A varied collection of recordings from 78rpm shellac records, including Elvis, Paul Robeson, waltzes, Wurlitzer organ and Disney songs. Most is from my great uncle's collection, but other discs have been bought in charity shops around the place whenever I find them. I hope some of it is interesting to someone.

I love that the technology for playing these records is so much better now than it ever was at the time. How weird to listen to them in better quality now, 50, 60, or even more years after they were pressed, than anyone has ever heard them before.

Monday 4 May 2015

Eddie Calvert - Oh Mein Papa / Mystery St.


So soon after the last post? I know, it should be at least six weeks, but this is AMAZING.

From a little pile of 78s I found in a charity shop in Frome, where as you may know (if you've ever visited shotsoffreedom.blogspot.co.uk) I get about half my records.

This is a single which apparently got to number 1 in the UK in 1953. The single itself ('Oh Mein Papa') is pretty good, but nothing terribly special. Sounds like it might have got to number 1 in the UK in 1953, that kind of thing.

The b-side is astonishing! It's some kind of Mexican ghost tango. Which incidentally has become my new genre of choice. Give it a whirl, it's great.


Hope you like it. Here.

Monday 27 April 2015

Paul Whiteman and his Concert Orchestra (with Paul Robeson) - Ol' Man River / Showboat - Vocal Gems


Great stuff all round, here. I have no idea if this is a classic version of this song, it might be all over every CD of Paul Robeson everywhere, but it's a good version. Some excellent backing vocals popping up at the end, too. 'Showboat - Vocal Gems' is a collection of bits of other tracks from the... film? This seems to be quite common on 78s, there's a kind of a medley of greatest hits from the soundtrack, rather than individual songs.


It's here for you all.

Tuesday 24 March 2015

Lonnie Donegan - Putting On The Style / Gamblin' Man


Seems somehow appropriate to start with the last record ever to get to number 1 (in the UK at least) released only on 78rpm.


Listen here.