The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. THE JULY RECORDS, With the May Records not yet shipped from the factory, it is a far cry to talk about July Records. But we have been told time and again by Jobbers and Dealers that the getting out of new lists of Records each month is the life of the business; so we shall continue to get out a new lot each month, and to write about them, no matter whether those of previous months have been shipped on time or not. There is no other one thing in the Phonograph business in which so much interest is felt by the trade as in the lists of new Records sent oat each month. He will be a hard man to suit who will not find in the July Records a number of selections entirely to his liking. The list comprises twenty-five Domestic selections and covers a wide variety of subjects. In the list are three selections by the Edison Concert Band, two by the Edison Symphony Orchestra, two quartettes, four duets, seven vocal solos, two instrumental solos, one instrumental duet, three talking and singing records, and one selection by the Brass Quartette. The list, as a whole, furnishes additional evidence that our Record Making Department never stands still — that it is constantly improving. The selections by the Edison Concert Band are Nos. 8424, American Patrol, with patrol effect ; 8432, Polacca, from "Mignon," and 8433, the Stradella Overture. In the first named three patriotic songs are played with patrol effect, the whole forming a novel Record. The last two were made after the Edison Band had been rearranged by taking out some of the former players and substituting for them others of superior talent. These two Records show a marked difference in execution even over the work of the former band, which was one of the best in the country for making Records. In No. 8425 Harry MacDonough sings the famous $10,000 song, "Hiawatha," with orchestra accompaniment. This song as an instrumental Record found a large sale, and, given now as a vocal solo, it cannot fail to be equally popular. It is probably one of the best advertised songs in the country. No. 8426, My Old Kentucky Home, is a mandolin solo by Samuel Siegel, an exceedingly clever player. This selection is given with an organ effect, and mandolin players will appreciate the difficult work necessary to get such a result on this instrument. No. 8427, The Lord's Prayer and Gloria Patri, by the Mendelssohn Mixed Quartette, is another Record that will appeal strongly to those who prefer the more serious titles. This quartette is composed of Miss Chapell, Miss Morgan, Mr. Stanley and Mr. Stricklett, and they have succeeded in making Records that have never been equaled for mixed voices. It has always been a difficult matter to make successful Records of female voices, and after months of careful experimentation our Record Department has succeeded in getting perfect results in quartettes and duets. It is now at work on solos, and expects before long to list some very good songs by female voices. No. 8428, "Heart's Desire," is another of the series of violin and flute duets by Eugene Jaudas and^ Louis Atz, the Record showing the splendid blending of these two instruments. No. 8429, "Marriage is Sublime," is a comic male duet by Collins and Harlan. This popular comic opera hit is exceedingly funny and is sung most cleverly. No. 8430, "Mighty Lak' a Rose," by Nevin, is a coon lullaby, sung in Arthur Clifford's best style. Lovers of classical music will be pleased with No. 8431, De Beriot's Sixth Air with Variations, played as a violin solo by Charles D'Almaine. Mr. D'Almaine's ability as a maker of violin Records is too well known to need comment. In No. 8434 and No. 8440 we have two of Arthur Collins' inimitable coon songs. The first named, "Every Morn I Bring Her Chicken," gives a coon's idea of the song, "Violets." It is sung with orchestra accompaniment. No. 8440, "I'm a Jonah Man," will rank as a seller with the other" coon songs made by Mr. Collins in the past few months. In No. 8435, " 'Deed I Do," Miss Morgan and Mr. Stanley have somewhat departed from the sentimental songs they have been singing as contralto and bass duets, this title being a coon song, although of a sentimental character. It is one of the best Records in the list, and will further enhance the popularity of these two singers. No. 8436, "Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground," is the other quartette on the list, and is sung by the Edison Male Quartette. The first and second verses are sung by the bass, accompanied by a sort of vocal rag time. It is a good quartette Record. In No. 8437, "Engaging an Opera Company," S. H. Dudley tells of the troubles of the impresario in trying the voices of would-be opera singers. No. 8438, "Sweet Rose," is a song and dance with Yodel, all given in Geo. P. Watson's best style. The two selections by the Edison Symphony Orchestra. 8439, Intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana," and 8442, Selection from "Peggy from Paris," are both played as only this organization can make orchestra Records. In No. 8443 Harry MacDonough gives a vocal