[78-L] Scranton Sirens

[Malcolm Rockwell]

Yeah, me too!
Malcolm

*******

On 12/4/2010 11:03 AM, Ron L'Herault wrote:
> Any chance of a label scan with the run-out area, and a shot of the full
> disk?
>
> Ron L
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
> [mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of Bryan Wright
> Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 3:56 PM
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Subject: [78-L] Scranton Sirens
>
> 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.
> _______________________________________________