[78-L] Tempo Records (and Brother Bones)

[Michael Biel]

agp wrote:
> I was in my local Half Price Books which usually has a 78s to make 
> the visit worthwhile. Sometimes the 78s are even worthwhile too!. So 
> this time my 50 cents went toward the purchase of Tempo TR-652 Sweet 
> Georgia Brown by Brother Bones and his Shadows. This is from what I 
> understand the version that would later be used by the Harlem 
> Globetrotters as their 'theme'.
> 
> That's worth 50 pennies for me any day.
> 
> I am curious about the label, Tempo, though. For example, its states 
> 'Recorded by Direct Electronic Process'. Is this just advertising 
> glop, or does it really mean anything. 

It is advertising glop, but it got your attention!!!!  Every Tempo
record label says this.  It might mean that it is not a dub of a master,
and there has been discussion here in the past week how many of the
records in the 40s were lousy dubs of the 16-inch masters.

> The label copy also says 'Tempo Custom Made Records'. Again, are these
> just words, or was Tempo a 'vanity' company like some publishers, where
> could anyone essentially walk in with their work and get it released
> after paying  for the privilege.

Once again, every Tempo record says that.  They were not a vanity
company, but mean that they take extra care in making each record, like
it is a custom-made product especially for YOU!  The pockets in the
albums had sealed tops that you had to open at the serrations.  That
makes it seem Really Special!!!  
 
> No matter -- cool record anyway!   T

It really is, and it is of good sound quality at that.  But I seem to
recall seeing copies with different matrix markings, so it might really
be a dub of a master.  There is a web site about the record that gives
further details because there were several competing claims to the
primacy of the recording and arrangement but I can't find it just now.

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com




-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [78-L] Tempo Records (and Brother Bones)
From: David Lennick <dlennick at sympatico.ca>
Date: Mon, January 18, 2010 6:29 pm
To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>

I truly do not know why they were using that terminology in the late
40s. As 
far as I know their recordings were no different from any others, and
aside 
from toy home recorders and maybe dictating machines, there was no
acoustical 
recording being done.

Neat record, I agree!

dl