1959 Fred Van Eps interview about his early days of recording.

[fchrisware]

So I'm a first-time poster here, but I've purchased some great records from a few of the forum members and have been pleased to meet (and read discussions and postings by) many friendly folks all around. Chicago-based, I was also a regular attendee at Union for years, and perhaps have even flipped through some dusty record bins near some of you all.

Anyway, in observance of banjo luminary Fred Van Eps' 144th birthday today (this posting is especially for VanEpsFan1914) I pass along an interesting and informative 1959 interview with phonograph enthusiast Albert Brouse, of whom I also provide a couple of 1949 LATimes photographs scraped from the bowels of newspapers.com.

Among the tidbits of interest to phonograph collectors, besides the details regarding the conditions of making recordings at the turn of the century, is that Van Eps apparently so told Edison off for his terrible musical taste that he ceased recording for the company until he could return on terms that suited him. That and of course getting to hear Van Eps' gentle yet firm voice. He had only a year and a few months to live when this recording was made. I’m cross-posting this between classic banjo and phonograph forums since it's of shared interest between the two, where it will hopefully find an appreciative audience of dozens.

I hope everyone has had a tolerable 2022 and will have an even better 2023 and thanks and warmest of wishes to everyone for being so generous with their knowledge and enthusiasm on this great forum.

[JerryVan]

Very nice! Thanks!

[Inigo]

Nice and interesting, many thanks.
The best wishes for you also! And for your colleagues at the banjo forum!

[drh]

Very interesting--I did not know van Eps was still making records on LP! Has anyone here ever seen or heard one?

[VanEpsFan1914]

Oh that's VERY cool. Thanks & thank you as well to the classic banjo preservation folks.

[fchrisware]

Sure! Just to compare, here's Van Eps' c1915 recording of Julius Lenzberg's "Haunting Rag," as available on David Giovannini's great "i78s" site:

https://i78s.org/preview/8bd361fc7cf227 ... 8fc1eb2d57

And here's his late-life remake, expertly accompanied by his son Robert Van Eps in 1955:

Haunting Rag.mp3

(3.38 MiB) Downloaded 59 times

Happy New Year to all!