[78-L] Maloof

[Malcolm Rockwell]

Maloof not only used Gennett for pressing, he used their New York 
recording facilities as well. So affirmed by the Gennett ledgers. Still, 
the titles in the ledgers are written in transliterated "english" 
lettering and not in Arabic. Most of the Maloof label titles I've seen 
are in Arabic and sometimes there is a transliterated sub-title.
Macsoud may have used Gennett for pressing, but none of the artist's 
names on the Macsoud labels match up with those recorded by Gennett as 
far as I've seen to date. Maybe Spotts can fill in more here?
Mal

*******

Steve Shapiro wrote:
> Hi Dave.
>
> I don't know of any published bio on him.  There may be something in the booklet notes from Rounder's cd Music of the Arabic-Americans.
>
> The latest recording I have seen by him was his budget label soundtrack - his composition, I think - for Lawrence of Arabia.  This lp turns up on ebay from time to time.
>
> I think the Maloof and Macksoud labels both used Gennett for pressing during the 1920s.  Mr. Maloof recorded for Victor in 1913 and 1926.  He published various folios of his compositions - mostly crossover stuff, I think - and also made piano rolls.  I had one or two of these that were supposed to be part of a trade, but the guy in California I sent these to maybe 20 years ago never reciprocated (with Belasco or Merrick West Indian rolls).  I never did get to play those rolls before I mailed them off, but I have enough of his records that I probably get the idea of what they sound like.
>
> During the 1920s, Mr. Maloof had a store around or on Washington Street in Manhattan.  Also a store in Brooklyn.   He issued a lot of great material on his Maloof label, the best of which to my ear were covers of songs from the Middle East.
>
> The Spottswood discography has him making a skating rink record for Gennett.  I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing that one.  If you have it, I'd appreciate a report on how the music sounds.
>
> Good seeing you at ARSC last month./steve
>