New old records form flea market

[jboger]

After 31 years of continuous seasonal operation, the Harpers Ferry flea market will close at the end of this month. I hadn't gone in recent years, but went two weeks ago with my brother and learned that the flea market would close. So I thought I'd go once more before it did, that was today, and found some old 78s. The seller had about five albums, each with about 10 records. Four of them had records that dated from the 1950s with perhaps a few from the 1940s. The fifth one to my surprise was full of Victors from the teens and 20s, all in really nice shape. I doubt that any have market value, don't really care, but it was nice to find these records. Most have numbers in the 16000 to 18000 range. I now have a second version of Silent Night (17842-B) and one with an odd title of "The Dress my Mother Wore" (17721-B). Side A has "In the Land of Love with the Song Birds." They surely don't write songs like that anymore! But my favorite of them all is "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary" (17739-A).

[Curt A]

Congrats... you just stepped down the slippery slope of 1900's music appreciation. The 1920's records are what started me on an extended OCD addiction that has lasted over 40 years.

[jboger]

CurtA: I'll tell you what I like about the early recordings: their immediacy. It's like the artist had one shot to get it right. No fixing things later. So these recording, to me at least, sound really alive, unlike a lot of the stuff we have today, digitally processed in a studio.

Don't get me wrong, I like some of the stuff performed today too. And if I want to listen to Beethoven, well, then I want the best sound reproduction possible.

Still, there's something about this early stuff that sets it apart. A 1914 recording of Tipperary. What can I say? It's great. Some of the recordings I like best are not the bands, but narratives like Uncle Josh* and Cohen (on the telephone or at the Picnic). Also Silas Leachman. What I just got at the flea market included two sides of the banjoist Vess Osmann. I want to dig up more of that sort of thing. Oh yeah, I got "Happy tho Married". Still funny.
_____________________________________________

*I do get tired of Cal Stewart's supposedly infectious laughter. I find it annoying after awhile.

[52089]

CurtA: I'll tell you what I like about the early recordings: their immediacy. It's like the artist had one shot to get it right. No fixing things later. So these recording, to me at least, sound really alive, unlike a lot of the stuff we have today, digitally processed in a studio.

You are making me think of the late 1970's fad for "direct to disk" recordings.

"Everything old is new again"...

[Curt A]

For my two cents, you can't be music from 1925-1930... some of the absolute best.

[Lucius1958]

I'm with you on Ossman: Fred van Eps is also great.....

And if you want sheer banjo virtuosity, look for some Harry Reser solos...

Bill

[jboger]

I've listened enough to Tipperary to remember the refrain. My version refers to Piccadilly and Martins (?) Sq, not Staten Island and Herald Sq. Anyway, according to the 78 rpm online database, my Victor recording was made in 1914. Does anyone know who sings it?

Just to be clear, an earlier post of mine suggested that I found "Happy tho Married" recently at Harpers Ferry. Not the case. I found that a couple of months ago when I bought some 200 records, which I'm still sorting out.

Which brings me to another question: What's the best way to store these old records, stacked flat like pancakes or on end? Maybe doesn't matter?

[52089]

Interesting, I've never heard a version of "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" that mentioned Staten Island and Herald Square. All the recordings I've ever heard refer to Piccadilly and Leicester Square...

[victorIIvictor]

jboger wrote, "Which brings me to another question: What's the best way to store these old records, stacked flat like pancakes or on end? Maybe doesn't matter?"

Store them on end, and perpendicular to the floor to prevent warping. Stacking them on top of each other like pancakes is sometimes necessary when you are sorting, but is not a good idea for long-term storage.

Best wishes, Mark

[jboger]

A few days ago I had searched Youtube and found the song Tipperary uploaded any number of times. I was under the impression that a version of the lyrics with a New York setting had been uploaded by several people and that this was a period recording. But it now seems to me that only one person has uploaded a version with the New York lyrics, someone in Germany. The singer sounds like John McCormack, and he sings "Goodbye Staten Island, Farewell to Times Square" rather than "Goodbye Piccadilly, Farewell Leicester Square." The sound quality is too good to be a period version of the song, which was recorded by John McCormack back in 1914. I translated the comments of the person who had uploaded this version of the song in 2008. Curiously he provides the refrain in English with the Piccadilly and Leicester Sq lyrics! I suspect the New York version is a modern rendition. Here is a link to the NYC version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPk21C0Wpkg