Al Reeves made this Columbia cylinder in 1892.
He sings a parody of a sentimental song titled "Picture That Is Turned Toward The Wall."
He changed the lyrics, so instead of a sentimental ballad, we hear a comic song about the boxer John L. Sullivan, who was America’s best-known sports celebrity in the 1890s and among the nation’s most famous citizens.
John L. Sullivan embodied Gilded Age fascination with rich living and gaudy displays of wealth.
These are some words that I can make out:
"A few words I will mention of a man great, known to fame...For 12 long years a champion...he never met defeat....but time makes many changes in every man's career, yet aspirations for him were ignored, for hero John L. Sullivan, whose name will always live, the greatest fighter that this world has ever known...Poor John fell broken-hearted...when the purse from him departed, but we'll never turn his picture towards the wall."
Al Reeves billed himself as "The World’s Greatest Banjoist and Comedian."
Reeves had a whistling style (not heard here) that influenced Al Jolson.
Reeves had a catchphrase: "Give me credit, boys."
A young Al Jolson worked for Reeves' company of entertainers after the youngster fell under the spell of Reeves as an entertainer. Jolson was born Asa Yoelson--even the name "Al" may show the influence of Reeves.
_______________________
Now for info about the original song:
The song "Picture That Is Turned Toward The Wall" was written by Charles Graham
Far away beyond the glamor
Of the city and its strife
There's a quiet little homestead by the sea
Where a tender, loving lassie
Used to live a happy life
Contented in her home as she could be
Not a shadow ever seemed to cloud
The sunshine of her youth
And they tho't no sorrow could her life befall
But she left them all one evening
And their sad hearts knew the truth
When her father turned her picture to the wall
There's a name that's never spoken
And a mother's heart half broken
There is just another missing
From the old home, that is all
There is still a mem'ry living
There's a father unforgiving
And a picture that is turned toward the wall
They have laid away each token
Of the one who ne'er returns
Ev'ry trinket, ev'ry ribbon that she wore
Tho' it seems so long ago now
Yet the lamp of hope still burns
And her mother prays
To see her child once more
Tho' no tidings ever reach them
What her life or lot may be
Tho' they sometimes think
She's gone beyond recall
There's a tender recollection
Of a face they never see
In the picture that is turned toward the wall
He sings a parody of a sentimental song titled "Picture That Is Turned Toward The Wall."
He changed the lyrics, so instead of a sentimental ballad, we hear a comic song about the boxer John L. Sullivan, who was America’s best-known sports celebrity in the 1890s and among the nation’s most famous citizens.
John L. Sullivan embodied Gilded Age fascination with rich living and gaudy displays of wealth.
These are some words that I can make out:
"A few words I will mention of a man great, known to fame...For 12 long years a champion...he never met defeat....but time makes many changes in every man's career, yet aspirations for him were ignored, for hero John L. Sullivan, whose name will always live, the greatest fighter that this world has ever known...Poor John fell broken-hearted...when the purse from him departed, but we'll never turn his picture towards the wall."
Al Reeves billed himself as "The World’s Greatest Banjoist and Comedian."
Reeves had a whistling style (not heard here) that influenced Al Jolson.
Reeves had a catchphrase: "Give me credit, boys."
A young Al Jolson worked for Reeves' company of entertainers after the youngster fell under the spell of Reeves as an entertainer. Jolson was born Asa Yoelson--even the name "Al" may show the influence of Reeves.
_______________________
Now for info about the original song:
The song "Picture That Is Turned Toward The Wall" was written by Charles Graham
Far away beyond the glamor
Of the city and its strife
There's a quiet little homestead by the sea
Where a tender, loving lassie
Used to live a happy life
Contented in her home as she could be
Not a shadow ever seemed to cloud
The sunshine of her youth
And they tho't no sorrow could her life befall
But she left them all one evening
And their sad hearts knew the truth
When her father turned her picture to the wall
There's a name that's never spoken
And a mother's heart half broken
There is just another missing
From the old home, that is all
There is still a mem'ry living
There's a father unforgiving
And a picture that is turned toward the wall
They have laid away each token
Of the one who ne'er returns
Ev'ry trinket, ev'ry ribbon that she wore
Tho' it seems so long ago now
Yet the lamp of hope still burns
And her mother prays
To see her child once more
Tho' no tidings ever reach them
What her life or lot may be
Tho' they sometimes think
She's gone beyond recall
There's a tender recollection
Of a face they never see
In the picture that is turned toward the wall
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