The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

OrthoSean wrote:
I could say more about Coon songs, regardless of their content, these are incredibly fascinating historical documents if nothing else to many of us who collect records. I'll let others add to this if they wish, but I have to ask you just how much of any of this stuff you've listened carefully to before concluding what you have here, although again, I realize we're all entitled to our opinions and tastes....


Sean

I agree. The best way to ensure history doesn't repeat itself isn't to forget it, but to learn from it. I know a lot of people who collect these records, myself included. Most of them are less offensive than modern hip-hop or rap, regardless.

Brandon wrote:

OrthoSean wrote:
I could say more about Coon songs, regardless of their content, these are incredibly fascinating historical documents if nothing else to many of us who collect records. I'll let others add to this if they wish, but I have to ask you just how much of any of this stuff you've listened carefully to before concluding what you have here, although again, I realize we're all entitled to our opinions and tastes....


Sean

I agree. The best way to ensure history doesn't repeat itself isn't to forget it, but to learn from it. I know a lot of people who collect these records, myself included. Most of them are less offensive than modern hip-hop or rap, regardless.

I wrote a fairly extensive paper on coon songs in college in the 80's as part of a degree requirement. My music professor was astounded as he had no idea these even existed. He later told me he was considering submitting it to a major music publication, but thought it would be too controversial. I have to tell you my early resumes included a reference to "treatment of Blacks in early 20th century popular music", which caused more than one interviewer to be really shocked when I showed up for an interview and wasn't Black!

Back on topic - No one has nominated Caruso's "A Dream" yet? Really?

So many choices -- where to start? Hawaiian music, for sure. And I will bet that nobody will ever market a CD of Gladys Rice's Greatest Hits.

I DO like many of Billy Murray's songs, e.g. I Love A Piano, Three Thousand Years Ago, and Napoleon.

I'm not offended when others don;t care for the music I like. This has been true my entire life. I have always had an eclectic taste in music. For example, I can't stand most rap but evidently there are many people who like this stuff. I'll bet many of you have had a car pull up beside you and the base rattles your windows. I wonder how they can stand to listen to it, but evidently the person in that car likes it so much they feel compelled to share it with those around them whether they like it or not. I'm sure it was no different back in the day. Different music or entertainment to suit all tastes. So my choice for least favorite would be a tie between hawaiian or marimaba music.

Wolfe wrote:A couple more sacred cows, one being Vernon Dalhart, who with a couple exceptions, I find boring to listen to. He sings everything the same.

Totally agree!
Hands down winner for me though is Clara Butt. Is that her last name or the orifice from which she sings
Im not real keen on Caruso either. I think he's very over-rated.

52089 wrote: Back on topic - No one has nominated Caruso's "A Dream" yet? Really?

A mediocre song sung in labored phonetic english- and he throws himself into it as if it were a bravura aria at the Met. Beautiful tone though, and he hits the top note dead on.

Billy Murray and Gladys Rice on the hit ( or non hit) list! Say it ain't so! I love;'em both. Rice did wonderful and anonymous work on the Victor Gems series . Before you condemn Gladys listen to Gems from O Kay with the Revellers on Victor 35811. It's very witty and very stylish.
But for the really second rate, we need to go to the Columbia catalogue with artists like Barbara Maurel and Mrs. A Stewart Holt. The story I've heard is that Barbara Maurel made the Columbia celebrity list because she was the..um..." friend" of one of the Columbia executives, and from the evidence of her records I can certainly believe it.
And finally , Will Oakland bleating his way through a sentimental ballad is not high on my list of favourites.
Jim

I'm not fond of Will Oakland, but it's hard to judge him next to regular singers- that countertenor voice is really sort of a stunt specialty. He's impressive on a technical level at least- great breath control.

Roaring20s wrote: I'll toss Alma Gluck on the bonfire.

I run hot or cold on Alma Gluck, she could be a versatile singer, and quite good at times.

But, gad, spare me the duets with Louise Homer, and Carry Me Back To Old Virginny. The former could cure insomnia and the latter has been done much better in other versions. It's never really appealed to me, from the first time I heard it, not even knowing how successful a record it had been. Pleasant, but blah.

I don't know if I could say that I despise him, but Gene Austin irritates me. I don't buy his records, even when I might still take a chance on another late 1920's crooner like Rudy Vallee, who I don't like that much either.

It is as old as time...





There is no accounting for taste.

James.