Cliff FERRE
Clifford F. Ferre was born June 18, 1920 in Waitsfield, VT. Appeared in Billy Rose's “Aquacade” and “This Is The Army,” also played nightclubs as a member of The Dunhills 1945-49. He's Cliff, the police lab man in Warner Bros. Them! (1954). Later Program Director WKBN, Youngstown, OH. Died 1996.
-- with Mark McIntyre Quartet, ca. late 1949.
(HBR-84) Joe's Joint KEM 127
(HBR-85) Greatest Broad-Jumper KEM 128
(HBR-92) Ain't It a Beauty KEM 128
(HBR-93R) Hawaiian Tale KEM 127
(HBR 112) A Cocky Cowboy KEM 129
(HBR 113) House With the Little Red Light KEM 129
(HBR 120) Rosie Don't Bang on the Piano KEM 130 (5837)
(HBR 121) Favorite Indoor Sport KEM 130 (5838)
(HBR 127) Uncle Harry's Little Peacock KEM 131
(HBR 129) Fifi's Got the Biggest One in France KEM 131
—The following titles are known from LP issues and are assured to have been released on 78
The Pirate's Poop
That No Good....!!!!
FIDDLESS FIDDLER
--Male and female vocal with piano, guitar and string bass (probably Ben Light). Hollywood, ca. Dec. 1936.
(L0-391) Fiddle-Dee-Dee
Bob FISHER
Raspy-voiced singer and comic who started writing for radio at age 19, including a stint with Amos 'n Andy. Later sold material to the likes of Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, Fred Wynne, Fanny Brice and Red Skelton. Won an Emmy for his work on the Danny Thomas TV show and later did "My Three Sons." Also recorded LPs for the budget Tops label.
--Cincinnati, OH. ca. 1948.
(20) The Clock Song (Bob Fisher-Milt Feiber) PEARL 272
(21) (0021) Have a Good Time in Your Prime (Bob Fisher-Milt Feiber) PEARL 272
Dwight FISKE
Born Dwight Lewis Fiske on 25 Aug 1892 in Providence, RI. Studied at the Paris Conservatoire but became popular at parties for wealthy Americans visiting the continent to avoid Prohibition. Returning to America for his concert debut at Chickering Hall in 1926, he quickly reappeared on the party circuit. Tallulah Bankhead promoted an engagement at London’s Bat Club where he was held over for nine months. A fixture at the Savoy-Plaza Hotel's Cafe Lounge in the 1930's, he sounds like he worked his way through school playing silent movie houses. A true pioneer in the party record field, he understood the career-building value of recordings. Called "King Leer" by Variety, he is the only party performer to record extensively on 12-inch discs. A tireless self-promoter, he published illustrated songbooks; the first, in 1933 titled "Without Music", the second "Why Should Penguins Fly?" in 1936. M.C.'ed Jane Froman's radio program in the Fall of 1934. Fiske closed at the San Marco Restaurant in London July 25, 1936 and opened at Chicago's Blackstone in early August. The following year his third visit was aborted when he was refused a labor permit by British authorities. In 1944 he moved his base from the Plaza to the Versailles in New York City and continued there through 1945. His recording activities continued into the microgoove era and he recorded for Jubilee in 1954.
It must be admitted that his humor does not communicate all that well to the 21st. Century audience. Most of his followers had probably voted for Herbert Hoover and he might best be appreciated as a digestivo to follow a performance of “She Stoops To Conquer.” Nonetheless, he was by far the premier risqué comedian of the 1930's and ‘40's. Sally Rand pirated his material at the beginning of her career. He was in constant demand at the most posh watering holes and any double entendre wit could expect to be compared to the archetypical Fiske. Any study of American humor of the period which omits him is fatally flawed. Fiske died on Nov. 25, 1959.
--Byers Studio, New York City, 1933. Both 12-inch sides.
(JGB2282) Ida, The Wayward Sturgeon (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA unnumbered
(JGB2283) Clarissa the Flea (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA unnumbered
--New York City, RCA Victor studio 2, Oct. 20, 1933.
(CS 78260-1) Two Horses and a Debutante FISKANA unissued
(CS 78261-1) Mrs. Pettibone FISKANA unissued
--New York City, RCA Victor studio 2, Oct. 26, 1933. 12-inch sides. All Victor sessions produced by Allen Ray. All Gala issues are dubs.
