Cylinder of the Month

See also the Cylinders of the Month Archive.

For June 2000 . . .

This month:   Enjoy a banjo double feature with —


Whistling Rufus
Company Consolidated Phonograph Companies ?
Cylinder # Unknown
Category Banjo solo
Title Whistling Rufus
Performed by Vess L. Ossman
Circa 1899
Announcement "Banjo solo, Whistling Rufus, played by Mister Vess Ossman."

Vess L. Ossman began recording in the early 1890s and was the preeminent banjoist throughout the 1890's – earning his nickname "The Banjo King" – and continued recording up through the first World's War.


To hear Whistling Rufus  —

To hear an excerpt   —  
For help playing these sounds, click here.

Whistling Rufus, written in 1899, was fairly new when this recording was made.

Notice the thunking about 1:27 into the recording; Ossman may have accidentally hit the horn.


— This cylinder of the month is from the collection of  Leo Kimmett —

                   




Dixie Medley
Company Edison's National Phonograph Company
Cylinder # 8339
Category Banjo solo
Title Dixie Medley
Performed by Fred Van Epps
Circa 1908
Announcement "Banjo solo, Dixie Medley, played by Fred Van Epps, Edison record."

A great banjo solo with vibrant tuba accompaniment.

Fred Van Epps (also spelled Eps) was, in a sense, a second-generation recording banjoist in that he acquired some of his skills through study of Vess L. Ossman's early recordings.


To hear Dixie Medley  —

To hear an excerpt   —  
For help playing these sounds, click here.

This particular recording is apparently a re-make of the original 1903 release.

If anyone knows the various titles in this medley, please let me know so that we can fill-in and correct the following table:

  • 0:06-0:38 Dixie
  • 0:39-0:52 a hornpipe or a reel?
  • 0:53-1:13 The Arkansas Traveler
  • 1:14-1:34 Too young to marry (?)
  • 1:35-2:03 Turkey in de Straw
Thank you!


— This cylinder of the month is from the collection of  Albert J. Menashe —

                                       


To hear other examples of wax cylinders, see the


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