The title of this post is something that every early record collector has run into at some point, unless you are tone-deaf, then this hasn't been a problem for you. Having a very strange type of perfect pitch, I have very sensitive ears when it comes to 100 year old records, as they are the most frustrating of any recordings for record speeds. When I listen to a record from 1897-1906 with a Cake-Walk as the tune, I test the speed a little until an even Cake-Walk can be danced to it, and if an even key can be indicated. but of course, this method does not always work with every of record of that time. Much of determining speed on early recordings depends upon prior knowledge of the material before it's played. This sort of knowledge would include knowing the singer or performer, knowing the song, and knowing the possible key range. It's something that not every record collector has naturally.
Anyhow, this subject is the most frustrating of anything that has to do with these old records, as I just explained above why this is so. I was messing around with record speeds last evening and found that my 1906 Victor of Pryor's band playing "Coon Band Contest" was actually too fast when just playing it straight after I put the record on the turntable. I set the pitch far downward, and found it sounded fantastic at an even B flat. Just to get the comparison, here is the faster transfer, or the more commonly known speed:
https://ia802607.us.archive.org/25/items/ArthurPryorsBand/ArthurPryorsBand-ACoonBandContest.mp3
This always sounded high and screechy to me, and with that feeling, that made me want to fix it. I have a different take of the same recording, which is possibly an earlier one. Anyhow, here's my transfer of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7o4GfHjF94
It's much slower, but if you think about it, the high and screechy sound is completely gone, and it sounds purer. Sorry it's so messy though, my copy of this record has had a harsh life, as it was the one record that sparked my interest in 100 year old records. In that, I played the record practically to death when I was little, and you can clearly hear it. Another reason I found that the speed was too fast at and even C, was because there was a Sousa Band recording of it from 1900 that was in B Flat, not C. https://ia800306.us.archive.org/11/items/SousasBand/SousasBand-ACoonBandContest.mp3
You can clearly see why I did this now.
That cylinder just above is played at the correct speed by the way.
Another thing that helps when trying at getting the correct speed on an early record is the pitch of the instrument. Such as a piccolo. Piccolos are pitched in D flat, so at this, if a recording is transferred at an even A, D, or B flat, the record is played far too fast. This example can be heard here:
Schweinfest with Hylands playing "Bob White Polka" in 1898
This one is a ridiculous example, though it clearly gets the point across, as it exemplifies everything I said about what a record played far too fast sounds like.
It is certain that Schweinfest would have been discontented with the extremely fast speed o the cylinder, and of course, so would Hylands. This cylinder should be pitched at an even A flat, as allowing for the pitch accommodation of the piccolo. Also, take into consideration that Hylands would not have played this tune as fast as it is one the transfer, I have sat at the piano and played the tune in A flat to D flat, and have found it to be a fantastic cylinder.
Another frustrating cylinder transfer is this one here:
Schweinfest with Hylands playing "At A Georgia Campmeeting" in 1898
Now if this one was played just a half-step slower, it would be a fantastic and hot piece of Rag-Time. I have also sat at the piano and played this one in the A heard on the transfer, then in the A flat it's supposed to be. Cylinders that are played too slow are just as frustrating as those that are played faster.
here are a few slower cylinders:
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder8826
The key of this transfer is E, and that is absolutely not right. It should be at an even F. This one would also sound great if it were played just a little bit faster.
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder15570
Now this one is a little more obvious. If you know anything about J. W.Myers, you would know that he never sang as low as he does on this transfer. Now of all losses of record speed, this is a real murder. It is a fantastically recorded cylinder, with everything in Hylands' accompaniment, from the high trill notes, to the deep bass octaves. Myers sings the song wonderfully, and I can try to hear it at an even G as it's supposed to be, not a low F.
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder9757
This lovely cylinder was played far too slow, which is understandable, as it was issued on one of those very fast playing Columbia cylinders in 1901. This is actually one of the nicest and sweetest love songs of the late-1890's I would think, and it's really unfortunate that this transfer is played too slow. It is a loss also because of the fact that Hylands gets some playing in behind them playing in a tango rhythm.
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder8660
This one is a rare Polyphone record from 1899, which in itself makes for an interesting recording. It is easy to know how this cylinder is played too fast, as the announcement at the beginning, which is by Len Spencer not surprisingly. One thing I must point out is the fantastic sound of the piano on this cylinder, if you really take a listen to the piano, it's amazingly clear and full with all the bass notes. I must also point out that you can pick out Len Spencer from the group when they sing together, which was, as I have explained before, a bit of a problem when it came to the Greater New York Quartette.
