Michael Thomas' Website

Sound Files

U.S. Dance Bands

These are all mp3 files. They have been transferred by myself from original 78s in my own collection. You should have something on your computer already which will play these.   
The files are listed alphabetically by artist. Within each artist section the titles are listed by recording date. 

TO PLAY: If you have a fast connection (broadband), then you can just click on the title of the piece and your media player should automatically start. You may be given the option to "open" or "save"; click "open" to listen now, or"save" to save to your PC. Otherwise right click on the title and choose "save target as" and browse to a place on your computer where you wish to save it. This will download the file to your computer so you can play it at your leisure. The file sizes are between 1.2MB and 1.5MB.

PLEASE NOTE: These are for your own listening pleasure only. Please respect this and DON'T sell them or put them up onto your own website as your own files.      

Here is a list of the most recent updates with links, latest first (click on the artist's name).

Date updated Artist
January 21, 2015 Charlie Straight & his Orchestra
January 4, 2014 Fletcher Henderson (Columbias)
August 17, 2013 Ben Bernie
July 10, 2013 Joe Candullo (re-upload)

Page last updated January 21, 2015

All Star Orchestra
One of the house bands recording at Victor in the late 1920s. These are generally hotter than the normal Shilkret sides, though Nat Shilkret probably directs these as well.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
January 3, 1928 I Must Be Dreaming Franklyn Baur HMV B-5579 41511-3 Jan 5, 2010
January 3, 1928 My Melancholy Baby Franklyn Baur Victor 21212 41512-2 Jan 5, 2010
January 3, 1928 I Just Roll Along Franklyn Baur Victor 21212 41513-3 Jan 5, 2010
March 21 1928 I'm More Than Satisfied Scrappy Lambert Victor 21605 43385-1 Jan 5, 2010
March 21 1928 Oh, Baby! Scrappy Lambert Victor 21423 43384-1 Aug 13, 2013
May 1, 1928 Add A Little Wiggle   Victor 21423 43688-2 Jan 5, 2010
August 9, 1928 There's A Rainbow Round My Shoulder   Victor 21667 46354-2 Jan 5, 2010
August 9, 1928 She Didn't Say "Yes", She Didn't Say "No" Johnny Marvin Victor 21667 46355-2 Jan 5, 2010
July 15, 1929 My Dream Memory Don Howard Victor 22054 55609-2 Jan 5, 2010
July 30, 1929 Waiting At The End Of The Road The Melody Three Victor 22073 55642-1 Jan 5, 2010
August 23, 1929 Too Wonderful For Words Frank Munn HMV B-5718 55653-1 Jan 5, 2010
August 23, 1929 Stepping Along   HMV B-5718 55655-1 Jan 5, 2010
November 8, 1929 Deep In The Arms Of Love The Melody Three Victor 22197 57533-3 Jan 5, 2010

Ben Bernie & his Orchestra
Resident at the Hotel Roosevelt for many years, Bernie made many excellent recordings for Vocalion and Brunswick. Here are a few.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
March 1923 Who's Sorry Now   Aco G-15221 11128 Aug 17, 2013
May 1924 Driftwood   Aco G-15488 13191 Aug 17, 2013
August 10, 1925 Yes, Sir, That's My Baby   Vocalion X-9674 1092 Aug 17, 2013
December 7, 1925 Sleepy-Time Gal Arthur Fields Brunswick 2992 E-17062 Aug 17, 2013
March 4, 1926 My Bundle Of Love George Price Brunswick 3169 E-2600 Aug 17, 2013
December 28, 1926 Muddy Water Frank Munn Brunswick 3414 E-21076 Aug 17, 2013
March 14, 1927 Following You Around Scrappy Lambert & Billy Hillpot Brunswick 3496 E-21865 Aug 17, 2013
June 23, 1927 My Blue Heaven Vaughn de Leath Brunswick 3595 E-23736 Aug 17, 2013
December 7, 1927 Mine - All Mine Scrappy Lambert & Billy Hillpot Brunswick 3707 E-25457 Aug 17, 2013
March 22, 1928 Speedy Boy Scrappy Lambert Brunswick 3775 E-27096 Aug 17, 2013
November 16, 1928 She's Funny That Way Scrappy Lambert Brunswick 3935 E-28688 Aug 17, 2013
January 18, 1929 I Want To Be Bad Zelma O'Neal Brunswick 5045 E-29130 Aug 17, 2013
April 20, 1930 Living In The Sunlight, Lovin' In The Moonlight Pat Kennedy Brunswick 01021 E-32589 Aug 17, 2013
July 24, 1930 F'r Instance Pat Kennedy Brunswick 4869 LAE-850 Aug 17, 2013
August 4, 1931 Pardon Me, Pretty Baby Ben Bernie Brunswick 01201 E-37010 Aug 17, 2013
September 24, 1931 There's Nothing Too Good For My Baby Pat Kennedy Brunswick 01239 E-37169 Aug 17, 2013
September 19, 1933 This Is Romance Frank Prince Columbia CB-691 152502 Aug 17, 2013

 

