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Spencer, Len, 1867-1914

We have 2 books for this author.

Len Spencer (February 12, 1867 – December 15, 1914) was an early American recording artist. He recorded numerous popular songs in the pre-1920s, the most popular of which was "Arkansaw Traveler" (sic!) (1902). The song is an early novelty record and consists of a back-and-forth banter with an Arkansas local who is playing a fiddle. Examples from the conversation include asking "How far is it to the next crossroads?", to which the answer is given, "You just follow your nose and you’ll come to it." He asks, "How long have you lived here?" The answer, "See that mule? It was here when I got here." Another, he ask him why he doesn’t fix the leak in his roof, to which the man replies that it’s been raining. He then asks why he doesn’t fix it when it isn’t leaking. The answer, it doesn’t leak when it doesn’t rain. The song ends with him completing the fiddle tune for the Arkansan.

Some of his most popular recordings include:

  • "Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom Der E" (1892)
  • "The Old Folks at Home" (1892)
  • "Little Alabama Coon" (1895)
  • "Dat New Bully" (1895)
  • "A Hot Time in the Old Town" (1897)
  • "Hello! Ma Baby" (1899)
  • "Ma Tiger Lily" (1900)
  • "Arkansaw Traveler" (1902)
  • Advertising Record (file info) — play in browser (beta)
    • This 1906 record by Spencer enticed store customers with the wonders of the phonograph — 1414 KB
    • Problems listening to the file? See media help.

External links


This biographical information was gathered from the Len_Spencer page, courtesy of the Wikipedia project.

Books

Reuben Haskin's ride on the Cyclone Auto (Audio Book, computer-generated)
Uncle Tom's Cabin (Music, recorded)

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