CANADIAN CREPITATION CONTEST
Known by any number of names, Canada deserves full credit for this rosy treatment of a farting contest.
An undergrowth of legend has obscured the exact origin of this marvelous spoof of broadcast sporting events. The concept may trace its nativity to the holiday season of December of 1942. Lillian Russell wrote that she was present when it was first performed at a party in Toronto. It probably underwent some refinements (Russell claimed that it was she who contributed the name “Windesmere”) and may have been performed many times by popular request. The authors recorded the script, read by S.S. Brown on one 16" lacquer disc at RCA Victor’s studios in Toronto. Perhaps as early as 1943 it was mastered and pressed (it was also widely distributed via instantaneous discs).
Reportedly it was played (or performed) at a New Year's Eve party in 1943 where an unidentified American admiral decided it would make a great morale booster for his sailors. Whether there ever were such under-the-counter V-Discs or not, a variety 78 RPM pressings subsequently made their appearance.
--Toronto, Canada ca. 1944. The cast:
Sydney Summers Brown - voice. Born 1899 he became a popular CBC Broadcaster and later played attorney Nash in the movie "Change of Mind: Black body--White Brain!" (1969). Died 1979.
Leonard D. Headley, manager of the Radio Recording Division of RCA Victor Co. of Canada,
Jules Lipton (CBC Producer)-production and sound effects.
The flatulant sports spoof was released by a west coast source on 12" white label discs with sides in automatic sequence (coupled 1/4 & 2/3)
(B1577X) Pt. 1 *** unnumbered (KFI-1)
(B1578) Pt. 2 *** unnumbered (KFI-2)
(B1579X) Pt. 3 *** unnumbered (KFI-3)
(B1580) Pt. 4 *** unnumbered (KFI-4)
-Two 12-inch 78's (four sides) were pressed (mx. xxx1-4) by Columbia for issue as “The 1946 Canadian Crepitation Contest” on the Trillblow label (complete with cover art by Alex Steinweiss) as a premium for its distributors. Though CBS president Ted Wallerstein nixed the project, copies did circulate. It was later released sans artwork by Nippon Columbia for the edification of GI’s stationed in Japan.
-as Battle at Thunderblow
Windesmeare vs. Boomer Parts 1/2 ***unnumbered
Windesmeare vs. Boomer Parts 3/4 ***unnumbered
Later issued on three 10" records in the late 1940's as the International Crepitation Contest on un-numbered HUMOR:
Part 1 "Introducing Lord Windismere World's Champion" (CREP-1)
Part 2 "Introducing Lord Boomer Leading Contender" (CREP-2)
Part 3 "At the Post" (R-3)
Part 4 "Lord Windismere's Defiance" (R-4)
Part 5 "Crescendo" (CREP-5)
Part 6 "Disaster" (CREP-6)
--10-inch white label release coupled in automatic sequence:
World's Championship parts 1/4 *** 5001A/B (FL 5001A/B)
World's Championship parts 2/5 ***5002 (FL5002A/B)
World's Championship parts 3/6 ***5003 (FL5003A/B)
-Later edited versions on four 10" sides:
The Championship parts 1/4 *** unnumbered (306/307)
The Championship parts 2/3 *** unnumbered (308/309)
The Great Backward Belch Contest Part 1/Part 4 LET'S HAVE FUN unnumbered
The Great Backward Belch Contest Part 2/Part 3 LET'S HAVE FUN unnumbered (BAT-2/BAT-3)
-edited version on four 10" sides with dubbed introduction:
The English Contest part 1/2 *** 207 A/B (33)
The English Contest part 3/4 *** 208 A/B (33) Note: The lacquer master was last reported to be at RCA Victor in Toronto.
