What’s the most offensive/non-PC record you’ve come across?

Post by **audiophile102** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:34 am

I have a copy of Oh Lawdy by Ada Jones that's pretty offensive. I found a recording on You Tube.
https://youtu.be/sFWhxeZItXs

The other side isn't much better, but it's not on You Tube.
"I want to hold you in my arms."

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 9:43 pm

audiophile102 wrote:I have a copy of Oh Lawdy by Ada Jones that's pretty offensive. I found a recording on You Tube.
https://youtu.be/sFWhxeZItXs

The other side isn't much better, but it's not on You Tube.
"I want to hold you in my arms."

Personally, I don't like the song, but what's offensive about it?

Post by **audiophile102** » Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:38 pm

Curt A wrote:
audiophile102 wrote:I have a copy of Oh Lawdy by Ada Jones that's pretty offensive. I found a recording on You Tube.
https://youtu.be/sFWhxeZItXs

The other side isn't much better, but it's not on You Tube.
"I want to hold you in my arms."
Personally, I don't like the song, but what's offensive about it?

It's about a black American soldier who returns from WW1 and is caught in a knife fight on his wedding day. He is stabbed and is left to die in the street. His bride receives the news and sings that "He left me the lurch". She goes on to sing that she "will miss his salary." To write such a tune about an American soldier, mocking is death is not only racist, it should offend any patriotic American who is grateful for the sacrifice of ALL who served. I recognize that the recording was made in a different age, but in 2020 it should be pretty easy to see what's offensive with that song.

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Tue Mar 03, 2020 8:48 am

Thanks for the explanation... My hearing is not so good, so I didn't understand Ada's words. I'm not a fan of her voice or most of those early recordings. Obviously, knowing the essence of the story, I agree with you...

AmberolaAndy · Post by **AmberolaAndy** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:40 pm

Gonna bump this thread with the one of the most cringe and eye rolling titles I’ve seen on an Edison Diamond disc…

howardpgh · Post by **howardpgh** » Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:56 pm

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the "Virginian Judge" series on Victor by Walter C. Kelly. A lot of racial slurs and ethnic stereotyping. Every defendant ends up in jail.

Post by **Edisonfan** » Mon Nov 29, 2021 9:06 am

(Double-click the video above or click this link to watch the video on YouTube in HD.)

The Hayden Quartet. Gramophone Concert Record.

VanEpsFan1914 · Post by **VanEpsFan1914** » Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:13 pm

AmberolaAndy wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:40 pm Gonna bump this thread with the one of the most cringe and eye rolling titles I’ve seen on an Edison Diamond disc…

I've got Dalhart's 1925 "Stone Mountain Memorial" on DD and it's hilariously bad.

TinfoilPhono · Post by **TinfoilPhono** » Mon Nov 29, 2021 12:45 pm

I have two odd versions of "Mammy's Little Alabama Coon." One is a Lioret No. 2 cylinder that dates to 1896 (shown as #24 in that year's catalog). Lioret made English-language records for the British market, but it's odd to find an American 'coon song' since he had no market in the US. The other is a Royal Purple Edison sung by German soprano Frieda Hempel. It's absolutely dreadful-- and unimaginable. An opera singer doing a rendition of a racist low-brow song? Yikes.

ChesterCheetah18 · Post by **ChesterCheetah18** » Mon Nov 29, 2021 7:14 pm

I suppose with all of the "coon songs" that were recorded over the years, the list could be quite long. Let's not forget the "Two Dark Knights" sides done for Edison, or Correll and Gosden (Amos 'N Andy) for Victor.
Here's a few from my collection:
Edison GM 13551 "The N@@@@@r's Birthday" (Band)
Edison BA 1840 "Just Plain Dog" (Van Avery)
Columbia 15317-D "Oyster Stew" ( Chris Bouchillon)

Steve

What’s the most offensive/non-PC record you’ve come across?

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