GGO is another name for the California Ramblers, one of the best bands on records of the 1920s and early 1930s.
Seeing that this record was recorded in 1930, you might think this is an electric recording. But it's not. Though Columbia was one of the first major labels to adopt electric recording, it recorded its chain-store labels' (Harmony, Diva, Velvet Tone) matrices exclusively acoustically until approximately early 1929. These records sold for 50 cents versus 75 cents for the Columbia discs. Using the acoustic gear also meant Columbia didn't have to pay royalties to Western Electric for use of their equipment in their recording, and could thus pass on these savings to record buyers. (Columbia had invested in upgrading their acoustic recording apparatus in 1923, and no doubt was looking for some ongoing return on their investment!)
Gradually use of the acoustic recording gear began to be phased out, no doubt due in part to recent developments in radio and record reproduction for the home that made the differences in the quality of electric versus acoustic recordings much more apparent than they were on pre-1925 record players.
The B side of this disc is the last-known matrix acoustically recorded by Columbia.
Here's 'Rollin' down the river', vocal by Arthur Fields (label states 'Jim Andrews'); matrix 150475-1, recorded 17 April 1930:
And that fabled last-ever known acoustic matrix, 'There's a wah-wah gal in Agua Caliente', also with vocal by Arthur Fields (label states 'Jim Andrews'); matrix 150528-1, recorded 23 May 1930:
Click on the labels to enjoy!
The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
- Viva-Tonal
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The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
Last edited by Viva-Tonal on Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:45 am, edited 3 times in total.
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- Victor II
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
Yes, the California Ramblers used the name Golden Gate Orchestra on all their Edison sides as well as on Perfect and a few other labels.
Rocky
Rocky
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
In addition to the full orchestra, subsets of the California Ramblers recorded under the following names for the labels listed below:
Varsity Eight - Cameo
The Vagabonds - Gennett
Bailey's Dixie Dudes - Gennett
The Kentucky Blowers - Gennett
The Little Ramblers - Columbia
Five Birmingham Babies - Pathé
Goofus Five - Okeh
University Six - Harmony
Rocky
Varsity Eight - Cameo
The Vagabonds - Gennett
Bailey's Dixie Dudes - Gennett
The Kentucky Blowers - Gennett
The Little Ramblers - Columbia
Five Birmingham Babies - Pathé
Goofus Five - Okeh
University Six - Harmony
Rocky
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
I'm going to have to find out who exactly is playing on this record. My ears tell me both Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey are on it, and one trumpet slightly sounds like Bunny Berigan. But I'd like to know for sure....
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
The Rust Jazz Disco gives only a collective personnel from Dec. 1929 to 12. June 1930 - also for the 23 May session.....
No Dorsey´s anywhere ! Maybe´s are: Frank Crush, Chelsa Quealey, Fred vanEps -trumpet/ Carl Loeffler, Ted Raph - trombone/ Sam Ruby and other rather obscure cl. and sax players......
Tommy Dorsey directed a 1935 California Ramblers session.
Tommy Dorsey´s last other Ramblers session is 27. January 1930 for Edison, than the 1935 date.
Jimmy Dorseys last Rambler session was 1927.
Maybe the Rust "Hot Dance" Disco gives better results......
No Dorsey´s anywhere ! Maybe´s are: Frank Crush, Chelsa Quealey, Fred vanEps -trumpet/ Carl Loeffler, Ted Raph - trombone/ Sam Ruby and other rather obscure cl. and sax players......
Tommy Dorsey directed a 1935 California Ramblers session.
Tommy Dorsey´s last other Ramblers session is 27. January 1930 for Edison, than the 1935 date.
Jimmy Dorseys last Rambler session was 1927.
Maybe the Rust "Hot Dance" Disco gives better results......
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- Viva-Tonal
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
I wonder if that's not 30th January 1927? Recording activity at Edison stopped in September or October 1929 with the record division being shut down altogether in November 1929.Odeon wrote:The Rust Jazz Disco gives only a collective personnel from Dec. 1929 to 12. June 1930 - also for the 23 May session.....
No Dorsey´s anywhere ! Maybe´s are: Frank Crush, Chelsa Quealey, Fred vanEps -trumpet/ Carl Loeffler, Ted Raph - trombone/ Sam Ruby and other rather obscure cl. and sax players......
Tommy Dorsey directed a 1935 California Ramblers session.
Tommy Dorsey´s last other Ramblers session is 27. January 1930 for Edison, than the 1935 date.
Jimmy Dorseys last Rambler session was 1927.
Maybe the Rust "Hot Dance" Disco gives better results......
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
From Lord 4.4 by way of Julian Vein on 78-L:
California Ramblers
Frank Cush, Chelsea Quealey, Angie Rattiner, Fred van Eps, Jr. (tp) Carl
Loeffler, Ted Raph (tb) Pete Pumiglio, Harold Marcus, Carl Orech (cl,as)
Sam Ruby, Paul Mason (ts) Sid Harris, Joe LaFaro, Al Duffy (vln)
Chauncey Gray (p) Tommy Felline (g) Ward Lay, Al Weber (tu) Stan King,
Chick Condon (d) Smith Ballew, Arthur Fields (vcl)
New York, April 17, 1930
150475-1 Rollin' down the river (af vcl) Har 1183-H
150476-1 Sing a little theme song (af vcl) 1151-H
150477-2 The moonlight reminds me of you (af vcl) 1152-H
And on
New York, May 23, 1930
150526-1 Into my heart (af vcl) Har 1176-H
150527-1 You're the sweetest girl this side of heaven (af vcl)
150528-1 There's a wah wah girl in Agua Caliente (af vcl) 1183-H
California Ramblers
Frank Cush, Chelsea Quealey, Angie Rattiner, Fred van Eps, Jr. (tp) Carl
Loeffler, Ted Raph (tb) Pete Pumiglio, Harold Marcus, Carl Orech (cl,as)
Sam Ruby, Paul Mason (ts) Sid Harris, Joe LaFaro, Al Duffy (vln)
Chauncey Gray (p) Tommy Felline (g) Ward Lay, Al Weber (tu) Stan King,
Chick Condon (d) Smith Ballew, Arthur Fields (vcl)
New York, April 17, 1930
150475-1 Rollin' down the river (af vcl) Har 1183-H
150476-1 Sing a little theme song (af vcl) 1151-H
150477-2 The moonlight reminds me of you (af vcl) 1152-H
And on
New York, May 23, 1930
150526-1 Into my heart (af vcl) Har 1176-H
150527-1 You're the sweetest girl this side of heaven (af vcl)
150528-1 There's a wah wah girl in Agua Caliente (af vcl) 1183-H
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Re: The Golden Gate Orchestra on Velvet Tone 2183-V (1930).
I hadn't realized that they were recording acoustically into 1930: I thought the last sides were done in 1929. These must be the last commercial acoustic sides done anywhere: even French Pathé had converted to electrical recording by that time. Were there any European companies still recording budget labels acoustically in 1929-30? I don't know of any.
The acoustic Velvet Tones have such an odd sound too. The vocals always sound as if the artists is singing down a garden hose.
Jim
The acoustic Velvet Tones have such an odd sound too. The vocals always sound as if the artists is singing down a garden hose.
Jim