Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

Spring Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > July 2009 > 2009.07.04 > 07Prev  Next


Piano Roll Artists in Rare Film Clips
By Andrew Barrett

Hi gang,  I thought you all might dig this little video short from
1927 which includes Frank Black, Republic and Ampico artist, at the
piano.  Although he only has a very brief solo spot, his accompaniments
are fairly audible throughout the vocal ensembles (which are excellent,
by the way).  If you are a roll collector, you might get a kick out of
seeing what he looked like, and how he moved playing the piano!  If you
are a record collector, you might salivate seeing which vocal group
this is and who is singing!  I suspect that for some members of the
ensemble, this was their only film!

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNFlwJOxY4 

Next is another short clip prominently featuring the tricky piano
work of "Little" Jack Little, who was better known as a songwriter and
vocalist, but also made some great rolls for Vocalstyle and possibly
other companies as well.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n0KyM7Qbmw 

Here's a clip of one of his rolls:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LvZFOkQd-Y 

Finally, we have Lee Sims, who made rolls for U.S. and Ampico, at
the piano, practicing his usual over-the-top manner while his wife,
Ilomay Bailey, assaults (I mean - charms) our eardrums with a stirring
rendition of "The Beat O' My Heart", a 1930s song which can also be
heard in a band organ version elsewhere on YouTube.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nqtIXUhxSw 

One of Sims' numerous solo piano records:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bCfVkwcbbs 

And here's one of Sims' excellent rolls, for comparison:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmp9yre2cQc 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy,
Andrew Barrett


(Message sent Sat 4 Jul 2009, 12:15:46 GMT, from time zone GMT-0700.)

Key Words in Subject:  Artists, Clips, Film, Piano, Rare, Roll

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page