Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1, No. 5 (1927-02)

234 The Phonograph Monthly Review Brunswick 10263 — Tha Palms, and The Holy City. Sung by Richard Bonelli with orchestral accompaniment. Here is a baritone voice of rare beauty, not over- whelming power, but sufficient for all ordinary pur- poses. Never is the voice forced so that it becomes hard. The quality is the true baritone. The em- ployment of the voice is that of an artist who knows thoroughly how to sing. Bonelli is one of the younger singers who has now “arrived.” It is un- fortunate that with such splendid singing the orches- tral portion should be inadequate. 3295 — When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, and When They Ring the Golden Bells for You and Me. Criterion Male Quartet with brass choir and organ. In the first chimes are added, in the second, bells. Columbia 14249-F — Figlio Vendicato overo Vendetta ’E Mamma; and O’Dulore ’E Pola Negri P’a Morte ’E Valentino. Sung by Gilda Mignonette. 14250-F — Giustizia di Madre Vandetto Dopo Sei Anni; and Pola Negri Piange Per la Morte di Valentino. Sung by Roaul Romito, tenor. The “affair” of Pola and Rudolph, America’s screen favorites has inspired one side of each of the above records. They are not for a general audience, but for Italian. Victor 78916 — At Church (Tchaikowsky), and Valse Gatchino (Andreeff). Played by Kirilloff’s Russian Balaika Orchestra. This is a very good record. The instru- ments used are peculiar to Russia, and, being plucked, would apparently have great limitations. Yet the orchestra here manages to secure great variety of quality and expression. 78922 — The Dawn is Breaking, and the Old Gypsy. Tamburica orchestra with, on the first side, male quartet, on the second, tenor solo. A T my last visit to the studio I was very much interested to hear the “Poet and Peasant” Overture, which Victor has just issued as one of the long series of popular over- tures, destined to fill in the holes in the catalogue which are a result of the new electrical recording. If “'Poet and Peasant” is typical of the manner in which the series as a whole is to be treated, then Victor is indeed to be commended for a great gift to the music-loving public, a gift of incalcul- able influence on the musical education of that public. Musical connoisseurs may very well sneer at von Suppe’s overture, but the fact remains that such things as these, well played, are the things that provide the bridge from the cheap music of the dance-hall to the masterpieces of the concert- hall. And in this case the overture is certainly well played. An orchestra of practically symphonic dimensions combines with the very finest of re- cording to give a performance which, for bril- liance, clearness of attack and outline, and in- terpretation on the part of the conductor, is the superior of many a more expensive record. In fact I do not hesitate to place it among the very finest of orchestral recordings now available. Another piece that engrossed my attention was the Spanish Caprice of Rimsky-Korsakov, played by Hertz and the San Francisco Symphony Or- chestra. This performance, while not a great one, was adequate. Of course it suffered from being played soon after the “Poet and Peasant” Over- ture, which, to repeat, was of such amazing naturalness . Of the London Symphony by Vaughan Williams, which I heard from a set im- ported from the English Columbia company, it would be possible to rhapsodize at great length. Anyone who listens to a great deal of modernist music must be very grateful to Williams for writing in an idiom which is not a constant strain on the patience of the listener. The above, and others, incidentally, we played on a magnificent new Brunswick which just ar- rived at the studio. Moses Smith. Popular and Foreign Recordings BRUNSWICK FOX TROTS 3332—You’re Burning Me Up and Crazy Quilt—(The Wolverines). 3371—Some Day and Moonlight on the Ganges. Both very popular for danc- ing and are here recorded in delight- ful style by Jack Denny and His Orchestra, with vocal refrains by the Bonnie Laddies, which greatly in- crease the record’s value. 3375—I’ve Grown So Lonesome Think- of You. Take in the Sun, Hang Out the Moon. (The Clevelanders). Good dance time, very loud and clear, pleasing vocal refrain. 3382—I Never Knew What the Moon- light Could Do. My Baby Knows How. Ben Selvin and His Orchestra, with vocal refrain. The first is by Jack Denny and His Orchestra. 3338—Don’t Be Angry With Me and The Two of Us are both loud, tune- ful, and good rhythm. Frank Black and His Orchestra with a vocal re- frain which certainly adds to the merits of this record. By FRANK B. FORREST OKEH FOX TROTS 8416—Kansas City Blues. Original Black Bottom Dance by Perry Brad- ford and His Gang, with vocal re- frains, seems to contain all the ex- traordinary noises desired by those who like “blues.” 40718—I Still Believe in You and Just a Little Longer. Both are full of melody and rhythm and have vocal choruses that greatly add to the at- tractiveness. Do not miss this one. (Hotel Astor Orchestra). 40716—1 Don’t Mind Being All Alone. Very popular at the Cabaret, and My Baby Knows How. (Sam Lanin’s Melody Shieks). Vocal chorus in each by Sam Cleg. Be sure to buy this record. 40714—Hello Bluebird. I Love the Moonlight. Good vocal refrain by Billy Jones. (Mike Market’s Orches- tra.) 40709—I Want to be Known as Susie’s “Feller”. Looking at the World Thru Rose Colored Glasses. The first by Harry Reiser’s Jazz Pilots and the reverse side by Sam Lanin’s Mel- ody Shieks. Each has a vocal chorus. VICTOR FOX TROTS 20359 — I’ve Got the Girl! (George Olsen and His Music). Tonight You Belong to Me. — Waltz. (Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra). Refrain by Franklin Baur. Delightful. 20352 — Meadow Lark. George Olsen and His Music, vocal trio. Sweet Thing. Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orches- tra. Vocal refrain and ukulele by Johnny Marvin. A good dance re- cord to buy. 20360 — Sweetie Pie is quite tuneful and delightful rhythm. Take in the Sun, Hang Out the Moon is good time and melodious. Best we have heard of these selections. (Jan Garber and His ( ivphpcjtvn ) 20367—I’m ’ Tellin’ the Birds, Tellin the Bees. George Olsen and His Music, with vocal trio in the refrain. Steppin’ Around. Jan Garber and His Orchestra, with banjo solo by Harry Reiser, is a very desirable record.