--WARNING! The following are inferior imitations:
Woofing Post part 1 & part 2 BURLY-Q 3 A&B, FUN 3A&B
--same performance titled "Great Battle pt. 1/pt.2" *** 18 (3-A/3-B)
--same performance
Battle At Thunderblow Widesmear vs. Boomer Part 1/Part 4 WINDBREAK RECORDS unnumbered
Battle At Thunderblow Widesmear vs. Boomer Part 2/Part 3 WINDBREAK RECORDS unnumbered
--grossly truncated versions were released as:
Sound Effects part 1/part2 HIGH SOCIETY 508, FUN 604, *** unnumbered
Trade Winds/ More Winds LIKEN PRODUCTION unnumbered
The Big Stink part 1/part2 PARTY PLATTERS 308-A/B
--and finally, the award for the most unlikely title goes to:
Pre Xmas Sale pt. 1 & pt. 2 *** 1063 A/B (A6381/A6382)
CANDY WITHOUT COCO
John "Candy" Candido was born December 25, 1913 in New Orleans, LA., died May 19, 1999. Played bass and did trick vocal novelties, sang a duet with Fred Astaire ("Let's Begin") in 1935 film Roberta. Recorded with Otto "Coco" Heimal for Vocalion under the name "Candy and Coco" in 1934 and under his own name for Decca in 1937. He was the Apple Tree voice in "The Wizard of Oz."
-- As Candy without Coco and his Swing Band, Hollywood c. early 1937. Band is probably a contingent from the Ted Fiorito Orch., with whom Candido recorded throughout the 1930's and early 1940's. Only Hot Shots issues are credited and show “Hollywood Version” .
(L 0437) Hinkey Dinkey Parley Voo (Hollywood Version)
HOLLYWOOD HOT SHOTS 365, HUMOR 500, HI-LITE RECORDS 101, KICKS 35-B
(L 0438) My Girl's Monkey HOLLYWOOD HOT SHOTS 367, NOVELTY RECORDS NOV 10
(L 0439) Gosh Elmer, That Can't Be Right HOLLYWOOD HOT SHOTS unnumbered, NOVELTY RECORDS NOV 5 (439), PARTY NOVELTY'S 50 A
--dub retitled "That Can't Be Right" PARTY RECORD 511 B
Richard CARLTON
American Record Corp. studios, New York City, Nov. 23, 1937.
(P-22059) Tally ho Marconi Bros. Inc. 102
(P-22060) Lousey Louisa Marconi Bros. Inc. 102
Don CARPER
Trumpeter and pianist led a small band at the "41" Club in Los Angeles in 1937 and originated "Jam Jems" records. Arranged for Lani McIntyre's Hawaiian band in 1938 and later for the Harry Von Tilzer music publishing firm. Von Tilzer also wrote "The Whole Damn Family" recorded by Billy Murray in the early years of the twentieth century.
--Don Carper Five, early 1940's.
I'm Bringing You A Lei from Hawaii HONKY TONK 713, VOGUE 501
I'm Keeping It for You HONKY TONK 713, VOGUE 501
--The Don Carper Quintette; Vocal by Shed House Boys.
What Color Are Pansies (Whoo, Whoo, Whoo) (D. Carper) A-MUS-ING RECORDS 308A (SWK 308B)
Lei From Hawaii (D. Carper) A-MUS-ING RECORDS 308B (SWK 308A) [sic]
Carol CHAPELLE
--With Vincent Catanese Orchestra ca. 1942.
(S-54) Publicity Man PARTY RECORD COMPANY 10A
(S-55) My Lovin' Conductor PARTY RECORD COMPANY 11C
(S-56) I Married an Acrobat PARTY RECORD COMPANY 11A
(S-57) She Lost It PARTY RECORD COMPANY 11B
(S-58) The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker PARTY RECORD COMPANY 10B
(S-59) I Won't Give It Away PARTY RECORD COMPANY 10D
(S-60) Shake Your Can PARTY RECORD COMPANY 10C
(S-61) Duchess Dubinsky PARTY RECORD COMPANY 11D
(S-66A) My Radio Man PARTY RECORD COMPANY 12D
(S-67) The Daughter of the Farmer in the Dell PARTY RECORD COMPANY 12C
(S-68A) Susie the Waitress PARTY RECORD COMPANY 12B
(S-115A) I Do It in Dubuque PARTY RECORD COMPANY 12A
Ann CHRYSTIE
New York City, ca. 1942.