(CS 78260-2) Two Horses and a Debutante FISKANA 36099-B,
(Dwight Fiske) GALA 099
(CS 78261-2) Mrs. Pettibone FISKANA 36099-A,
(Dwight Fiske) GALA 099
(CS 78283-1) Ida The Wayward Sturgeon FISKANA 36100-B,
(Dwight Fiske) GALA 100
--RCA Victor studio 2, Nov. 27, 1933. 12-inch sides.
(CS 78284-4) Clarissa the Flea FISKANA 36100-A,
(Dwight Fiske) GALA 100
(CS 78534-2) Tilley the Pure White Leghorn FISKANA 36108-A,
(Dwight Fiske) GALA 108
--RCA Victor studio 1, Jan. 3, 1934. 12-inch sides.
(CS 81141-1) Adam and Eve (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA 36103-B, GALA 103
(CS 81143-1) Mr. Webster FISKANA 36167-A, GALA 167
(CS 78533-2) Anthony and Cleopatra FISKANA 36103-A,
(Dwight Fiske) GALA 103
--RCA Victor studio 2, Jan. 23, 1934. 12-inch sides.
(CS 81142-2) Wing Toy and Ky Fy FISKANA 36108-B, GALA 108
--RCA Victor studio 2, Mar. 28, 1934. 12-inch sides.
(CS 81096-2) Africa Whispers (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA 36135-B
(CS 81098-2) Kitty Malibu FISKANA 36122-A
(CS 81097-3) Irving Levy FISKANA 36122-B
--RCA Victor studio 2, Aug. 29, 1934. 12-inch sides.
(CS 84067-1) Columbus and Isabella (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA 36135-A
(CS 84068-1) Week-End FISKANA 36134-A, GALA 134
(CS 84069-1) Vera Young FISKANA 36134-B, GALA 134
(CS 81143-2, 2A, 3, 3A) Mr. Webster unissued
Note: Victor files show that takes 2 and 2A of 81143 were processed so tests were almost certainly pressed but only the results of the original session on Jan. 3, 1934 were issued.
--RCA Victor studio 2, Jan. 11, 1935. 12-inch sides.
(CS 87296-1A) Mr. Seven FISKANA 36162-B, GALA 162
(CS 87297-1) The Colonel's Tropical Bird FISKANA 36162-A, GALA 162
--RCA Victor studio 3, Apr. 18, 1935. 12-inch sides.
(CS 89286-1 & 2) Molly O'Toole, The Fan Dancer FISKANA 36167-B
--RCA Victor studio 3, Sept. 19, 1935.
(CS 95119-1) The King and the Queen FISKANA 36173-A, GALA 173
(CS 95120-1) Last Cure FISKANA 36173-B, GALA 173
--RCA Victor studio 3, Nov. 6, 1935. 12-inch sides.
(CS 98039-1) Venus and Adonis FISKANA unissued
(CS 98040-1) We Live at the Everglades Club FISKANA 36177-B
--RCA Victor studio 2, Nov. 19, 1935. 12-inch sides.
(CS 98039-2) Venus and Adonis FISKANA 36177-A
-- RCA Victor studio 3, Jan. 10, 1936. 12-inch sides.
(CS 98630-1) Coney Island Honeymoon FISKANA 36179-B
(CS 98631-1) Uncle Tom's Cabana FISKANA 36179-A
Note: In 1941 Fiske lost a libel suit to one Philip Pratt of the Pratt Institute over "Coney Island Honeymoon."
--RCA Victor studio , May 27, 1936. 12-inch sides.
(CS 101874-1) The Happy Couple FISKANA 36182-A
(CS 101875-1) Paul and Virginia (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA 36182-B
--HMV studios, London July 20, 1936. Label at right indicates a major difference between the products of a major label and those of bush-leaguers: quality control. Victor caught the mixed up title before production and saved a copy in its files.
(2EA 3745-1) Why Should Penguins Fly? (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA 36187-A, GALA 187
(2EA 3746-1) Mediterranean Folly (Dwight Fiske) FISKANA 36187-B, GALA 187
--RCA Victor studio 3, Mar. 29, 1937. 12-inch sides.
(CS 06470-1) Town and Country Boy unissued
(CS 06471-1, 2, 2A) Puss In the Corner unissued
(CS 06472-1) Mickey Finn FISKANA 36203-A
(CS 06473-1) The Fourteenth Wedding Anniversary FISKANA 36203-B
Note: Victor files show that take 2 of CS 06471 was processed so tests were almost certainly made.
