Classic-Banjo

A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo

Yet another rare find: Ruby Brooks plays “Narcissus”

Here is a new tune (1902) for a New Year (2014)

Ethelbert Nevin composed Narcissus for the piano in1891. It sounds great played on Classic Banjo too.

I have heard Ossman play Narcissus, but never heard Ruby Brooks play it, and WHAT A PLAYER he was !!

I think that his recording is much better than Ossman’s.

I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

WOW! Ruby Brooks plays Narcissus -EDISON RECORDS

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Permalink Reply by Trapdoor2 on January 1, 2014 at 15:43

Delightful!

One of the most aptly named tunes ever.

Brooks & Denton published "Gems #1" in 1893, with TAB in the grand staff, underneath the notation. I learned "Berkeley March" from it.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Houle on January 1, 2014 at 16:04

I fell in love with this tune after hearing a beautiful version on YouTube played on Sax. I soon discovered Olly Oakley recorded it, but I didn't want to pony up the $20+ to buy the CD for the one track I didn't have already.

I was lucky enough to find the Brooks version somewhere online also.

I'd love to hear the other versions!

Thanks Ian!

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Permalink Reply by Shawn McSweeny on January 3, 2014 at 3:18

Thanks for posting this recording Ian.

Brooks was one of the great US banjoists, but less well known today as he died in the early days of recording. Attached is an obit from The Music Trade Review, 1906.