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From 1910, Polk Miller and the all-black "Old South Quartette" sing Jerusalem Mournin'.
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The authentic sounds of a Southern plantation quartette.
To hear an excerpt For help playing these sounds, click here. |
In January 1910 Edison Phonograph Monthly announced the release of seven recordings by Polk Miller and His Old South Quartette:
POLK MILLER'S RECORDS. These were made especially for the Southern trades, and any remarks from us as to the popularity of "Polk Miller" and his "Old Southern Quartette" will seem entirely superfluous to our Southern clientele, who have long and favorably known these fine entertainers; but to those with whom the name is not familiar, would advise, Mr. Miller is the foremost delineator of the old Southern plantation negro that has ever appeared on the public stage, who has organized and drilled a quartette of the best negro singers ever heard on the platform, with voices naturally sweet, though uncultivated, thus producing a harmony unequalled by the professionals, and which goes straight to the hearts of people, and to those who know of Southern plantation life from much reading, the songs will prove a pleasant and educational |
Elsewhere in the issue, the following description was given for Jerusalem Mournin'
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A favorite camp-meeting song, whose fame is by no means confined to the South.
This is probably the catchiest of the seven |
Two months later, in the March issue, the following comments appear:
Polk Miller Records a Surprise The seven Records made by Polk Miller and his "Old South Quartette," which went on sale January 3rd, have proven a tremendous |
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To hear other examples of wax cylinders, see the