Alice Shaw, improv whistling solo, 1888

Known as 'La Belle Siffleuse' (The Beautiful Whistler) since her 1886 debut at a New York charity ball, Alice Shaw was a touring sensation in the late 1880s. Her doctors decided the high, narrow roof of her mouth produced her dazzling talent, but Alice credited her virtuosity to continuous practice. This recording was made at an appearance in London on August 14, 1888, making it possibly the earliest musical celebrity cylinder recording.

[@HardToBeAPoopGod]

Her vibrato is unmatched

[@ssg-eggunner]

She doesn't need autotune 🗣️🔥🔥🔥

[@clifford99]

This is hardcore whistling

[@Aqua.man045]

Because of the sound quality at the time it sounds two to three times as high as it would have if you heard it normally

[@Flopthecat1942]

Good Quality After 135 Years!

[@matthewwyman1581]

This be a certifyed hoode classique

[@jordanjumpshot154]

Beautiful 🥰

[@Reykjavik71]

If she had whistled just six days before that it would have been 08.08.1888 😁

[@waderaney7]

Excellent ☺

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

are we sure this isn't sped up? is there an error in the playback? because if her whistling was this high i'm bloody impressed

[@JimPigMuseumOfSound]

This whistling solo was part of a 5 cylinder series of recordings made at a press conference held by Col. George Gouraud, Thomas Edison's American agent stationed in England. Cylinder one was an introduction by Gouraud to the assembled press, followed by 2 cylinders of newspaper reporters recording their voices in praise of the perfected phonograph, then Mrs. Shaw, the musical guest, records this solo on cylinder 4, followed by a final cylinder of cheers from the press. As the spoken cylinders all have a normal speed sound to them, it makes sense that all 5 recordings, including the whistling solo, were all recorded the same way. Mrs. Shaw's solo, as well as the other cylinders, were almost certainly played back at the press conference to allow the public to hear how well the phonograph worked.

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

Joe Orbin wow! thanks a lot! i'd like to hear the other cylinders too if they're on your channel

[@JimPigMuseumOfSound]

@@GrumpyStormtrooper I have the complete recordings in my archive … but to make it a fully researched post, I would prefer to include the names of all the guest speakers who appear, and I cannot decipher them clearly. Also, I have been unable to find an appropriate visual to accompany the recording (to make it a "VIDEO"). I suggest you try to google "WFMU : Thomas Edison's Attic Archive", and go to the December 28th, 2004 episode.

[@GrumpyStormtrooper]

Joe Orbin thanks a lot! i will

[@waderaney7]

@@JimPigMuseumOfSound ✔

[@SpiderVakarian]

this is some real shit

[@aestheticaltwat]

0:02 - INSANE IN THE BRAIN!

[@SpiderVakarian]

come to callosa

[@janskorpil8831]

Super

[@joaquinoderda656]

Nice audio

[@jtcarrey]

What song is this? It sounds familiar, like Beethoven or something