The talking machine world (Jan-Dec 1916)

THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD 1 07 FROM OUR LONDON HEADQUARTERS— (Continued from page 106) Attacked by an armed Circassian in his bedroom during the night, the assailant evidently being intent on robbery, the famous singer was forced to resort to his revolver. A shot was fired with fatal results to the intruder. His many admirers will remember M. Chaliapine's instant success in the Russian opera season at Drury Lane Theatre before the war, and the many beautiful records made of his finest pieces by the H. M. V. Co. To Prohibit Iron and Steel Importations During the period of de-mobilization and reconstruction after the war, it has been thought advisable to prohibit the import of iron and steel. This is the recommendation of a special committee appointed to consider the matter. It evidently applies to raw material only, and will therefore not affect the importation of manufactures, such as gramophone motors and other parts of musical instruments. British Zonophone Has Strong List The strongest list issued by the British Zonophone Co. for some time is that for the current month. A splendid aggregation of records is therein announced, comprising, as usual, up-todate and standard numbers, many by artistes exclusive to the company; all by artistes of eminence in the musical world. Titles are not chosen haphazard, the Zonophone policy being to closely watch the trend of the public taste, and cater accordingly. Hence from this concern, we usually get records which make an exceptionally wide appeal. A few of the items this month are as follows: "Angels Guard Thee" and "Eily Mavoureen," contributed by that prince of light tenors, Mr. Sidney Coltham, with piano and violin obligato; "Capricente" and "Love's Waltz," piano solos by Paul Astor; part I. and II. "Raymond Overture," by the Black Diamond Band; four attractive and popular Morceaux by the Royal Cremona Orchestra; "In the Valley of the Moon" and "You'll Always Be the Same Sweet Baby" by Herbert Gayne; "Serenade" (Schubert's) and "Evensong" by Miss Louie Brooks (soprano), and Harold Wilde (tenor), with orchestra, etc. Other good numbers are down to the credit of Tom Foy, Florrie Ford, Billy Williams, Nat D. Ayer, and Harold Montague, at the piano. And there are several other equally attractive names, whose records sell well. A Splendid Guardsman Record Program When the tendency for the last few months has been to considerably curtail the length of new record lists owing to the difficulties connected with manufacture and supply, it is a significant and welcome sign to note the gradually increasing number of issues now that the season is in full swing. Foremost among the firms whose policy is closely aligned to the barometer of these changing times, is the Invicta Record Co. L., of this city. No less than eighteen lecords (thirty-six titles), figure on this month's (November) program. Almost without exception they are records of special value, comprising picked selections known to be of good-selling quality. In the main they are vocal numbers such, for instance, as "There's a Long, Long Trail," a popular "hit" given as a duet by Messrs. Barrett and Sullivan, with which is coupled "Loading Up the Mandy Lee," another excellent duet by Messrs. Fanning and Fortune. A couple of good comics by. Ted Barrett: "Shall Us? Lets" and, "I Can't Do My Bally' Bottom Button Up." "Heroes of the Dardanelles" and "Comrades Side by Side," baritone numbers by Donald Stewart. "Blightly," by Barrett and Sullivan and "The Home Bells are Ringing," by Lester Baker. A good baritone artist is Francis Sullivan, who contributes "Some Night, Some Girl, Some Waltz' 'and "Underneath the Stars." Two items which somewhat savor of Uncle Sam are "Welcome Honey to Your Old Plantation Home" and "She Is the Sunshine of Virginia," both by Messrs. Fanning and Fortune. Among the instrumental numbers are two fine cornet solos by A. M. Thomas, "When You're a Long, Long Way From Home" and "I Try to Forget You, But I Only Love You the More," while Fred White is responsible for "Sambo's Guide," Xylophone solo, and "The Coon's Jubilee," as a bell solo. "Life on the Ocean Wave," "The Zouave," etc., and "Pine Tree State March," etc., are two exceedingly pleasing renditions by the Third Scots Guards Drums, Fifes, Bugles and Bagpipe. Altogether the list is one of which the "Guardsman" record people may well feel proud. The New "Citizen" Record List Another list of the special-quality "Citizen" record has been issued. A few of the