13 February 2013
In a few weeks, I’m
giving a guest lecture at the University of the Philippines Diliman about the
popular music scene in 1920s Manila. In preparation, I put together
some short playlists that I’ve already circulated to the students. I’ll share two here, along with a
bit of background information.
During the 1920s,
Manila residents were able to access almost the exact same selection of records
available in the U.S. There were seven or eight different record labels being
sold on or near the Escolta, and their wares were only about three or four
weeks behind the U.S. (the amount of time it took for ships to cross the
Pacific).
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| Erlanger & Galinger's building (after 1934 renovations) |
New Jersey-based Victor records had one of the larger selections of dance/jazz records in town (Jazz
and Dance music were synonymous). Erlanger & Galinger department store,
located on the eastern corner of the Escolta, had exclusive distribution rights
to Victor records in Manila. E & G’s ads were all over, in English,
Spanish, and Tagalog. One surprising find is that record players and records
were actually quite affordable, due to installment plans for record players and
regular sales during which record prices would drop dramatically.
Fortunately for
us, we’re able to listen online to many of the exact same records that E &
G was selling during this decade. Some time last year, the U.S. Library of
Congress started up their National Jukebox project, which digitizes and makes
available a huge number of old Victor recordings. It’s an unbelievable resource
that, combined with youtube and The Internet Archive, allows me to listen to most
of the recordings (of any label) that I see advertised.
National Jukebox
also allows users to make playlists, so I’ve taken two E & G advertisements
that list their weekly selection of Victor Records and found the actual
recordings on National Jukebox. I’ll include two playlists here, both from
advertisements in The Manila Times.
To get the playlist to work, 1) click on the link below, 2) on the
National Jukebox page, click “add all to my playlist,” and 3) press the play
button on the playlist window that should open up.
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| The Manila Times, 20 September 1921 |
Advertisement includes:
Dance Records:
St. Louis
Blues (Fox Trot) – Original Dixieland Jazz Band
Jazz Me Blues
(Fox Trot) – Original Dixieland Jazz Band
I’m Nobody’s
Baby (Fox Trot) – All Star Trio & Orchestra
(unable to locate recording online)
Listening
(Fox Trot) – All Star Trio & Orchestra
Cho-Cho-San
(Fox Trot) – Paul Whiteman & Orchestra
Song of India
(Fox Trot) – Paul Whiteman & Orchestra
Learn to
Smile (Fox Trot) – Paul Whiteman & Orchestra
Oh, Me! Oh,
My! (Fox Trot) – Paul Whiteman & Orchestra
Advertisement includes:
 |
| The Manila Times, 24 December 1924 |
Melodious
Instrumental
The Chanty
Man’s March – Sousa’s Band
(unable to locate recording online)
Ancient &
Honorable Artillery Co. (March) – Sousa’s
Band
Popularity
March (Part 1) – Victor Band
(unable to locate recording online)
Popularity
March (Part 2) – Victor Band
Light Vocal
I Wonder
What’s Become of Sally – Shannon Quartet
I’d Love You
All Over Again – Burr
Dance Records
Somebody
Loves Me (Fox Trot) – Whiteman and his Orch.
Lonely Little
Melody – Whiteman and his orch.
Helen Gone (Fox
Trot) – Rose and His Montmartre Orch.
Rip Saw Blues
(Fox Trot) – Landry and His orch.
Patsy (Fox
Trot) – Hickman’s Orchestra
G’wan with
it! (Fox Trot) – Hickman’s orchestra
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