American Sound Archives

CURRENT PROGRAMS AVAILABLE:

ISSUE 5004:
100 Years of Recorded Sound: The Edison National Historic Site arranged this October 15, 1977 program and brought together some very special people. You'll hear personal appearances, salutations, and recordings by Paulo Gruppe, Aileen Stanley, Roy Smeck, Gladys Rice, Douglas Stanbury, Hazel Dann, Edna White, Ermine Calloway, & Joe Davis. Professor Raymond Wile, Allen Koenigsberg, the late Jim Walsh, and the late Milford Fargo also give insights into the recordings and artists presented. From the Original Master Tapes, this one of a kind program is now available on two high quality CD's at one low price.
Selections: Professor Raymond Wile on the Early Phonograph Industry/Railroad Jim (Edward Meeker)/Appearance & Peformance by Frank Meeker/Allen Koenigsberg with Gladys Rice: Demonstration on Wax Cylinder Recording/Ecstasy (Anna Case)/Appearance by Paulo Gruppe/Dvorak's "Rondo" (Paulo Gruppe)/On the Life that Thou Dost Cherish (Thomas Chalmers)/Favorite Hymn Selections No. 1 (Dann Trio)/Rosalind Davis-Kaplin & Hazel Dann-Burleigh of the Dann Trio/Dardanella (Gladys Rice & Vernon Dalhart)/Appearance by Gladys Rice/The Rogue Song (Douglas Stanbury)/Oh, by Jingo! (Aileen Stanley)/Caprice Brilliant (Edna White)/A Perfect Day (Elizabeth Lennox)/Classiana (Ernest Stevens Trio)/Jim Walsh - Recollections of Roy Smeck/Personal Appearance & Performance by Roy Smeck/Saxarella (Rudy Wiedoeft)/Appearance & Performance by Ted Hegvick - Saxophonist/Molly-O (William Robyn)/Irving Kaufman Medley: (First and Last Recording made)/Me and My Shadow (Joe Davis)/Recollections by Joe Davis/Oh Baby, What Makes Me Love You So (Eva Taylor)/Why Can't You Love That Way (Ermine Calloway) - [Live Program 2 Hours and 11 minutes].
PRICE: $14.00 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5010:
An Evening With Pioneer Recording Artists: An Unforgettable evening from March 30, 1977. The Late Milford Fargo with assistance from Site Archivist Leah S. Burt, put together this special program for the Association for Recorded Sound Collections Conference held in East Orange New Jersey. Hear Salutations, Recollections and Live performances from: Gladys Rice, William Robyn, Douglas Stanbury, Ernest L. Stevens, Eva Taylor - and a host of many others. This program is humorously delivered, and marvelously informative! Transferred from the Original Master Tapes onto two high-quality CD's.
Selections: Opening by Reed Abel/Recording with Edison by Aileen Stanley/There's a Little Bit of Irish in Us All (Aileen Stanley)/Traumerei (Paulo Gruppe)/Fiddle and I (Elizabeth Lennox)/Appearance and Performance by Eva Taylor/You Don't Understand (Eva Taylor)/Ballet Egyptian No. 3 (Dann Trio)/About the Meeker Family/Down on the Farm (Ada Jones & Len Spencer)/Appearance by Frank Meeker - Talks About His Famous Father/Recollections of Recording for Edison by Edna White-Chandler/Forgotten (Edna White & Torcum Bezazian)/My Mother Was a Lady (Frank Luther)/Appearance and Performance by Ernest L. Stevens/My Pet (Ernest L. Stevens) Appearance and Performance by William Robyn/About the Earl Carroll "Vanities" Orchestra by Don Voorhees/Blue Skies (Don Voorhees)/12th Street Rag (Roy Smeck)/June (Douglas Stanbury)/Appearance and Performance by Douglas Stanbury/In the Land of Let's Pretend & My Man [Medley] (Gladys Rice)/Appearance and Performance by Gladys Rice/I Wanna Be Loved by You (Green Bros. Novelty Band) - [Live Program 2 hours]
PRICE: $14.00 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 103:
Antique Phonograph Souvenirs - Volume One: A potpourri of rare and unusual cylinder recordings from the collections of Allen Koenigsberg, the late Fred Harrington, and the late Jim Walsh are presented here. Volume One of this two volume collection covers the years 1899 - 1909. Amazing reproduction for recordings over a century old! Transferred from the Original Master Tape from Merritt Sound Recordings onto one high quality CD.
