File this under ‘essential weird listening’: a recording of a broken fairground calliope playing songs like ‘It’s Not Unusual‘, ‘Moon River‘ and ‘Those Were the Days’.

Wonky, off-kilter and gloriously offbeat, the songs sound like they’re being performed by a troupe of drunk clowns.  The stuff of nightmares, perhaps, but captivating all the same. I think Irwin Chusid would love this.

I found these songs on the Sweet Thunder website, which Alexis Petridis linked to on twitter last night. A little rummage around unearthed more gems: a young girl singing what may be a made-up song (?) and Roxie and Rick.

Though I’m not the hugest fan, any mention of a carnival reminds me of Mr Bungle: