This blog started in 2011 with some posts focused on my collection of 78 rpm records from around the world.
In the course of my researches on records, artists and labels, it has gradually evolved into something broader on the history of sound recording. It now includes interesting, funny or offbeat finds made while browsing the French digital library Gallica. It will also present some side projects I’ve been working on.
Ceints de bakélite 
Dear Sirs,
My name is Fabris G.Luca,45 years old,Italy.
I’m an Elvis Presley researcher expecially on the early days. At the mo
all my researches are in relation to a book/CD project for the Elvis fan
club network. It’s a 3/4 CD 200 pages book about Elvis stay at SUN
records done by Ernst Jorgensen(BMG chief on Elvis music catalogue)
which I’m now helping detailing the period from July of 1954 through the
end of 1955. The book will consist of more than 400 early photos – half
of them previously unpublished. It’s not an attempt of once again write
the story of Elvis Presley, but more a collection of information,
photos, memorabilia and stories shared by fans who where there at the
time. The book will not deal in gossip or other unpleasant material,it’s
all about the innocence of the time and the impact of Elvis’ music.We
are trying to document every single show Elvis did, and we have come
fairly close. So I’m looking for photos,recordings from Louisiana
Hayride (KWKH program transmitted also by KTHS) or Opry,or any live
radio gig or interview …. ANYTHING IS WELCOME FROM THE 50s!!
The main reason to contact you is to know if in your files
you’ve some 16″ END series AFRTS produced by USA AFRTS radio during 50s to
transmit live for American Forces – Navy included.
On particular END series AFRTS produced discs on radio programs such as Saturday Night
Country Style (Ref END 536) who transmitted portions of Hayride,Big D Jamboree,Virginia Barndance and others
and Louisiana Hayride only (Ref END 658).
We know for sure many were produced (more than 969 on Hayride) but I’d like
to know if someone of you have lists of songs or broadcasts,if you’ve tapes
or metal stampers in your archives.Even 16″ discs…..Anything is welcome.
Would you like to help us?
Your help,anyone’s help is welcome!
Write soon I hope this is not too much of an intrusion.
Sincerely yours
Fabris G.Luca Elvis Researcher
email plcpf@tin.it
Hello,
This looks interesting ! I personally don’t own any Elvis records, but maybe one of this blog’s visitors will be able to help you. Good luck !
Dear Mr. Fabris,
I have the 78 rpm records in my collection and all are Indian songs and instrumentals.If you are interested you may contact me at : rajenmkll@yahoo.com
Hi..I already put your blog on my Blog list,..let’s do the exchange 🙂
Here is a press release from BAFTA and Academy Award-winning Bedlam Productions’ about our new music documentary American B-Side.
In the midst of our feature films and TV docs, every now and again we at Bedlam come across a passion project that requires a little extra love and attention. This one is of those, and we’ve turned to Kickstarter to get it finished.
American B-Side is a documentary on the eccentric and exiled musical geniuses of the Southern States. Dreamers, deadbeats and evangelical devotees who committed their creativity to records rarely heard by anyone. Joseph Fletcher travels through the thrift stores of the South on a heartbroken journey of his own and finds hope in these stories of ambition and passion, tracking down the musicians to discover the stories that have never been told.
It’s Searching for Sugarman meets Buena Vista Social Club with a bit of Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus thrown in.
You can watch the trailer and read more about it here: http://kck.st/15nxUmv
Additionally here is an exclusive film clip of the God of Hell Fire himself Arthur Brown: https://vimeo.com/65211116
In the clip, Arthur Brown, reads a poem from his 1968 best-selling album The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. He saw little money from the record and has been painting houses in Texas since the 1980s, with only a few public appearances in the last 30 years.
In this exclusive clip, Joseph Fletcher, director of music documentary American B-Side, has tracked him down to his Austin home. After a long discussion about the healing and cleansing properties of fire, Arthur agrees to be set alight as he was in his 1960s shows.
We can’t afford to get it finished without knowing that there’s an audience out there that wants to see this film, so we’re looking to the public to help us get over the finish line.
So far we’ve raised 50% of our £30,000 budget but we still have a long way to go with only 12 days left.
American B-Side will rediscover a rare alternative musical world for a mainstream audience, all packaged within a beautiful cinematic experience.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the project.
Thank you for reading about American B-side, we would love for you to help us out and look forward to hearing from you.
