[78-L] Scranton Sirens

[Bryan Wright]

I recently transferred a copy of the Scranton Sirens' first record for  
an upcoming CD project. The record was privately issued on the band's  
own "Sirens" label in about 1923 (Sirens 1001) and it is notable for  
being the first known recording to feature Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. The  
tunes are "Fate" (mx. SRP-S-5) and "Three O'Clock in the Morning" (SRP- 
S-4). I have a few questions about the record that I'm hoping someone  
on the list can answer.

1.) Where was the disc recorded? What company produced it? The new J&S  
Dance Band discography suggests New York as the recording location. If  
that's true, what label did the recording and pressing? I know that  
some sources cite OKeh as the company responsible, but in talking with  
Vince Giordano about it, I have my doubts. For one thing, the record  
plays at about 84.2 rpm -- way off speed for most OKehs of the period.  
Furthermore, it doesn't really resemble OKeh records of the time in  
terms of label fonts or overall physical appearance. The Scranton  
Sirens' other record, made two years later in New Orleans, was indeed  
for OKeh, so I suspect that may be responsible for the attribution.  
Vince G. has suggested that it may have been made by a small outfit in  
Pennsylvania somewhere. Unfortunately, the specialty matrix numbers  
would appear to make tracing the manufacturer quite difficult.

2.) How rare is the record? The owner who loaned the record for  
transfer knows of only three extant copies. Does that sound like a  
fair assessment? I know I've never seen one "in the wild."

3.) Vince G. also mentioned that the record has been the subject of at  
least three articles in Record Research. I have only a small handful  
of RR magazines myself and none of them discuss the Scranton Sirens  
disc. Is there anyone here with a better collection of RR issues who  
could check to see what RR has to say about the record?

Thanks very much in advance!

Bryan W.