Dear tigger471,
After extensive research, both online and in the library's music
department, I have found only one recording of "The Robin's Return"
released before 1950. And it is a rather odd record, but I will
explain this after some introducing words.
First, I would like to tell you about these two sound files:
http://parlorsongs.com/content/r/robrtrn.mid
This one is a Midi file made using the score of a piano piece from the
Victorian era, called "The Robin's Return". The composer was Leander
Fisher. The sheet music has already been available for purchase in
1898 - that is the earliest date I could find -, so I assume that
Fisher composed this piece earlier.
http://www.whistlingrecords.com/78s/the_robins_return.mp3
This is an actual recording, made on 24 February 1916. The performer
is whistling artist Charles Gorst, backed by an orchestra. And, though
it may be hard to believe, it is actually Leander Fisher's "The
Robin's Return". The unusual whistling arrangement makes it sound
considerably different from the original piano version. However,
Fisher is explicitly mentioned as composer on the 78rpm record
(released by Victor Records with the catalog number VI 18019 in 1916);
and upon closer listening, one will soon recognize Fisher's
composition.
And this 1916 recording is the only example for "The Robin's Return"
on record before 1950 I could find anywhere. I did not come across any
reference to this song recorded by Fats Waller or any other performer.
I would like to add that Neville Dickie's original 1969 UK hit single
of "The Robin's Return" (released on the Major Minor label, catalog
number MM 644) bears no reference to Leander Fisher as the original
composer; instead, it reads "Trad. arr. Dickie". This might indicate
that Fisher himself did not really compose "The Robin's Return", but
rather arranged an existing piano piece of unclear origin. However, it
might also be possible that Neville Dickie or Major Minor Records
avoided mentioning Leander Fisher for copyright reasons or the like.
Sources:
The Online Guide to Whistling Records: 78rpm Records
http://www.whistlingrecords.com/78s/78s.htm
Parlor Songs: May 1999 Edition - Songs of Spring & May Flowers
http://parlorsongs.com/issues/1999-5/may99feature.asp
The Online 78rpm Discographical Project: Numerical Listing of Victor
78rpm records, 1915-1918
http://settlet.fateback.com/vic18000.html
University of Utah Marriott Library, Manuscripts Division: The Beverly
Brown Glauser Papers
http://www.lib.utah.edu/spc/mss/accn1517/accn1517.html
National Library of Australia: Digital Collections, Music - L. Fisher,
The Robin's Return
http://nla.gov.au/nla.mus-an3698576
45rpm.org.uk: The Robin's Return by Neville Dickie
http://www.45-rpm.org.uk/1969.htm
Darrell Lehman, "78's FS - Day 7" Online posting (24 August 2002).
<78-c> via Yahoo! Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/78-c/message/7234
Search terms used:
"neville dickie" "robin's return"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=%22neville+dickie%22+%22robin%27s+return%22&meta=
"the robin's return"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=%22neville+dickie%22+%22robin%27s+return%22&meta=
"the robin's return" piano
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=%22neville+dickie%22+%22robin%27s+return%22&meta=
leander fisher "robins return"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=leander+fisher+%22robins+return%22&meta=
leander fisher "robin's return"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=leander+fisher+%22robin%27s+return%22&spell=1
"fats waller" "the robin's return"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=%22fats+waller%22+%22the+robin%27s+return%22&spell=1
"fats waller" "the robins return"
://www.google.de/search?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&newwindow=1&q=%22fats+waller%22+%22the+robins+return%22&meta=
Victor 18019
://www.google.de/search?q=Victor+18019&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=de&btnG=Google+Suche&meta=
Victor 18020
://www.google.de/search?q=Victor+18020&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=de&meta=
I hope this is useful for you!
Best regards,
Scriptor |
