass pipes and wood pipes, she plays bass drum, snare drum, cymbal and 17 tuned wood pipes, she plays bass drum, snare drum, cymbal and 17 tuned bells. The list of pipes include 20 trumpets; 8 trombones; 17 octave violins; 17 open violins; 17 flageolets; 17 piccolos; 20 accompaniments; 30 bass; 17 clarinets; 17 stopped flutes; 17 cellos. There are 8 manual stops; for clarinet and flageolets; for piccolos; for trumpets; for octave violins; violins; for trombones; for part of the bass, part of the accompaniment, and all of the melody section; for the rest of the bass, the rest of the accompaniment, and all of the cello section. There is one automatic stop for the bells.

Loudmouth Sadie Mae plays from books that are of special cardboard from Sweden. The books are cutover in Europe, being especially arranged for her keyframe. We call the keyframe the "brain" for this is the system that controls the entire machine. These books are the forerunner of the modern "punchcards" and stem back to the Jacquard patent of early days.

The entire facade has an abundance of magnificently carved decorations. Behind the beautiful brass pipes, may be seen the lovely blue and brocade that sets off the showy brass horns. The main body of the organ is a flamboyant pink with trim of gold, reds, blues, aquas and silver.

The central figure is the director, hand-carved from one piece of wood, excluding the arms. Her movements are synchronized to the music. She moves her baton when the bass drum and cymbal plays, and raises her left arm and turns her head to the front when the bells play.

Sadie Mae has entertained thousands of people over the past 100 years, providing some of the best and well known carousel music around.