Search - Various Artists :: Greetings From Holland

As Dutch as it gets!

Maurice Rynders | Southern California, USA | 05/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"4 Stars, not 5, because my guess is that the average Dutch person might think that it's a bit corny - simply because they can hear this music every day. But that just means that this is very Dutch! I'm Dutch and I can tell you that if you're looking for something authentically Dutch, this album gets you darn close. The instrument you hear on this album is a so-called "draai-orgel" - a "turning organ", the classic street-organ. The instrument, in the past at least, was run by the organ's owner turning a big wheel at the back of the organ. (The newer ones are electric and as such have lost some of their charm.) You can find these "draaiorgels" all throughout Holland, especially on or near the very common open markets. This music sure reminds ME of when my Mom used to take me shopping downtown, when I was little...... In addition, I was able to hum along with most of the melodies, because they mostly are very well-known typically Dutch songs. So if you plan visit Holland and want to get in the mood, or already went but forgot to pick up that souvenir, this album sounds like a great idea. All that's missing is the coffee and "poffertjes"! 8-)"