"The Big Rock Candy Mountains" Played On Edison A-250 Diamond Disc Phonograph

Here is my favorite rendition of "The Big Rock Candy Mountains". Of the hundreds of late Edison Diamond Disc records in my collection I usually reach for this one when I want to listen to Vernon Dalhart. The plethora of Vernon Dalhart recordings on almost every record label imaginable { and with his habit of recording using almost every name imaginable : ) } makes finding one of particular interest difficult . But this is one that I consider noteworthy and very enjoyable. I suppose I enjoy this as it beckons us to the carefree life of the 1920's hobo and the delightful mix of banjo, harmonica and whistling on the recording make for interesting listening. Thanks for stopping in and I hope that you enjoy this.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Edison
• Diamond
• Disc
• Phonograph
• A-250
• Big
• Rock
• Candy
• Mountains
• Record
• Victrola
• Vernon
• Dalhart
• Gramophone
• 52472
• Electric
• Recording

[Philco66]

That's got to be the best Edison recording I've heard of Vernon Dalhart, and I have several myself. I also have him doing a version of "Rock Candy Mountain" on the Radiex label under Vel Veteran. The record is in good shape, but it cannot compete with an Edison. Also, the verses are different on my Radiex Disc.

[MusicBoxBoy]

@Philco66 Great to see your comments Philco66. First time I heard this Edison record I also was stunned at how wonderfully it was recorded. Every groove yields crisp clear sound and the selection itself is well done by Dalhart and company. I actually have 2 copies of this on Edison and might consider selling one of them sometime. Thanks for the nice comments.

[MrDarwinsDog]

Love it,... you beautiful dweebs talking tech! But, this is real - think to a future and a digital image of the process for a few curious music/tech diggers. The label, the felt, needle, hidden horn, sound, its music, a story, a dream! The dream of this song goes far back. Breughel illustrated it as an old ideal!

[MusicBoxBoy]

@MrDarwinsDog Thank you for the interesting comments!

[MrDarwinsDog]

Dalhart seems to be deliberate in his diction of such fine lyrics. His voice was like a trumpet and good for recording. A market audience of 'Great War' generation and then economic depression needed to know this song of old ideals, dreams. Another version by Goebel Reeves is nice - a bit cleaner as the lake has not whiskey but buttermilk. Who wrote this song?

[harryoakley]

OK, so the "Diamond Disc" slogan appeared on 1915 sleeves. As is apparently did not appear anywhere esle after that I very much doubt they were called that in the 1920's, or that they were actually described as such - only by modern day collectors.

[MusicBoxBoy]

@harryoakley The term "Diamond Disc" did not appear on the label but it certainly did appear on all of the 1915 Edison Record sleeves as "EDISON DIAMOND DISC RECORD". If you want to see an actual Edison Diamond Disc record sleeve picture from 1915 just Google "Edison Diamond Disc record sleeves" and click on the link. There you will see the different sleeves including the one I am referring to.

[harryoakley]

@MusicBoxBoy I still wonder where this "Diamond Disc" slogan comes from - I have never seen it on an Edison record label...

[Paulodafigaro1]

Amazing and unbelieveble sound.

I suggest you record again with a little faster speed.

Thank you for share !

[johannesytb]

nice nice nice!!!