The California Ramblers
 Probably one of my favourite 1920s bands; always very listenable and generally hot. Just to be different, my first selection is of the Acoustic Columbia recordings 1923-24.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
October 8, 1923 You Darling, You (intro: Braga's Serenade)   Columbia 3377 81270 Nov 23, 2012
November 27, 1923 Kaintucky   Columbia 3389 81363 Nov 23, 2012
December 2, 1923 Roamin' To Wyomin'   Columbia 3411 81355 Nov 23, 2012
December 14, 1923 Arcady   Regal G-8147 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 81354 Nov 23, 2012
January 17, 1924 Cover Me Up With The Sunshine   Regal G-8202 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 81490 Nov 23, 2012
January 17, 1924 California, Here I Come   Columbia 3419 81491 Nov 23, 2012
February 15, 1924 Take A Little One-Step   Columbia 3615 (as Hannan Dance Band) 81519 Nov 23, 2012
February 18, 1924 Two Blue Eyes   Columbia 3404 81574 Nov 23, 2012
June 3, 1924 You Know Me, Alabam   Regal G-8230 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 81800 Nov 23, 2012
June 3, 1924 Please   Columbia 3537 81852 Nov 23, 2012
June 3, 1924 Charleston Cabin   Regal G-8235 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 81853 Nov 23, 2012
July 17, 1924 Charley, My Boy   Columbia 3542 81877 Nov 23, 2012
August 14, 1924 I Want To Be Happy   Columbia 3592 (as Hannan Dance Band) 81898 Nov 23, 2012
August 14, 1924 Susquehanna Home   Regal G-8179 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 81899 Nov 23, 2012
September 23, 1924 Back Where The Daffodils Grow   Regal G-8298 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 140074 Nov 23, 2012
October 2, 1924 Eliza   Regal G-8293 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 140077 Nov 23, 2012
December 13, 1924 Oh! Mabel   Columbia 3600 (as Hannan Dance Band) 140177 Nov 23, 2012
December 21, 1924 Me And The Boy Friend   Regal G-8376 (as Corona Dance Orch.) 140178 Nov 23, 2012

Joe Candullo and his Everglades Orchestra
 Candullo's recordings are generally pretty hot, many are outstandingly so. This represents all the sides by this band in my collection as at May 2009, when I originally made these digital transfers. This is a re-upload; somehow these got taken off on one of my previous uploads.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. May 30, 1926 Jackass Blues   Perfect 14643 106898 2009; Jul 2013
June 1926 Deep Henderson   Regal 8089 6656-3 2009; Jul 2013
June 1926 Jackass Blues   Regal 8089 6658-1 2009; Jul 2013
June 18, 1926 Turkish Towel   Harmony 211-H 142325-3 2009; Jul 2013
July 1926 Black Bottom   Imperial 1685 6679 2009; Jul 2013
July 1926 Messin' Around   Banner 1796 6680-2 2009; Jul 2013
July 1926 Nervous Charlie Stomp   Banner 1800 6683-2 2009; Jul 2013
July 30, 1926 The St. Louis Hop   Guardsman 1988 (San Francisco D. O.) BEX-222-C 2009; Jul 2013
August 1926 I Wonder What's Become Of Joe Joe Candullo Imperial 1685 6724 2009; Jul 2013
c. September 15, 1926 Tuck In Kentucky And Smile Joe Candullo Imperial 1760 6805 2009; Jul 2013
October 9, 1926 Tomboy Sue Charles Hart Gennett 3405 GEX-314 2009; Jul 2013
October 15, 1926 Brown Sugar   Harmony 286-H 142825-2 2009; Jul 2013

Meyer Davis and his Orchestra
During the last few months of 1928, Meyer Davis and his Orchestra made a number of recordings for Brunswick specifically for release only in Britain on the Duophone label. The Duophones were originally produced in an "unbreakable" format which nowadays usually turn up almost unplayable. Luckily Duophone later re-pressed most of the sides in the normal shellac form, which have survived the test of time much better, but are pretty rare. All were issued under a variety of pseudonyms. The band usually included the Dorsey brothers, Tommy (trombone) and Jimmy (alto sax) and Mickey Bloom (trumpet). Here is a selection.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No Upload Date
Nov - Dec 1928 Come On, Baby Smith Ballew Duophone D-4029 (The Park Inn Good Timers) E-28376-A Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Blue Grass Ralph Leoney Duophone D-4021 (Davy's Broadway Syncopators) E-28630-B Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Anything You Say Smith Ballew Duophone D-4023 (The Parkway Inn Orchestra) E-28633-B Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Do You? That's All I Want To Know Smith Ballew Duophone D-4046 (The Midnight Broadcasters) E-28657-B Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 I Can't Give You Anything But Love Ralph Leoney Duophone D-4018 (The Park Inn Good Timers) E-28668-A Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Dream House Ralph Leoney Duophone D-4023 (Tex Brewster's Orchestra) E-28673-A Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Down Where The Sun Goes Down Ralph Leoney Duophone D-4019 (Tip Top Club Orchestra) E-28678-A Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 I Ain't Got Nobody Ran Weeks ? Duophone D-4020 (The Midnight Broadcasters) E-28681-B Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Louisiana   Duophone D-4030 (Cross Roads Inn Orchestra) E-28682-A Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Mississippi Mud Ran Weeks ? Duophone D-4020 (The Home Towners) E-28683-B Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Halfway To Heaven Smith Ballew Duophone D-4027 (Dave Meyer's Bostonians) E-28750-B Dec 28, 2009
Nov - Dec 1928 Jo-Anne Smith Ballew Duophone D-4034 (The Home Towners) E-28751-B Dec 28, 2009

Devine's Wisconsin Roof Orchestra
Maurice Devine's orchestra made some records for Paramount which are pretty hard to find and are generally hot. Here are the few in my collection. My apologies for the condition of one or two of them, especially at the start of the record.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. October 1926 She's Still My Baby Spencer Reuter Puritan 11485 4038-2 March 26, 2010
c. October 1927 Black Maria   Broadway 1123 20116-2 March 26, 2010
c. October 1927 Deep River Blues   Broadway 1123 20119-2 March 26, 2010
December 1927 Singapore Sorrows   Broadway 1141 20267-2 March 26, 2010
December 1927 Mississippi Mud   Broadway 1141 20268-2 March 26, 2010
December 1927 River Boat Blues   Winner 4874 20269 March 26, 2010
December 1927 The New St. Louis Blues   Broadway 1140 20270-1 March 26, 2010
December 1927 Tiger Rag   Winner 4874 20271 March 26, 2010
c. February 1928 There's Something About A Rose Billy Meyers Broadway 1155 20389-2 March 26, 2010
c. May 1928 Ready For The River Henry Reber Regal 8615 20287-2 March 26, 2010

 

