The Edison phonograph monthly (Jan-Dec 1908)

Edison Phonograph Monthly, Oct., 1908 23 52 Ask Mammy Manuel Romain One of the finest Records Mr. Romain has ever given us. The tune is bewitching and the well-chosen words tell a story of tender and absorbing interest. The subject is the love making of a couple of picaninies at a country stile. Bill's invitation to Lize to play in his yard is met with the teazing refrain, "Ask Mammy." Years pass and the couple are found at the same old stile, "Still making love, but on a larger plan." Bill asks if she loves him as of old. Again the charmingly tuneful refrain, "Ask Mammy." Orchestra accompaniment; music, J. F. Brymm; words, Daisy M. Braeson; publishers, Helf & Hager Co., New York. 53 Miserere from "II Trovatore" Miss Hinkle, Mr. Anthony and Chorus We have hastened to give this wonderful duet complete in a four-minute Record, because of the ovation accorded the two-minute Record of the same selection in October. The entire Miserere scene is here given, just as it occurs in act 4 of "II Trovatore." Here we not only have the duet complete, but have also the splendid chorus of male voices chanting the prayer, "Pray that peace may attend a soul departing," etc. Both duet and chorus are sung in English. Orchestra accompaniment; score, G. Verdi; libretto, S. Cammarano. 54 A Few Short Stories Marshall P. Wilder This Record introduces a distinguished new Edison artist, Marshall P. Wilder, the famous wit and theatrical monologuist. Mr. Wilder is known throughout the English-speaking world as the foremost story teller of our times. His anecdotes are all new and extremely humorous and his droll method of telling them never fails to keep his audience in roars of laughter. There is something in the remarkable personality of the man that reaches out and grips an audience so as to make them see life through his eyes. In his stories he makes frequent humorous references to his small stature and is seldom on a stage for more than a minute or so before he establishes such a strong bond of sympathy with his hearers that they feel they have known him all their lives. The present Record gives a dozen of his best stories. 55 When Grandma was a Girl Ada Jones This novel song first won fame in Sam Bernard's musical comedy "Nearly a Hero." Later it was picked as one of the best songs of the year and featured iny^'Follies of 1908." In the most amusing and melodious lines it compares the modes of Grandma's day with those of to-day. Two special songs are introduced, a hit of fifty years ago and one of to-day, to show the contrast. Another comparison is an imitation of the car conductor of those happy times and the present. A decidedly clever admixture of song and comic monologue. Orchestra accompaniment; music and words, Ray Goetz; publishers, Jerome H. Remick & Co., New York. 56 Spring, Beautiful Spring American Symphony Orchestra The favorite European waltz by Paul Lincke. The music is standard in type and "Made to last." Like "Blue Danube" and similar waltzes, it will be as much admired in fifty years as it is to-day. The Symphony Orchestra is given a fine opportunity to show what it can do with the highest grade of composition. Composer, Paul Lincke ; publisher, Carl Fischer, New York. 57 Stories About the Baby Marshall P. Wilder Mr. Wilder relates all of the noted "baby stories," on which his fame as our leading wit and raconteur largely rests. The one about his quest in the department stores for a supply of baby blue ribbons has never failed to "bring down the house." Each of the celebrated Wilder mannerisms and all of his deft little tricks of speech are reproduced as truly to life as though the speaker were present in the flesh. 58 Grandma Byron G. Harlan By long odds the leader among sentimental "Grandma" songs. It relates a simple story of affecting heart-interest founded on the devotion between grandma and her favorite grandchild. Mr. Harlan has no rival in this class of song. The Amberol Record gives it complete and enables him to greatly improve on all previous efforts. Orchestra accompaniment; music, Ted Snyder; words, Alfred Bryan; publishers, Ted Snyder Music Pub. Co., New York. 59 The County Fair at Pumpkin Center Cal Stewart There are 650 words in this breezy monologue, which most likely will be voted the funniest Yankee talk Cal Stewart has ever produced. Uncle Josh relates, in his own matchless way, all the incidents of the Pumpkin Center Fair, and it is certain no audience will ever tire of listening. He is great in his description of Salome's "Dance of the Seven Veils" and "The Dance of Venus," two side shows that played to "standing room only." Original sketch. 60 I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark — Humoresque New York Military Band This composition is attracting marked attention at concerts by all of the leading bands. It is a humorous paraphrase by Lampe on the popular song of the same title, arranged especially for large military bands. It requires a complete force of instrumentalists to interpret the score. The refrain of the song is taken for the theme and many humorous and fantastic effects are introduced by the various instruments. Composer, J. Bodewalt Lampe ; publishers, Jerome H. Remick & Co., New York.