What is the weirdest recording you own?

[Menophanes]

I've got two weird ones, one, a french shellac test pressing of church bells . . .

This reminds me of a Favorite record of 1908 which I have somewhere, on which the bells of the Rathaus (Town Hall) of Munich play the hymn-tunes 'Lead kindly light' and 'Abide with me': a rare example of a 'location' recording from the acoustic age. The Munich 'carillon' consists of 43 bells and can be played either mechanically or from a keyboard; in 1908 it had just been completed, and indeed it was not put into full service until the following year. It still exists in working order.

Then there is a Nicole (brown celluloid) record of about 1906 on which the pioneer recording artist Steve Porter recites – speaking, not singing – nursery-rhymes while an unnamed assistant supplies animal noises, hoof-beats etc. Porter, a New Yorker as I understand, produces a flawless British accent.

Oliver Mundy.

[CarlosV]

I got a vertical cut Pathé record of a boxing match, most likely acted, with sounds of thumps, cries from the audience, and referee calls. Hard to figure if there was a winner at the end.

[Curt A]

Another strange record I have is titled: Der Fuehrer's Face by Spike Jones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWF8iRCan7I

[Chuck]

I have a brown wax of Shawn Borri doing
Uncle Josh plays ragtime.

It's a cylinder that him and I cooked up
one time and tested on the fly a few minutes after
it cooled.

[Orchorsol]

Many and various, too many to call to mind! I love bizarre records. A couple that come to mind are:

Columbia sound effects record of dogs - obviously people making dog noises, hilariously unconvincing - including "dog run over"

An avant-garde piece by the composer Wyschnegradsky for half-tuned pianos, which gives the impression that the gramophone motor has serious problems, or the room is spinning, or both

[OrthoSean]

I agree, so many to choose from, but I recently picked up the 78 issue of Leona Anderson's "Fish". I can certainly think of others, but this one is pretty weird.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ftH2OXnag[/youtube]

Sean

[Curt A]

I agree, so many to choose from, but I recently picked up the 78 issue of Leona Anderson's "Fish". I can certainly think of others, but this one is pretty weird.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ftH2OXnag[/youtube]

Sean

Now I know why I have never heard of Leona Anderson...

[estott]

I agree, so many to choose from, but I recently picked up the 78 issue of Leona Anderson's "Fish". I can certainly think of others, but this one is pretty weird.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8ftH2OXnag[/youtube]

Sean

Now I know why I have never heard of Leona Anderson...

She was an interesting person. Her brother was "Broncho Billy" Anderson, early western star. She appeared in a few silent films (one with Chaplin) and near the end of her life in a William Castle horror film.

[Pathe Logical]

One of the strangest records in my collection is this one by Eugene Fox entitled Sinner's Dream, on Checker 792. I was expecting a typical 50s Chicago rocker, not a conversation between The Devil and a dying man.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpqRXz9Xbdw

Bob

[Lucius1958]

Perhaps the weirdest record I have is Charles Kellogg, "The Nature Singer", doing "Jingles From the Marsh Birds" ...

Bill