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra
From our perspective in the 21st century, we probably take Ellington's recordings for granted as they are so familiar. It's easy to forget how unique his compositions were and how advanced his orchestrations. Duke Ellington's band is always distinctive and the musicianship very high. Here is a selection of his late 1920s Victor recordings.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
December 19, 1927 East Saint Louis Toodle-Oo   HMV B-4958 A-41245-2 April 12, 2009
March 26, 1928 Got Everything But You   HMV B-4958 A-43504-2 April 12, 2009
November 15, 1928 Bandanna Babies Ozie Ware and trio HMV B-4957 A-48166-2 April 12, 2009
November 15, 1928 Diga Diga Doo Irving Mills & Ozie Ware HMV B-4959 A-48167-2 April 12, 2009
November 15, 1928 I Must Have That Man   HMV B-4957 A-48168-1 April 12, 2009
February 18, 1929 Harlemania   HMV B-4966 A-48374-1 April 12, 2009
March 7, 1929 Stevedore Stomp   HMV B-6106 A-49770-2 April 12, 2009
April 11, 1930 My Gal Is Good For Nothing But Love Frank Marvin HMV B-4961 A-59693-2 April 12, 2009
April 11, 1930 I Was Made To Love You Frank Marvin HMV B-4961 A-59694-1 April 12, 2009
August 26, 1930 Ring Dem Bells Cootie Williams (scat) HMV B-5945 PB-61011-6 April 12, 2009
August 26, 1930 Three Little Words The Rhythm Boys HMV B-5945 PB-61013-5 April 12, 2009

 

Ted Fiorito and his Orchestra
The recordings by the band directed by composer and bandleader, Ted Fiorito, had the distinctive West Coast sound with "Mickey Mouse" overtones which I find very listenable. Here is a small selection from 1932-33, all recorded in San Francisco.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
October 1932 Willow, Weep For Me Muzzy Marcellino Decca F-3415 SF-21-A May 20 2009
October 1932 More Beautiful Than Ever Vera Van Decca F-3415 SF-22-A May 20 2009
November 1932 Blue Moments Kenneth Allen Brunswick 01535 SF-24-C May 20 2009
March 1933 In The Park In Paree Muzzy Marcellino Brunswick 01525 SF-40-B May 20 2009
April 1933 I'm A Seeker Of Beauty Muzzy Marcellino Brunswick 6586 SF-50-A May 20 2009
October 1933 Cinderella's Fella Muzzy Marcellino Brunswick 01670 SF-75-A May 20 2009
October 1933 We'll Make Hay While The Sun Shines The Debutantes Brunswick 01671 SF-76-A May 20 2009


Jean Goldkette and his Orchestra
Goldkette's recordings are well-known amongst the hot dance collectors, especially the recordings with Bix Beiderbecke (cornet). There are a few of those in this selection, which covers the whole period of Goldkette's recorded output.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No Upload Date
March 27, 1924 In The Evening   HMV B-1865 29807-3 Feb 11 2011
January 28, 1926 After I Say I'm Sorry Frank Bessinger Victor 19947 34368-2 Feb 11 2011
February 3, 1926 Drifting Apart Frank Bessinger Victor 19975 34391-4 Feb 11 2011
April 23, 1926 Gimme A Little Kiss, Will Ya, Huh? Orchestra Victor 20031 34798-1 Feb 11 2011
October 15, 1926 I'd Rather Be The Girl In Your Arms Frank Bessinger Victor 20273 36814-8 Feb 11 2011
October 15, 1926 Cover Me Up With Sunshine Frank Bessinger Victor 20588 36830-2 Feb 11 2011
January 28, 1927 Proud Of A Baby Like You Keller Sisters & Lynch Victor 20469 37579-4 Feb 11 2011
January 31, 1927 I'm Gonna Meet My Sweetie Now   HMV B-5363 37583-2 Feb 11 2011
February 1, 1927 Look At The World And Smile   Victor 20472 37586-2 Feb 11 2011
February 3, 1927 Sunny Disposish The Revelers HMV B-5289 37599-3 Feb 11 2011
May 6, 1927 Slow River   HMV B-5397 38607-4 Feb 11 2011
September 15, 1927 Blue River Lewis James Victor 20981 40211-3 Feb 11 2011
December 12, 1927 My Ohio Home Hoagy Carmichael Victor 21166 41347-4 Feb 11 2011
December 14, 1927 Here Comes The Show Boat Myron Schultz, Ray Porter & Harold Stokes Victor 21166 41377-4 Feb 11 2011
July 12, 1928 Just Imagine Greta Woodson HMV B-5531 46070-4 Feb 11 2011
November 19, 1928 Sweethearts On Parade Van Fleming Victor 21800 48602-1 Feb 11 2011
November 23, 1928 Don't Be Like That Harold Stokes HMV B-5600 48618-2 Feb 11 2011
January 14, 1929 Ya Comin' Up Tonight, Huh? Harold Stokes, with Greta Woodson, Gertrude Mathews & Lucile Mathews (as "Wynken-Blynken-Nod" on the record label) Victor 21889 48778-2 Feb 11 2011


 

