For you Martin history buffs out there: This recording, Songs by Stephen Foster Volume II on Nonesuch Label (H-71333) has I believe the only recording of a very old Martin guitar 1840-1841.Its in the Smithsonian Institution Renwick Gallery of the National Collection of Fine Division of Musical Instruments Washington D.C. The liner notes inside describe the instrument: guitar: six strings, birds eye maple, CF Martin Nazareth, PA labeled (inside) Martin & Coupa, Guitar Manufacturers, 385 Broadway (upstairs) New York. When I bought the album new in 1976 I immediately wrote to the late Mike Longworth about it. He thanked me for bringing it to his attention as the company didnt know about this recording or about that particular guitar. He said the company did have an instrument in the Smithsonian but they didnt know that it was used on this recording. He went on to tell me about the short time that CF Martin was at the 385 Broadway address in NYC. I love Stephen Fosters music. The guitarist on this album is Howard Bass. The guitar sounds glorious! Its played on My Old Kentucky Home and on Hard Times Come Again No More. This album and Volume 1 by the same name are scholarly recordings of Fosters work, highly recommended! Recent research dates the guitar at 1840-1841.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 13:55:33 +0000
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