The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey everyone,

It's Billy Murray's 140th birthday, so I've celebrated by playing a few of his records. He's one of my favorite artists. How about you guys?

Jack

How time flies . . . I've always loved his recording with Ada Jones of "Come Josephine in My Flying Machine," from 1911. Another favorite is his rendition of "The Kinkajou" with the Nat Shilkret Orchestra from 1927. It's interesting that, on the latter recording, his restraint during the vocalization is perceptible, possibly because he was accustomed to the mechanical recording method. Had he let fly with his usual gusto, it might have blasted the recording stylus right out of the groove.

Happy Birthday, Billy!

Sure, I like Billy Murray. Of his later records, his duet with Aileen Stanley on It Had To Be You (then a brand new song) is one of my faves. https://youtu.be/47rkBVqxhQk

Jim Walsh, who wrote the Pioneer Recording Artists column for Hobbies magazine is a good source for information on Billy Murray, if you can find the articles. Walsh was a huge fan.