Grey Gull Studio Dance Band
The Grey Gull company, based in Boston, Mass, produced an enormous number of cheap records; the dance band ones are nearly all by their studio band which included Mike Mosiello (trumpet), Charlie Butterfield (trombone), Andy Sannella (clarinet, alto sax and Hawaiian guitar), Al Duffy (violin), Charles Magnante (accordion) (Frank Banta (piano), John Cali (banjo), tuba, George Hamilton Green (percussion, effects), with extra musicians added from time to time. The recordings are usually slightly over-modulated, with some distortion and are great fun. You get the feeling these guys are really enjoying themselves. This are a selection from 1929-30.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
August 1929 If You Believed In Me Jerry White Bellbird 104 3584-A May 16, 2010
August 1929 Ain't Misbehavin' Irving Kaufman Dominion A-245 3601-A May 16, 2010
September 1929 Steppin' Along Jerry White Piccadilly 491 3632-A May 16, 2010
October 1929 Lady Luck Frank Luther Piccadilly 580 3680-B May 16, 2010
November 1929 Gypsy Dream Rose Irving Kaufman Piccadilly 580 3723-B May 16, 2010
November 1929 My Fate Is In Your Hands Irving Kaufman Dominion A-254 3724-A May 16, 2010
November 1929 My Sweeter Than Sweet Frank Luther Dominion A-254 3729-B May 16, 2010
November 1929 Miss Wonderful Frank Luther Dominion A-256 3730-B May 16, 2010
December 1929 Turn On The Heat Irving Kaufman Dominion A-244 3762-A May 16, 2010
December 1929 If I Can't Have You Jack Parker Dominion A-258 3766-A May 16, 2010
December 1929 Love Made A Gypsy Out Of Me Jack Parker Dominion A-246 3767-A May 16, 2010
December 1929 I Love You, Believe Me,  I Love You Jerry White Dominion A-256 3784-B May 16, 2010
December 1929 Sunny Side Up Jerry White Piccadilly 507 3785-B May 16, 2010
December 1929 I'm A Dreamer, Aren't We All? Tommy Weir Piccadilly 493 3797-C May 16, 2010
January 1930 Lucky Little Devil Arthur Fields Piccadilly 524 3833-A May 16, 2010
January 1930 That Wonderful Something (Is Love) Arthur Fields Dominion C-302 3834-B May 16, 2010
January 1930 H'lo Baby Tommy Weir Piccadilly 563 3837-A May 16, 2010
January 1930 Crying For The Carolines Frank Luther ? Bellbird 131 3858-A May 16, 2010
January 1930 Do Ya Love Me? Frank Luther ? Piccadilly 524 3859-B May 16, 2010
January 1930 What Is this Thing Called Love? Frank Luther Bellbird 131 3860-A May 16, 2010
January 1930 Harmonica Harry Frank Luther Piccadilly 616 3861 May 16, 2010
February 1930 Should I? Jerry White Piccadilly 603 3878-B May 16, 2010
February 1930 The Man From The South unidenitfied Piccadilly 604 3910-A May 16, 2010
March 1930 Sing, You Sinners Jerry White Piccadilly 604 3949-A May 16, 2010
April 1930 A Cottage For Sale Jack Parker Piccadilly 616 3990-B May 16, 2010
April 1930 Mysterious Mose Irving Kaufman Piccadilly 563 4020-B May 16, 2010
June 1930 You Brought A New Kind Of Love to Me Scrappy Lambert Piccadilly 613 4074 May 16, 2010
June 1930 I Love You So Much unidentified Piccadilly 605 4078-B May 16, 2010

Johnny Hamp and his Orchestra
Here are mp3s of all the Johnny Hamp records in my collection. I've always like the band, they seem to upbeat in their recordings. One curious thing, I notice they generally play 2 choruses before the vocal chorus (most bands play one, or start with the vocal) and this often leaves only a half-chorus after the vocal.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Cat. No Matrix No Upload Date
September 10, 1925 So That's The Kind Of A Girl You Are Charles Buckwalter, Frank Masterman & Elwood Groff Victor 19781 33343-9 Sept 17, 2012
September 19, 1925 I Want You All For Me Charles Blackwalter HMV B-5053 33265-5 Sept 17, 2012
September 19, 1925 When The Dear Old Summer Goes Charles Blackwalter & Frank Masterman HMV B-5053 33342-10 Sept 17, 2012
September 19, 1925 Angry   HMV B-5050 33420-4 Sept 17, 2012
June 28, 1926 Black Bottom   HMV B-5173 35724-5 Sept 17, 2012
July 20, 1926 Tenderly Charles Buckwalter, Frank Masterman & Elwood Groff HMV B-5163 35789-2 Sept 17, 2012
September 15, 1926 Turkish Towel Charles Buckwalter, Frank Masterman & Elwood Groff Victor 20207 36086-7 Sept 17, 2012
May 4, 1927 One O'Clock Baby Franklyn Baur HMV B-5328 38722-3 Sept 17, 2012
May 27, 1927 Gorgeous Hal White HMV B-5352 38841-1 Sept 17, 2012
June 29, 1927 Is It Possible? Franklyn Baur HMV B-5365 39609-2 Sept 17, 2012
July 26, 1927 You Sing That Song To Somebody Else   HMV B-5428 39904-4 Sept 17, 2012
August 23, 1927 It All Belongs To Me Franklyn Baur HMV B-5414 39103-2 Sept 17, 2012
August 23, 1927 Someday You'll Say "O.K." Franklyn Baur HMV B-5402 39104-2 Sept 17, 2012
September 2, 1927 Dawning Elliott Shaw & trio HMV B-5434 39148-2 Sept 17, 2012
September 2, 1927 I Fell Head Over Heels In Love Hal White HMV B-5432 39149-3 Sept 17, 2012
November 9, 1927 What'll You Do? Hal White HMV B-5446 40834-3 Sept 17, 2012
November 9, 1927 The Sunrise Joe Cassidy HMV B-5476 40835-3 Sept 17, 2012
May 17, 1928 I Can't Give You Anything But Love Hal White HMV B-5538 43990-4 Sept 17, 2012
June 18, 1928 If You Don't Love Me Joe Cassidy HMV B-5534 45594-2 Sept 17, 2012
June 27, 1928 Blue Grass Franklyn Baur HMV B-5532 45660-2 Sept 17, 2012
August 10, 1928 Blue Shadows Frank Munn HMV B-5559 46680-1 Sept 17, 2012
November 22, 1928 'Round Evening Hal White Victor 21804 48614-3 Sept 17, 2012
September 13, 1929 Sunny Side Up Frank Luther HMV B-5751 55687 Sept 17, 2012
September 13, 1929 Nobody Cares If I'm Blue Frank Luther HMV B-5884 55688 Sept 17, 2012
September 13, 1929 Lady Luck Don Howard HMV B-5773 55690-3 Sept 17, 2012
February 17, 1931 All On Account OF Your Kisses Andrew Freeman HMV B-6078 67504-1 Sept 17, 2012
May 22. 1931 Maybe It's The Moon Carl Graub Victor 22727 69644-2 Sept 17, 2012
May 22, 1931 Look In The Looking-Glass Andrew Freeman HMV B-6099 69646-1 Sept 17, 2012
June 5, 1931 I Was Only Teasing You Carl Graub Victor 22727 69690-2 Sept 17, 2012
August 26, 1931 I Can't Write The Words Chick Bullock HMV B-6253 70168-3 Sept 17, 2012
April 27, 1932 Cabin In The Cotton Charles Socci HMV B-6225 72514-1 Sept 17, 2012
April 27, 1932 By A Rippling Stream Carl Graub, Chris Gamet & Charles Socci HMV B-6208 72515-1 Sept 17, 2012
April 27, 1932 Whistle And Blow Your Blues Away Carl Graub, Chris Gamet & Charles Socci HMV B-6208 72516-1 Sept 17, 2012