Over the Hill INTIMATE TALES 2840-A
I Shouldn't Have Said What I Said INTIMATE TALES 2840-B
Bruce COLLINS
-Los Angeles, 1949.
I Done Got Ready BLUE RECORDS 106
I'm Gonna Sing And Shout BLUE RECORDS 106
Herb COOK
Born Joseph Lopez in Evansville, IN. 1890. Orphaned, he was adopted by the Cook family. He debuted on Broadways in Hitchy-Koo in 1919. He became a regular in revues like Earl Carroll’s Vanities throughout the 1920's. Recorded for Victor with his Three Little Words in 1933 and composed “Meeting me somewhere in your dreams.” Enjoyed success on radio during the 1930's and supposedly retired in 1942. Died May 16, 1959.
-New York City, 1946.
The Poodle Song HERB COOK 1052A #1 (1051 A)
I Used To Work in Chicago HERB COOK 1051 B #2 (1052B)
Johnnie COOK
Trombone player with the Sleepy Hall Orch. in 1948.
-as Professor Cremo Puff ca. 1947.
Lots of Laughs ZEAL 101-B (Z-101-B)
-same recording credited to “John Flogadummy”
Lots of Laughs ZEAL unnumbered (Z-101-B)
-uncredited releases:
Laughs *** 104 (Z-101-B)
Laffs *** 104 (Z-101B)
-anonymous dub retitled “Snappy stories” ZEST unnumbered
--monologue. New York City, ca. 1947.
Sam the Marine ZEST unnumbered blue label [b/w "Any Ice Today Lady"]
James COPP IIIrd
Andrew James Copp, III attended Stanford University and joined the Will Osborne Orchestra as a novelty in November, 1939. Opened as a single at the Cafe Continental, New York City in Sept. of 1940. In the early 1940's, John Hammond caught his surrealist act which was billed "James Copp III and His Things" and booked him at The Cafe Society Uptown and Downtown. The somewhat incongruous appearance of a large man over a little pump organ performing bizarre routines did not lead to a meteoric career in show business.
Instead he became a newspaper columnist and cartoonist in Los Angeles and in the 1950's reworked and recorded several pieces including one called "The Noisy Eater" which he took to Capitol Records in 1955. Alan Livingston liked the piece but not his voice so it was Jerry Lewis who performed it on Capitol 3120. Copp was disappointed with the meager royalties. He started his own record company called Playhouse Records and "Jim Copp Tales" with Ed Brown was released in 1958. Even his kiddie records had a macabre, mature edge to them. Copp died on April 7, 1999.
-- James Copp 3 with piano, New York City, Reeves Sound studios, ca.1941.
(R 4117) The Birdie LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-323
(R 4118) Agnes Mouthwash, and Friends LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-323
Peaches and Myrtle LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-324
The Rapids LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-324
Portrait of a Monster LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-325
Mystery of the Revolving Tree Trunk LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-325
Wes CORNELL
Stage name of William Wesley Cochran, born Dec. 18, 1910 in Lorimor, Iowa. Played piano and developed routines by listening to the work of Dwight Fiske and similar performers. Began composing specialty material in 1938, writing songs for female impersonator Francis Renault, stripper Nyra Lou Joseph and later Sophie Tucker. Appeared in legit show "Mary Had a Little" and later at the Cambridge Club in Philadelphia. Wrote and delivered a tribute to Ethel Waters when she received the Sojurner Truth Award. Owned his own record label, Devil. Died April 2, 1958 in New York City.
--New York City ca. 1948.
