According to Reg's Hall notes for the Topic 'Voice of People' series:
''The 5th Avenue Busman' as he was billed on his records, was from around Ballaghadereen in the west of Co. Roscommon. During the 1920s (at least) he worked as a driver for the 5th Avenue Bus Company in New York. He was recorded extensively by several record companies for the Irish-American market, and though he made some dance-music records, his forte was the comic song with song verses interspersed with choruses of lilting and flute playing. His home area was flute country and he has a characteristic breathy and pulsating style. His recording of 'The Real Old Mountain Dew' was issued in Britain soon after it was made and it sold very well in Ireland and among the Irish in Glasgow, London and Liverpool and other large towns with Irish populations.'
There's a track of him singing, lilting and playing flute on the newly-released "Flute Players Of Roscommon Vol.2"CD. He may be mentioned in Grey Larsen's "Essential" flute book - I'll have a look.
John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
Hi,
Anyone know anything about this guy?
I inherited a couple of 78's a while ago. Great music.
Not much information about him though...
besides..
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/mckenna.htm
Thanks
# Posted on July 18th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
It looks to be "5th Avenue" not "25th Avenue" in some refs.
There are two mp3s at:
http://www.juneberry78s.com/sounds/ListenToIrishDance.htm
# Posted on July 18th 2008 by mickray
Re: John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
According to Reg's Hall notes for the Topic 'Voice of People' series:
''The 5th Avenue Busman' as he was billed on his records, was from around Ballaghadereen in the west of Co. Roscommon. During the 1920s (at least) he worked as a driver for the 5th Avenue Bus Company in New York. He was recorded extensively by several record companies for the Irish-American market, and though he made some dance-music records, his forte was the comic song with song verses interspersed with choruses of lilting and flute playing. His home area was flute country and he has a characteristic breathy and pulsating style. His recording of 'The Real Old Mountain Dew' was issued in Britain soon after it was made and it sold very well in Ireland and among the Irish in Glasgow, London and Liverpool and other large towns with Irish populations.'
# Posted on July 18th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
Whoops, 'Reg's Hall' sounds like one of the better-run borstals.
It should have been 'Reg Hall's'.
# Posted on July 18th 2008 by Floss the Tethers
Re: John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
Deadly,
Thanks for the link.
# Posted on July 20th 2008 by Hugo Chavez
Re: John Griffin "The 25th Avenue Busman"
There's a track of him singing, lilting and playing flute on the newly-released "Flute Players Of Roscommon Vol.2"CD. He may be mentioned in Grey Larsen's "Essential" flute book - I'll have a look.
# Posted on July 24th 2008 by Kenny