Fletcher Henderson and his Orchestra
Classic big band jazz from the 1920s & early 1930s, transferred from original 78s in my collection. What more needs to be said ? Have a listen!
This is a selection of Fletcher's Columbia recordings
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
September 13, 1923 Do Doodle Oom   Columbia A-3995 81212-3 Jan 4 2014
April 16, 1924 My Papa Doesn't Two-Time No Time Don Redman (scat vocal) Columbia 126-D 91691-2 Jan 4 2014
September 8, 1924 He's the Hottest Man In Town   Columbia 209-D 81981-3 Jan 4 2014
October 7, 1924 Go 'Long Mule   Regal G-8293 140093-2 Jan 4 2014
May 19, 1925 Money Blues   Columbia 383-D 140617 Jan 4 2014
October 21, 1925 Carolina Stomp   Columbia 509-D 141171-4 Jan 4 2014
November 3, 1926 The Chant   Columbia 817-D 142903-2 Jan 4 2014
December 13, 1926 Sweet Thing June Cole Columbia 4417 143125-6 Jan 4 2014
April 28, 1927 Livery Stable Blues   Columbia 4560 144064-3 Jan 4 2014
December 12, 1928 Easy Money   Columbia 14392-D 147422-2 Jan 4 2014
May 16, 1929 Blazin'   Columbia 1913-D 148540-2 Jan 4 2014
February 5, 1931 My Gal Sal   Columbia DF-847 151275-1 Jan 4 2014
March 19, 1931 Clarinet Marmalade   Columbia CB-367 151441-2 Jan 4 2014
March 19, 1931 Comin' 'nd Going   Parlophone R-1356 151444-1 Jan 4 2014
December 9, 1932 Honeysuckle Rose   Columbia CB-584 152324-1 Jan 4 2014
December 9, 1932 New King Porter Stomp   Columbia CB-701 152325-1 Jan 4 2014
September 22, 1933 Queer Notions   Columbia CB-678 265135-2 Jan 4 2014

 
Sam Lanin and his Orchestra
Sam made records for many different record companies. I decided to split them down by record company and I should eventually load more.
Plaza group recordings (Banner); issued in Britain mainly on Imperial. A selection of some of the early recordings.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. November 1, 1923 Swanee River Blues   Imperial 1271 5319 Dec 4 2009
c. November 26, 1923 You're In Kentucky Sure As You're Born   Imperial 1302 5346 Dec 4 2009
c. September 7, 1924 Tessie, Stop Teasing Me Arthur Hall Imperial 1383 5615 Dec 4 2009
December 1, 1925 Smile A Little Bit Arthur Fields Imperial 1574 6316 Dec 4 2009
December 29, 1925 I Want Somebody To Cheer Me Up Arthur Fields Imperial 1581 6364 Dec 4 2009
c. February 9, 1926 So Does Your Old Mandarin Irving Kaufman Banner 1716 6442 Dec 4 2009
c, April 1, 1926 Tonight's My Night With Baby Irving Kaufman Imperial 1638 6538 Dec 4 2009
c. April 27, 1926 When The Red, Red Robin Irving Kaufman Imperial 1651 6584 Dec 4 2009
c. June 9, 1926 In A Little Garden Irving Kaufman Imperial 1652 6654 Dec 4 2009
c. July 22, 1926 Lay Me Down To Sleep In Carolina Jerry Macy Imperial 1711 6731 Dec 4 2009
c. November 15, 1926 Thinking Of You Charles Kaley Domino 3860 6939 Dec 4 2009
c. March 11, 1927 Hello, Cutie Arthur Fields Winner 4696 7154 Dec 4 2009

 

Vincent Lopez and his Orchestra
A selection of the sides the band recorded for Okeh, all acoustic.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. March 22, 1923 You've Got To See Mama Every Night   Parlophone E-5033 71370-D Oct 11 2009
c. May 20, 1923 Blue Hoosier Blues   Parlophone E-5096 71551-A Oct 11 2009
c. November 24, 1923 Lovey Came Back   Parlophone E-5215 72104-D Oct 11 2009
c. September 23, 1924 Me And The Boy Friend Billy Jones Parlophone E-5321 72844-B Oct 11 2009
November 3, 1924 Southern Rose   Parlophone E-5308 72952-B Oct 11 2009
November 24, 1925 Don't Wake Me up, Let Me Dream   Parlophone E-5562 73781-D Oct 11 2009
December 22, 1925 I Never Knew   Parlophone E-5562 73865-B Oct 11 2009
December 22, 1925 Moon Deer   Parlophone E-5577 73866-B Oct 11 2009
c. January 13, 1926 A Cup Of Coffee, A Sandwich And You   Parlophone E-5577 73917-B Oct 11 2009
c. January 28, 1926 T-N-T   Parlophone E-5631 73969-A Oct 11 2009
c. February 22, 1926 That Certain Feeling Billy Jones (as Bruce Wallace) Parlophone E-5631 74020-B Oct 11 2009