titles given thereon are: "Miserere" and "Barcarolle," by violin, flute and harp trio; "Where My Caravan Has Rested" and "Little Grey Home in the West" by Swilyn Richards, the well known Welsh tenor; "Until" and "Somewhere a Voice Is Calling" by Miss Ethel Toms (contralto) ; "M-o-t-h-e-r," by Mr. Ian Colquhoun, an old American favorite, coupled with which is "Forget Me Not," by Chas. Leonard. There are other equally fine contributions to this list and all interested are advised to communicate with The Invicta Record Co., L., New Inn Yard, London, E. C. The Music of the World Cataloged A guide to the music of the world in book form, right up-to-date, is now available to all "His Master's Voice" agents and the public. This new catalog is an encyclopedia index of every record issued and retained by the Gramophone Co. since the beginning of things, and is one which every lover of things musical would gladly possess. It tells the story almost of the history and growth of the talking machine trade in more eloquent language than any set prose; a study of its pages in comparison with previous issues, disclosing the triumphant and increasing homage over succeeding years of the greatest of the world's artistic talent in the sphere of music. Herein is focussed the successful work of "His Master's Voice" Co. since its inception. One need scarcely point out the value of this catalog. As usual, beautiful and expensive in get-up and general arrangement, it is certainly of almost indispensable service to the trade and the great "H. M. V." public. There is the easiest possible yet effective, system of indexing, which permits of immediate reference to the full particulars concerning the different and innumerable titles. This A. B. C. catalogue has now been issued in company with a numerically arranged list of records, the latter for trade use only. Day of the Portable Gramophone From the days of table grand machines, a steady progress in the construction of interiorhorn models has been made, until to-day the real portable gramophone stands supreme in popularity. This period of evolution over a number of years seems to have been brought more or less to a climax since the outbreak of war. Owing to the immediate shortage of practically all gramophone mechanism and parts which in the main reached us from Germany, British inventors found plenty of encouragement where previously they were treated often with scant consideration. Within the last two years or so quite a number of new ideas — especially in connection with the production of portable gramophones— have seen the light of day. It is the purpose of this necessarily brief report to make known some particulars of a new portable model which has been placed on the market by Messrs. W. H. Reynolds (1915) Ltd., 45 City Road, London, E. C. In construction it is quite different to anything of its kind on the market. By its small over-all measurements, 11x8x8 inches, when closed, one can appreciate that it is as conveniently portable as may be possible consistent with a satisfactory tonal volume. The case is of polished oak, with leather carrying handle. It is equipped with a strong, singlespring motor to play 10-inch records only, and in all other respects the fitments are quite satisfactory. There is no metal tone-arm; instead we have a wooden sound-arm amplifying chamber— a tapered box-like arrangement to which is fitted the sound-box. From the mouth of this the sound is transmitted direct into the lid of the instrument which acts as a sound board — radiating the music in all directions. Truly a most ingenious arrangement, too, is the wooden turntable which when not in use can be folded up to permit of closing the lid of the machine. As to the tone-volume, it is not, of course, quite equal to an exterior trumpet model, but not far short. This is more than counterbalanced by the purity and richness of its reproducing qualities. I am told that big orders have already been placed by the trade, and altogether, it would seem, that Messrs. Reynolds' new line will create quite a furore this season. A Smart Salesman As joint editor at one time of the Talking Machine News, Stuart Griffin had ample opportunity in his frequent perigrinations around the trade to absorb a complete appreciation of the (Continued on page 108) EBONITIS LIMITED MANUFACTURERS OF PLASTIC MATERIAL Manufacturer os de materias primas FOR para GRAMOPHONE RECORDS los discos de Gramophone QUOTATIONS GIVEN. ADDRESS Se envian precios. Direccion EBONITIS limited, Willowbrook Grove, Peckham, London, S. E. ENGLAND