22 Dec 2009

They’re Still Releasing 78 rpms!

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Posted in: 78 rpm Records

Examples of musicians releasing 78 rpm records today is a subject close to my heart.

Many people think that production of 78s stopped in the early 1950’s – but truth is often stranger than fiction.

For example, it was reported on the 78-L Discussion List recently that India pressed 78s into the 1980s due to the prevalence of wind up gramophones still in use.

The Historic Masters society still issue 78 rpms and have been in form or another since the 78 era. The HM latest issue (31 – June 2009) can still be purchased here but copies are limited.

Other recent contemporary 78 rpm issues include:

  • A 78 released in the UK in 2006. It was a 10 inch vinyl disk, sadly only one side is at 78 rpm, by the Irish singer/ songwriter Duke Special. Because he incorporates 78 rpms in his stage show, V2 records (a label founded by Richard Branson 5 years after he sold Virgin records), released his third single Last Night I Nearly Died (But I Woke Up Just in Time), at 78 rpm on one side of the 10 inch disk and at 45 rpm (with 2 additional tracks) on the other side.

While they didn’t do a vintage 78 era label like Korova (mimicking the Decca Supreme label) did for Ian McCulloch’s 1989 release of September Song, the pressing is superb.

  • Also released in 2006 was Alex Pangman’s 78 ‘Dead Drunk Blues’. Press release info can be found here on this record. [Link opens pdf file]
  • Another recent 78 rpm issue came from the folk band – A Hawk and A Hacksaw (From New Mexico). In 2009 they released a single, ‘Foni Tu Argite’ from their album as a 500 copy, limited edition, hand-numbered 10 inch 78 rpm record. It was issued April 28, 2009.
  • The London based group ‘KITTY DAISY & LEWIS’ also released a 78 rpm album set during 2008. It was available as an authentic and highly collectable 1940s-style hard-back ‘record album’ featuring five 10 inch records which play at 78 rpm. This also came with a free CD copy of the album. [See image at start of post...]

Read about this interesting release here. The records can still be purchased here.

Taking into account that several record factories still offer 78 rpm cutting and pressing, there are probably other recent 78 rpm issues around.

Know of any other recent contemporary 78 rpm releases? – Add your comments below…

Also, I found this interesting blog post: 78s are Big Business Again… (Worth a read)



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