Zefren Presents the 1908 Under the Double Eagle with the Sousa Band

[303y03]

I've read someplace that Sousa feared recorded music would replace live performance.

Man ahead of his time. Pryor (his trombonist) brought them into the studio.

I have an ancestor who played with Pryor/Conway and appeared as a soloist with Sousa.

Wiki: Lincoln Holroyd

[EmmetEarwax]

Verdi objected to a piece by him played at a breakneck tempo on a hurdy gurdy, so he went outside and showed the man the proper speed to crank the machine. The next day the man showed up with a sign on his hurdy gurdy "Pupil of Verdi".

[halopwner179]

yes excellent this is that of which now then im making this comment during class i dont know why old stuff but neat

[VinylLad]

This is what the record should sound like on an accoustic phonograph. Its amazing how a slight change in speed and different speaker makes the music sound completely different!

[VinylLad]

@VinylLad It wont let me post a link! Grrr....

[stratocat9999]

Y'know, as serious as you are about these historic recordings, you should really think about acquiring something like a Technics SP15 ( I have one and there is nothing better for 78's). You are getting amazing results using an ION turntable, but the ION is sub-standard for serious pursuits. Get a good archive grade table, and you'll wonder why you waited so long! You've got some great old acoustic discs! Thanks for sharing!

[VinylLad]

@stratocat9999 What turntable do you suggest? I would also like to note, even though the transfer is great, I believe that the record is played too slow. A lot of 78s back in the acoustic days were actually recorded around 80 RPM! Interesting eh? Thanks for posting this great video of some classic marching band music.

[stratocat9999]

@VinylLad A lot of early Victor discs actually run closer to 76 RPM. Old Columbia discs are 80 RPM, as are Edison Diamond discs. Acoustic recordings can range in speed anywhere from 60 to 140 RPM, depending on the maker. The standard of 78.26 RPM was set in 1926 after Berliner's research indicated this as the best speed for records. As to turntables, the SP15 is best for 78's. But there are some great low-cost tables like the old Dual 1200 series that will outperform the ION.

[dancebandleader]

@stratocat9999 You're right, but I have some Columbia

sides from the 1904-6 period that themselves were made

at speeds slower than 78, A few of these made their way

to double sided couplings some of which remained in the

Columbia catalog after they advertised 80 rpm as their speed

I wonder what listeners noticed something amiss.

[stratocat9999]

@dancebandleader There are a lot of speed variables on early records like that. Columbia eventually adopted 80 RPM, but like Victor, I believe they experimented with different speeds. There are some early Victor (Red label, Dog Victors) records that run at 60 RPM, (these were 14 inch discs) cut vertically, and have no matrix. They didn't make a lot of them, and as I recall they were labeled as either special or deluxe, (it's been awhile). That's why early players all have variable pitch.

[gaxiolafm]

This is a great recording for such an old record. I do have something for you, though: I am a Military Band Conductor and I am very familiar with this March. I am actually conducting this right now. Playing the record at that slow of a speed affects the pitch. Right from the beginning, I hear a slightly sharp G, when it should be a Bb. I recommend you speed up the record a little bit and play along with the first 2 measures on a concert Bb so you can hear the march in the correct key.

[wb5oxq]

Pretty good quality for such and old acoustic recording. I am familiar with the tune played by a band. Our high school band played this well. I believe you slowed it a little too far but it should not be much faster though. Probably should be around 65 or 66rpm

[Mandolin1944]

Interesting comment about the playing speed. Do you mean 65 rpm instead of 78 on the old truntables or do you mean 66 bpm as in beats per minute? Thanks.

[Mandolin1944]

OK I just read the notes -- sorry for the question!!!!!!!!!