All files have been Digitally Re-Engineered by our Staff (and others).

  "Any Rags?", (566kb). Arthur Collins vocal. Collins was a very popular American Vaudevillian. This early Edison roll is an excellent example of turn of the XX century "Coon" songs heard on American Vaudeville stages. "Coon" songs were meant to be sung in an assumed "Negro" dialect. Edison Diamond Disc: 50100-R recorded in 1913.

  "What If I Do?", (461kb).The Seven Gallon Jug Band (One of Clarence Williams' many "Jug" bands.) Recorded for Comubia in 1929. (Columbia 2087-D)

  "Pig Ankle Strut", (492kb). Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers. Recorded in 1928 for Victor. (Victor V-38006-B). A much better idea of just what local "Jug Bands" sounded like.

  "Candy Lips", (454kb). Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings. recorded for Columbia in 1927. (Columbia 14193-D) Oh Mama, ain't that Hot!

  "True Blue Lou", (475kb). Ben Pollack and His Park Central Orch. Recorded in New York City August 15, 1929 for Victor. (Victor 22089)

  "There's A Cradle In Caroline", (485kb). The New Yorkers. recorded February 2, 1928 in Berlin, Germany for Tri-Ergon. (Tri-Ergon 5110)

  "Snake Hips", (506kb). The Memhis Five. Rec'd: March 22, 1923 in New York, New York for Victor. Written by Spencer Williams

  "Steel String Blues", (435kb). Tiny Parham and his Musicians. Composed by Tiny. Rec'd: October 25, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois for Victor.

  "Ma! (He's Makin' Eyes At Me!)", (359kb). The Benson Orchestra of Chicago (under the direction of pianist Roy Bargy.) Recorded September 29, 1921 in New York, NY for Victor.

  "I'm Cuckoo Over You", (430kb). Bennie Krueger's Orch. Recorded for Brunswick in 1921, (Brunswick 2174-A)

  "Second Hand Rose (and introducing "I Knew")", (579kb). The Broadway Dance Orch. It was recorded for Edison in 1921. (Edison Diamond Disc: 50832-L)

  "Ev'rybody Shimmies Now (Introducing 'Give Me A Syncopated Tune')". (449kb). All Star Trio. Composed by J. Gold & E. J. Porray. Recorded November 5, 1919 in New York, New York by Victor. (Victor 18626-A) The All Star Trio consisted of either Victor Arden or Max Kortlander on Piano, George Hamilton Green on Xylophoneand Wheeler Wadsworth on Saxophone. Co",

  "Birmingham Bertha"", (544kb). Walter Barnes and His Royal Creolians. Recorded 7-25-1929 in Chicago, Illinois for Brunswick. (Brunswick 4480) May Alex does the vocal. Tune Composed by Clarke & Akst.

  "Crazy Quilt", (524kb). The Tennessee Tooters. Recorded Sept. 20, 1926 in New York, NY, for Vocalion.

  "There's A Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder", (356kb). McKinney's Cotton Pickers Dance Orch., with vocal refrain. Victor Talking Machine Orthophonic Recording V-38013-B

  "Chimes Blues", (415kb). King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band recorded April 5, 1923, in Richmond, Indiana for Gennett. (Gennett 5135) ("Oliver's three chorus solo on "Dippermouth Blues" has since been memorized by virtually every Dixieland trumpeter.")

  "Keep Your Sunnyside Up", (451kb). Johnny Hamp's Kentuckey Serenaders. Rec'd: 1929 New York, NY for Victor. Composed by DeSylva, Brown & Henderson

  "Angry", (393kb). Johnny Hamp's Kentucky Serenaders. Rec'd: Sept. 19, 1925, Camden, NJ, for Victor.

  "Spanish Mama", (475kb). Doc Cooke's Dreamland Club Orchestra. Written by Billy Meyers & Elmer Schoebel. Rec'd: July 10, 1926 in Chicago, IL. (Columbia 727-D)

  "The Creeper", (478kb). Duke Ellington and His Kentucky Club Orch. Rec'd: Dec. 29, 1926 New York, NY, for Vocalion. Tune composed by the "Duke".