Selections: Minstrel Potpourri (Edison Minstrel Company)/Ma Ragtime Baby (Peerless Orchestra)/ Keating Talking Machine Record (Leonid Keating)/Polish National Dance (Charles D'Almaine)/Maple Leaf Rag (Fred Van Eps)/Bridal March from "Lohengrin" (Edison Concert Orchestra)/Down on the Old Plantation (Edison Symphony Orchestra)/My Own United States (Harry MacDonough)/Southern Smiles - Two Step (Edison Military Band)/Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis (Billy Murray)/In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree (Columbia Male Quartet)/I Am the Edison Phonograph (Len Spencer)/The Bird on Nellie's Hat (Helen Trix)/Red Wing (Frederick Potter & Chorus)/An Ideal Republic (William Jennings-Bryan)/Take Me Out to the Ball Game (Edward Meeker)/Roosevelt Policies (William Howard Taft)/My Uncle's Farm (Golden & Hughes)/The Baseball Girl (Miss Rae Cox)/Rastus, Take Me Back (Marie Dressler) - [Pre-Recorded Program 55 Minutes].
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 104:
Antique Phonograph Souvenirs - Volume Two: A potpourri of rare and unusual cylinder recordings from the collections of Allen Koenigsberg, the late Fred Harrington, and the late Jim Walsh are presented here. This, our second installment, picks up at 1910, and goes through 1925, when Thomas Edison was the only company still producing cylinder recordings! Transferred from the Original Master Tape from Merritt Sound Recordings onto one high quality CD.
Selections: My South Polar Expedition (Lt. Ernest H. Shackleton)/Whistling and Yodeling Specialty (Jere Sanford)/Phoebe Jane (Sophie Tucker)/Silver Bell (Ada Jones & Billy Murray)/Come Josephine in my Flying Machine (Ada Jones & Billy Murray)/I Love a Lassie (Harry Lauder)/Uncle Josh Buys and Automobile (Cal Stewart)/The Right of the People to Rule (Theodore Roosevelt)/You Made Me Love You (Anna Chandler)/Pussy Cat Rag (Ada Jones & the Peerless Quartet)/Navajo Indian Songs (Geoffrey O'Hara)/Gasoline Gus and his Jitney Bus (Billy Murray)/Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag (Helen Clark and Chorus)/My Boy (Florrie Ford)/The Battle in the Air (Premier Quartet)/Sensation Rag (All Star Trio)/Southern Blues (Ferera & Paalihu)/Show Me the Way to Go Home (Tennessee Happy Boys) - [Pre-Recorded Program 70 Minutes].
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5005:
Edison Tone-Tests: A Stellar program from 1974. Edison Artists reunite for an evening of their Famous Tone-Test Recordings. Appearances by: Ernest Stevens, Gladys Rice, Douglas Stanbury, Edna White, and Hazel Dann. Also included are insights from Professor Raymond Wile, Jim Walsh, and 60 year veteran Edison employee - the late Ed Daley. Program transferred from the Original Master Tapes onto two high quality CD's.
Selections: Introduction by Warren D. Beach/Talk on Pioneer Recording by Jim Walsh/Tone-Test Advertising by Raymond Wile/Recollections of an Actual Harold Lyman Tone-Test by Ed Daly/Amid the Roses (Harold Lyman)/The Preacher and the Bear (Arthur Collins)/Appearance by Ernest L. Stevens/Dirty Hands! Dirty Face! (Ernest L. Stevens)/It Might as Well Be You (Leola Lucey)/Appearance by Gladys Rice/Sweet Little Buttercup (Gladys Rice & The Shannon Quartet)/Appearance by Douglas Stanbury/June (Douglas Stanbury)/Talk On Attending Tone-Tests by Dr. Fred Summerhill/Appearance by Edna White/Agnus Dei (Edna White)/I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Julia Heinrich)/Appearance by Hazel Dann of the Dann Trio/O Dry Those Tears (Dann Trio)/Melodie (Rosalynd Davis)/It's Nice to Get Up in the Morning (Glen Ellison) - [Live Program 1 Hour and 50 minutes].
