George W. Johnson sings - The Laughing Song - a Marconi Record 1906

Here is a Marconi Velvet Tone Record from 1906 featuring George W. Johnson's famous Laughing Song. Johnson was the first African American to sing on Record, as early as 1891. His prominent songs during the era of the 1890's were his "Laughing song" heard here, and also "The Whistling Coon", and "the Laughing Coon". Johnson is one of the Featured Artists on the Grammy Award winning CD "Lost Sounds" (Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922" produced by Archeophone Records.)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• George
• W.
• Johnson
• Marconi
• Record
• Columbia
• 1906

[eyedog1948a]

why did you have to speak just play it we want him not you

[victrolaman]

Thank you for your comments eyedog. Since I enjoy studying the history of these early enterainers as well as the history of the early recorded sound industry, I try to share some of my knowledge with the viewer prior to playing the record, there are many who enjoy and appreciate this additional information, while there are others like yourself, who just want to hear the record. I appreciate your candor, and will take your comments under advisement. Thanks again for watching.

[spannerworks1]

Fascinating record a bit like the laughing policeman song

Thanks

Richard

[victrolaman]

You are correct, in fact it is the exact same melody, only with different lyrics. Of course Johnson's Negro Laughing song was written and recorded decades earlier.

[understudy52]

@victrolaman I like your info you provided. Don't listen to rude jerks :)

[MichaelHansenFUN]

try playing it again

[dumphuq]

the piano is brilliant!

[ToastmachineIdiot]

I remember hearing an older version of this recording transferred from an Edison Brown Wax cylinder from 1898. It was also by George W. Johnson. I guess this disc you're showing could be a predecessor to those FlexiDiscs that were in magazines during the 1970's and 80's!

[KawhackitaRag]

Great recording! Great ragtime piano in the background, too! Does anyone know who this would be? I know who the ragtime recording artists were for Victor around this time, but who would it be at Columbia in 1906? Any names?

[nicolaj0154]

thoe laughing songs are kinda hard to find, even eupean laughing songs,

[micheljch]

And that's a "Voice of Music" player . . . haven't seen one of them in 40+ years . . . kewl!

[RockinEd]

@victrolaman It's your channel---you do what you want

[ninjabluewings]

@eyedog1948a Oi You Shut Up And You Might Learn Something, Too Many People Like You Around With NO BRAINS!