  "Come On And Stomp, Stomp Stomp", (499kb). Johnny Dodds' Black Bottom Stompers. Recorded October 8, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois for Brunswick. (Brunswick 3568) Written by Smith, Fats Waller & Irving Mills.

  "Louisiana Bo Bo", (565kb). Curtis Mosby Blue Blowers. recorded January 21, 1929 in Los Angeles, California for Columbia. (Columbia 40001-D). written by Nixon

  "Gravier Street Blues", (526kb). Clarence Williams and His Jazz Kings. rec'd: 1927 for Columbia. (Columbia 14193-D)

  "Three Blind Mice", (501kb). The Chicago Loopers. Recorded in October 1927 in New York, NY, for Pathe-Actuelle. (Loopers were:Bix Beiderbecke-Cornet; Eddie Lang-Guitar; Vic Berton-Drums; Don Murray-Clarinet; Frankie Trumbauer-Saxophone; and Frank Signorelli-Piano.

  ""Bugle Call Rag"", (493kb). Gus Cannon's Jug Stompers. rec'd: 1928. (Victor V-38006-A)

  "Down By The Levee", (608kb). Albert Wynn's Creole Jazz Band, with Cornetist Punch Miller on vocal. Rec'd: October 2, 1928 in Chicago. (Vocalion 1220)

  "I Love Me (I Love Myself To Death)", (402kb). This is the California Ramblers (Actually it's from a record where the band was listed as The Regal Novelty Orchestra.) Recorded in 1923.

  "Rainy Nights (Rainy Days)", (554kb). The Washingtonians . Recorded in November of 1924 in New York, NY, for the somewhat 'rare' label Blu-Disc. Composed by Duke Ellington, Jo Trent & Lopez.

  "Margie", (529kb). Bix Beiderbecke and His Gang. Recorded September 21, 1928 in New York, NY, for Okeh. (Okeh 41173). Composed by Joe Davis, Con Conrad and J. Russel Robinson.

  "Ory's Creole Trombone", (560kb). Edward "Kid" Ory's Seven Pods of Peppers Band. Recorded July, 1922 in Los Angeles, CA, USA, for Nordskog and Sunshine. (Nordskog 3009 and 5001) (Sunshine 3003)

  "Yazoo Blues", (464kb). Bennie Moten's Kansas City Jazz Band. Rec'd: December 13, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois for Victor. The tune was written by Bennie Moten.

  "Runnin' Wild", (458kb). Billy Arnold's Novelty Jazz Band Rec'd: June, 1923 in Paris, France. (Pathe 6616). Written by Grey & Gibbs. Billy Arnold, a American jazz pianist, whose entire career was spent in Great Britain, evidently cut only 9 recordings (between 1920-1923), of which only 3 were ever commerically released.

  "Hey! You Want Any Codfish? (We Only Have Mackerel To-Day)", (439kb). The Melody Kings (aka: Andy Tipaldi and his Orch.) Rec'd: August 1923 by HMV, in Montreal, Canada. (HMV 216428).

  "Corky Stomp", (412kb). Andy Kirk's 12 Clouds Of Joy., Rec'd: Nov. 11, 1929, Kansas City, Missouri. (Brunswick 4893)

  "It's Tight Like That", (378kb). William McKinney's Cotton Pickers. Recorded Nov. 23, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois for Victor.

  "Dancing Fool", (523kb). Bailey's Lucky Seven. Rec'd: June 6, 1922 in New York, NY, for Gennett. (Gennett 4908). Written by Ted Synder

  "You're Some Pretty Doll" and Introducing, "There's Always Something Doin' Down In Dixie", (510kb). All Star Trio. Rec'd: Jan. 4, 1919 in New York, NY, (Victor 18527-B).

  "12th Street Rag", (522kb). The All Star Trio. Rec'd: Oct. 5, 1920 in New York, NY. (Victor 18713-A).Composed by Euday L. Bowman.

