Ernest ThompsonThe Wreck of the Southern Old 97 (1924)

Here's the flip side of Columbia 130-D, The Wreck of the Old Southern 97, sung and played by Ernest Thompson. Recorded in 1924. From the original 78rpm disk.

This item is part of the collection: 78 RPMs & Cylinder Recordings

Author: Ernest Thompson
Date: 1924-00-00 00:00:00
Source: Columbia 130-D digitized by old78collector
Keywords: Music; Country; Folk; 78rpm; Oldtime

Notes

I don't know much about Ernest Thompson except that he was one of the earliest country artists to record. He was blind and worked as a street singer in North Carolina and surrounding areas. Apparently his recordings were not very successful, since he only recorded two sessions, both in 1924 for Columbia, and never recorded afterwards. Supposedly he recorded thirty-odd sides, but I don't know how many of these were released.

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Reviewer: Apocalypstick - - May 28, 2008
Subject: great

I'm very happy I stumbled onto this. Does anyone know the lyrics or where I could find them? I tried listening to the song but I couldn't quite figure them out.

Reviewer: StaggrLee - - May 25, 2008
Subject: Fantastic!

I have been enjoying this mp3 for a few months now. Thompson's singing has a gruff charm, and I think this version has a lot more excitement than Vernon Dalhart's two recordings (both available on the archive). This is also the only recording of "Old 97" that I have found to feature an additional verse in the beginning of the song.

Reviewer: rowster - - November 24, 2006
Subject: First recorded

"The Wreck of the Old 97" was initially recorded commercially by Virginia musicians G. B. Grayson and Henry Whitter (Okeh records), but when it was released by light-opera singer Vernon Dalhart, it became the first million-selling record in the United States.
http://www.blueridgeinstitute.org/ballads/old97song.html

Reviewer: vecchiman - - August 29, 2006
Subject: Some Answers

Actually Vernan Dalhart was the first person to record this album on an Edison Recording in 1924. And yes that sound that you hear is a ukelele. In fact my Great Grandfather Frank (Palakiko) Ferreira was the ukelele player in Dalharts recording. He is credited with bringing the first ukelele and hawiian music to the United States

Reviewer: Spuzz - - May 9, 2005
Subject: The Power Of B sides

My interest was piqued.. what was on the b side of this record? So i downloaded this, and it's just great! A simple song, with a harmonica, a ukelele(?) and a great bluegrass voice. The song I'm not entirely clear on, but this is a great listen.

Reviewer: bobwhite - - August 20, 2004
Subject: Memories from the '40s OLD 97

I was raised in the mountains of eastern WV, poor and with no electricity or other utilities. My
grandfather left me a wind-up Edison Victrola
( cylinder records ) and OLD 97 was my favorite of
the few that I had. It was Vernon Dalharts version from 1927, I think. I have always been fascinated by the song and the story behind it. The rendition by Ernest Thompson is one of the best I have ever heard. I had never heard of Thompson. Guess I'll do some research. I really enjoyed this