Emile Berliner Record 1895 - Sidewalks of New York - George J. Gaskin Victor II Gramophone

Here is an original Emile Berliner 7" Record, " Sidewalks of New York" sung by Mr. George J. Gaskin. This record was recorded in New York City on October 29, 1895. The gramophone is a Victor Type II from 1905. I have adjusted the governor speed for this early Berliner to compensate for the slower recording speeds of that era 114 years ago.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sidewalks of New York
• Emile Berliner
• Berliner Record
• George J. Gaskin
• Victor
• Gramophone

[horarwgt]

The record, released as Berliner 959, is a re-recording of George's hit version of this song, which was issued on the Chicago label. That version first charted March 2, 1985 and climbed to #2 over a three week run. . Gaskin, known as "The Silver-Voiced Irish Tenor," was born in Belfast and became one of the leading pioneer recording artists of the 1890s -- scoring 31 hits (mostly #1s!) -- between 1891 and 1904. He died around 1920.

[victrolaman]

@horarwgt Thanks for the information. Did you also know that George J. Gaskin, stopped recording completely around 1905, and did not record again until 1916 when he cut his last sides for American Pathe in 1916, as George Gaskin (without the J.) ? I have this last Gaskin Recording in my collection, so if you would like to see it played on my youtube Channel, just let me know and I will try to schedule it.  Thanks again for Watching.

Victrolaman

Victrolaman

[Eddy2730]

Does the machine itself date from the same year as the record?

[victrolaman]

@Eddy2730 If you expand the information at the top of this column you will see that this Type of Victor II Talking Machine is from around 1905. So it would have been produced about 10 years after the disc was pressed. Thank you for watching.

Victrolaman

[JeremyPassarelli]

Why does it sound so horrible? I mean, so distorted and warpy

[victrolaman]

This record is 115 years old, and the materials these early records were made with, coupled with the early primitive recording process, did not for the most part hold up well over the years to climatic changes, and handling, and especially excessive playing etc. Understand these records were played with steel needles, designed to be discarded after every play, if you didn't do that, the grooves would eventually be worn down and destroyed. Having understandable sound on a record this old is a +.

[EmmetEarwax]

Also acid from handling the record with your fingertips, as well as the playing surface not being mirror smooth at the very start, were factors in the loud noise, esp. at the start. I have a 33rp band of an old 78rp (Cohen on the Telephone) which has part.heavy surface noise at the start, due to skin acid eating the playing surface. Still, each & every word is understandable. Cohen is an idiot !

[kirtley2010]

@victrolaman i would like to see that george gaskin pathe, it sounds interesting

[karlsalz]

this recording is 101 years and 1 day older than me lol^^

[Thirtymile1880]

Sounds very good and clear after about 116 years.

[pongboy1100]

@gmmix i do!

[gmmix]

This was one of the most popular sing-along songs at picnics and public gatherings when I was a kid. Wonder how many of the present generation of "young folks" ever heard of this piece.

[gmmix]

Surprisingly good sound for the age of this disc. So many of the early discs play so badly because folks just didn't realize how important it was to change needles as directed.