New Fred Van Eps Recordings!

[thereallyniceman]

I have been having a hunt around and have come across a couple of rare Fred Van Eps recordings that I have never heard before and thought that I would share them with you.

 

The first one was recorded in 1915 and is a great solo called:

“Lost Arrow- An Indian Romance"

 

Fred Van Eps: LOST ARROW

The second from 1915, is a really odd one incorporating parts of the William Tell Overture crossed with what sounds like George Formby’s “Frank on his tank” !

 

Fred Van Eps: I WONDER WHAT WILL WILLIAM TELL

(Here is George Formby, see what you think:    Frank on his Tank  )

enjoy!

[Jody Stecher]

This gives a much clearer impression of what is going on. No doubt in my mind now that it is finger tremolo (on both banjos). The third banjo is playing a very good irregular oompah (bass/chord) accompaniment that is more aligned with the other musicians than most studio piano accompanists were capable of achieving. His lowest note seems to be within the range of the banjo but it is so *thick* sounding that it gives the impression of piano. 1920s playback equipment could be very good and when a record was new one could get a pretty good aural impression of the music in the studio. I am a  fan of cleaned up old recordings, so long as the music is not cleaned out along with the noise. 

As to who is who I would say that the lower banjo that is playing the melody has the sound of Ossman. 

thereallyniceman said:

A friend who is a whiz on audio editing using software that a Muppet, like myself, couldn’t even turn on:

 

Has sent me a noise reduced file of the “I’ve got a feeling for you” recording, minus the sizzling bacon, snaps, crackles and pops.

The quality is significantly improved and it is easier to work out who is playing what.

 

I’VE GOT A FEELING FOR YOU, NOISE REDUCED

My friend has suggested that: “you can hear three banjos but no piano. At times, two banjos are tremoloing. The lead tremolo is strong and clear, sounding much like a plectrum on mando banjo strings, but given the trio's personnel, must be a highly accomplished finger-style banjoist; my guess would be Parke-Hunter.”

….. What do you think?

I am not a great fan of “cleaned up” recordings as they never actually sounded that way in the first place, even when brand new, due to the quality of the equipment used to record and replay them..

BUT they may give a better impression of how the actual live performance sounded.