Various Artists Minstrels - Songs of the Old Plantation (CDR35)
Minstrel Shows were one of the most popular entertainments of the
Victorian Era. The humour was of a gentle nature which appealed to
those who might never enter a music hall. The CD includes harmony songs
such as Massa’s in de cold cold ground and
Carry me back to Old Virginia, written by Stephen Foster and
James Bland, major songwriters at the time. The Haydn Quartette, an
American harmony vocal group, visited England in 1902 to make
recordings and many of the tracks originate from this time.
A flavour of the style of the minstrel show is
given in the later tracks which were studio interpretations made at the
time.
Note: Certain words and sentiments within the
songs and titles, considered innocent at the time of recording, may
nowadays cause offence but are reproduced in the interests of
authenticity.
Track Listing
Haydn Quartette:
Massa’s in de cold cold ground, Carry me back to Old Virginia, Mandy
Lee, Don’t yer cry ma Honey, Old Black Joe, Little Alabama Coon,
Louisiana Lou, Darling Nellie Gray, Old Folks at Home, The Reception
Medley, Annie Laurie, The Cornfield Medley, My Creole Sue, The
Steamboat Medley, In the Evening by the Moonlight, Home Sweet Home.
The Minster Singers:
Oh! Dem Golden Slippers, De Ole Banjo, Good-night, Zonophone Minstrels: Far Away Ober Dare,
Ding, Dong, Ding Victor Minstrels: An Evening with The
Minstrels No1, An Evening with The Minstrels No2, An Evening with The
Minstrels No3, An Evening with The Minstrels No4
The Coontown Minstrels: Tom Birchmore,
Cornerman, “Massa”, Tom Birchmore, Cornerman, “Dixie”,