Current scholarship suggests that the lithe, celestial, tinkling notes Washington Phillips played to accompany his singing on 1927-29 Columbia recordings were not produced by a dolceola.
What, then, did he play?
Was it a phonoharp? A celestaphone? Was it a homemade instrument, as some claim? Possibly an amalgam of two fretless zithers that enabled “Wash,” an itinerant preacher, to extend the range of the instrument beyond its usual two octaves?
Sadly, the original instrument Phillips played for the recording sessions seems not to have survived, or at least nobody knows where it is.
One thing experts agree on: it wasn’t, as has long been reported, a dolceola.
Check out the research and arguments for yourself by visiting Gregg Miner’s fascinating website pages, which link to other equally interesting discussions:
The Instruments of Washington Phillips
The photo, from a 1927 issue of Louisiana Weekly, was discovered by historian and author Lynn Abbott.
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Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
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I’ve always been intrigued by the music of Washington Phillips since I first heard him about 20 years ago. Whatever instrument he used, he certainly was in a class all his own. Not only is there no other artist who created similar music in Gospel, but I’ve never heard anyone who made music like Mr. Phillips in any genre.
I’ve long felt his recording of the song ‘What Are They Doing in Heaven Today’ is one of the greatest Gospel tracks of the 20th century.
Well said!
I think jp100 is saying quite right. I am totally agree with him.