I'm A Gentleman (Wes Cornell) DEVIL 1
My Piano (Wes Cornell) DEVIL 1
The Captain of the Army (Wes Cornell) DEVIL 2
The Three Convicts (Wes Cornell) DEVIL 2
The COUNTRY DODGERS
In actuality, Spike Jones, born Lindley Murray in Long Beach, CA. Dec. 14, 1911. A former session drummer, he turned to comedy with a big band featuring tightly scored mayhem and a bizarre cast of characters. Died May 1, 1965.
--Luther “Red” Roundtree & Carl Grayson vocal, Hollywood April 20, 1942.
(072248) Your Morning Feature (Alan Surgal) STANDIRT PRODUCTION unnumbered
Spike Jones Off the Record also notes a demo version recorded in a different studio.
The following was “midnight requisitioned” via tape from the RCA vaults and may not have been released on 78.
--ca. Nov. 4, 1952
I Saw Mommy f**ing Santa Claus
The COURT JESTERS
Probably the Jesters: Red Latham, Wamp Carlson and Guy Bonham.
-ca. Spring, 1943. All but the original Standirts are anonymous.
(2071) Hozana STANDIRT PRODUCTIONS unnumbered
-as “All the King’s Horses n’all th’ King’s Men Couldn’t Put Hosanna Together Again *** unnumbered
-as “Hosanah” HIGH SOCIETY RECORDS 507 A
(2072) The Pratt Family STANDIRT PRODUCTIONS unnumbered
Zee COWAN & Lou LITTLE
Zee Cowan was a member of a group called the Royalaires along with Johnny Cowan which performed on the related Royalty label.
-poss. Dallas, TX ca. 1949.
Somebody Else ALL SPICE 700
Don't Save It Too Long ALL SPICE 700
Crepitatation Contest see Canadian Crepitatation Contest
Bing CROSBY
Born Harry Lillis Crosby May 3, 1903, d. Oct 14, 1977. Father Bingle could really lose it in the recording studio and several of these studio "blowups" were released on 78. His record company from the mid-1930's through the early 1950's was the conservative Decca label. While its commercial output could be characterized as perhaps the least likely to offend of any major label, there was a pronounced affinity for privately circulating unissued items. See also Betty Jean Rhodes. Bing was one of the first to pre-record his radio shows and these also yielded an assortment of fluffs, bloopers and profanity.
--Decca studios, New York City, Aug. 14, 1935.
(39857-) I Wished on the Moon *** unnumbered
--Recordings, Inc. , 5505 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, March 29, 1936.
(DLA 326-A) Robins and Roses *** unnumbered
--accomp. by Matty Malneck and his Orch. July 8, 1938.
(DLA 1311-) Serenade in Blue [correct title: A Blues Serenade] *** unnumbered (MU)(B), *** unnumbered (B-SIDE), *** unnumbered (SIDE-B)
*** BUR 25 (P5B), CORAL MUSIC SHOP unnumbered CROSBY BLOWS HIS TOP 14
—1939 outtake from soundtrack of "The Star Maker"
Jimmy Valentine *** unnumbered (B2X)
--Recordings, Inc. , Hollywood, June 9, 1939.
(DLA 1767-C) Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams *** unnumbered (MU)(A), CORAL MUSIC SHOP unnumbered, *** BUR 25 (P5A), CROSBY BLOWS HIS TOP 14, *** unnumbered (A-SIDE), *** unnumbered (SIDE-A)
--with Connie Boswell. Dec. 15, 1939.
(DLA 1910-) Between 18th and 19th on Chestnut Street *** unnumbered
--Dec.13, 1940. Listed in "The Complete Entertainment Discography" as "Private for Decca Officials in N.Y." Speech by Jack Kapp, Connee Boswell and Victor Young.
(DLA 2273) Crosby Blows His Top [Jingle Bells {Pierpont)] CURTAIN CALLS 100/2
—Sung to the tune of “the Bowery.” Reportedly dedicated to film director Raoul Walsh who made a film titled “the Bowery” just before working with Crosby in “Going Hollywood” (1934)
Rollicking Rockaway Raoul *** unnumbered
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