PRICE: $14.00 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5002:
Electrical Sound Recording Before Western Electric: A most Informative program. Michael Biel reveals an exciting little-known part of recording history, with a sampling and chronology of electrical recording developments made during the final years of the acoustic era. Originally presented at the March 31, 1977 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Conference in East Orange, New Jersey. A complete data list describing the illustrative recordings heard, accompanies this program. Transferred from the Original Master Tape onto one high-quality CD.
Selections: Abide With Me (Choir, Congregation & Band of HM Grenadier Guards - Westminster Abbey)/America (Billy Sunday Chorus New York Tabernacle Choir)/Experimental Recordings by Guest and Merriman/Radio Speech by Woodrow Wilson (Woodrow Wilson)/Men Shall Be Blessed in Him (Broadcast from American Presbyterian Church)/Early Western Electric Soundtrack Disc/Broadcast over the Bell Systems Telephone Wires/Adeste Fidelis (Associated Glee Clubs of America)/ Honey, I'm in Love With You (The Columbians) - [Live Program 45 Minutes]
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE: 101:
The "Hit of the Week" Collection 1929-1932: In the early 1930's these one-sided cardboard discs were issued weekly (on Thursday) and sold for fifteen cents at news stands. Unfortunately, in the dark and early days of the Great Depression, even fifteen cents was more than most people could afford and the company went bankrupt in mid-1932. Spotlighted here are eighteen recordings which represent the varied and unique quality of this distinctive Company. Transferred from the Original Master Tape from Merritt Sound Recordings onto One high-quality CD. (Please Note: Some audio anomalies from the original master tape remain in this program. They could not be removed without compromising the integrity of the original recording).
Selections: Introduction Disc: Tip-Toe Thru the Tulips (Don Voorhees Orchestra)/Hello Baby! (Bert Lown's Orchestra)/Bye Bye Blues (Bert Lown's Orchestra)/My Baby Just Cares for Me (Ted Fio-Rito's Orchestra)/Three Little Words (Lanin's Dance Ensemble)/Maybe it's Love (Lanin's Dance Ensemble)/Hello Beautiful (Lanin's Dance Ensemble)/When I Take My Sugar to Tea (Harry Reser's Radio Band)/I'm Thru With Love (Don Voorhees Orchestra)/I Found a Million Dollar Baby (Don Voorhees Orchestra)/Little Girl (Fred Rich's Radio Orchestra)/The Great American Value (Chevrolet Advertising Disc)/Ballyhoo (Eddie Cantor)/Shine On Harvest Moon (Phil Spitalny's Music)/You Call it Madness (Fred Rich's Radio Orchestra)/Now's the Time to Fall in Love (Hit of the Week Dance Orchestra)/You Try Somebody Else (Rudy Vallee)/Lawd, You Made the Night Too Long & Sharing (Andy Sanella) - [Pre-Recorded Program 1 Hour].
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5001:
Eldridge Johnson & The Victor Talking Machine Company: Edgar Hutto, Jr. of RCA, researched, narrated, and produced this superbly documented completely absorbing history of the world's foremost record making firm. Combining a wealth of information and samples of historically significant vintage records makes this program an entertaining and significant addition to every sound collection. Originally presented at the March 31, 1977 Association for Recorded Sound Collections Conference in East Orange, New Jersey. Transferred from the Original Master Tape onto one high-quality CD.
