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The biggest hits of 1920 are now available in a beautiful second edition! This
is the first volume of Archeophone Records' celebrated Phonographic Yearbook
series, and this new edition features three bonus tracks, an expanded booklet,
improved sound, and the high standards listeners have come to expect from the
leader in acoustic-era reissues.
National Prohibition went into effect in January 1920, and Bert Williams moaned
about the loss of his beloved liquor in "The
Moon Shines on the Moonshine," singing wryly, "Even water's getting
weaker / 'Bout one tenth of one percent." But also in January of that
year, the U.S. went through its first "red scare," in which thousands
of suspected Communists were rounded up and arrested. Further, for the first
time in American history, the population in cities surpassed that of rural
areas, while veterans returning from World War I flooded an uncertain domestic
economy.
No Prohibition Against Laughter
The palpable fear of change evident in American society was soothed over by
the comedians, who took Prohibition as their subject. In addition to Bert
Williams, there was Billy Murray urging his countrymen in "I'll
See You in C-u-b-a" to take a trip to the land where wine is flowing;
Nora Bayes lamenting the passing of her old friend, Alcohol ("Al" for
short) in "Prohibition Blues"; and Van and Schenck extolling the
virtues of Mary in "All the Boys Love Mary." It turns out that
Mary's charms are not in her face but in the secret her father keeps in the
cellar.
Dance Away
The dance craze was in full swing by 1920, with Paul Whiteman's first record, "Whispering" and "The
Japanese Sandman" becoming one of the best-selling singles of the entire
acoustic era. The future "King of Jazz" was joined in setting dance
halls to music by Ted Lewis and his trademark "When
My Baby Smiles at Me," as well as Art Hickman, whose "Hold
Me" features a splendid piano duet in the middle, and the Kentucky
Serenaders' "Rose of Washington
Square" (one of the bonus tracks on this second edition). Possibly
the biggest of all dance hits was "Dardanella," by
Selvin's Novelty Orchestra, a song still played today.
Don't Let the Blues Get You Down
The emergence of jazz was accompanined in the late 1910s by the blues, and
here are featured several early attempts. Marion Harris shines on "The
'St. Louis Blues'" and "Left All Alone Again Blues," while
trombonist Harry Raderman steps out with the Joseph C. Smith Orchestra on "Yellow
Dog Blues" (another bonus track).
Abundant Classics
1920 had more than its share of classics, and they're all here, in the best-sounding
versions you will find anywhere on compact disc: songs such as Al Jolson's "Swanee," John
Steel's "The Love Nest," Edith
Day's "Alice Blue Gown," and Eddie Cantor's "You'd
Be Surprised" (the third bonus track included on the new edition).
Archeophone's "1920" CD is now a classic in its own right, and
with this new edition, you'll be surprised just how much better it is!
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