The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

....at least not one coming from a man:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKSYaXRTbU

(Full film "Happy Days" 1929 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doyfy-hBBJc )

Frank Richardson Biography -- http://www.dvrbs.com/swing/OldShowbiz-F ... ardson.htm

I have to admit, I love it, and I beg to differ with anyone who calls his performance "screeching," although I'm sure it would sound better if the soundtrack was restored.

OrthoFan

Sounds like a good high tenor.

If you want to hear something really impressive, check out a countertenor, such as Alfred Deller....

Bill

They did not have good sound tracks on movies back then. It was only mono and that makes a big difference in sound quality. He was a alto tenor. They really had different ways of doing things then that could not be portrayed today. Tom B

I'll admit my exposure is somewhat limited, but I guess I've never associated the 1920s-era "Red Hot Mamma," "knock 'em dead," "Broadway Belter" style of singing with a male tenor voice. Seems most of the tenors from that period I've heard were more subdued. (I'm thinking, Nick Lucas, Charles Kaley, Frank Munn, Franklyn Baur, etc.) More typical of this style are baritones such as Al Jolson, Harry Richman, etc.

Unfortunately, as far as judging Frank Richardson's vocal capabilities goes, there isn't much to go by other than a few surviving movie clips and one issued acoustic recording--and an Hawaiian number at that.

OrthoFan

tomb wrote:They did not have good sound tracks on movies back then. It was only mono and that makes a big difference in sound quality. He was a alto tenor. They really had different ways of doing things then that could not be portrayed today. Tom B

They weren't high fidelity mono yet. Also, that YouTube clip looks as though it may have been transferred from a low quality VHS source, adding the hiss level of the soundtrack.

OrthoFan wrote:....at least not one coming from a man:

What about Victor recording artist Will Oakland ? He's another countertenor, like Alfred Deller.

"....at least not one coming from a man: "

How about Tiny Tim?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcSlcNfThUA

Curt A wrote:"....at least not one coming from a man: "

How about Tiny Tim?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcSlcNfThUA

Wolfe wrote:What about Victor recording artist Will Oakland ? He's another countertenor, like Alfred Deller.

I wasn't so much thinking about the singer's (upper) range, but the range combined with the vocal style. I kind'a go into this above.

When I think about a male "Broadway belter" (as in throw your head back and sing at the top of your lungs), I'm more inclined to expect to hear a baritone voice. To me, Frank Richardson sounds more the way I'd expect a female "Broadway belter," such as Sophie Tucker or Ethel Merman, to sing.

I agree, Will Oakland could definitely pass for a female singer to the uninitiated. As for Tiny Tim, who rose to fame because of his falsetto singing, I've read that he was actually a baritone.

I watched the Laugh-in episode that clip came from when I was a kid. (The emotional scars have yet to heal. )

OF

Better not watch this then : https://youtu.be/iBhkvlTcAag

Wolfe wrote:Better not watch this then : https://youtu.be/iBhkvlTcAag

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(...okay, I feel better now...)

Here's one showing off his baritone capabilities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4KJckAb48E

If I didn't know that was Tiny Tim, I'd swear it was Tim Curry.

OF

OrthoFan wrote:....at least not one coming from a man:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKSYaXRTbU

(Full film "Happy Days" 1929 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doyfy-hBBJc )

Frank Richardson Biography -- http://www.dvrbs.com/swing/OldShowbiz-F ... ardson.htm

I have to admit, I love it, and I beg to differ with anyone who calls his performance "screeching," although I'm sure it would sound better if the soundtrack was restored.

OrthoFan

Mona is fun to watch. I'm still LOL after hearing him sing. Love to hear that on my Edison DD. Thanks for posting.