[78-L] Identifying vocalists

[Geoffrey Wheeler]

Regarding the Varsity label: It was the lower--priced (35¢) of two 
labels started by Eli Oberstein after he left Victor. The other was 
Royale, which offered a curious mix of material and artists that for 
the most part didn’t merit a 75¢ retail price. Of particular interest 
are four sides by Toots Mondello, who also recorded for Varsity. In my 
mind, all are worth having. 78 Online Discographical Project presents  
a listing of Varsity recordings in four different series. The one 
likely to be of most interest to you is the 8000 “pop” series. I think 
there are quite a lot of nice recordings on the label. The Auld sides 
on Varsity are quite nice. Several are Shaw arrangements not recorded 
for Bluebird. Auld solos where Shaw would have. Eight of the Trumbauer 
sides were issued in an album. The Handy sides were later reissued on 
the Philharmonic label. The Varsity and Royale sides were pressed at 
the Scranton plant. Oberstein almost put them into bankruptcy when he 
failed.