  "Canal Street Blues", (355kb). King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band. written by King Oliver & Louis Armstrong. Rec'd: April 5, 1923 in Richmond, Indiana for Gennett. (Gennett 5133).

  "The Darktown Strutter's Ball", (484kb). James Reese Europe's 369th Infantry "Hellfighters" Jazz Band. Composed by Shelton Brooks. Rec'd: March 1919 in New York, NY, (Pathé Frere 22081)

  "Olaf (You Oughta Hear Olaf Laff)", (418kb). Harry Reser's Clicquot Club Eskimos with Drummer Tom Stacks on vocal. Rec'd: Jan. 28, 1929 in New York, NY, for Columbia. composed by Baer & Gilbert

  "Slow Drag Blues", (391kb). Ford Dabney's Band. Rec'd: August 1919 in New York, NY, for Aeolian and Vocalion.

  "Sweet Jennie Lee", (402kb). The Isham Jones Orchestra. Drummer Tom Stacks does the vocal. Rec'd: Sept. 12, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois for Brunswick.

"Clicquot", (503kb). Harry Reser's Clicquot Club Eskimos. (Their Radio Show Theme song.) Rec'd: Columbia label, in New York City on May 28, 1926. (Yes...that's supposed to be the Sled Dogs barking!)

  "Easy Goin'", (444kb). Harry Reser with a banjo solo (piano accompaniment). Rec'd: Nov. 1, 1923 in New York, NY for Okeh.

  "Avalon", (395kb). Paul Whiteman's Orchestra. Feb. 15, 1928, Rec'd: Victor 25238

  "Struttin At The Strutter's Ball", (431kb).Zez Confrey's Orch.

  "Are You Happy?", (674kb). Sam Lanin's Ipana Troubadors vocal by Irving Kaufman. Rec'd: 1926 (Columbia 1098-D)

  "Nothin' Does-Does Like It Used To Do Do Do", (552kb). Red and The Red Heads. Recorded September 16, 1927 in New York, NY for Pathe Actuelle. Composed by Kahal, Ross & Fain.

  "Mandy", (622kb). Al Handler's Alamo Cafe Orchestra. Recorded by Columbia in Chicago on July 12, 1926.

  "I Need Some Pettin'", (663kb). The Wolverines, Bix on Cornet. Rec'd: Gennett 20062-A Matrix: 11930

  "Crazy Rhythm", (693kb). Harry Reser's Syncopators with drummer Tom Stacks on vocal. Rec'd: April 21, 1928 in New York, NY for Columbia - American.

  "Louisiana", (473kb). Bix Beiderbecke and His Gang. Rec'd: September 21, 1928 in New York, NY. Okeh 41173.

  "Steamboat Stomp", (538kb). Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers. Rec'd: September 21, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois for Victor.

  "Since My Best Gal Turned Me Down", (558kb). Bix Beiderbecke and His Gang. c'd: Oct. 25, 1927 in New York, NY (Okeh 1001). Written by Howdy Quicksell & Ray Lodwig.

  "The Dixie Rube", (340kb). The Edison Military Band (Leader: Edward Meeker; arranger: Thomas S. Allen). Rec'd: March 1906
Byron G. Harlan plays the part of old Silas Flatscales. Quote from: February 1906 Edison Phonograph Monthly [announcing the March records]. "The scene depicts a band room, the band is just about to begin rehearsal. Silas Flatscales, a rube composer, enters and the band begins to play one of its newest pieces. Silas interrupts and requests that one of his own compositions be played. The band leader objects, saying that his piece is all mixed up, as "Dixie," "Annie Laurie" and "Yankee Doodle" are written to be played at one and the same time. Silas insists on hearing it, however and the piece makes quite a hit."

  "Crazy Rhythm ", (415kb). RESTORED VERSION. Harry Reser's Syncopators with drummer Tom Stacks on vocal. Rec'd: April 21, 1928 in New York, NY for Columbia - American.

