Hmmph, No-body
 

Nobody

Perchance do ye have a favorite song recorded before 1915? "Nobody" is that song for me. Written and recorded by Bert Williams, "Nobody" is full of more heart, pathos and humor then nearly anything that has come since. Of course, that is my opinion. Ilikeit ... you may not, but either way ...

Pray tell ...

Amazing Grace

There were a lot of great songs written before 1915, GC. "Amazing Grace" certainly counts as one. (Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer" from 1864 is another) But my question to you would be -- is there a definitive recording of AG pre-1915 that you believe has never been bested or has some quality that no other has captured?

And --- is it on your ipod?

I am going to guess -- probably not. You could surprise me, though, and I would be delighted to hear otherwise.

But that is why I continue to marvel at Bert Williams recording. It is 96 years old and as fresh as it was when it was first recorded. If I had to put the qualities that I love about Chaplin's films in a song, "Nobody" would be it.