Music recorded in February 1917
February 1917 was a month in which the tensions of World War I became even more visible in diplomacy, legal systems, social unrest, and culture. On February 3, the United States of America severed diplomatic ties with the German Empire, and on February 5, the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States was promulgated under Venustiano Carranza (1859–1920). Also on February 5, the Immigration Act of 1917 was passed in the United States, further tightening immigration restrictions. On February 13, Mata Hari (1876–1917) was arrested, and on February 24, the Zimmermann Telegram was delivered to the United States government, strongly stimulating anti-German sentiment. Furthermore, on February 26th, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded at Victor Talking Machine Co., leaving behind a recording that would later be considered an important record in the history of early jazz recordings. This month was characterized by the intersection of wartime diplomacy, state control, turbulent public opinion, and new movements in popular culture.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the recording from February 1917
In the recording industry in February 1917, Thomas A. Edison, Inc. continued its monthly cylinder replenishment and recording production, while Victor Talking Machine Co. had both sales advertisements and new recordings for February. Columbia Graphophone Co. also had recording dates and monthly sales advertisements for the same month, indicating that major companies maintained a continuous supply system. On the other hand, Remington Records had advertisements for inventory clearance, suggesting a decline in the budget record market. Furthermore, we can confirm that Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.'s Brunswick Phonograph and The Aeolian Company's Aeolian Vocalion were advertised by agencies and promoted in stores in February, making February 1917 a month in which major labels simultaneously continued supplying their products, made new recordings, expanded their distribution networks, and streamlined their budget-priced releases.
Edison
At Thomas A. Edison, Inc., we can confirm the February additions of Edison Blue Amberol Records. The January 1917 issue of "The Talking Machine World" lists 3093 "The Chicken Walk" and 3094 "Alice in Wonderland" as February additions, indicating that the company was supplying new cylinder releases in February as well. Furthermore, the recording date list for February 14 confirms recordings of "Gethsemane" and "Why I Love Him" by Robert E. Clark (dates of birth and death unknown), showing that production activities continued that month as well.
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Talking-Machine/10s/Talking-Machine-1917-01.pdf
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse?date=1917-02-14
- https://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/mainspringcylinders.php
Victor
An advertisement dated February 8, 1917, confirms that Victor Talking Machine Co. continued selling new Victor records. Furthermore, on February 26, the Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded "Livery Stable Blues" and "Dixieland Jass Band One-Step," indicating that Victor Talking Machine Co. was active in both retail sales and new recordings that month. The activities in February include the continuation of sales advertising and recording sessions that would later be considered extremely important, all occurring within the same month.
- https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn89053972/1917-02-08/ed-1/seq-2/ocr/
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/objects/detail/13106/Victor-18255
- https://blogs.loc.gov/now-see-hear/2017/03/the-first-jazz-recording-one-hundred-years-later/
Columbia
Columbia Graphophone Co.'s recording schedules for February 5th and February 14th show multiple matrices for the company, indicating that production continued throughout that month. In addition, advertisements for February 9th and February 16th clearly show a sales cycle of releasing new Columbia releases on the 20th of each month, demonstrating that Columbia Graphophone Co. was operating on both production and monthly replenishment. In February 1917, the company maintained a consistent presence in both the recording studio and the retail market.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse?Matrix_sort=FirstTakeDate.desc&date=1917-02-05
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse?date=1917-02-14
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19170209-01.1.19
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INN19170216-01.1.19
Brunswick
Regarding the Brunswick Phonograph from Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., an advertisement dated February 2, 1917, confirms that it was being sold through an agency. At least by this month, the model had begun to enter the retail distribution network, and in terms of recording-related business activities in February 1917, it can be treated as an example of the expansion of distribution for a newly entered model. The significance lies not in confirming the recording itself, but in confirming the formation of a distribution network.
Aeolian Vocalion
An advertisement dated February 24, 1917, shows that The Aeolian Company was promoting its Aeolian Vocalion in stores. The advertisement indicated a price range and encouraged demonstrations, indicating that the company was already emphasizing live demonstrations as early as February. It appears that recording-related business activities in February 1917 mainly focused on promoting the sound quality of the product itself and boosting sales.
Remington
Regarding Remington Records, an advertisement dated February 15, 1917, confirms that F.W. Woolworth Co. was selling off their stock for 10 cents "while supplies last." This was not a typical expansion of new releases, but rather an indication of a phase of downsizing budget records. While major labels continued to supply records that same month, Remington Records was experiencing a market shift in the opposite direction.
