November 2003
Cylinder of the Month


See also the  Cylinders of the Month Archive.

From 1897, a fun whistling-specialty of The Mocking Bird, by Billy Golden.

The Mocking Bird
 
Company Columbia Phonograph Company
Cylinder # 7701
Category Whistling solo
Title The Mocking Bird
Performed by Billy Golden
Circa 1897
Announcement "Whistling solo, The Mocking Bird, by Mr. Billy Golden, for Columbia Phonograph Company of New York City."
 

The sparkling Billy Golden was best known for his gravelly singing and (racial) comedy – he introduced and made famous the classic song Turkey in de Straw.  

Golden also recorded some offbeat selections; the most popular being this whistling specialty (which he recorded for several companies) of the hit song Listen to the Mocking Bird.

To hear The Mocking Bird  —
For help playing these sounds, click here.

The Columbia catalogs from this period describe Golden's records as "always interesting", and this selection as "Unique Whistling" – and indeed it is, as Golden imitates a mocking bird and an interested feline.

— This cylinder of the month is from the collection of  The Library of Congress —

                                       

To hear other examples of wax cylinders, see the

Home Early recorded sounds & wax cylinders Cylinder music shop An Edison commemorative
2nd page Note to early recordings collectors Cylinder of the month Links to related topics
What's new Tinfoil resource center Cylinders of the month archive Donate to Tinfoil.com
Copyright (C) (P) 1996-2024 Glenn Sage, Portland, Oregon.  All Rights Reserved.  Contacting Tinfoil.com.