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Most of the surviving recordings by Will Oakland are sentimental ballads, but this recording for U.S. Everlasting (issued on a 4-minute cylinder around 1911) shows a different side of him. He takes the female role in this song(!) and, off-color as it might seem, he plays it brilliantly. The song had been written in 1892 by James Thornton, and was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic - Will's female-impersonation seems like it was done as a subtle satire on the familiar song. Recording veteran William H. Thompson sings the harmony vocals during the chorouses. This record was played fairly heavily, and there is some wear on the louder parts to prove it, but after some judicious filtering it is a joy to hear. (Lyrics to this song have been posted on-line by the Digital Tradition Mirror site, and more recordings by Will Oakland for Edison can be heard at the UCSB Special Collection.) |
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