[78-L] Canadian recordings, wuz Re: Echo records

[David Lennick]

Are we talking about the same thing here, or are you confusing the 1927 Jubilee 
recordings (Carillon, McKenzie King speech etc) which appeared on both Victor 
and Apex but were different recordings? The ones DB asked about are two 
twelve-inch and one ten-inch disc of the CNE Chorus, Canadian Victor, made in 1928.

Victor's Canadian operation made excellent sounding records in the late 20s, 
especially of dance bands (Windsor Hotel, Royal York Hotel Orchestra). And also 
of that mysterious demonstration disc in 1925, the electrical version of "You 
and I" backed with Jack Shilkret's acoustical version (19571), there being no 
proof that it was an American recording.

dl

Michael Biel wrote:
> I assume the CNE Chorus recordings are on Victor, not Compo.  The 1927 
> CNE recordings Compo made were broadcast recordings, probably off the 
> air.  Victor's are not the same performances as the broadcasts.  They 
> would not need a large "room" for 2200 voices, only a large auditorium 
> with the singers in the audience seating area.  Most massed chorus 
> recordings from this era are not very good, ESPECIALLY the famous 
> Associated Glee Clubs of Amer Columbias.  They are VERY OVERLOADED.  
> I've heard the vinyl test pressings of the entire concert and the only 
> side that is not overloaded is the short sexist speech Deems Taylor made 
> from the stage where he said how good it was to spend an evening hearing 
> only male voices.  The early Western Electric condenser mics seem to be 
> easily overloaded, but did a fine job recording that solo voice.
> 
> Mike Biel   mbiel at mbiel.com
> 
> David Lennick wrote:
>> Do the records look as if they were pressed by RCA, Quality, Compo or Sparton? 
>> As for the CNE Chorus, I wonder if they were recorded on location or off a line 
>> or even from a broadcast. The Mendelssohn Choir's Brunswicks are no better 
>> technically, although those are known to be dubs.
>>
>> dl
>>
>> DAVID BURNHAM wrote:
>>   
>>> Also, does anyone know where the Canadian National Exhibition Chorus made their six sides in 1928?  It says on the label that they were recorded during their performance at the Toronto Exhibition but unless they performed outside, (perhaps at the Grandstand), they would need a huge room for 2200 voices and a band.  
>>>
>>> It's too bad that these recordings are so poor, even by 1928 standards.  It seems that Canadian recording engineers were not up to speed with their American or British counterparts.  Even the 1942 Toronto Symphony recordings, (which I think I've heard were actually done by American engineers), are not near as good as other Orchestral Victors from the same period.
>>>