Above is the Don Richardson listing from the 1924 Columbia Records catalog, minus the labels and numbers (which didn't show up in my scan). Today, all six of Don's 1916 country fiddle sides for that label, minus an alternate take of Mississippi Sawyer (which I think I have, but I cannot find) and the second take (5/16/1916) of Mrs. McLeod's Reel, recorded prior to the Columbia A2575 performance of 11/3/1916. And I've discovered that I have six or seven copies of Arkansas Traveler, which suggests that the record sold quite well back in the day. (And that people kept it.) Exactly how I ended up with seven copies, I can't say for sure. At Wikipedia, Don gets a tiny entry which posits that Don "may have made the first country music recording in 1914, eight years before the first generally recognised country recording was made in 1922." Actually, no--Don's 1914 A Perfect Day is a mainstream dance side for the time, with no hint of country.
In addition to Don, we have three more Arkansas/Arkansaw Traveler (or Traveller) variants, the most recent from 1941, and the earliest from between 1901 and 1908: The original AT skit, pared down and with narration by Harry Spencer, with George Schweinfest on fiddle. Things conclude with Maine-born fiddler Mellie Dunham (1853-1931) and his "orchestra" performing Lady of the Lake, with calls by N.A. Noble. I was sort of hoping that Mellie himself had provided the vocal portion, but 'twas not to be.
However, Shorty McCoy provides the calls for the 1941 Bluebird Arkansas Traveler (designated with the modern label, "square dance")--calls with are light-hearted in nature (to the extent I can make them out!). Meanwhile, the Henry C. Gilliland-A.C. (Eck) Robertson Arkansaw Traveler of 1922 (on Victor) is a solid candidate for the first country record ever recorded, and it's quite unmistakably a folk performance, as opposed to Richardson's formally-trained, highly accomplished musicianship, but then we have the problem of "first" vs. "folk." Namely, if we regard any and all appearances of country music on sound recordings, regardless of "authenticity," as genuine country, then country recordings date back at least as far as 1901. Or, if we're going by Richardson's contributions, 1916. Anyway, to the vintage barn dances...
DOWNLOAD: Don Richardson and Friends, 1916-1941.zip
Arkansas Traveler--Don Richardson, Violin Solo, piano: Samuel Jospe (Col. A2140; 5/8/1916)
Old Zip Coon (Intro: Old Folks at Home)--Same (Col. A2140; 5/6/1916)
Mississippi Sawyer--Same (Col. A2018; 5/5/1916)
Durang's Hornpipe (Intro: Little Brown Jug)--Same (Col. A2018; 5/8/1916)
Mrs. McLeod's Reel--Same (Col. A2575; 11/3/1916)
The Devil's Dream--Reel--Same (Col. A2575; 5/6/1916)
The Arkansaw Traveller--Descriptive--Harry Spencer w. Gorge Schweinfest, Violin (Col. A406; between 1901 and 1908)
Arkansas Traveler--Square Dance--Shorty McCoy and His Southern Playboys (Bluebird B-8948; 9/12/1941)
Arkansaw Traveler (Country Dance)--Henry C. Gilliland-A.C. (Eck) Robertson (Vic. 18956; 6/30/1922)
Lady of the Lake (Contra Dance)--Mellie Dunham and His Orch. (Vic. 19940; 1/9/1926)
Lee
10 comments:
Lee, you may have discussed this before, but cut two sounds a whole lot like a medley of Turkey In The Straw and Way Down On The Swanee River or whatever it's called. :D) Haven't heard some of these up here in a while and never heard others, thanks. I assume Eck Robertson is the same one who recorded Sally Goodin in 1922?
Romans 11:33-36 KJB
Josh
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Josh,
Yes, "Old Zip Coon" is also known as "Turkey in the Straw"! And the interpolated melody is (as you guessed) "Old Folks at Home." On the label it says, "Intro. Old Folks at Home," and the "intro." tradition of the early recording industry is interesting--it suggests that people were expected to listen to a given 78 many times over. Thus, the insertion of a chorus from another song would have reduced the monotony of repeated plays. That's my theory, anyway...
Josh,
And yes, Robertson's "Sally Gooden" is on the B side of this 78. I should have ripped it...
Roger on all that, Lee, thanks for the info. Heard his version of Sally Gooden on the radio as a kid, but hadn't heard it in years, 'til asking the question, then googling. Man, that feller could sure pull a bow, his variations on that song are unreal. :D) I've found some versions online, but there seem to be some speed variations, so don't know if he was in a or b flat.
Romans 11:33-36 KJB
Josh
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Josh,
I almost always rip my 78s at 78 rpm, exactly. But (as you likely know) the actual speeds varied from approx. 76.9 to whatever. Based on what I've read, there's no way to be sure in regard to recording speeds--except that we can usually presume that Victor acoustical 78s are being played back a hair too fast... Since there's no way to be sure, I just settle for 78 rpm!
Roger on that, thanks for the reminder. Dock (sp) Watson told me years ago, they were anywhere from there to 83 and I just couldn't believe it! :0) Yeah, if that be the case, 78 is a happy medium LOL. Either way, Robertson's fiddlin' on that is still unreal. I heard also years ago, when I heard the song on the radio as a kid, that he came through to record, after leaving a Civil War Veterans Meeting of some sort or other, but of course, can't verify. Thanks again, love and prayin' for ya.
Romans 11:33-36 KJB
Josh
Church Podcast: https://www.sermonaudio.com/pleasantviewky
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Dave from Ardmore says he'd hate to be a policeman who had to chase Richardson for speeding. He'd never catch him. Even Jospe seems like he's trying to keep up with Richardson at times. And here I thought sound bariers could only be broken by jet planes when fiddlers like Richardson were doing it all the time. Amazing stuff. Although Don left me breathless, he was nice to hear after all those polkas. They were starting to make me dotty. Lee, when you bite into something, you take a big bite.
Dave,
It's the sound archivist in me. Glad you enjoyed! Yes, Don was incredibly proficient, and I think it's silly that he doesn't get more attention, and simply because he was a formally trained musician with great chops (and, therefore, not "authentic"). No one should be penalized for the ability to read and write music!
I have to agree with Dave from Ardmore on Don Richardson. That guy could pull some hoss hair for sure, as well. I was told years ago, that the accompanist is (naturally) to follow the lead, timing, etc of the singer or musician they are playing for and it does sound like the pianist had a bit of trouble keeping up with Richardson, now that it's brought up and I think about it. :D) Hey, wasn't there a group, like in the late 20s, called something like Dr. Smith and His Hoss Hair Pullers?
Romans 11:33-36 KJB
Josh
Church Podcast: https://www.sermonaudio.com/pleasantviewky
Personal Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/back-to-the-old-paths--4074743
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Josh,
Yes, apparently there was such a group! And, yes, at times it sounds like the accompanist is racing to keep up!
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