Some days ago I have listened to a radio show with historical recordings, a show that did especially include a set of recordings by Roy Smeck – The Wizard of the Strings. Two pieces recorded in 1928 were followed by an interesting set of live recordings from 1977 . Maybe my favorite song from this radio show is I want my momma in which Roy Smeck makes his steel-guitar talk.
This is the complete list of songs form this radio show:
| Roy Smeck – ukulele ; Henri Klickmann – piano | 12th Street rag | Needle Type disc N-138 | 1928 |
| Roy Smeck – octachorda ; Carson Robison – guitar | Twilight echoes | Needle Type disc N-136 | 1928 |
| Roy Smeck – electric Hawaiian guitar ; John Goodman – guitar | Third man theme | live at ENHS | 1977 |
| Roy Smeck – electric Hawaiian guitar ; John Goodman – guitar | I want my momma | live at ENHS | 1977 |
| Roy Smeck – ukulele | Tea for two | live at ENHS | 1977 |
| Roy Smeck – ukulele | I want to be happy | live at ENHS | 1977 |
| Roy Smeck – ukulele & harmonica | Ragtime medley | live at ENHS | 1977 |
You can listen to the Radio Show at: http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/8210
(needs Media Player Classic to play)
Roy Smack was one of the super stars of the 1920s and 1930s. He took part in the very first movies with sound recording, and he also was one of the first to use some multi track recording techniques. This can be seen in the following video where Roy Smeck plays four different instruments:
Another great movie shows Roy Smeck’s imitation of “Bill Robinson’s Tap and Stair Dance”. Roy Smeck uses his ukuulele as a fantastic drum set replacement.
Roy Smeck could play the ukulele and the harmonica at the same time, and without any device to hold the harmonica. He just holds the harmonica with his lips and plays it – you can see this in the following video after ca. 4:40.
I have collected the most interesting videos with Roy Smeck in the following playlist! Have fun with Roy Smeck!
Playlist Roy Smeck
Additional Information
Wikipedia about Roy Smack: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Smeck
Biography at ukediner: http://ukediner.ukulele.org/roybio.html
Biography at spaceagepop: http://www.spaceagepop.com/smeck.htm
Roy Smeck signature instruments by Harmony: http://harmony.demont.net/roysmeck.php
Gibson Roy Smeck Guitars: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/roy.html