Neil O'Brien  (1868-1954)
Last updated: 24.04.25
p_obrienn.jpgAll that can presently (April 2025) be gleaned about Neil O'Brien from sheet music covers and by Internet searching is that he was an American composer and black face performer as well as being the leader of his same-named Minstrelsy.
Five of his compositions were published between 1901 and 1910. He was also been featured on 3 works published between 1911 and 1918.
His portrait on the left is taken from What the Engine Done (1911) words & music by Les C. Copeland, and published by Jerome H. Remick & Co., New York & Detroit, USA.
Surfers are welcome to contribute any further information about this composer/performer.
  Title Co-Author(s) Sequencer
       
  Midi File(s) from various sources      
audiomidi15.gif Brotherly Love (1906) James Pitt-Payne
audiomidi15.gif Smile, Just Simply Smile (1910) James Pitt-Payne
     Title Attribution Instruments Source Remarks
           
pdf15.gif Brotherly Love (1906) N. O'Brien (w&m)
Lew Dockstader (perf.)
Piano, Voice Sheet Music Singer wvicon.gif
pdf15.gif Smile, Just Simply Smile (1910) N. O'Brien (w&m)
N. O'Brien (perf.)
Piano, Voice Sheet Music Singer wvicon.gif
The peformer is featured on 4 sheet music/recording covers. It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: (w&m) ER
     Title Composer Attribution Remarks
         
perf15.jpg What the Engine Done (1911) Les C. Copeland(w&m) Neil O'Brien (perf.)
perf15.jpg Land of Golden Dreams (1912), The E. Frederick Dusenberry C. M. Denison (words)
Neil O'Brien (perf.)
William H. Thompson (perf.)
perf15.jpg It's a Long Way Back to Mother's Knee (1918) Andrew B. Sterling Bernie Grossman (words)
Arthur Lange (words)
Neil O'Brien (perf.)
This list is arranged in chronological order and contains 5 works by Neil O'Brien (1868-1954). It does not claim to be complete and represents only the number of items located. Keys: pdf15.gif (w&m)
Title Year Attribution Remarks
       
Good Bye Miss Sadie Green 1901 Laura Comstock (perf.)  wvicon.gif
You Aint No Actor (w&m) 1902  Pub.
I Feel So Lonely (w&m) 1904  wvicon.gif
Brotherly Love (w&m) 1906 Lew Dockstader (perf.)  Pub. pdf15.gif 
Smile, Just Simply Smile (w&m) 1910 Neil O'Brien (perf.)  wvicon.gif pdf15.gif