Freddy Martin and his Orchestra
Probably my favourite 1930s American dance band, Freddy Martin's records are tuneful without being too saccharine. Here is a selection from my collection.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
January 16, 1933 Night And Day Elmer Feldkamp Peacock P-152 (as Ten Collegians) 12882-1 Feb 20, 2010
April 11, 1933 Hold Me Elmer Feldkamp Columbia CB-644 (as Hotel Commodore Dance Orch.) 152388-2 Feb 20, 2010
May 27, 1933 My Bluebird's Singing The Blues Will Osborne Decca F-3610 (as The Rhythm Maniacs) 13398-1 Feb 20, 2010
June 29, 1933 Morning, Noon And Night Elmer Feldkamp Domino 129 (as Ed Loyd and his Orch) 13511-2 Feb 20, 2010
Sept 18, 1933 Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Love Elmer Feldkamp Melotone M-12791 (as Bob Causer & his Cornellians) 14004-1 Feb 20, 2010
Sep 20, 1933 Dancing On A Rainbow Elmer Feldkamp & Trio Brunswick 01639 B-14063-A Feb 20, 2010
Dec 1, 1933 April In Paris Elmer Feldkamp Brunswick 01697 B-14406-A Feb 20, 2010
February 1, 1934 In Other Words, We're Through Chick Bullock Perfect 15882 (as Gene Kardos & his Orch) 14690-3 Feb 20, 2010
February 1, 1934 When Tomorrow Comes Elmer Feldkamp & Trio Brunswick 01810 B-14751-A Feb 20, 2010
July 13, 1934 I'm Just That Way Noel Andre Fox Movietone F-117 (as Albert Taylor & his Orch.) 15424-1 Feb 20, 2010
Nov15, 1934 Just A Fair-Weather Friend Elmer Feldkamp Brunswick 7324 B-16318-A Feb 20, 2010
February 4, 1935 Whose Honey Are You? Terry Shand & Trio Brunswick 7382 B-16803-A Feb 20, 2010
May 1, 1935 Give a Broken Heart A Break Elmer Feldkamp Brunswick RL-284 C-959-A Feb 20, 2010
May 31, 1935 Simply Grand Elmer Feldkamp Brunswick 7462 C-999-A Feb 20, 2010
January 7, 1938 There's A Strange Little Change In Me Elmer Feldkamp Bluebird B-7380 018118-1 Feb 20, 2010
June 1, 1938 Beside A Moonlit Stream Elmer Feldkamp Regal Zonophone MR-2848 (as Wally Bishop & his Band) 019306-2 Feb 20, 2010
July 3, 1939 Let's Disappear Bill Stoker Bluebird B-10350 040237-1 Feb 20, 2010
Dec 11, 1939 Oh, What A Lovely Dream Eddie Stone Regal Zonophone MR-3296 042294-1 Feb 20, 2010
March 26, 1941 Nice Dreamin', Baby Eddie Stone Bluebird B-11123 055494-1 Feb 20, 2010
Dec 27, 1941 Heavenly, Isn't It? Eddie Stone & Trio Bluebird B-11437 072001-1 Feb 20, 2010

 

Leo Reisman and his Orchestra
Just a handful of 1920s recordings by this band.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
January 13, 1924 A Smile Will Go A Long, Long Way   Columbia 3456 81480 Feb 15 2009
October 3, 1926 Don't Be Angry With Me Charles Kaley Regal G-8787 142719-2 Feb 15 2009
April 9, 1928 Ma Belle Lew Conrad Columbia CB-44 145980-2 Feb 15 2009
April 22, 1929 Love Me Or Leave Me Ran Weeks HMV B-5684 51647-3 Feb 15 2009
July 31, 1929 Do What You Do Smith Ballew Victor 22069 55639-1 Feb 15 2009
September 20, 1929 Here Am I Lou Levin HMV BD-186 56705-2 Feb 15 2009
October 18, 1929 When You're Counting The Stars Alone Lou Levin HMV B-5757 56736-6 Feb 15 2009
November 1, 1929 My Sweeter Than Sweet Lou Levin HMV B-5758 57518-2 Feb 15 2009

Ben Selvin & his Orchestra
Selvin reputedly made more records as a bandleader than any other American bandleader. Be that as it may, he did make a huge number of recordings, of which this is a very small selection from his Columbia sessions.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
May 26, 1925 Stepping In Society   Columbia 3714 (Denza Dance Band W-140623 May 8, 2012
October 25, 1927 Up In The Clouds Franklyn Baur Columbia 01460 (The Broadway Nitelites) W-144904 May 8, 2012
Dec 28, 1927 We'll Have A New Home In The Morning Crescent Trio Columbia 1274-D W-145445 May 8, 2012
August 31, 1928 Lady Whipporwill Three Melodians Columbia 1538-D W-146396 May 8, 2012
October 16, 1928 When Summer Is Gone Jack Parker Columbia 5329 (The Columbians) W-147045 May 8, 2012
July 5, 1929 Am I Blue? Smith Ballew Columbia 5591 W-148788 May 8, 2012
October 2, 1929 From Now On Smith Ballew Columbia 2003-D (The Knickerbockers) W-149079 May 8, 2012
February 3, 1930 The One Girl The Crooners Columbia CB-75 W-149957 May 8, 2012
October 24, 1930 My Man From Caroline Eva Taylor Columbia CB-212 W-150900 May 8, 2012
May 9, 1931 Roll On, Mississippi, Roll On Paul Small Clarion 5321-C (Roy Carroll & his Orch) W-351016 May 8, 2012
June 18, 1931 Makin' Faces At The Man In The Moon Milt Coleman Parlophone R-995 (Golden Terrace Orch) 404973 May 8, 2012
July 21, 1931 Me! Dick Robertson Columbia CB-360 (The Knickerbockers) W-151695 May 8, 2012
August 25, 1931 What Is It? Paul Small Harmony 1366-H (Lloyd Keating & his Orch.) W-351091 May 8, 2012
October 21, 1931 Lucille Orlando Roberson Velvet Tone 2463-V (Hotel Commodore D.O.) W-351115 May 8, 2012
October 30, 1931 Try To Forget Jack Miller Regal MR-543 (The Broadway Bandits) W-151870 May 8, 2012
January 12, 1932 How Long Will It Last? Paul Small Clarion 5450-C (Frank Auburn & his Orchestra) W-351151 May 8, 2012
Dec 16, 1932 You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me Muriel Sherman & Elmer Feldkamp Columbia CB-578 W-152331 May 8, 2012

