I had to pick up some records today ,for delivery to Harry Scurfield at Bradfield and had a long discussion with Jim Ward and Iris Bishop,
Jim is a collector of old 78s and he has a wonderful collection of old music including Music Hall and old band music,some very rare.Just as I was leaving Jim said have a listen to this and played me a couple of Alexander Prince recordings from his collection.I must admit not ever hearing Alexander Prince play, but I can honestly say that if he was playing anglo on these tracks, I would have closed the lid on my concertinas for ever,what amazing playing. Jim you will all be pleased to know is compiling two Cd`s (He thinks he has enough) of Alexander Prince`s playing and they will be ready within six months.Jim is enhancing them on the computer to take away the distortions and bring up the concertina,which in some tracks is drowned out by the piano.I will let you know on this site when they are available and Jim`s address where you can obtain them.
Al

Thanks Al, that's great news. There were a couple of cassettes of Prince available many years ago, but I've never managed to find them again. It will be great to have something available.

I remember seeing those, and lots of other cassettes made from 78's, advertised in Exchange & Mart years ago. I think it was somebody in Birmingham, and they might have used the name "Neovox", or something like that ?

I mentioned, in an earlier post, that I was planning to bring out some CD's of concertina players from the 78 era myself, but Jim could save me the trouble, at least as far as Prince is concerned. I also have enough commercial recordings of Ernest Rutterford playing the Duet (personally I prefer his playing to Prince's !), not forgetting the only copy of a privately-made 78 of him playing the English (his father, Charles Rutterford, was a pupil of Richard Blagrove), to make a CD, and maybe also one of miscellaneous players on various systems.

If you would like to talk to Jim direct Stephen,contact me and I will give you his number.He may have some other records which you may like to discuss to henhance what you have or visa versa.
Al

I will do that Al, but it won't be tomorrow, or the next day, that I bring out any recordings anyway: I'm still trying to buy my house in Clare, 9 months on, at the moment.

I'm not sure how many Prince 78's I have, but they fill a cardboard box (he was very prolific !), and I have another one full of other players.

Neovox cassettes were associated with Norman Field the jazz clarinetist and 20s music buff whose current website www.normanfield.fsnet.co.uk offers a 78 transfer service.

Jamie