--A most unlikely event occurred on March 30, 1937 when Fiske recorded a four-part children's story titled "Beet-Top and his Friends", the result was not released.
--unnumbered set titled Dwight Fiske Presents," World Broadcasting studios New York City July, 1939. 12-inch sides.
(WXP24901A) The Toast of Calcutta LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-264
(WXP24902A) Oh Evening Star LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-265
(WXP24903A) Thank You for Coming LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-264
Note: Some copies read "Thank You for Calling"
(WXP24904A) From Titles to Tales LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-266
(WXP24905A) His Excellency LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-267
(WXP24906A) Souvenir of the Fair LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-265
(WXP24907A) Havana Night LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-266
(WXP24900A#2) Town and Country Boy LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-267
--The following have curiously wide outer margins suggesting that a portable recorder with an undersized turntable was used. New York City ca. 1945. 12-inch sides.
Pogey Brown GALA 188-A
The Censored Letter (Dwight Fiske) GALA 188-B
Dr. Cinnamon (Dwight Fiske) GALA 189-A
The Hair of the Wolf (Dwight Fiske) GALA 189-B
Spring in Rhode Island GALA 191-A
Putzy Gold GALA 191-B
-- Gala replaced the 12-inch dubs of 1930's masters with 10-inch remakes in the mid-1940's, sometimes keeping the old 12-inch release number, sometimes substituting new titles, all liberally sprinkled with alternate takes. New York City, ca. 1946.
Mrs. Pettibone (Dwight Fiske) GALA 099-2A, 3A
Two Horses and a Debutante (Dwight Fiske) GALA 099-1B, 2B, 3B
Clarissa the Flea (Dwight Fiske) GALA 100A
Ida The Wayward Sturgeon (Dwight Fiske) GALA 100B
Tilley the Pure White Leghorn (Dwight Fiske) GALA 108-A, 1A, 3A
Wing Toy and Ky Fy (Dwight Fiske) GALA 108-2A, 3A
Week-End (Dwight Fiske) GALA 134
Vera Young (Dwight Fiske) GALA 134
Adam and Eve GALA 162-1B
The Colonel's Tropical Bird (Dwight Fiske) GALA 162-2A
Mickey Finn (Dwight Fiske) GALA 167-2B
Mr. Webster (Dwight Fiske) GALA 167-2A
Bella the Belle Of the Beltline GALA 187 A
Why Should Penguins Fly GALA 187 B
The King and Queen (Dwight Fiske) GALA 188-A
The Censored Letter (Dwight Fiske) GALA 188-3B
The Captain's Leave (Dwight Fiske) GALA 190-A, 1A, 2A
Mr. Green (Dwight Fiske) GALA 190-B, 2B, 3B
Major Teakwood GALA 192 A
14th Wedding Anniversary GALA 192 B
Stella The Mouse GALA 193 A
Everglades Club GALA 193 B
All Out Annie GALA 194-1A
Mrs. Trapp GALA 194-1B
Puss In the Corner GALA 195-A, 1A
Irving Levy GALA 195-B, 1B
Seaman Dinwiddie Comes Home GALA 196-1A, -3A
Pomona the Deer GALA 196-1B, -3B
Anthony and Cleopatra GALA 197-A
Columbus and Isabella GALA 197-B
--Author and playwright Dawn Powell collaborated with Fiske on several routines during the 1930's and '40's. She dedicated her book "Turn, Magic Wheel" to Fiske and her diary refers to Fiske several times. Fiske, in turn, dedicated “Why Should Penguins Fly” to her.
Afghan Serenade (Lyric by Dawn Powell) GALA 198 A-3
Case 142 (Lyric by Dawn Powell) GALA 198 B-1, B-3
Uncle Tom's Cabana GALA 199 A, A-2, A-3
The Happy Couple GALA 199 B, B-1, B-3
--New York City, late 1947.
Oh Evening Star GALA 200 A-1
Thank You for Coming GALA 200 B-1
Souvenir of the Fair GALA 201 A, A-1
Havana Night GALA 201 B, B-1
Lucrezia Borgia GALA 202 A-1
Mary and Fred GALA 202 B-1
Morning GALA 203 A
Salome GALA 203 B
Bruz FLETCHER
Stoughton J. Fletcher IV was born March 12, 1906 in Indianapolis, IN. He appeared at the Argonaut in New York City with Frances Maddux and published two novels in 1932. Appeared at the Casino Town Club in New York City in 1934 and the Club Bali in Los Angeles in 1936, '39 and 1940. Due to frequent police crackdowns on gay performers, he had difficulty finding work. He grew increasingly despondent and committed suicide on Feb. 8, 1941 in Tarzana, CA. at the age of 35.