Seven Little Polar Bears
A group directed by ace banjoist Harry Reser, similar to his better-known Six Jumping Jacks who recorded for Brunswick; the Polar Bears recorded similar materian for Cameo. The basic group was Earl Oliver or Tommy Gott (trumpet), Sam Lewis (trombone); Larry Abbott (clarinet & alto sax); Norman Yorke (clarinet & tenor sax) (when used), Bill Wirges (piano) Harry Reser (banjo & director) Jimmy Johnston (bass sax) or Jack Hansen (tuba), Tom Stacks (drums & vocals). Here are the ones in my collection. My apologies for the rather noisy surfaces on many of these.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
c. March 28, 1926 Chick Chick Chicken Tom Stacks Cameo 925 1888-B Dec 7, 2012
c. June 4, 1926 Animal Crackers Tom Stacks Cameo 952 1992-A Dec 7, 2012
c. June 4, 1926 I Love Her Tom Stacks Cameo 952 1993-C Dec 7, 2012
c. August 10, 1926 Out In The New Mown Hay Tom Stacks Cameo 1000 2077-B Dec 7, 2012
c. August 10, 1926 Me Too Tom Stacks Cameo 1000 2078-B Dec 7, 2012
c. October 9, 1926 My Girl Has Eye Trouble Tom Stacks Cameo 1019 2144-A Dec 7, 2012
c. Dec 1, 1926 Don't Take That Black Bottom Away Tom Stacks Cameo 1060 2214-E Dec 7, 2012
c. March 1, 1927 Cock-A-Doodle, I'm Off My Noodle Tom Stacks Cameo 1059 2270-C Dec 7, 2012
c. March 16, 1928 Hello, Montreal Tom Stacks Perfect 14968 (as Phil Hughes & his High Hatters) 108097 Dec 7, 2012
c. March 16, 1928 Mississippi Mud Tom Stacks Perfect 14968 (as Phil Hughes & his High Hatters) 108098 Dec 7, 2012
c. May 29, 1928 Oh! You Have No Idea Tom Stacks Cameo 8244 3159-B Dec 7, 2012
c. Sep 20, 1928 The Cat And The Dog   Pathe 36875 (as George Brooks & his Syncopators) 3357 Dec 7, 2012
c. Sep 20, 1928 Ginger Snaps   Pathe 36875 (as George Brooks & his Syncopators) 3358 Dec 7, 2012


Charlie Straight & his Orchestra
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
September 1923 Arkansas Mule Paramount 20264 1505-2 Jan 21, 2015
September 1923 Bathing Beauty Blues Paranount 20264 1511-3 Jan 21, 2015
September 1923 That Old Gang Of Mine Winner 3998 1513 Jan 21, 2015
October 1923 Sittin' In The Corner   Winner 3998 1544 Jan 21, 2015
March 10, 1926 Sweet Southern Breeze Brunswick 3076 C-94 Jan 21, 2015
March 10, 1926 What A Man Williams Sisters Brunswick 3136 C-96 Jan 21, 2015
March 10, 1926 Hi-Diddle-Diddle Williams Sisters Brunswick 3136 C-98 Jan 21, 2015
March 10, 1926 Talking To The Moon   Brunswick 3076 C-102 Jan 21, 2015
May 28, 1926 Deep Henderson Brunswick 3224 C-325 Jan 21, 2015
May 28, 1926 Hobo's Prayer Brunswick 3224 C-328 Jan 21, 2015
May 28, 1926 Her Beaus Are Only Rainbows Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3203 C-330 Jan 21, 2015
May 28, 1926 That's Why I Love You Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3203 C-332 Jan 21, 2015
Serptember 9, 1926 Tell Me Tonight Fank Munn ? Brunswick 3324 C-602 Jan 21, 2015
September 10, 1926 What's The Use Of Crying? Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3324 C-618 Jan 21, 2015
March 31, 1927 Nesting Time Keller Sisters & Lynch Brunswick 3516 E-22199 Jan 21, 2015
March 31, 1927 Side By Side Keller Sisters & Lynch Brunswick 3516 E-2220 Jan 21, 2015
March 17, 1928 That's What I Call Keen Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3769 C-1695 Jan 21, 2015
March 17, 1928 Persian Rug Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3769 C-1698 Jan 21, 2015
March 17, 1928 Sweet Sue - Just You Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3787 C-1701 Jan 21, 2015
March 17, 1928 Sentimental Baby Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3787 C-1705 Jan 21, 2015
May 23, 1928 Too Busy Frank Sylvano Brunswick 3839 C-1966 Jan 21, 2015

