The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1911)

22 THE 1 ALKING MACHINE WORLlJ. ENGLAND'S LARGEST FACTORS! THE ^ CENTRE ^ .ATTRACTIONi The House of Murdoch absolutely controls four of the best and biggest sellers in the trade. It is by the judicious handling of "just those goods that sell" coupled with a perfect and prompt despatching system, that The House of Murdoch stands where it is today — England's largest factors. '4^/ EXCELSIO R The Perfect Singing Machines 14 models from £2/2. to £16/16. retail. INDESTRUCTIBLE phonographic records 2 minute series 1/. each. 4 minute series 1/6 each. American and EngHsh selections. Lists free. TOURNAPHONES The Ideal Disc Machines 27 distinct models, from 11,9 to £12/12 retail. PETMECKY ^I'Z'i NEEDLES The finest needles made. We also control the Angelus Duplex Tone, Invincible Bull Nose and Tournaphone needles. Telegreuns *' Putiel London," Special shipping terms. Catalogues and samples mailed free. JOHN G. MURDOCH <1 CO.. Ltd.. 91 <a 93 Farrin^don Rd. LONDON, ENG. , that this fact alone endears the renowned singer to us all the more. In addition, Mr. Chirgwin provides us with many a laugh over the "Jocular Joker," and (a parody on) "Asleep in the Deep.'" Mr. Ditchburn gives a fine rendering of "In Cellar Cool," ana "Thy Sentinel Am I.'' He has a particularly strong voice, the full strength of which is specially noticeable on the sustained notes of the lower register. Other songs by this artist have been issued, and there are others coming. Other Records Worthy of Attention. We have received other records too numerous • to decant upon in detail. Suffice it to say that all are of average good merit from the recording and artistic point of view. Before giving a list of these we should first like to draw attention to that wonderful accordianist, P. J. Frosini, known in the States as the "Accordian Wizard." The exceptional ability with which he handles this instrument is demonstrated the following tuneful numbers "Glow-worm,"' "Amoureuse" and "Poet and Peasant" overture, Parts 1 and 2. Here is the complete list: "Nibelungen March" (Wagner), Royal Guards Band, and "Tempest of the Heart," song from "II Trovatore," Robert Carr ; "Rendezvous Waltz" and "Down in Jungle Town," two-step, Royal Court Orchestra ; "The Message Boy," Jack Mackraj', and "We All Go the Same Way Home," Jack Charman; "Darkies' Holiday" and "Austria," concertino solos by Alex. Prince ; "Musical Snapshots," Parts 1 and 2, Irish Guards ; "Let Me Kiss Those Tears Away" and "Do You Remember the Last Waltz," Arthur Day; "Faust — Jewel Song," Elda Ma.v, and "Doubt Not" ("La Cigale"), Wilfred Virgo and Elda May; "Light of Foot March" and "The Bluejackets' Patrol," Irish Guards; "She Is Far from the Land," J. F.Kinniburgh, aiid "My Dear Soul" (Sanderson), Miss D. George; "Youth and Love" and "Some Day You'll Know," Arthur Day; "Why Do We Sight for the Seaside?" and "You Can Do a Lot of Things at the Seaside," Jack Charman; "The Islander," Fred Elton, and "Once Aboard the Lugger," Robert Carr. Columbia Phonograph Co. to Move. The Columbia Phonograph Co. advise me of their intention to remove during the first week in August from Worship street to a larger building located at 81 City Road, London, E. C. Here will be centered their offices, showrooms and recording department, . to properly house which they have taken the whole building of four floors, with the exception of the shop and basement. No. 81 City Road is full of memories: it was there that the Russell Hunting Record Co. first opened up, and afterward the building was occupied for some time by the Premier concern, of clarion record fame. New Addition to Gramophone Co. Plant. At the time of building their large factory at Hayes a few years ago, the Gramophone Co., with commendable foresight, had regard not only to the needs of the moment but to those of the future also by securing sufficient land upon which to erect other buildings if occasion demanded. That it was a wise precaution is shown by the fact that some months ago it was deemed urgent, in view of the progressive nature of their trade, to put the build ing extension in hand at once. Accordingly, on the 21st of February last operations were commenced on a new structure standing on some five acres of ground. It is constructed throughout of reinforced concrete, with steel sashes and steel pillars, covered with concrete, the only wooden parts being the doors. The flooring is of granolithic, and to minimize still more the risk of fire, the company have had installed two fire tanks each of 2t),000 gallons capacity and a service tank of 9,000 gallons, while from an Elysian well a water stipply of G,000 gallons an hour is assured. The building is also fitted with a fire alarm and various fire ex. tinguishers. Mme. Tetrazzini Lays Corner Stone. ]\Ime. Melba performed the operation of la\ing the foundation stone of the original building, and July 20 ]Mme. Tetrazzini journey to Hayes for the purpose of performing a like ceremony in connection with the new extension. Accompanied by her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Dixon, and Mr. Gaisberg, Mme. Tetrazzini was received by Mr. and