August 2003 |
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A very early banjo & song recording, from 1891-1893, Saving Them All for Mary by Al Reeves.
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Al Reeves was a popular banjo-comedian of the 1890s whose blackface stage act, named "Al Reeves' Famous Big Company", was typically adorned with beautiful women (likely absent from this recording session . . .).
[Al] Reeves, "The World's Greatest Banjoist and Comedian", as he billed himself, [. . .] was not a particularly good banjo player, but his "big finishes" brought prolonged applause. As it faded, he would exclaim, "Give me credit, boys." Jolson: The Legend Comes to Life. Herbert G. Goldman, New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.
With the stray string pluck prior to the announcement, various 'thunks',
and forward sound to the banjo, this master recording packs a lot of
For help playing these sounds, click here. |
Many thanks to David Sager for his assistance with this cylinder of the month.
To hear other examples of wax cylinders, see the