In lieu of coaxing Enya to do permanent in-house entertainment duties, Peter Jackson opted for the $99,975 LB-BGJ from Ragtime Automated Music, a cabinet containing a robotically controlled acoustic “band.” A touch-screen interface controls the whole works, sending MIDI signals to the mechanical elements that “play” the full drum kit, piano, accordion, guitar, banjo, electric bass, and 24 organ pipes. But oh, it’s not for him, it’s “for his wife.” Ahhh yes, robotic ragtime — the gift that keeps on giving. [More]