Got to Share my Grandpa LaMore with you!

[Platefire]

Grandpa LaMore was a blast and I enjoyed my time with him. In his lifetime he was a Lawyer, Judge, State Represenative, school teacher, language translator, Insurance salesman and last but not least musician in a North Arkansas hillbilly kind of way. He got into recording in the 1940's and purchased a record cutting machine called a "Recordio" that resided in his living room. He recorded himself, family, friends and musician friend jam sessions there over a period of 20 years. If your not familiar with a Recordio, check out the attached link--his was identical to this one. He passed away in 1976 and I inherited all his old records. Don't know what happened to the recordio? didn't get that but got some of his old intruments. This is not an example of great recording practices or musicianship but what transpires when common musicians record themselves simply for the joy of it. Maybe my grandson or grandaughter will later tag on to what I have done someday?

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/canadia_ma_recordio_6b10.html

I got into recording in 1992 and in 1994 decided to put the mono tracks of some of his old records on one track of my Tascam 424 and add my own tracks to his music. His mono record had only his vocal and rhythem guitar, so I added bass, drums, electric guitar and some cases-keyboard. Grandpa and I was pretty tight, so I think he would be pleased. The recordings are a little rough as I had to jump time occationally with the record to make things fit or whatever it took to work. He was one of a kind for sure, so take a listen at some of his records I doctored up:>)

First Song recorded 15 Feb 1949=  The Fox and The Goose

http://soundcloud.com/connie-and-bob-scott/01-the-fox-and-the-goose

[Platefire]

This is another addition. I can't imagine what the Title of this song is from listening to it so I just call it "The Muskrat Song". Grandpa use to listen to the Grand old Opry but not sure if that's where he got this song from? The guitar he use to use was a dobro style guitar with a metal resignator that was most likely from Sears & Robuck or Montgomery Wards. I will continue to add a few more of his songs along the way  

Song 2 recorded 17 March 1948=    THE MUSKRAT SONG

http://soundcloud.com/connie-and-bob-scott/19-the-muskrat-song

[Platefire]

Here is another:

Song #3 Recorded late 40's   TESSIE

http://soundcloud.com/connie-and-bob-scott/tessie

[Platefire]

This is a song by a blind man Milton Battles. He played guitar, fiddle and as I recall was a good musician. Guess he was born blind and he didn't have any eyeballs in his sockets. Everytime I ever seen him he wore Khaki paints, shirt and ball cap. I guess since he was blind, color didn't matter much. He was always, cheerful, upbeat and fun to be around. He called himself "The old Blind Fiddler". I've got a picture of him somewhere and if I find it will post it. The record was skipping pretty bad and had a drop out or two---so I had to work the backup music on my tracks around that.

Song #4 Recorded 1962   THE LAUGHING SONG

http://soundcloud.com/connie-and-bob-scott/laughing-song

[Ritchie200]

That is neat stuff.  Reminds me of the stuff Hank Jr. did with his dad's old recordings.  I hope my kids/grandkids do something like this when I gone!  I'm sure your grandpa is looking down with a smile on his face!

Jim

[Platefire]

Grandpa had no knowledge of computers or internet. He passed away before all that became the norm. It would truly blow his mind to know his singing and playing was on the internet plus me tagging on to his original tracks with my additions. He would have liked the internet though because he liked new technology. In the 50's he bought a 3-D camera and took color 3-D pictures. I have the viewer and the slides he made with that camera and the pictures are great and just jump out at you. Of course he bought the Recordio in the late 40's and did a lot of recording on that. Even though the quality of these recordings is not good compared to modern recording standards, I think it's kind of rare that this grandfather and grandson combination is actually carried out. I knew him very well, was close to him and can say--yes he would like it very much. 
Platefire