The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

1. Congratulations on your find!

2. The first 10" popular electrically recorded Brunswick was 2881 by the Brunswick Hour Orchestra, (I think?), then more consistently electric issues after 2900 (mid-May 1925) the latter being a Vernon Dalhart record (surprise, surprise, he also recorded one of the first electrically recorded vocals for Columbia in early April 1925).

3. I don't have 2970, but my guess is that it is one of those *lovely* Light-Ray recordings that sound half-acoustic/half-electric. Actually, I would like to know when that was dropped/what catalogue number represents the last of those. Records around 3000 sound more akin to what we would associate with electric records. There's an Isham Jones from the early 2900's that I have--the title escapes me, catalogue number 2915-ish, and the distortion that occurs when played on my HMV is horrible. It must be a Light-Ray recording; none of the Brunsiwck acoustics ever causes that on my machine.

2970 is here : https://youtu.be/_Y8aZCoG0YA

Sounds Light-Ray distorted to me. Too much low bass for an acoustic.

IIRC, the issue of the last Light-Ray (s) was discussed somewhere way back in time on this forum.

I agree, it does sound like a light-ray recording. In fact, according to the information on the Discographical index site -- http://www.78discography.com/BRN2500.htm -- it was recorded on October 2, 1925, which would put it well within that range.

OF

After listening to Isham Jones' Charleston many times, and now just in the process of transcribing it to CD along with acoustic tracks by the same orchestra, I can confidently say that it is a Light-Ray electrical recording; far inferior in quality to Brunswick's acoustic process that is acknowledged as being excellent. After the Light-Ray equipment had been installed there is a story of an employee going into the studio one morning and remarking ''I wonder what distortion we'll encounter today?''

About a month or two ago I found a copy of the Paul Whiteman version that I didn't even know I had. It's a batwing VE Victor and a rather well recorded one too. It was a pleasant surprise.

I have one UK release.Don't know if it is rare

Marcapra and others, the DAHR at UCSB says this record is electric
https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/ ... Charleston
Taken from Ross Laird Brunswick discography, as reported.
My Charleston is by the Savoy Orpheans, conducted by Debroy Somers, matrix Bb-6302-^1, electrically recorded at Hayes, July 7th, 1925. My copy is on French Gramophone K-3076.
The record is s
announced (maybe by vocalist Ramon Newton) with that famous opening speech:
This record is a hit, on that it features the new syncopated rhythm called Charleston or something similar. The record actually sounds like an acoustic, but with more bass.

Just found a Charleston of my own! On Vocalion, by The Tennessee Tooters. Any background on that one? (Hope I'm not hijacking this thread...)