George W. Johnson, The Laughing Coon 1903 Victor III Gramophone

Here is pioneer African American Recording artist George W. Johnson (1846-1914), singing "The Laughing Coon", on an original Victor "Grand Prize" 10" record (Take 12) originally recorded early 1903. The gramophone is a Victor III, with a smooth Oak horn from about 1906. Johnson is one of the featured artists on the Grammy award winning "Lost Sounds" Blacks and the birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• George W. Johnson
• Victor
• Gramophone
• Phonograph
• Black Americana
• 78rpm

[kirtley2010]

is this record rare? i would love to get a copy

[victrolaman]

@kirtley2010 The recordings of George W. Johnson were among some of the best selling in the early days of recorded sound. It was a novelty to hear an African American actually performing on record, and George W. Johnson was the first of his race to do so. Today his records are being snapped up once again, because of the popular best selling, Grammy Award winning, CD "Lost Sounds" Blacks and the birth of the Recording Industry" in which Johnson is prominently discussed and featured.

[kirtley2010]

why did you have to do 12 takes to do this video

[victrolaman]

@kirtley2010 Take 12 refers to the take number embossed on the record not the video.

Victrolaman

[MrPisster]

oh man this is great music!

[victrolaman]

Thank you for your positive comment, Mr. Pisster, I also have Mr. Johnson, doing his other Comedy Classic "The Whistling Coon", let me know if you would like me to post that one as well and I will try to fit it in to my scheduling.

[ilove1994]

Gorge W. Johnson was a great singer of the late 19th century & he went threw Hell because he was not a human back then & people where racist & now we look at him & say well heres a great guy with a wonderful voice who can sing so awesome

Ps do you have the laughing song from 1898? can you post that please if you have it?

Tyler.

[kirtley2010]

it is just a shame all these rare and fantastic records are on such a fragile format, in 100 years these records will either be in hundreds of peices or in a museum never to be played again!

[camaysar222]

Take 12! Mr. Johnson must have been growing tired of laughing by that time. In fact, it sounds a tiny bit deflated. Still, great voice, great document of recording history. A "near mint" Vic III with brass horn just sold for 1400 dollars on eBay. I'd love to replace my humble VV-VI with one of those!

[kirtley2010]

oh i understand now, we dont have take numbers on records in the uk or at least i havnt seen any with one

[kirtley2010]

@victrolaman it just says in the description "Victor "Grand Prize" 10" record (Take 12)" are you talking about the 12th take of the video or the 12th take of the recording process

[opradan43]

This is a later pressing of a record which appeared originally on the MONARCH label, about early 1903. The "Grand Prize" label did not appear till mid-1905, at which time announcements had long ceased on Victors. Still great to have. What is the catalog number?