The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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

I have no idea who is singing? It just says Vocal Quartette Male Voices.

I think I hear Henry Burr, but it seems a bit lower in pitch than his voice should sound. Are you playing this at 78 rpm?

Yes I am!

vintagetenor wrote: Mon May 10, 2021 3:52 pm I think I hear Henry Burr, but it seems a bit lower in pitch than his voice should sound. Are you playing this at 78 rpm?

I think this is the same group that went by the name Columbia Quartette, which Henry Burr was in.

Record may play a little higher than 78 rpm.

Well it is a Columbia record being played on a Victrola VV-X.

It sounded a bit slow. The acoustic Columbias play at 80 rpm. If you can speed it up to 80, we may hear some familiar voices. I think Burr is in there.

How on Earth do you know it sounded slow? I thought 78 was standard across all records, that were not Edison?
I really don’t want to re-upload it!

Yes, uploading it would be double work. It doesn't sound bad at all as it is. My attempt was to try to identify any of the singers, which would be easier, in my opinion, when played at 80.

The recording as heard here is in the key of A major. A bugle in A would be unusual, in my experience, whereas a trumpet in Bb can play bugle calls with all open fingering (i.e., no valves deoressed) and it would sound in the key of Bb---much more likely. No doubt in my mind whatever that this recording uses a trumpet, as opposed to a bugle or cornet; the tone quality and production are unmistakeable. In my opinion, this recording should be played in Bb (i.e., faster). I should also note that there is some subtle speed variation in the turntable, but that's incidental to my conclusion here.

A very nice recording. Thanks for sharing!