--with Allen Coles' Orch., Columbia studios New York City, Mar. 26, 1934.
(W170742-1 & A) Hilly Brown (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-160
--with piano, same date.
(W170743-1) Lei From Hawaii (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-159
--with piano, Columbia studios New York City, Apr. 2, 1934.
(W170743-3) Lei From Hawaii LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-159
--with Allen Coles' Orch., same date.
(W170745-2) Spring in Manhattan (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-159
(W170746-1, 1B & 2) Keep an Eye on His Business (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-160
Note: Columbia files indicate only take 2 for "Keep an Eye on His Business," reported takes 1 and 1B may simply be dubs of take 2. This is definitely the case for “Spring in Manhattan.”
--Bruz Fletcher vocal with piano, American Record Corp. studios New York City, May 7, 1935.
(P17445-3) Nympho-Dipso-Ego Maniac LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-181
(P17446-1) My Doctor LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-181
--Bruz Fletcher vocal with piano A.R.C. studios New York City, May 10, 1935.
(P17448-) The Garden City Belle LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-180
(P17449-) The Human Newsreel LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-180
--Bruz Fletcher vocal with piano Los Angeles, possibly Recordings, Inc. studios, October 5, 1936.
(LA1177A) The Simple Things of Life LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-204
(LA1178B) Mrs. Litchenfall LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-204
--Hollywood, Associated Cinema Studios 1937.
(H-0102) Oh For a Week in the Country BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered
(H-0103) She's My Most Intimate Friend BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered
(H-0104) Home BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered (H-0105) Peter Lillie Daisy BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered
Note: "Peter Lillie Daisy" is the same composition that appears on LMS L-307 as "It."
(L-0463) The Prairie BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered (HO-107)
(L-0464) The Hellish Mrs. Haskell BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered (HO-106), PARTY NOVELTY'S 49B, KICKS 36-B
-anonymous dub retitled "Society Lady" PARTY RECORD 504-A
(H-0108) Reminiscent of You BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered
(H-0109) Drunk With Love BRUZ FLETCHER SINGS unnumbered
Note: Frances Faye recorded “Drunk With Love” in 1946 and featured it throughout her career. It was finally published in 1950.
--with piano, New York City, Reeves Sound Studio, mid-1940.
(R3325) Hello Darling! (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-305
(R3326) Get It Up Kitty (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-305
(3327) She's My Most Intimate Friend
(Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-306
(3328) Oh For a Week in the Country
(Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-306
(R3329) It (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-307
(R3330) Miss Day (Fletcher) LIBERTY MUSIC SHOP L-307
THE FOUR ACES
George Smith, Otha Jackson, Algia Pickett, and James Ruben Franks formed the group in Fort Worth TX in 1944. Moved to Oakland, CA. Later expanded the name to The Original Four Aces when a white group of the same name gained popularity.
--1946. (TF-1074-2) Garbage Man Trilon 144, KICKS unnumbered (G-16), WHIZ unnumbered
Written and recorded by Luis Russell as “Call of the Freaks” in 1929, it is not at all clear why a commercially recorded cover of the lyric “stick out your can/here comes the garbage man” should have migrated to party record labels but there it is.
FOUR PROMINENT SO-AND-SOS
The Four Prominent So and So’s was a poem put to music for the "Dutch Treat Club" show. According to the booklet (copyright 1934 by Simon & Schuster) "On two occasions Mr. Nash's publishers endeavored to persuade phonograph companies to make records of this song. In each case the record manufacturers eventually became coy. As a result, as this book goes to press, it is impossible to secure a phonograph record of this important work anywhere. If the reader of this little book should be able to find a phonograph company in good standing that will make records, the publishers will regard it as a favor to be apprized of the good news." The work was in fact recorded at the behest of S&S but the companies showed no interest in releasing it in their regular catalogs. It was finally pressed for the members of the Dutch Treat Club.
--Piano accomp. by Robert Armbruster. Ogden Nash shares composer credit with Armbruster and may be a participant. New York, RCA Victor studio 2, Sept. 13, 1933.
