Circa 1901 Gramophone Concert 78 ANONA - TWO STEP (VIVIEN GREY); Olly Oakley
$
29
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Description
Olly Oakley’s fame was due in no small part to the hundreds of gramophone records he made. His recording career started in the old cylinder days, and readers will no doubt be interested to learn how he started making records.
At the age of seventeen, he travelled to London to play at a concert in the old Finsbury Barracks. After the show, a member of the audience called "back stage" and, introducing himself, said he was a representative of the Edison Bell Phonograph Company. He asked if he (Olly Oakley) would like to make test record for his company, and an appointment was fixed.
Some days later a test wax was cut. Olly Oakley’s forceful style of picking (acquired through playing in large concert halls) was found to be ideal for recording conditions in those days, when playing under the old acoustical conditions demanded a banjoist who could pick his notes with force and still be musical.
The "Edison Bell Records" of Oakley soon became "best sellers", and it was not long before he was approached by The Gramophone & Typewriter Co. (later to become "His Master's Voice"). He was put under a three-years contract, with a retaining fee of £50 per annum, and then began the period when the best of Olly Oakley’s records were made. When this contract expired, it was renewed for another three years and the retaining fee raised to £90 per year.
Olly Oakley records were issued in batches of twelve, and many of these were later to be re-issued on the black label G. & T. Co. discs.
It is interesting to note that the piano accompaniments on many of these recordings were played by Landon Ronald, who was later knighted and became world-famous for his compositions and conducting of symphony orchestras.
This Gramophone Concert Record numbered G.C. 6455 features Olly Oakley performing Anona, a two step. It is in very good+ condition with some wear. Buyer will include $5 for shipping. Thanks.
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