The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1903-Feb 1904)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. COMMENTS ON FEBRUARY RECORDS. Of sufficient variety to suit every taste is the advance list of new Edison Gold Moulded Records for February. He will be critical, indeed, who cannot find in the list a number of Records to suit his taste. The list comprises the usual twenty-five domestic selections and is nicely balanced in the number of band, orchestra and instrumental selections and in the number of singing and talking Records. The quality, too, is all that can be desired. The list represents the most advanced methods and skill in the art of making Phonograph Records. The men or women who play, sing or talk for the Master Records are the best to be had and the men who direct every detail of the various processes have spent years under the general supervision of Mr. Edison. The men in the Record department of the Edison Laboratory are always abreast of the times. They not only have the experience gained by Mr. Edison's and their own unceasing experiments, but they at once avail themselves of any new discoveries made in other record making plants. Each selection, therefore, is the best that present human knowledge can make. In putting out a list of twenty-five new Edison Gold Moulded Records each month no claim is made that every title will suit every individual. On the contrary, it is made up with a view of suiting the tastes of the greatest number and as many different sections of the country as possible. Long experience has taught the people at the Edison Laboratory just what the public wants in Phonograph Records and the advance lists sent out by the National Phonograph Company meet this want to a nicety. No. 8599, "It Was the Dutch Medley," is another of the series of medley Records being made by the Edison Military Band, one being listed each month. This one introduces "It Was the Dutch," "Under the Anheuser Bush," "Up in a Cocoanut Tree," "Always in the Way," and "Celia." It is quite unusual to get five popular airs on one Record. No. 8600, "Your Mother Wants You Home, Boy," is a splendid Record of Paul Dresser's latest song hit. It is sung by Byron G. Harlan and has an excellent orchestra accompaniment. No. 86ot, "Far Away," is an unusually fine soprano and tenor duet by Miss Chapell and Mr. Stricklett. This song was written by Mrs. J. W. Bliss. It has a charming air and the Record is made with excellent blend of the voices. No. 8602, "Wouldn't It Make You Hungry?" is an unusually characteristic coon song by Bob Roberts, with orchestra accompaniment A very hungry coon is told by his lady friend that she is going to dine on "Little Neck clams, thick cut of roast beef rare, hot chicken swimmin' in gravy, hash browned, pomme de terre, asparagus tips dipped in butter, corn, tomatoes, and pie." This forms the refrain of the song and Mr. Roberts sings it with much unction. This song is written and published by Harry Von Tilzer. No. 8603, "Lovey Mary," is a characteristic* dance air of uncommon charm. / It is played by the Edison Symphony Orchestra in an artistic manner. No. 8604, "Clancy's Prize Waltz Contest," is a tale of a Bowery dance hall by Len Spencer. It introduces typical Bowery characters and orchestra music. Clancy offers a De Barrios diamond ring for the best* lady dancer and a meerschaum cigarette holder for the best "gent" dancer, and it is announced that Clancy's only interest in the dance is the sale of the "booze." The dance begins to the music of "My Little Coney Isle," when word comes up from below that the bar is doing "nottinV The orchestra is instructed to play that "t'irsty" music, "de Wurzburger." The prizes are awarded to the lady with the red hat, the green veil, and the pink shirtwaist, and to the "gent" with the derby hat and the linen duster. One of Mr. Spencer's best Records. No. 8605, "A Dream," is J. C. Bartlett's delightful sentimental song. It is sung by George Seymour Lenox, who has a fine tenor voice and sings in a finished manner. It is one of the best Records of a tenor voice ever made at the Edison Laboratory. Mr. Lenox was accompanied by an orchestra. No. 8606, "Marching Thro' Georgia," is a duet Record by Collins and Harlan of that patriotic air which will ever live in the hearts of Americans. The chorus is sung as a duet. The singers are accompanied by the orchestra and drum corps effects are introduced. It is a Record that will remain in collections when Records of later music have been forgotten. No. 8607, "At the Mountain Inn," is another of those delightful bits of Alpine music played as a violin and flute duet by Jaudas and Atz. The sweet and graceful character of this music suggests the country from which it emanates. These duets have met with great favor among lovers of Phonograph Records. No. 8608, "Barney," is a companion Irish song to "Bedelia,' although its air does not resemble the latter in any way. It has character of its own and is a rollicking Irish ditty. It is sung as a duet by Collins and Harlan, with orchestra accompaniment, and is made with unusual volume of tone. The music of this song is by Ed. Rogers, and it is published by Harry Von Tilzer. Nor 8609, "Cary Waltz," is an original composition by Bohumir Kryl, the famous cornetist. and he plays it as a cornet solo, with orchestra accompaniment. The music is as creditable to Mr. Kryl as his ability to play the cornet. It is a splendid Record in every respect. No. 86to, "Coonville's Colored Band," is a descriptive coon march song by Arthur Collins and _ has an orchestra accompaniment. The music is full of life and vim, and Mr. Collins enters into the spirit of the song in making the Record. The music reminds one of the coon