Jonny Ling's Carl Frei
Hi all, I just wanted to know if anyone has an image or images of Jonny Lings Carl Frei, as I would like to see what it looks like I heard it was restored or something last year or does it just not go out? anyway if anyone has, would they mind posting them? :D Thanks, Eddy :D

Jonny Ling's "Carl Frei" street organ
Organ builder Jonathan Ling who lives at Diss, Norfolk, took his 72-key Dutch street organ to the 20th annual "Enthusiast's Day" at the Mechanical Music Museum, Cotton, Suffolk on Sunday October 1st, 2006. It was the organ's first visit to Cotton since Jonny bought it from the museum's founder, the late Robert Finbow, in 1994 and only the second time played at a public event in the past 11 years. Attributed to Carl Frei - but not provenanced - the 280-pipe organ has a typically rich and vibrant Dutch sound and is a delight to listen to. Its bourdon-celeste is beautifully voiced and Jonny has recently added a counter-melody bourdon of his own design to augment the organ's character. An organ enthusiast since childhood, Jonny is one of the country's few formally trained mechanical-organ builders, having been apprenticed for several years to the celebrated Norfolk-based classical and mechanical organ builder Rodney Briscoe with additional training from William Boggis. I am delighted to report that Mr Boggis, who restored many English chamber and church barrel-operated instruments, is still going amazingly strong at 101 years of age! The organ's façade was redecorated by two Norfolk-based retired showmen. Jonny at the keyframe As always, the back of a street organ is more of a draw than the front! Alan Smith from the nearby beautiful village of Hoxne brought his tuneful 48-keyless Chiappa 'Ceol'. With a good library of music the little organ proved very popular with the visitors. 'Ceol' features a metal-frame case which is typical of the small instruments Victor Chiappa made in the 1950s & 60s.

As always, the back of a street organ is more of a draw than the front! I can identify with that remark, Shane. When I showed the first Page & Howard 48-key organ at the 1986 FOPS AGM in Weston-Super-Mare, it appeared in the town centre on the Sunday, with many more viewing at the back than the front. The organ was displayed on an old caravan base trailer, with the organ in full view all round. People obviously like something to see, as well as hear. I can't imagine this happening to a midi-operated organ, or does someone know better... More on that P&H organ is on a new thread: http://organ.10.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?p=2934#2934 Regards, John

I had a short article (taken from the old FOPS forum) in 'The keyframe' a while ago with several photos of the organ on its debute outside! By the way on the second photo, I'm behind Jonny Ling!!! :lol: Regards Robert Washington :D

Jonny Ling's Carl Frie
Hello all, Reading Shane's wonderful piece on Johnny's Carl Frei street organ reminded me of some pictures which Johnny showed to me at this years GDSF of this & his other organs. The photo that really interested me was of this organ when still in the Netherlands & in the ownership of the master Dutch street organ builder Jan Van Eijk. Until then, despite having known Jan for many years, I had never really associated him with any organs other than the ones which he has built. De Ruisdeal, Anton Pieck, Dawn of the Century, Paulas Potter & the Happy Gypsy being just some examples of his perfection in workmanship & proving why he must surely now be considered as important to the street organ as Carl Frei. Best wishes, Trevor.

Hello everyone, I must add that the reason for this organ's non appearance for many years was the fact that it was involved in a traffic accident not long after Jonny first owned it, on the way back from the Little Downham event. He has been rebuilding it on & off for the last few years & it had it's debut last year. It is a fine instrument. Jonny only takes it to local events, so you'll have to get to Cotton next year to see it in person! Rob.

Hi I have a cassette which was produced by the Cotton museum which featured two of their organs, the Limonaire and this organ. Recorded by John Hulse, the organ played very well, a lot of the music comprised tunes recognisable in England. If anyone knows who the arrangements are by, I would be pleased to know. At Twinwoods last weekend, I was fortunate enough to have a go on the keyframe of "De Moriaan" a similar organ to this. Most of the books on Moriaan were old books supplied by Henk Gossling and I believe were arrangements by the likes of Carl Frei, Piet Maas, Gerard Razenberg among others. "Silver threads amongst the gold" is in both organs repertoires and can be heard on the Cotton cassette. It's an excellent arrangement which starts off fairly slowly and turns into a fantastic boogie. Looks like a fantastic organ now, I would love to see it ! Regards David

What a beautiful DSO(Dutch Street Organ). Truly the one of the most beautiful DSO's in the country. Next to "De Angelena".

Just look at the pictures, it really reflects on how still attractive band organs could be.