Classic-Banjo
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Edison cylinder recording of Joe Roberts playing Chung Lo by Neil Moret
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Richard William Ineson
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I found this in a box full of cylinders in a local antique shop, I've not come across Joe Roberts before but he is/was quite a banjo player
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Permalink Reply by Jody Stecher
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From the sound of the chords I would say the banjo is tuned CGBD. I think this is being played with a plectrum. According to the internet, which is always right (or maybe not), Joe Roberts was an early mentor to Roy Smeck. The latter is associated with tenor banjo (CGDE) so I am a bit corn-fused.
Also the recording quality is better than what I would expect from a cylinder recording. Is it possible to make a cylinder recording with microphones?
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Permalink Reply by Joel Hooks
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This must predate that "wacky wacky" Peabody strumming that became default for pick playing (and imitated by Shakey's Pizza Mustachers).
I'm not a fan of that, this I like.
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Permalink Reply by Trapdoor2
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The recoeding is dated 1923, contemporary with Eddie Peabody (who got out of the Navy in '21 and went directly onstage). Peabody had a good run between wars, but the nostalgia boom of the 50's (Dixieland, etc.) put him on the map. E.P. put the banjo bug in my ears when I was a kid.
That has got to be a very late Edison cylinder pressing. They were phased out in the 20's, IIRC.
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