Music recorded in February 1923
February 1923 was a month of simultaneous political restructuring, resistance to colonial rule, archaeological discoveries, and the commodification of industrial technology. On February 1, under the Benito Mussolini (1883–1945) regime, the Blackshirts were reorganized into the National Security Volunteer Militia. On February 7, the General Treaty of Peace and Amity was signed in Washington, establishing a new framework for political upheaval and recognition issues in Central American countries. On the 16th, Howard Carter (1874–1939) and others opened the burial chamber of Tutankhamun's tomb, raising global interest in the study of ancient Egypt. In China, Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925) became the Grand Marshal of the new regime in Guangzhou, while in North Africa, forces led by Abd el-Krim (1882–1963) established the Republic of the Rif. In Europe, passive resistance to the occupation of the Ruhr continued, and German economic and currency instability deepened. In the United States, leaded gasoline went on sale that same month, symbolizing the expansion of the automobile society.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the recording from February 1923.
In February 1923, major companies in the recording industry continued their activities in recording, manufacturing, and sales. Victor Talking Machine Company was producing new releases for the Philippines in addition to its usual English-language releases, while Columbia Graphophone Co. made the first recordings of Bessie Smith (1894–1937). The Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company and Thomas A. Edison, Inc. also continued to produce new recordings in the fields of popular songs, dance music, and vocal music. Furthermore, new releases can be confirmed from the February release materials of Gennett Records and The Aeolian Company's Vocalion. At least according to the records for that month, February 1923 was a month in which major companies continued to replenish their product repertoire.
Victor
Recordings from February 9, 1923, show that the Victor Talking Machine Company recorded "Himno nacional filipino" and "Hail Philippines." This confirms that in February 1923, the company was not only supplying music domestically but also continuing recording activities with the Philippine market in mind. Industry publications that same month also reported that the company was undertaking an approximately $1 million expansion of its existing factory, indicating that recording activities and manufacturing capacity expansion were happening in parallel that month.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse/1923-02-09
- https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Talking-Machine/20s/Talking-Machine-1923-02.pdf
Columbia
On February 15, 1923, Columbia Graphophone Co. recorded songs including "Downhearted Blues" by Bessie Smith (1894–1937) and Clarence Williams (1893–1965). This is known as Bessie Smith's first recording and is an important move indicating that the company added a new prominent singer to its recording roster in February 1923.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse/1923-02-15
- https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/Down-HeartedBlues.pdf
Brunswick
Recordings from February 15, 1923, show that the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company recorded "Absent" and "Una furtiva lagrima." In February 1923, the company was recording both popular songs and operas, indicating that they were continuing to supply music to both the general and high-end music markets.
Edison
On February 15, 1923, Thomas A. Edison, Inc. recorded "Mister Gallagher and Mister Shean" by the Broadway Dance Orchestra, and on February 19, they recorded "Spiagge amate" by Claudia Muzio (1889–1936). This confirms that the company was making new recordings in both dance music and serious vocal music in February 1923.
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse/1923-02-15
- https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/date/browse/1923-02-19
Jennette
Gennett Records' release information, dated February 12, 1923, includes a listing of "Secrets" by the Call of the North Orchestra. This record is coupled with "Peggy Dear," indicating that Gennett Records was releasing dance music repertoire that month.
Vocalion
The Aeolian Company's Vocalion label lists "A Malke of Peisach" and "Peisach Zeit" by Aaron Lebedeff (1873–1960) and the Abe Schwartz Orchestra as releases dated February 1923. In February 1923, the brand continued to release new music, including Yiddish-language vocal repertoire.
- https://archive.org/details/78_a-malke-of-peisach_aaron-lebedeff-abe-schwartz-orchestra-gilrod_gbia0379090a
- https://archive.org/details/78_peisach-zeit_aaron-lebedeff-abe-schwartz-orchestra-doctor_gbia0379090b