Selections: (Program highlights) Biographical Sketch on Johnson's Early Years/The "New Jersey Wire Stitching Machine" Company/Bell & Tainter/Developments on the Spring Motor, Duplication, and Sound Box/Legal Attacks and Battles/The Origin of "Victor" and "Nipper"/First Caruso "Red Seal" Records/The Camden Fire/Double-Sided Records/Introduction of the "Victrola"/World War I/The Original Dixieland Jazz Band/Caruso's Last Recordings/Opening of the West Coast Pressing Plant/Introduction of the Double-Sided "Red Seal" Records/Victor Radio Broadcasting/Electrical Recordings Begin/The "Orthophonic Age"/Johnson Sells Victor/Late 1920's Jazz and Dance Bands/The RCA Buy Out/The Depression Years/Johnson's Final Years - [Live Program 1 Hour].
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5003:
Ada Jones - First Lady of the Phonograph: The first Woman to become famous through her recorded performances is revealed by her husbands commentary, first-hand acounts from co-workers and by the recordings she made. Originally produced as a slide-show presentation, the late researcher Milford Fargo narrated the fascinating story he discovered during his 25 + years search of Ada Jones Material. An Ada Jones Biography, and original slide-show program sheet accompany each copy of this program. Transferred from the Original Master Tape onto one high-quality CD.
Selections: (Program Highlights) "I've Got Rings on my Fingers"/Early Childhood Information/First Recording in 1893/"Sweet Marie"/Growing Popularity as "Slide Show" Singer/Recollections of Lucille (Bell) Blatt Working with Ada in 1900/Marriage to Hugh Flaherty/Hugh Flaherty's Memories of his Wife/"My Carolina Lady"/Recording with Len Spencer, and Billy Murray/"Heine" (with Len Spencer)/"You Can Tell I'm Irish" (Unissued Edison Diamond Disc Test-Pressing)/"When Francis Dances With Me" (with Billy Murray)/Recording With Walter Van Brunt/Walter Van Brunt on his Friendship With Ada Jones/"Come Josephine in my Flying Machine" (with Walter Van Brunt)/Recording with Cal Stewart/"Uncle Josh and Aunt Nancy Put Up the Kitchen Stove"/Ada Jones on Performance Tour and Death - [Live Program 50 Minutes]
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5007:
Moran & Mack - Two Black Crows: A Merry one hour program featuring the unsurpassed black-face comedy team of vaudeville, radio, and record fame. The Comedy of the 1920's at its best! All seventeen of their issued sides are presented here along with biographical information and recording session dates. Transferred from the Original Master Tape from Merritt Sound Recordings onto one high quality CD. You'll delight to these gems!
Selections: Our Child/Two Black Crows in the Jailhouse 1&2/Two Black Crows in Hades 1&2/Two Black Crows in the AEF/Esau Buck/Foolishments/Elder Eatmore's Sermon on Throwing Stones/Two Black Crows Parts 1 through 8 - [Pre-Recorded Program 1 Hour]
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5009:
Will Oakland: Golden Anniversary 1904 – 1954: The show business legend, minstrel man, and counter-tenor is spotlighted in his own production made shortly before his death. Will speaks, sings, reminisces, and does introductions to some of his best loved performances. Transferred from the Original Master Tape from Merritt Sound Recordings onto one high quality CD.
Selections: Silver Threads Among the Gold/When You and I Were Young, Maggie/Sing Rock-a-bye Baby to Me/Evalyne/Just for Tonight/Everything Reminds Me of that Old Sweetheart of Mine/Meet Me in Blossom Time/Just Before the Battle, Mother/Emmett’s Lullaby/My Little Lovin’ Sugar Babe/When the Rainbow Shines Bright at Morn/The Sunshine of Your Smile/Danny Boy/That Old Fashioned Sweetheart of Mine – [Pre-Recorded Program 45 Minutes].
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 5008:
Recording Techniques: A Most Memorable Gathering from October 17, 1975 in Edison's Laboratory. Appearances by the late Milford Fargo, Rosalynd Davis-Kaplin, Theodore Edison, Gladys Rice, William Robyn, Douglas Stanbury, Ernest L. Stevens, & Edna White are heard here, along with a treasure of rare recordings from the Edison Archive. Tim Brooks, Allen Koenigsberg, and Raymond Wile host this once-in-a-lifetime event. Transferred from the Original Master Tapes onto three high quality CD's.
