[78-L] Robeson & Dalhart question

[Rodger Holtin]

Finally getting to say my 2 cents worth about Carson Robison. and Dalhart.  
 
Robison, IMHO, is one of the real greats of the 78 era.  I have yet to hear one of his records that I didn’t like, although I know some of the topical songs get a little TEE-JUS, but overall, I like them.  
 
My favorite Carson Robison record is “Carson Robison’s Own Story” (part 1 and 2) “as told by himself” on Champion 16138 (Nov 20, 1930 according to Ty’s site.)  He talks, sings snippets of several songs, plays guitar, jew’s harp, whistles and introduces “ol’ Johnny Cali” who speaks and plays banjo.  At the end of side one he says “turn the record over – I’m just getting warmed up,” and ends side two with “put on another record - just wait minute folks, I’ll see if I can get this straightened out.”  Alas, I find no reference to a part 3 and 4 ever issued anywhere, and more’s the pity.  Fascinating glimpse into 1930 hillbilly music.  
 
I would also have to nominate another favorite as the Hoagy Carmichael record (featuring Bix) of “Barnacle Bill the Sailor,” for which the usual jazz discographies indicate the vocal of the fair young maiden and Barnacle Bill are Hoagy or Venuti, or vice versa, but it is my belief after hearing many other Robisons that it is he singing both parts.  Have not heard is original 1930 Barnacle Bill on Champion, but listening to him sing both parts on the 1942 Bluebird "Here I Go to Tokio" he sure seems a good bet to me.
 
My favorite Dalhart is the Silvertone of "Dear Old Southland."  I used this on my show when doing a theme of songs about the south, and this one really grew on me after hearing it six or seven times.  I think this predated the hillbilly phase of his career, or was early on, anyway.
 
My two cents plain.

Rodger

For Best Results use Victor Needles.

.

--- On Mon, 1/23/12, Malcolm Rockwell <malcolm at 78data.com> wrote:


From: Malcolm Rockwell <malcolm at 78data.com>
Subject: [78-L] Robeson & Dalhart question
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Date: Monday, January 23, 2012, 10:57 AM


As we know Carson Robeson and Vernon Dalhart both released many, many 
78s. Asking purely for subjective responses, what is considered the best 
performance of each artist (not necessarily the biggest seller) and what 
is the most representative performance?
Good thing it's Monday!
Malcolm R
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