Now to move to some that are played at perfect speeds, to get an idea of what many of these singers and performers sounded like. To begin, I must share some records by
Arthur Collins.
For an example, here is a record by Collins played a little too fast:
https://ia902300.us.archive.org/31/items/ArthurCollins_part2/ArthurCollins-TheGooGooManCoonSong.mp3
(fantastic piece of Rag-Time by the way! Hylands is very audible in the orchestra as well.)
Now for one played very slightly too slow:
https://ia800209.us.archive.org/16/items/ArthurCollins_part1/ArthurCollins-CindyIDreamsAboutYouCoonSong.mp3
The pianist on this one is still being disputed...
Now for records by Collins played at the perfect speed. These vary from collector to collector, as some cannot really tell the slight differences that Collins had when he sang before 1900 and after 1900. Pretty sure that I have explained that strange coincidence with Collins' singing style.
his 1902 take of "Bill Bailey" with Fred Hylands.
The speed on this could not sound better. Perfect Collins, perfect Hylands.
This one is in E by the way, which may sound strange, but Collins recorded several songs like this in E for some reason. So really, it makes sense with Collins' range.
his also 1902 take of "My Castle on the Nile" with Hylands
Still amazing every time I hear it. Hylands plays absolutely wonderfully on this, showing off all sorts of things that he normally didn't play. All the walking octaves! Oh! It's just perfect!
Now to move on to something that actually has to do with 33rpm records somewhat. Now that album from the late-1970's:
Yep, that one.
This album is a fantastic introduction into the history of banjo Rag-Time, or even just recorded Rag-Time in its earliest years. The one particular track that I am focusing on here is Ossman's "Rusty Rags Medley" which was recorded in 1901 by Ossman with Hylands. The problem here is that the transfer on the 33 was played far too fast, ridiculously fast if I might say. Before I list it here, here is what the back of the record sleeve says about this very track:
One of the main parts of this medley is actually the popular tune from 1900 "My Tiger Lily", but I am not exactly sure what the other one is just yet.
Here is the transfer I did of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1NbD7pysP0
It is played at an even F, and it is really a very amazing record! Hylands plays some fantastic patterns on this one, and they are very audible.
Now, here's the one that everyone hears when they set the record playing as is:
https://ia800304.us.archive.org/17/items/FredVanEpsVessL.OssmanKingsOfTheRagtimeBanjo/11RustyRagsMedley.mp3
Far too fast indeed!
Now I just came to realize that the transfer of Ossman playing "Peaceful Henry" is also too fast! Well, I'll make a video of it tomorrow, as I do want to hear that at the right speed!
before I end abruptly, here's the transfer of "Peaceful Henry" as is when playing the record an purely 33rpm:
https://ia600304.us.archive.org/17/items/FredVanEpsVessL.OssmanKingsOfTheRagtimeBanjo/03PeacefulHenry.mp3
Can't wait to hear it correctly tomorrow!
Anyhow, this subject is the most frustrating of anything that has to do with these old records, as I just explained above why this is so. I was messing around with record speeds last evening and found that my 1906 Victor of Pryor's band playing "Coon Band Contest" was actually too fast when just playing it straight after I put the record on the turntable. I set the pitch far downward, and found it sounded fantastic at an even B flat. Just to get the comparison, here is the faster transfer, or the more commonly known speed:
https://ia802607.us.archive.org/25/items/ArthurPryorsBand/ArthurPryorsBand-ACoonBandContest.mp3
This always sounded high and screechy to me, and with that feeling, that made me want to fix it. I have a different take of the same recording, which is possibly an earlier one. Anyhow, here's my transfer of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7o4GfHjF94
It's much slower, but if you think about it, the high and screechy sound is completely gone, and it sounds purer. Sorry it's so messy though, my copy of this record has had a harsh life, as it was the one record that sparked my interest in 100 year old records. In that, I played the record practically to death when I was little, and you can clearly hear it. Another reason I found that the speed was too fast at and even C, was because there was a Sousa Band recording of it from 1900 that was in B Flat, not C. https://ia800306.us.archive.org/11/items/SousasBand/SousasBand-ACoonBandContest.mp3
You can clearly see why I did this now.
That cylinder just above is played at the correct speed by the way.
Another thing that helps when trying at getting the correct speed on an early record is the pitch of the instrument. Such as a piccolo. Piccolos are pitched in D flat, so at this, if a recording is transferred at an even A, D, or B flat, the record is played far too fast. This example can be heard here:
Schweinfest with Hylands playing "Bob White Polka" in 1898
This one is a ridiculous example, though it clearly gets the point across, as it exemplifies everything I said about what a record played far too fast sounds like.