  "You Need Someone To Love" (451kb). The 'Bar Harbor Society Orchestra' - a pseudonym for the Ben Selvin orchestra. Rec'd: April 16, 1926, Domino label. (Composers: George Olsen, Eddie Kilfeather and Fran Frey, two members (piano and alto sax/vocals respectively) of the Olsen orchestra - then under contract to RCA Victor.

  "Sous Le Ciel D'Afrique", ("Under the Sky of Africa") Sung by Josephine Baker accompanied by the Comedian Harmonists. (561kb). Rec'd: 1935, Paris, France. Tune originally introduced in the film "Princess Tam Tam".

  "It's Tight Like That", with 'Tampa Red', playing and singing back in 1928.

  "My Little Grass Shack In Kealakekua Hawaii", (502 kb) Ted Fiorito Orchestra recorded in 1933.

The following TWO SONGS are identical --- "I Ain't Got Nobody (Much)", and "i Ain't Got Nobody": (Music, Spencer Williams, Words, Roger Graham) are identical songs. Only ONE word in the title of the song was changed (omitted). Vocalist Marion Harris first recorded this tune under that title for Victor in August 9, 1916, and then again in 1921 for the Columbia label, with the shorter title, which then became generic.. Other than the omission of the word "Much," the lyrics are identical The tune's composer, Spencer Williams (1889-1965), wrote a great many Jazz Standards, among which are "Basin Street Blues", "I Found a New Baby", and "Royal Garden Blues".

  "I Ain't Got Nobody Much", (534 kb), Marion Harris vocal in 1916.

  "I Ain't Got Nobody", (494 kb). Marion Harris vocal in 1921,

  "I Ain't Got Nobody Much", (597 kb). For a comparision, this is "I Ain't Got Nobody Much", as recorded by Earl Fuller's Rector Novelty Orchestra in March 19, 1918 for the Columbia label. (An Instrumental)

  "Until The Real Thing Comes Along", (536 kb) sung by Julia Lee and Her Boyfriends. (song composed by Sammy Cahn, Saul Chaplin, L.E. Freeman, Mann Holiner, and Alberta Nichols, Their first big national hit,for 'Andy Kirk and his 12 Clouds of Joy" orchestra was "Until The Real Thing Comes Along" with vocalist Pha Terrel, recorded April 2, 1936. . Kirk gave up the band in 1948..

The next 3 selections are Music from Florenz Ziegfeld's 1927 smash Broadway hit show "Rio Rita"

  "Rio Rita", (607 kb) played by Nathaniel Shilkret and His Victor Orchestra. Recorded: 1927

  "Rio Rita Medley 1", (825 kb). with the songs: "Rio Rita", "If You're In Love You'll Waltz", "Sweetheart We Need Each Other", played by the Colonial Club Orchestra. Recorded: 1929. ( The Colonial Club Orchestra was a Brunswick Records recording pseudonym used by the Bob Haring Orchestra )

  "Rio Rita Medley 2", (748 kb) "The Kinkajou", "You're Always in My Arms" and "Following the Sun Around", played by the Colonial Club Orchestra. Recorded: 1929. ( The Colonial Club Orchestra was a Brunswick Records recording pseudonym used by the Bob Haring Orchestra )

  "I'm Gonna Count My Sheep", (430 kb). Played by 'The Missouri Jazz Band' with a Jerry White, vocal. During the 1920s and early 1930s 'The Missouri Jazz Band' was a recording pseudonym used by a number of labels (and bands), including the Ben Selvin, , Adrian Schubert, Noble Sissle and Joseph Samuels bands. This 1929 recording is by the Adrian Schubert band. (Romeo 1136-B mx 19098).

  "Sweetheart We Need Each Other", (418 kb) The Fred Rich Orchestra with Smith Bellew singing. Another hit song from Florenz Ziegfeld's 1927 Broadway musical "Rio Rita".

  "Spanish Shawl ", (473 kb): Edwin J. McEnelly's Orchestra playing in 1925. A lovely tune that doesn't at all sound like the title.