Search - The Happy Organ :: 20 Polkas & Waltzes

Something's lacking

Bill Smythe | Chicago | 05/20/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This CD features what might be called elevator polka music. It would be good Muzak in an office full of polka lovers. An electronic organ by itself just doesn't cut it, even though today's instruments are a far cry from those played in the 50s by Ken Griffin. A real bass fiddle should replace the organ pedals, with perhaps a trumpet and some vocals added as well. Listening to any of these tracks reminds me of the "real" versions I have heard by other artists, even when there have been several "real" versions which have not reminded me of each other. Better choices would be CDs by Frankie Yankovic, Jimmy Sturr, or Joey Miskulin, or by Fred Ziwich and the International Sound Machine (you'll have to browse by the "polka" keyword to find the latter). The Happy Organ needs a little help."