Mrs. Clark. Mr. Fassett. and the heads of the various departments. Carrying a presentation bouquet of roses, Mme. Tetrazzini next proceeded to the record-pressing department, where she had the pleasure of pressing a record of her own voice, the finished product being afterward handed to her as she left the building. Passing through the factory Mme. Tetrazzini received a great welcome from the employes, who gave vent to heart\f cheers and much hand-clapping, to which the distinguished guest smilingly responded in acknowledgment. The actual stone-laying ceremony was pleasant and brief. Addressing Mme. Tetrazzini in French, Air. Clark, in the name of his colleagues, thanked her for her gracious visit to their little town of Hayes and for officiating at the opening ceremony in connection with the necessary extension of their works. Tapping the marble stone with an inscribed mallet, Madame declared it well laid, then turning to the company she said in English, "Good luck." In letters of gold the stone bore witness that it was laid by Mme. Tetrazzini on July 20, 1911. How Extra Space Will Be Utilized. The new building, by the way, is fitted up for the making of talking machine cabinets, and traders may now anticipate quicker deliveries of machines than in the past. With the exception of Mr. Goff and a few other officials, who will remain at City Road, room has been found at Hayes for the whole of the executive and office staff from the city headquarters, and now that the bulk of the compan.v's employes are located at the little Middlesex village, we are inclined to the opinion that it should be renamed, and what more suitable than "Gramophone" ! Some New Columbia Records. The twelve-inch list of Columbia-Rena records this month is devoted to a series of five splendid records of violin solos by Herr Leo Strock, the famous Russian virtuoso. Other pleasing records to hand are: "Florentine March" and "Reeves March," by King's Military Band; "You Are the Ideal of My Dreams," by Herbert Scott, and "On Alobile Bay." tenor duet by Irving Gillette and Albert Campbell ; and "Meet Me in Kellyland" and "The} re .\1I Single by the Seaside," by Stanley Kirkby. Four Indian Love Lyrics. The Columbia Co. also issue this month the complete suite of four Indian love lyrics on two 10irch records. These beautiful songs of Amy Woodforde-Finden, breathing the romance and passion of (he East, have for some years been an integral part of contemporary musical history, and now they are offered complete for the same inodest sum as will buy the ordinar}' common or garden "comic." This unique issue, brings back an old favorite in the person of Edgar Coyle, the sweet-voiced baritone, and under his treatment the songs are a very feast of delight. The Coluinbia Co. affirm these to be the best records Mr. Coyle has yet made, which is saying much. New Banjo Record by Ossman. Not long ago we told how a certain London banjo club, enamored of a selection ("Drowsy Dempsey") played by Vess L. Ossman on a Columbia-Rena record, ordered a record apiece for every member of the club to study the technique and style of the Banjo King. These and many other admirers of the music of minstreldom will rejoice to see a new record by Mr. Ossman listed in the new supplement after a silence of many months. The two selections are entitled "The St. Louis Tickle" and "The Smiler,'' respectively, and both are beautiful examples of the lively airs which are best fitted for rendition on this instrument. A New Nove ty Record. An interesting novelty in very truth is that described as a singing competition, in two parts, on a Columbia-Rena record this month. From an explanatory note, issued with the record, we gather that two of the company's artistes were arguing in the recording laboratory as to the merits of two. songs, only to find when it came to singing them a ctirious likeness in melody. The argument promised to develop into something more serious (at least, so we are asked to believe), until at length the recorder interposed with the suggestion that the pair fight it out together in front of the recording horn. The result is at once curious and amusing. Arthur Leslie commences by singing "Just a Wee Deech and Doris," and Bryan Sullivan, after remarks not altogether complimentary, follows with "You Shall Live in a Chalet." Then the two sing together, each singing his own song and preserving words and melody to the end. As the tunes are not unlike, the result is not nearly so unharmonious as might be imagined. Then, on the other side of the disc they follow, in the same order, with "I Feel So Lonely'' and "Norah," with the cannon duet to conclude. Altogether a very original record and one that will probably lead to numerous experiments in the home circle. The British Zonophone Co.'s Record List. The British Zonophone Co. offer a strong list of good titles for the month of August, and dealers will find it advisable to place substantial orders. The company's policy 'of amalgamating on the one disc two selections of equal merit has met with the warm approval of the trade who find that the coupling of a good selection with an inferior one often militates against the sale of that par