The Tennessee Tooters
This was a studio band formed by Vocalion generally to perform "hot" numbers. The personnel varies but always seems to include Bennie Krueger on alto-sax and he may have lead the band as well. The records are quite hard to find, so I apologise for the state of some of these records.
Recording Date Tune Title Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
December 23, 1924 Prince Of Wails Vocalion 14952 152 Aug 13, 2010
December 23, 1924 I Ain't Got Nobody To Love Vocalion 14952 155 Aug 13, 2010
January 23, 1925 Hot-Hot-Hottentot Guardsman 7008 (as The Kentucky Tooters) 256 Aug 13, 2010
January 23, 1925 How Come You Do Me Like You Do? Guardsman 7008 (as The Kentucky Tooters) 259 Aug 13, 2010
March 25, 1925 Those Panama Mamas Vocalion 15004 600 Aug 13, 2010
March 25, 1925 Red Hot Henry Brown Vocalion 15004 602 Aug 13, 2010
April 8, 1925 Jimtown Blues Guardsman 7015 664 Aug 13, 2010
April 8, 1925 Kansas City Stomps Vocalion 15022 666 Aug 13, 2010
June 23, 1925 What-Cha-Call-'Em Blues Guardsman 7015 920 Aug 13, 2010
June 23, 1925 Milenberg Joys Vocalion 15068 922 Aug 13, 2010
August 11, 1925 Charleston Vocalion 15086 1130 Aug 13, 2010
August 11, 1925 I Had A Sweet Mama Vocalion 15086 1135 Aug 13, 2010
August 13, 1925 Deep Elm Vocalion 15109 1155 Aug 13, 2010
August 13, 1925 Sweet Man Vocalion 15109 1157 Aug 13, 2010
September 15, 1925 I Ain't Got Nobody Beltona 930 1348 Aug 13, 2010
September 15, 1925 Everybody Stomp Beltona 930 1352 Aug 13, 2010

Waring's Pennsylvanians
The Waring brothers, Tom & Fred, ran this excellent band from the early 1920s until the early 1930s, making excellent recordings for Victor (issued on HMV in Britain). Fred Waring subsequently formed a famous choral unit (still called the Pennsylanians). Here is a selection of the Victor/HMV recordings.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
October 16, 1923 Stack O' Lee Blues   HMV B-1760 28665-5 April 10, 2010
June 2, 1924 Blackin' Blues   Victor 19369 30150-3 April 10, 2010
Sept 19,  1924 Nashville Nightingale   Victor 19492 30833-1 April 10, 2010
January 21, 1925 Insufficient Sweetie   Victor 19569 31961-3 April 10, 2010
September 4, 1925 I Won't Do Tom Waring Victor 19943 PBVE-134-1 April 10, 2010
June 2, 1926 Any Ice Today, Lady? Poley McClintock & chorus HMV B-5120 35522-2 April 10, 2010
August 18, 1926 Her Beaus Are Only Rainbows Tom Waring HMV B-5156 36119-3 April 10, 2010
December 9, 1926 I Love The College Girls members of the orchestra HMV B-5262 36495-4 April 10, 2010
Nov 30, 1927 Wob-A-Ly Walk Fred Waring & chorus HMV B-5436 41017-2 April 10, 2010
February 14, 1928 Who's Blue Now? choir HMV B-5463 42440-3 April 10, 2010
March 28, 1928 Farewell Blues   Victor 21508 43187-3 April 10, 2010
October 12, 1928 I Want The World To Know Fred Waring & chorus Victor 21783 47815-6 April 10, 2010
February 20, 1929 My Castle In Spain Is A Shack In The Lane Clare Hanlon HMV B-5672 50504-4 April 10, 2010
May 22, 1929 To Be In Love Tom Waring & chorus HMV B-5679 51967-7 April 10, 2010
January 9, 1930 Good For You, Bad For Me Three Girl Friends Victor 22326 57986-4 April 10, 2010
January 22, 1930 Without Love Tom Waring Victor 22486 58613-4 April 10, 2010
January 28, 1930 Wasn't It Beautiful While It Lasted? Stuart Churchill & the 3 Girl Friends Victor 22325 58170-5 April 10, 2010
May 15, 1931 Falling In Love Clare Hanlon Victor 22706   April 10, 2010
January 18, 1932 That's Living Clare Hanlon Victor 22914 71244-1 April 10, 2010
November 4, 1932 You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me Tom Waring HMV B-6326 73903-1 April 10, 2010

 

Victor Young and his Orchestra
Victor Young was musical director for ARC/Brunswick during the 1930s. The Brunswick records are generally issued under his own name, but vast numbers of records on dime store labels such as Perfect, Melotone, Banner etc were issued under pseudonyms, often using the names of real bandleaders. Here are some of those.
Recording Date Tune Title Vocalist(s) Label & Issue No. Matrix No. Upload Date
March 1, 1932 What Would You Do? Smith Ballew Panachord 25242 11382 August 1, 2009
March 4, 1932 Lovable George Beuchler Banner 32407 11394 April 1, 2009
March 4, 1932 I'm So In Love Les Reis Banner 32407 11399 April 1, 2009
March 15, 1932 Lord, You Made The Night Too Long Les Reis Pamachord 25234 11483 April 1, 2009
April 5, 1932 When Work Is Through Harold van Emburgh May-Fair G-2176 11645 August 1, 2009
April 19, 1932 Crazy People Fran Frey Imperial 2742 11723 April 1, 2009
April 28, 1932 Lullaby Of The Leaves George Beuchler Mayfair G-2176 11754 July 5, 2009
May 10, 1932 Am I Wasting My Time? George Beuchler Banner 32458 11795 April 1, 2009
May 5, 1932 Tell Me Why You Smile, Mona Lisa Paul Small Banner 32458 11781 July 5, 2009
May 20, 1932 My Silent Love Dick Robertson Panachord 25262 11873 July 5, 2009
June 2, 1932 Who, Besides Me, Sits Beside You? Scrappy Lambert Decca F-3110 11899 August 1, 2009
June 14, 1932 Come On And Sit Beside The Sea Paul Small Perfect 15627 11932 April 1, 2009
July 1, 1932 It Was So Beautiful Chick Bullock Panachord 25262 12015 April 1, 2009
August 1, 1932 We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye Chick Bullock Panachord 25261 12117 July 5, 2009
June 3, 1933 A Fool In Love Paul Small Brunswick 01558 13420 April 1, 2009

This page was first created on February 15th, 2009. Updated January 21, 2015    

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