Nobody - Arthur Collins 1905 Excelsior Record - Bert Williams 1913 Columbia Record

Here are two versions of Bert Williams classic comedy Signature Song "Nobody". The first one is on the Excelsior Label and recorded by popular Baritone Arthur Collins around 1905. The 2nd is on the Columbia Label and was recorded by Bert Williams himself in 1913. Williams co-wrote the song with Alex Rogers in 1905, and he also sang it in the Broadway Production of Abyssinia in 1906. Collins was first to record it in 1905 before Williams first recording of his song in 1906. The Song became Williams' Signature song and he would sing it hundreds and hundreds of times throughout the rest of his career on stage and at almost all of his performances at the Ziegfeld Follies, until his death in 1922. The Excelsior Record, was produced around 1905 by the International Record Co. of Auburn, New York. After about 2-3 years in business they were sued out of existence by Columbia for violating patent rights. That makes finding an Excelsior Record, 106 years later, a rare and very uncommon event for Record Collectors, especially one with this sort of Historical Notoriety. I would venture to say, that this record contains at least one Verse of "Nobody" that will not be found on any other record, recorded at that time. Can you pick it out?

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Nobody
• Bert
• Williams
• Arthur
• Collins
• Victor
• Talking
• Machine
• Excelsior
• Record

[illbebad]

Sure didn't know about the earlier version, thanks!

[victrolaman]

@illbebad OH yes, thanks. The very earliest version on Excelsior is very very seldom found, and thus most people have no idea it exists. But you heard it here ! Thanks for watching.

Victrolaman

[missabbebuck]

Excellent! You are truly like no other.

[victrolaman]

@missabbebuck Thank you so much ! I try to provide some rare, unusual and entertaining records from my collection on a regular basis. Some of which are not featured on any other Youtube channel.. It is nice to know that my efforts are appreciated.

Victrolaman

[Turkeydoodlers]

I picked up a Bert williams the other day Bruce when I got the Chicago one, it is a blue Columbia label

[victrolaman]

@Turkeydoodlers Any luck Mr. Turkey Doodlers, digging out that record so you can tell us the titles?

Victrolaman

[claynpendleton]

Victrolaman you are awesome. I need to do a video of my 1903 J P Soussa record on my 1919 silvertone player

[Turkeydoodlers]

Bruce I have uploaded the restored 1925 victor credenza let me know what you think

[Turkeydoodlers]

Hey Bruce, I didn't yet, will email it to you tomorrow

[bythebytheway]

Nobody Explains the ones you play like you do VictrolaMan, Nobody No Time !

Thank you, Thank YOU !

[victrolaman]

@Turkeydoodlers Yes, please do, Mr. TurkeyDoodler, and report back to us. By the way, please look at the description above, as I have added some information to it about the Excelsior Label. They are an extremely rare find, and especially one like this that has significant Historical Notoriety concerning Bert Williams Classic Signature Song. Now you have to get out there and beat the bushes until one turns up for you !! LOL ! Only a true record collector can find an Excelsior ! LOL LOL !