TEXAS TOMMY SWING Ragtime 1912 Edison Wax Cylinder Played On Amberola 1A Phonograph Billy Murray

If you enjoy Ragtime music as I do here is "Texas Tommy Swing" sung by Billy Murray on a hard to find 1912 Edison wax Amberol cylinder from my collection played on my Edison Amberola 1A. The Texas Tommy was a dance craze with roots in post-earthquake San Francisco. Many consider it the very first "swing" dance. I was so pleased to find this cylinder years ago and to see that it had been well cared for. It demonstrates the refreshing clarity and volume that these generally frowned upon Edison wax Amberols are capable of. I buy all that I can find of them. I hope you enjoy the video and, as always, thanks for stopping in for a visit.

• Category

  Music

[amberola1b]

I think my favorite part of a Billy Murray cylinder or disc is when he does the refrain with a quartette harmonizing behind him. They always sound so melodic

[MusicBoxBoy]

Interesting observation. I will have to re-listen to the refrain in some of my Murray recordings. Thanks for the comments.

[ACatal1]

That is a nice collection of music record from bygone era, how I wish we could go back in time to enjoy that life era. Thanks for sharing it!

[MusicBoxBoy]

You're very welcome.

[joe f]

amazing how much clearer the cylinders seem to sound compared to the records of the same time frame.is that due to the faster speed these play,or is it something else?

[MusicBoxBoy]

There are many factors involved in cylinder and disc reproduction (playback) and their differences. Direct recordings will always be clearer than dubbed recordings. A quiet record surface is also important in clear sound. The placement of the artist and instruments before the recording horn also has a lot to do with how well the recording is made. Condition of the master is also important. A worn master always yield an inferior recording. Thanks for your comments.

[norman gates]

It is interesting to know that the acoustic recording studio of that era consisted of a bunch of horns to send the sound over to the cutting head. Special instruments, such as the Stroh violin, which has a horn on it for louder sound, were used. The sound was surprisingly good for that kind of contraption. When electric recording came out in the mid-1920s, the sound was better and with microphones & amplifiers, the recording job was easier.

[h78i23jjy]

Hey! I found a small box full of cylinder/Edison records in the attic of my parents old farmhouse. I think there are about ten of them. I'm sure they have been in the attic for over 50 years and have seen all kinds of heat and cold. Hopefully they'll still play. Anyways, I desperately want to listen to them/convert them to mp3. Do you have any idea on how I can do this? I have no idea what's on them. I'll look at them more closely after work today.

[HAMHAMS110]

Reminds me of Bioshock infinite.

[Shawn Borri]

Very nice record, I have a few wax Amberols, I do not even handle them much as they are so fragile.

[KF6EII2]

Very nice. Although the audio doesn't compare to todays quality. I am amazed, the audio is as good as it is, as old as the cylinders are. I do have a few questions. How are the cylinders stored? Since they are wax, do they need to be stored in a refrigerator? How many times can you play a cylinder? I'm sure after a certain number of plays, the wax starts to get corrupted. Thanks for the video, it's awesome..

[PianoLove1968]

Very good sound, I like the cylinders!

[joe f]

thanks,it always seems the cylinders have more clarity? sometimes the acoustic recordings sound like they were in a cardboard room,lol