The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

8 EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. COMMENTS ON NOVEMBER RECORDS. Now comes the time for a new crop of popular airs. With musical plays running at severalof the New York theatres, extensive additions have been made to the list of compositions likely to become popular throughout the country. The list of new Records *for November includes several selections which have already made a decided hit among those who have heard the 'musical comedies now on view in New York. Each of these musical comedies contains other airs which may become popular, but that fact cannot definitely be determined at the present time. Since it is practically impossible to list all pleasing selections given in comic operas or musical plays, we have selected for November only such as thus far really have met popular favor. We have listed two selections from Rogers Brothers' new musical comedy called "The Rogers Brothers in London," both of which are being repeatedly encored at each performance of the play, and are selling heavily in music stores. The first of these selections is No. 8526, "By the Sycamore Tree," and is sung by Harry MacDonough. The words of this song were written by George B. Hobart and the music by Max Hoffmann. Mr. MacDonough's articulation is always good, and buyers of this Record will have no trouble in catching the words as well as the air. The other Rogers Brothers' selection on the list is No. 8547, "Mister Breezy Was an Easy Mark." This tells of the adventures of ar Texan in New York and his readiness to give up his money rather than take any chances of his wife's learning of his escapades. Will F. Denny makes the Record in good style, the words and air being clearly brought out. This song is written by Ed. Gardenier, and the music is by M. Melville Ellis. No. 8527 is a selection from "The Three Little Maids," a play now running at Daly's theatre, New York. The selection introduces "The Miller's Daughter," a song which is even better known than the play itself. The air of this composition is exceedingly pretty, and every lover of popular music will want the Record. It is played by the Edison Symphony Orchestra, and is practically a perfect orchestra Record. George Ade's operetta, "Peggy from Paris," is not exactly new, having run in Boston and Chicago before coming to New York. Some of its popular airs have already been listed, but the play still continues to yield taking songs. The November list includes No. 8534, "I Like You Lil, for Fair," from this play. Our Record of it is sung by Dan W. Quinn, and his rendition is quite as good as the song is given in the play itself. The musical play, "The Tenderfoot," which has not yet reached New York, but which promises long runs wherever presented, yields for the list No. 8545, "My Alamo Love." The words are by Richard Carle and the music by H. L. Heartz; the Record is made by Harry MacDonough. The air is a good one and will certainly be popular. Not from any musical comedy or opera, but yet very popular, is John Philip Sousa's new "jack Tar March." It is No. 8524, and is played by the Edison Concert Band. This selection is quite unique. In it is played a sailor's hornpipe, and the music also gives the "bosen's" whistle and the bells noting the time on board ship. This air has become popular, aside from Sousa's fame. Another fine selection by the Edison Concert Band is No. 8532, "Laughing Water" (characteristic). When this Record was made the Edison Concert Band was led by Frederick W. Hager, the composer of this very clever selection. This composition is written to suggest various kinds of laughing voices, from the shrill laughter of a child to the deep one of the adult, and from the laugh of the individual to that of many voices. Our band does the selection full justice. Another unique Record is No. 8548, "The Sun Dance." The music is written to suggest this characteristic Indian dance, and the Record ends with the whoops of the Indians. The Record is made by the Edison Symphony Orchestra, and although the music is difficult to play, the Record is well made. Phonograph users who like odd Records will appreciate this. one. The Edison Military Band, whose Records have already met with wide sale, has one selection in the November list, No. 8538, "Waldmere March," composed by F. H. Losey. This is written in the Sousa style and has a good march air. No. 8546, "Le Secret Polka" (Polka Brillante), is a cornet solo formerly listed in the wax records. It is a very pretty air, -but has not been listed in the Moulded Records until now because of the difficulty in finding a soloist who could play it to our satisfaction. We were finally able to induce Mr. John Hazel, the composer of the piece, to play it for us. The result is a cornet solo of unusual excellence, both from a musical and mechanical standpoint, the Record being free from blasting and other objectionable noises. The solo is accompanied by the Edison Concert Band and the accompaniment is a decidedly pleasing feature. A monthly list without a coon song by Arthur Collins would be like a play with a prominent actor missing. Mr. Collins' November selection, No. 8525, is "Any Rags." This is styled a coon song, but is quite unlike ordinary songs of this kind. It has a good air, the words come out clearly and distinctly, and the Record is well made in every respect. It has an orchestra accompaniment. Thomas S. Allen wrote both the words and the music. No. 8528, "He Was a Sailor," is a comic male duet by Collins and Harlan, and gives a very unique description of Bill Perkins, who was a sailor but who was never on the sea. A sailor's hornpipe is played at the end of each chorus. This Record is quite in line with the comic male duets already listed by these two people. The words and music of the song are by Jerome and Schwartz. No. 8529, "The Girl I Left Behind Me Medley," is a field music Record introducing "Auld Lang Syne." It is played by the U. S.