Another frustrating cylinder transfer is this one here:
Schweinfest with Hylands playing "At A Georgia Campmeeting" in 1898
Now if this one was played just a half-step slower, it would be a fantastic and hot piece of Rag-Time. I have also sat at the piano and played this one in the A heard on the transfer, then in the A flat it's supposed to be. Cylinders that are played too slow are just as frustrating as those that are played faster.
here are a few slower cylinders:
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder8826
The key of this transfer is E, and that is absolutely not right. It should be at an even F. This one would also sound great if it were played just a little bit faster.
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder15570
Now this one is a little more obvious. If you know anything about J. W.Myers, you would know that he never sang as low as he does on this transfer. Now of all losses of record speed, this is a real murder. It is a fantastically recorded cylinder, with everything in Hylands' accompaniment, from the high trill notes, to the deep bass octaves. Myers sings the song wonderfully, and I can try to hear it at an even G as it's supposed to be, not a low F.
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder9757
This lovely cylinder was played far too slow, which is understandable, as it was issued on one of those very fast playing Columbia cylinders in 1901. This is actually one of the nicest and sweetest love songs of the late-1890's I would think, and it's really unfortunate that this transfer is played too slow. It is a loss also because of the fact that Hylands gets some playing in behind them playing in a tango rhythm.
http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder8660
This one is a rare Polyphone record from 1899, which in itself makes for an interesting recording. It is easy to know how this cylinder is played too fast, as the announcement at the beginning, which is by Len Spencer not surprisingly. One thing I must point out is the fantastic sound of the piano on this cylinder, if you really take a listen to the piano, it's amazingly clear and full with all the bass notes. I must also point out that you can pick out Len Spencer from the group when they sing together, which was, as I have explained before, a bit of a problem when it came to the Greater New York Quartette.
Now to move to some that are played at perfect speeds, to get an idea of what many of these singers and performers sounded like. To begin, I must share some records by
Arthur Collins.
For an example, here is a record by Collins played a little too fast:
https://ia902300.us.archive.org/31/items/ArthurCollins_part2/ArthurCollins-TheGooGooManCoonSong.mp3
(fantastic piece of Rag-Time by the way! Hylands is very audible in the orchestra as well.)
Now for one played very slightly too slow:
https://ia800209.us.archive.org/16/items/ArthurCollins_part1/ArthurCollins-CindyIDreamsAboutYouCoonSong.mp3
The pianist on this one is still being disputed...
Now for records by Collins played at the perfect speed. These vary from collector to collector, as some cannot really tell the slight differences that Collins had when he sang before 1900 and after 1900. Pretty sure that I have explained that strange coincidence with Collins' singing style.
his 1902 take of "Bill Bailey" with Fred Hylands.
The speed on this could not sound better. Perfect Collins, perfect Hylands.
This one is in E by the way, which may sound strange, but Collins recorded several songs like this in E for some reason. So really, it makes sense with Collins' range.
his also 1902 take of "My Castle on the Nile" with Hylands
Still amazing every time I hear it. Hylands plays absolutely wonderfully on this, showing off all sorts of things that he normally didn't play. All the walking octaves! Oh! It's just perfect!
Now to move on to something that actually has to do with 33rpm records somewhat. Now that album from the late-1970's:
This album is a fantastic introduction into the history of banjo Rag-Time, or even just recorded Rag-Time in its earliest years. The one particular track that I am focusing on here is Ossman's "Rusty Rags Medley" which was recorded in 1901 by Ossman with Hylands. The problem here is that the transfer on the 33 was played far too fast, ridiculously fast if I might say. Before I list it here, here is what the back of the record sleeve says about this very track:
One of the main parts of this medley is actually the popular tune from 1900 "My Tiger Lily", but I am not exactly sure what the other one is just yet.
Here is the transfer I did of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1NbD7pysP0
It is played at an even F, and it is really a very amazing record! Hylands plays some fantastic patterns on this one, and they are very audible.
Now, here's the one that everyone hears when they set the record playing as is:
https://ia800304.us.archive.org/17/items/FredVanEpsVessL.OssmanKingsOfTheRagtimeBanjo/11RustyRagsMedley.mp3
Far too fast indeed!
Now I just came to realize that the transfer of Ossman playing "Peaceful Henry" is also too fast! Well, I'll make a video of it tomorrow, as I do want to hear that at the right speed!
before I end abruptly, here's the transfer of "Peaceful Henry" as is when playing the record an purely 33rpm:
https://ia600304.us.archive.org/17/items/FredVanEpsVessL.OssmanKingsOfTheRagtimeBanjo/03PeacefulHenry.mp3
Can't wait to hear it correctly tomorrow!
I hope you enjoyed this!
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