The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

On this day in 1873 the greatest singer of his time, perhaps of all time, was born.

His importance in the history of recorded music, and therefore to our hobby, cannot be overstated.

Thank you for the great historical information.

It is just too bad that Edison did not sign him up, perhaps Edison records would still be around today. His records are good....for gramophone records. It would be nice to hear more depth, as on Edison cylinders or Diamond disc. Although have modified the no.2 reproducer on my XIV one of the few with a glass diaphragm, instead of mica, I think that 78s sounds much better,however the red no. 2 gaskets have to be replaced with the white Ehibition tubing.

edisonphonoworks wrote:It is just too bad that Edison did not sign him up, perhaps Edison records would still be around today. His records are good....for gramophone records.

The smooth, forward sounding early Victors are quite good. Later on they could be afflicted with that strange 'beat' from the recording diaphragm, which is something that Ward Marston discussed in the notes to his Naxos CD's of Caruso. Also, they sometimes recorded him too far back from the horn for my taste.

But, better than nothing. Caruso has been a mainstay of my 78 listening for well more than 20 years. His records are some of my very favorites.