Will Emsworth
Head of Development
Bedlam Productions Ltd
22-23 D’Arblay Street
London
United Kingdom
W1F 8EQ
Tel: +44 (0) 207 287 6317
Mob: +44 (0) 773 788 3411
http://www.bedlamproductions.co.uk
http://kck.st/15nxUmv
Have you heard if there exists any 78 records of NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN music? I am a one of a kind world musical instrument store in CANADA – http://www.musideum.com
Hi, I think I saw a list of Native American Indian music 78s in the latest Nauck’s auction, I will have a look and let you know.
Hi
I am a British documentary maker. I am preparing a film about vinyl and shellac collectors. I am in Paris on Monday and Tuesday next. In case you are around, is there any chance we could meet up? Your work sounds amazing.
Best
Mark Kidel
info on me at http://www.calliopemedia.co.uk
Hello Mark. If you ever come to the USA I can direct you to some people who have amazing record collections, just here in Connecticut. Vinyl and shellac. Best of luck with your documentary.
Sam Sigg
If you are interested in South African Township 78s – may I recommend you have a listen to this radio show which is now available on Mixcloud here – http://www.mixcloud.com/Kipperthecat/township-78s-special-part-1-kipper-the-cat-show-on-cambridge-105-23rd-september-2014/
in this show we play an amazing selection of Township South African 78s. These are largely from a goldmine find of MINT discs uncovered by Judd Kirkel Welwitch and Neil Starr which were bought over to the UK in Bulk.
This two hour show only scratches the surface of the collection but features the likes of Miriam Makeba, Jacob and Elias Lerole, Spokes Mashiyane, Dorothy Masuka, Albert Ralunini, Zacks Nkosi and many many more.
The 78s cover roughly a ten year period from about1957 to 1967 (yes they were still making 78s in South Africa then) and amongst others features Kwelas, Sax Jives, and some stunning vocal harmony group records.
The tracks chosen were lovingly selected jointly by the Kipper The Cat team and afrrican Music specialists Lucas Keen and Chris Peckham.
feel free to share this link
Greg
Hi,
Love your blog! I’ve added it to my blogroll (and there ain’t too many on there 🙂 ).
Check out my blog if you have the time, and add a link to your blog if you feel mine is worthy 😉
http://bluesandjazz78s.wordpress.com
Cheers!
Good Morning ,
I saw that you are giving advices about where to find 78 rpm records in the world.
I am a pretty big collector with a lot of rarities,expecially neapolitan songs and operas.
I would be interested in being included in the list and why not , you could visit me and see what i have got.
By now i haven’t made an inventory yet.
Please write me back.
Best regards
Gaetano Pisano
Dear all,
Unfortunately i have to sell my little collection about 78rpm. Could you be interested to buy any records?
I’m a private person and i’m writing from Venice, Italy.
Thanks in advance for your kindness,
Best regards.
Barbara
Hello,
I have sometimes wanted to buy 78s from French sources, but have been put off by the apparent lack of any coherent French system of record grading or agreed terminology for defects. English-speaking vendors often use the reasonably efficient “VJM” grading scale, plus a set of standard abbreviations for the various types of surface damage. German vendors often use a numerical scale, with a similar range of coded terms for blemishes, etc. However, in France, often I’m confronted with “très bien”, “bien” or “moyen” — and that’s as far is goes. Has there ever been a more coherent French system, and, if so, what is it?
Best wishes,
Anthony
Hello Anthony,
Sorry for this late answer. Well, it’s an interesting question. The VJM grading system is used by some sellers here, but it is true that many people still used their own grading scale and it’s not always reliable, indeed. The best way to deal with that is asking the seller for more precisions, that’s what I do (does “Très bien” actually mean “Very Good” or “Excellent”). Based on my experience, “Neuf” ou “Comme Neuf” would be the equivalent of N- or E+, but once again, this must be confirmed by the seller. Best wishes, Thomas
Dear all,
Unfortunately i have to sell my little collection about 78rpm. Could you be interested to buy any records?
I’m a private person and i’m writing from Venice, Italy.
Thanks in advance for your kindness,
Best regards.
Barbara
Bonjour Thomas, je viens d’explorer l’exposition virtuelle “1946 Mission Ogooué-Congo” que vous avez faites avec mes collègues du CREM Aude et Joséphine. J’aimerais pouvoir m’entretenir avec vous concernant ce projet. Y a-t-il un adresse internet où je pourrais vous joindre? A bientôt j’espère, Madeleine Leclair