In message <199505281203.IAA03315@www1.access.digex.net> H-Net British and Irish
History List writes:
> Date: Sat, 27 May 1995 09:45:14 -0500 (CDT)
> From: Bart Marable <hymara@unix1.sncc.lsu.edu>
>
> While we're on the subject of 19C English music, I was wondering if
> anyone knows of a way to locate recordings of turn-of-the-century music
> hall musicians. I'm particularly looking for works by George Formby, Sr.,
> the man who made "Wigan Pier" such a catch phrase in the early 20th
> century. I have found a bibliography of English music hall recordings,
> but have thus far drawn a blank on trying to locate the actual recordings
> themselves. Does anyone know of an archive which has a collection of
> music hall records? Or, will I have to start looking through antiquarian
> music sellers?
>
> Bart Marable (hymara@unix1.sncc.lsu.edu)
> Louisiana State University
I have seen some CDs of reissued 78 rpm music hall recordings, and some of
contemporary artists reviving the music hall songs, at Tower Records and Borders
Music, both in Washington, DC, though I know other Towers in smaller towns don't
seem to carry as large of a selection.
Also, I have a growing collection CD reissues of music from Edwardian-era
musicals -- FLORADORA, THE BING BOYS ARE HERE, CHU CHIN CHOW, THE ARCADIANS,
etc., and from Gilbert & Sullivan, as well as the entire 12-CD MUSIC OF THE
BROADWAY STAGE 1890-1920 collection. If any of this interests you, I can give
you more information on the CDs, and to act as "buyer" on your behalf.
I am also in possession of a large collection of CD reissues and original 78s of
opera singers who were popular at Covent Garden at the turn of the century,
including Clara Butt, Melba, Tetrazzini, McCormack, Caruso, Chaliapin,
Galli-Curci, etc., and also recitalists such as Peter Dawson and Gervase Elwes.
The oddest of these recordings is a set by Ruby Helder, the English "girl tenor"
whose career lasted from about 1907-1917 before she sung herself out. Her voice
is remarkable -- one really cannot tell it is the voice of a woman. I've also
bought the first of many volumes of "Covent Garden on Record", which is a
multi-CD series of Edwardian-era Covent Garden operatic recordings.
I also have a few (not many) original 78s of opera, vaudeville, and music hall
artists, including Harry Lauder, which I could probably tape off my Victrola,
though I'm not sure how the sound quality would transfer.
If you are looking for original 78s, rather than reissues, you can go through
antiquarian dealers, of course, but I've always had tremendous success at the
Salvation Army Bookstore, the annual Goodwill Industries book sale, and at the
annual Christmas bazaar at St Nicholas' Russian Orthodox church here in DC. You
may consider looking at similar places in your area, though if you don't have
any particular reason to buy the recordings on 78 (ie, you're not a collector,
or you don't have a Victrola), I'd suggest going with the CD reissues. In most
cases, the quality of the original 78 from which they're recorded is better than
you will find except through an antiquarian specialist dealer, and you can play
them over and over without wearing them out.
Please let me know if I can do any of these things for you.
Karen Mercedes