Vess L. Ossman plays “Old Black Joe”

[thereallyniceman]

Here is another recording made by Vess Ossman (vocals by Arthur Collins and Byron G. Harlan).

 This is the famous “Old Black Joe” by Stephen Collins Foster (July 4, 1826 – January 13, 1864) who is known as the "father of American music".

Foster was an American songwriter primarily known for his parlour and minstrel music.

He wrote over 200 songs; among his best known are "Oh! Susanna", "Camptown Races", "Old Folks at Home", "My Old Kentucky Home", "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", "Beautiful Dreamer"  and "Old Black Joe”.  Many of his compositions remain popular more than 150 years later.

 

I thought it might be interesting to hear this, particularly after recent discussions about A. Farland’s use of tremolo, as it shows limited use of tremolo by Ossman… just for effect!

 

Again, Ossman starts and finishes with a flourish but controls himself through the piece :-)

OLD BLACK JOE Vess L. Ossman

[Shawn McSweeny]

Tasteful, simple accompaniment by Ossman supports the vocals and never upstages, even during the tremolo bits. Ossman reputedly took some lessons from Farland, but not enough to harm his playing.

Another popular American songwriter, George M. Cohan, shared Foster's birthday.  Cohan claimed July 4 as his birthday, despite his baptismal certificate indicating it was July 3, 1848.

[Richard William Ineson]

Sounds as if they are turning out at the 'Old Bull and Bush' they also seem to get mixed up between 'Old Black Joe' and 'Poor Old Joe'. Ossman keeps his cool, despite everything.