(BS 77654-1) Quartet for Prosperous Love Children -Part 1
*** unnumbered, Columbia Sound On Disc unnumbered (W 233688-1)
(BS 77655-1) Quartet for Prosperous Love Children -Part 2
*** unnumbered, Columbia Sound On Disc unnumbered (W 233689-2)
-dub as “Four Prominent Bastards” Part 1 & 2 DUTCH TREAT CLUB unnumbered (BS 77654-1/BS 77655-1)
Note: Columbia release is a 12-inch dub
Redd FOXX
Real name John Elroy Sanford was born Dec. 9, 1922 and died Oct. 11, 1991 Los Angeles, CA. A pioneer of blue comedy. Dooto was a mainstream R & B label run by Dootsie Williams. It also recorded risqué comedy, continuing the tradition established with Blue Records.
Foxx recorded five jazz sides with Kenny Watts for Savoy in New York on Sept.30, 1946.
--Los Angeles, 1956. These are dubbed from tapes of live performances. There is no guarantee that the order of these releases reflects the order in which they were recorded.
Song Plugging AUTHENTIC 385-A, Dootone 385 A, Dooto 385
The New Soap AUTHENTIC 385-B, Dootone 385 B, Dooto 385
The Jackasses AUTHENTIC 390, Dooto 390
The Race Track AUTHENTIC 390, Dooto 390
The Honeymooners AUTHENTIC 397-A, Dootone 397 A
The Sneezes AUTHENTIC 397-B, Dootone 397 B
Beans and Pineapple Juice AUTHENTIC AU 402, FOX RECORDS 504-A (404A) Dootone 402
The Army AUTHENTIC AU 402, FOX RECORDS 504-B (404B) Dootone 402
The Preacher's Bicycle AUTHENTIC AU 408 B, Dootone 408
The Two Oars AUTHENTIC AU 408 A, Dootone 408
--ca. 1957.
The Dead Jackass AUTHENTIC AU 411 A, Dooto 411
Women Over Forty AUTHENTIC AU 411 B, Dooto 411
It's Fun To Be Living In the Crazy House Dooto 416
Real Pretty Baby Dooto 416
Best Of Redd Foxx-A Dooto 418
Best Of Redd Foxx-B Dooto 418
Sex and Orange Juice Dooto 421
The House Dooto 421
Hollywood Playboy Dooto 426
The Dogs' Meeting Dooto 426
--ca. 1958.
Red Fox South of the Border Dooto 436
The Plastic Surgeon Dooto 436
--ca. 1959.
The Dear John Letter Dooto 453
Honesty Is the Best Policy Dooto 453
The Royal Thighs and Others Dooto 455
The Shoe Shine Boy Dooto 455
118 Ways To Make Love Dooto 458
Pregnancy Co-Operation Dooto 458
No Teeth/With My Teeth Dooto 460
The Best Years/Deep Sea Diver Dooto 460
--c. 1961.
Christmas Hard Times Dootone 464
Jaw Resting Dootone 464
Note: In 1957 the Dootone label was renamed Dooto to avoid conflict with phono supply manufacturer Duotone.
Frank FROEBA
Pianist born in New Orleans Aug. 8, 1907, died Feb. 18, 1981.
--and his Trio vocal by "Chick" Massari. New York City, Feb., 1947.
(A4901-1) The Freckle Song GENERAL TAVERN TUNES 5000A
(A4902-1) The Old Red Flannel Drawers GENERAL TAVERN TUNES 5000B
Eddie FURMAN
Played at the Palace in New York during the 1920's and recorded comic duets for Columbia with William Nash. Appeared at Bill's Gay Nineties, NYC, in 1938. Moved to Daytona Beach, Florida in 1952 and was at the Bali for nineteen years billed as "The Dean of Humor at the Piano." Died in 1971 at the age of 69.
-with orch. Acc. Linden, NJ, early 1950's.
(MO-31) (Don't Believe) The Things You're Told
(Furman and Prince) MONARCH RECORDS MO-601
(MO-32) Jobs I'd Like To Have (Furman and Prince) MONARCH RECORDS MO-601
(MO-33) It's a Tough Old World (Furman and Francis) MONARCH RECORDS MO-602
(MO-34) Hallelujah Song (Furman and Francis) MONARCH RECORDS MO-602
|
|
|