“Naval Cadets March”
Bell Solo With Band
circa 1918 (Columbia E4060 mx 29377)
Bell Solo With Band – Navel Cadets March]
“Albinos Polka”
Xylophone Solo With Band
circa 1918 (Columbia E4060 mx 84229)
Xylophone Solo With Band – Albinos Polka]
Here is a very charming record I picked up in a used book store the other night for the princely sum of 33 cents. It is not in the best of shape – but it is hard to complain at the price. Happily, my audio restoration equipment was able to clean it up enough to at least be able to provide an enjoyable performance.
The record is from Columbia’s green label E series of ethic records – and, as you may have already observed, the green label with gold type makes the label scan difficult to read.
I am fond of both selections on this record. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate much in the way of information about exactly when it was recorded or who the anonymous band might have been. Nor is any composer credit provided for either song.
None of my record dating reference materials provide listings for Columbia’s E series and the matrix numbers are from non-standard series as well. I was able to find the above Columbia Records advertisement from the January 10, 1919 El Paso Herald which mentions the record as a mid-month release. For the record to have hit stores in mid-January, 1919 it is safe to assume that the recordings were made no later than sometime in late 1918 – though it is possible they might have been recorded earlier.
The Library of Congress has a 1918 copyright listing for an “Albinos Polka” composed by Carl Woess, a prolific but almost completely forgotten early 20th century composer. My strong assumption is this is the same song.
An article in the May 31, 1892 New York Times mentions a “Naval Cadet March” being performed by Charles A Zimmerman directing the US Naval Academy Band. The article credited Zimmerman as the song’s composer. I have no way to verify whether this is the same song as on the record – but I think it is quite possible.
Radio Dismuke
I enjoyed the C.1918 Albinos Polka and naval Cadets March. It would be nice if some of the other sings listed on the list posted with the songs could also be found. Thanks for your continued good work.
I have the Regal version of khaki boys march, but with naval cadets march on the other side, and i’m having difficulties finding information for the record.
I recently acquired this 78 in a batch of old 78s that were given to me. I love listening to music from this era because it is so fascinating to hear how music sounded back then. I am also surprised to find how clear this sounds for its age.
I have a theory as to the solo artist on both these songs.
My guess is it’s Harry Yerkes, a xylophonist
and percussionist who was very active at
COLUMBIA for many years. In fact his first
recordings were solo xylophone, and Yerkes
also invented a bells and chimes mechanism.
By the end of today, I’ll have clean copies of both of these (no electronic audio manipulation used) on my YouTube channel. Just search for my name to find it.
Annie Van Auken