The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Probably another reason that there is not the interest in religious music these days in general is that the type of music even in the churches has changed since these cylinders and early discs were recorded. I was raised in a very traditional church, pipe organ, processing choir and all, and yet today many of those old hymns are no longer used as part of church music. Even the old gospel songs such as Leaning on the ever lasting arms, Victory in Jesus and the like have been primarily replaced with many choruses and more modern music. To me I think that this is a shame but that is my own opinion and of little consequence to others. I just like the harmony of a good choir and I still enjoy the oldies!

I still have the original collection of about 20
cylinders which were stored from 1935 until 1966
in a dusty and forgotten attic. These were my grandfather's records which were stored with the
Edison model D machine.

One of them which is in far better shape than
all the rest of them is a flat-ended Blue Amberol
with the religious song "Rock of Ages" on it.

My grandmother listened to that one.

Much later on, around 1970, I found a bunch of Blue
Amberols for sale at an antique store in south Milwaukee, WI. There were some religious songs in there and they
too are in pristine shape. One of them is "Rocked in
the Cradle of the Deep" The man who sings it has
the lowest pitched voice I have ever heard.

I do not listen to these cylinders often.
But, once in a while, when the mood strikes me,
they are very special to hear.

Chuck

Interesting Topic. I have most likely close to 50 edison religious oriented diamond disc. Some like the Fanny Crosby selections actually had a fair number of views on You Tube. The other I find interesting are the Homer Rodenheaver records. His strong and clear voice is perfect for record both outright religious or carrying a moral message. Personally I find the records with preachers giving a short sermon followed by the Metropolitan Choir singing a hymn to be an interesting piece of history. One type I find interesting, but gains very little interest on you tube are the ones with a preacher delivering a short sermon and a choir following. Very much replicating in a brief way the experience of church of the time. I have about four of those, but only one up on my you tube channel due to lack of interest. Times have surely changed. My grandparents hardly ever missed a service where as my parents hardly ever went to one.

I realize this thread is about religious records but he disscussion of how times have changed american life is interesting. Yesterday I tired to record part of a set on "One Mans Family" requested favorite portions from the shows by the actors them selves. However the quality of the sound on a cheaper record set just didn't hold up well to putting on line. I wanted to show it because as the longest running radio soap opera, it was a real observation of real life of americans in that time period. Its quite telling as even the entertainment writers seemed to project a unified need to hold America together though patriotic views of our great nation. Far from the tear everything down type entertainment we get today.