Georgia Melodians – “Everybody’s Charleston Crazy”
The Georgia Melodians were an early jazz band from Savannah Georgia that performed extensively on the east coast of the US and recorded for Edison Records in the 1920s. Here is their lively celebration of the dance craze The Charleston, released in 1926. Named after the city of Charleston, South Carolina, the dance became a world-wide sensation which peaked around 1927. Pictured is the great Josephine Baker, doing her famous version of the dance. This mp3 is from the original Edison Disc.
Collins & Harlan – “The Aba Daba Honeymoon”
Here is Collins & Harlan’s original recording of the novelty classic, “The Aba Daba Honeymoon” composed by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan. Popular in its day, the song later became a hit for Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter, reaching #3 on the US Billboard chart in 1951. Merv Griffin and others also had success with the song, which has often been featured prominently in cartoons, movies and TV shows by The Three Stooges, Laverne and Shirley and others. It all started with this monophonic recording, released on Edison Disc in 1914.
Oratorio Chorus – George Frideric Handel’s “Hallelujah chorus – Messiah”
Here is a fantastic early recording of the Hallelujah chorus, from Handel’s Messiah. Originally released on Edison Diamond Disc, (a format which pre-dated even the 78 RMP record!) this remarkable performance by a virtuoso oratorio chorus from 1916 is now available for us to enjoy as an mp3. George Frideric Handel could scarcely have known when he composed this masterpiece in 1741, that it would ever be recorded in any audio format – after all, they didn’t even have electricity yet! I expect he would be amused and delighted to know that anyone in the world can listen to this now.
Burnett And Rutherford – “Ladies On The Steamboat”
Born in 1883, Kentucky native Dick Burnett started singing when he was just four years old. He mastered the dulcimer, banjo and fiddle by the age of thirteen. Burnett wrote the great ballad “Man Of Constant Sorrow” which was later covered by Bob Dylan and featured in the hit movie, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Dick Burnett often recorded and performed with his young protege and fiddle student, Leon Rutherford. Here they are together, on a smokin’ 78RPM side they made for Columbia Records, “Ladies On The Steamboat.”
Paul Whiteman Orchestra – “Doo Wacka Doo”
The Paul Whiteman Orchestra famously pushed the boundaries of jazz by incorporating classical orchestration into big band arrangements. Whiteman commissioned and debuted George Gershwin’s groundbreaking “Rhapsody In Blue” in 1924, and his symphonic jazz style influenced many greats who followed – including Miles Davis, Gil Evans and later Winton Marsalis. Here’s an early recording by Paul Whiteman Orchestra – the classic horn player anthem, “Doo Wacka Doo.”
The Southern Four – “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”
This sublime acapella performance of the American Negro Spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” was recorded by a group called The Southern Four, in December of 1921. The song was composed around 1860 by Wallis Willis, a Choctaw freedman in southern Oklahoma. Willis was inspired by The Red River, which reminded him of the Jordan River and the Prophet Elijah ascending to heaven in a chariot. The lyrics symbolically referred to the Underground Railroad, and the resistance movement against slavery in the United States. Later adopted by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, the song eventually became the Oklahoma State official gospel song. When Joan Baez sang her version at Woodstock, it became an anthem for the hippie generation as well. This vintage recording was released on Edison Disc in 1924.
Kansas Joe McCoy – “Pile Driver Blues”
Kansas Joe McCoy and his wife Memphis Minnie were stars in the Memphis and Chicago blues music scenes. Together they recorded the hit “Bumble Bee” in 1929 for Columbia Records, and a stack of other great vinyl 78 sides. “Pile Driver Blues” features Kansas Joe singing over their trademark lead and rhythm guitar interplay. Jimi Page and others in the English blues and rock scene would draw heavily on their influence a few decades later.
Frank Stokes – “I’m Going Away Blues”
Often hailed as the “Father of the Memphis blues” guitar style, Frank Stokes recorded dozens of 78 RPM sides for Paramount and Victor Records in the 1920’s. Under his own name and as part of the Beale Street Sheiks, Stokes introduced a touch of show biz professionalism to what had been a mainly folk music tradition. Playing the southern minstrel and vaudeville circuit, he influenced not only blues artists, but also country singers like Jimmie Rodgers. “I’m Going Away Blues” features a country fiddle with Stokes’ acoustic blues strumming and sublime vocal performance.
Gene Autry – “Atlanta Bound”
Country music founding father Gene Autry recorded “Atlanta Bound” in 1931. In his long career, Gene Autry was a star as each of the mediums of radio, movies, and television matured. This song is a humorous take on the serious matter of cheatin’ and it’s consequences! Playfully rendered on banjo, guitar, and Gene’s own inimitable voice.
Will Shade – “Better Leave That Stuff Alone”
Jug music pioneer and Memphis blues great Will Shade created most of his over 100 recorded sides as leader of the Memphis Jug Band. But he also created a few solo tracks along the way, including this piano blues gem called “Better Leave That Stuff Alone.” A classic 78 RPM record with a timeless message.
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