Music recorded in May 1924

This article can be read in about 6 minutes.
Sponsored Links

Music recorded in May 1924

May 1924 was a month in which the reorganization of the postwar order and the institutionalization of mass society progressed simultaneously. In Germany, the Social Democratic Party of Germany maintained its majority in the parliamentary elections on May 4, while radical forces on both the left and the right also increased their seats, highlighting the instability of parliamentary politics. On May 8, the Convention concerning the Territory of Memel was signed, resolving the issue of the Baltic Sea coast. In the United States, on May 10, J. Edgar Hoover (1895–1972) became acting director of the Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, and on May 26, the Immigration Act of 1924 was passed, strengthening immigration restrictions. In terms of science and technology, on May 16, Walter Andrew Shewhart (1891–1967) compiled a memorandum that would form the basis of the control chart, and explosive eruptions continued at Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii from May 11 to 27.

Confirmed recordings this month: 0

Summary of information regarding the May 1924 recording.

In the recording industry in May 1924, the differences in the characteristics of each company were clearly visible, not only in the continuation of new recordings, but also in the establishment of production systems on the West Coast, the sale of phonographs and records as a set, and the combined sale of popular songs and folk/foreign language records. Companies whose activities can be confirmed from the data for that month include Victor Talking Machine Co., Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., Columbia Graphophone Co., OKeh Records (General Phonograph Corp.), Gennett Records (Starr Piano Co.), Thomas A. Edison, Inc., and Vocalion (The Aeolian Co.).

Victor

Industry reports in the spring of 1924 indicated that Victor Talking Machine Co. was preparing to launch a new recording and pressing plant in Oakland, California, and by May, production on the West Coast was operational. The recording list for May 22nd shows test recordings of works such as "Bianca luce" and "Homing," confirming that recording activities continued in parallel with the plant's development.

Brunswick

At Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., the recording list for May 15th included titles such as "Valse triste" and "Any old time at all," indicating that classical and popular song recordings were being carried out in parallel during the same month. Advertisements at the end of May strongly emphasized the sound quality of Brunswick phonographs, and sales continued to highlight both records and players.

Columbia

The Columbia Graphophone Co. recording list for May 29th includes "The Old Restrict," indicating that new recordings continued until the end of the month. Recording records from May 1924 confirm that the company was consistently supplying solo and accompanied vocal recordings.

OK

OKeh Records, a subsidiary of General Phonograph Corp., lists guitar solos such as Sylvester Weaver's (1896–1960) "Smoketown Strut" in its May 29th recording catalog. This confirms that OKeh was continuing to commercialize Black popular music and instrumental solos in May 1924.

Jennette

The Gennett Records label of Starr Piano Co. shows recordings from May 10th and May 15th, including vocal recordings and series of Middle Eastern repertoire. This suggests that in May 1924, the company continued to record not only mainstream popular songs but also music for the immigrant community.

Edison

Thomas A. Edison, Inc.'s recording list for May 22nd included titles such as "Adiós," indicating a continued focus on Diamond Disc recordings. Local newspaper advertisements from earlier that month also confirmed the sale of "New Edison Diamond Disc," demonstrating that both recording production and distribution networks were operating in parallel.

Vocalion

The Aeolian Co.'s Vocalion series advertised on May 1st and 6th, featuring titles such as "Apple Sauce" and "Bacchanal (Samson and Delilah)," simultaneously promoting popular songs and classical works. A newspaper article on May 7th also featured a flute soloist who recorded for the Vocalion series, indicating that the promotion of new releases and highlighting performers continued throughout the month.

April 1924
1924 TOP
June 1924
Sponsored Links