The Edison phonograph monthly (Mar 1906-Feb 1907)

EDISON PHONOGRAPH MONTHLY. EDISON GOLD MOULDED RECORDS FOR FEBRUARY, 1907. Perhaps the most interesting fact in connection with the February supplement is the return of John W. Myers as a singer, of Edison Records, several years having elapsed since a selection by his fine voice has appeared in our catalogue. Another feature is a selection by the Vassar Girls Quartette, a new group of artists to sing for the Edison public. A soprano and contralto duet by Miss Hinkle and Miss Keyes is another novelty. The life-like reproduction of a hand-organ playing "Miss McCloud's Reel" in "Good-a-Bye John" will make a hit. Mr. Keefe makes another "Uncle Josh" Record, and well chosen selections by the stand-bys comprise a list of twenty-four unusually good Records. No. 9458, "A Garden Matinee," by the Edison Concert Band, is a delightful entr' acte, written by Rudolph Friml, accompanist for Kubelik, the great violinist, most artistically played by our Concert Band, every member of which is a trained artist. The Record must appeal to those who are constantly asking for the better grade of music. No. 9459, "When the Snow Birds Cross the Valley," by Harry MacDonough, is a charming sentimental ballad by Alfred Solman (music) and Monroe H. Rosenfeld (words). The fact that Mr. MacDonough makes the Record is sufficient to stamp it as high class, for he has few equals in rendering songs of this character. He is accompanied by the orchestra. No. 9460, "Kentucky Babe," by the Vassar Girls Quartette, is a new feature in Edison Records, this being the first selection by a quartette of women ever put out by this company. This quartette is well known on the vaudeville stage. Its members have been brought together with special reference to the harmonizing quality of their voices. The artists have been fortunate in selecting "Kentucky Babe" for their initial presentation, for it fits their voices finely, but they could hardly fail of success in any good selection. They sing without accompaniment. Adam Geibel wrote the music of the song and Richard Henry Buck the words. No. 9461, "Lustspiel Overture," by the Edison^ Symphony Orchestra, is a charming composition that always makes a most attractive Record. No. 9462, "A Lemon in the Garden of Love," by Billy Murray, is the principal song hit in Richard Carle's "The Spring Chicken," which ranks among the best successes of the New York theatres this season. Daly's Theatre is crowded to the doors at every performance. This feature song is the plaint of a married man anxious to know why he picked a lemon in his matrimonial venture into the garden of love where only peaches were supposed to grow. In the chorus he sings : Will some one kindly tell me, Will some one answer why, To me it is a riddle And it will be till I die; A million peaches 'round me Yet I would like to know Why I picked a lemon in the garden of love Where only peaches grow. Richard Carle wrote the music and M. E. Rourke the words of this song. Mr. Murray sings with orchestra accompaniment. No. 9463, "Good-a-bye, John," by Collins and Harlan, is one of the many good things in "The Red Mill," which has been running for months at the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York. The stars are Montgomery and Stone, so widely known as the scarecrow and the tin woodman in "The Wizard of Oz." In this new play they do a number of amusing and novel stunts, one of which is the impersonation of two Italians with a hand-organ and a monkey. They have differed and are about to separate. In the song they refer to the cause of their quarrel and bid each other good-bye. This song is given in Italian dialect, in which Collins and Harlan appear to excellent advantage. A feature of this Record is a handorgan solo. It is so clear and natural that we know the public will demand a solo record by the same instrument, or at least one in which more of its music is given. This Record will come close to being the most popular in the February list. No. 9464, "Fancy Little Nancy," by Ada Jones, is a serio-comic song by William Baines and descriptive of the experiences of Nancy Lee, following her first introduction into city ways. The musical setting to the story is much more attractive than many of the present day popular songs. It has a melody easy to patch and therefore destined to be widely whistled and sung. With the assistance of the orchestra, Miss Jones makes a fine Record of the song. Between the choruses she introduces a bit of witty talk. No. 9465, "Regimental Pride March," by the Edison Military Band, is one of the best marches that we have made in some time. Of course, the tempo is of a military character. The drum and bugle effects are something brand new and will please all who hear the Record. This composition was written by J. C. Heed, well -known as a composer of several successful marches. No. 9466, "Uncle Josh in a Chinese Laundry," is another of the "Uncle Josh" series by Andrew Keefe. The experiences of "Uncle Josh" with his wash and the Chinese laundryman are not new to many owners of Edison Phonographs, but they never fail to evoke a round of laughter whenever repeated' on an Edison Record. This Record retells the story in the same old way, and Mr. Keefe gives a splendid impersonation of the "down Easterner," with the voice that makes you laugh even when nothing funny is being said. No. 9467, "Looking This Way," by Miss Hinkle and Miss Keyes, is our monthly sacred selection. It is sung by soprano and contralto, and we believe that it will meet with general approbation. It is especially well recorded and the voices of the artists come out of the horn sweetly and in perfect harmony. The words