Selections: Opening & Welcome (Warren D. Beach)/Recording Mediums & Techniques (Raymond Wile)/Early Cylinder Recordings (Tim Brooks)/Harry Hayward's Confession (Unknown 1896 Cylinder)/Mad Ravings of John McCullough (Unknown 1898 Cylinder)/Rip Meets Meenie After Twenty Years (Joseph Jefferson)/Lanciers from the Gondoliers (Issler's Orchestra)/Say Au Revoir, but not Goodbye (Edward M. Favor)/Perfecting the Moulded Cylinder Process (Tim Brooks)/Tell Me Pretty Maiden (Edison Sextette)/The Bird on Nellie's Hat (Helen Trix)/The Darkie's Dream (Fred Van Eps)/Girofle-Girofla (Blanche Arral)/About the Lambert Company of Chicago (Allen Koenigsberg)/Louisiana Lou (American Quartet)/Submarine Attack (Premier Quartet)/ When Kansas City Kitty Smiles at Me (Billy Murray)/About Walter Van Brunt (Milford Fargo)/Edison Day Celebration Recording (Miller Reece Hutchison)/Ballet Egyptian No. 3 (Dann Trio)/Appearance by Rosalynd Davis-Kaplin of the Dann Trio/Sonnambula - Ah! non creda mi ranti (Anna Case)/Heroes of Empire March (New York Military Band)/About the 125 foot Recording Horn (Raymond Wile)/Three Sample Excerpts from the 125 foot Horn (Ernest L. Stevens Trio)/Appearance by Ernest L. Stevens/Appearance by Theodore Edison/Then You'll Remember Me (Edna White)/Appearance by Edna White/Cry Baby (Gladys Rice & Betsy Lane Shepherd)/ Live Appearances by Gladys Rice, William Robyn, & Douglas Stanbury/Dancing the Devil Away (Don Voorhees Orchestra)/The Same Old Moon (Don Voorhees Orchestra)/I'm Gonna Settle Up (J. Donald Parker)/Say it to the Ediphone (Male Chorus)/I'm Easy Going All the Time (Unknown Experimental Record 961)/About the Advertising Vending Machine Recordings (Raymond Wile)/Six Track Vending Machine Record (Edward Meeker)/Ploddin' Along (Gladys Rice)/Closing Comments (Raymond Wile) - [Live Program 3 Hours].
PRICE: $21.00 (plus Shipping + Handling)

ISSUE 102:
Songs from the Depression: 1929-1933 – “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?”: Although described as the most difficult period in recent history, the music from the early days of the depression is probably some of the best. Despite the daily economic distractions and financial woes, the songs were upbeat, happy, and made people forget about their problems, even if only for a few moments. Showcased here in this exquisite program are twenty such selections. Transferred from the Original Master Tape from Merritt Sound Recordings onto one high quality CD.
Selections: Tip-Toe Thru the Tulips (Nick Lucas)/Am I Blue? (Ethel Waters)/Sunny Side Up (Johnny Hamps Kentucky Serenaders)/Happy Days Are Here Again (Leo Reisman)/Cooking Breakfast for the One I Love (Fanny Brice)/Strike Up the Band (Arden-Ohman Orchestra)/Living in the Sunlight, Loving in the Moonlight (Ben Bernie & His Orchestra)/The Peanut Vendor (Don Azpiazu’s Havanna Casino Orchestra)/ Strut Miss Lizzie (Irving Mills & His Hotsy-Totsy Gang)/Tiger Rag (Fletcher Henderson Orchestra)/Minnie the Moocher (Cab Calloway)/Now’s the Time to Fall in Love (Ben Selvin & His Orchestra)/”Face the Music” Medley (Victor Young & The Brunswick Orchestra)/Save the Last Dance for Me (Al Bowlly)/Let’s Have Another Cup of Coffee (Enric Madriguera & His Orchestra)/Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (Rudy Vallee)/Fit as a Fiddle (Annette Hanshaw)/Darkness on the Delta (Isham Jones Orchestra)/Heartaches (Ted Weems & His Orchestra)/Easter Parade (Gene Austin) – [Pre-Recorded Program 65 Minutes].
PRICE: $7.50 (plus Shipping + Handling)