Ah... The 20s
1928 HITS ARCHIVE: The Sidewalks Of New York - Nat Shilkret (Lewis James, vocal)
“East Side, West Side”…the famous 1894 song about life in New York City during the 1890s. Also included in this popular arrangement is an instrumental chorus of “The Bowery,” another 19th century song about the big town. Digitally processed from 78rpm: Victor 21493 - The Sidewalks Of New York (intr...
youtube.com
"Makin' Whoopee!" (Eddie Cantor, 1929)
One of several major hits to come out of the Gus Kahn-Walter Donaldson show, "Whoopee!"--Eddie Cantor originated the stage role and reprised it for the early talking picture (see Voglesque89's channel for great clips). MAKIN' WHOOPEE! Ev'ry time I hear that march from Lohengrin, I am always o...
youtube.com
1920 version: Al Jolson - Swanee
This was the song (co-written with Irving Caesar) that first brought George Gershwin to fame in 1920, thanks in great part to Al Jolson who featured it in his Broadway show “Sinbad” and also sold a ton of 78s for the Columbia label. A quarter of a century later, Jolson performed “Swanee” in the 19...
youtube.com
1927 HITS ARCHIVE: Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider - Red Nichols (instrumental)
Among the more popular Nichols recordings, the 1903 tune “Ida” became commonly associated with Eddie Cantor. CD audio source, originally issued on 78rpm: Brunswick 3626 - Ida! Sweet As Apple Cider (Leonard-Munson) by Red Nichols and His Five Pennies, recorded in NYC August 15, 1927 THE 1927 HITS A...
youtube.com
1923 Arthur Gibbs - Charleston (intro: Open Your Heart) (instrumental)
The iconic 1920s ‘Charleston’ song & dance were featured in the 1923 Broadway musical comedy “Runnin’ Wild,” and this Gibbs recording was the best-selling version at the time. 78rpm originally issued on Victor 19165 - Charleston-Medley (introducing “Open Your Heart”) (Cecil Mack-James P. Johnson) b...
youtube.com
1921 version: Al Jolson - April Showers
One of Jolson’s signature ballads, introduced by him on-stage in the 1921 musical “Bombo.” His mid-1940s remake for Decca was also a best-seller: https://youtu.be/e3-hx09aKO8 From CD Audio, original 78rpm issued on Columbia A-3500 - April Showers (Louis Silvers-Buddy De Sylva) by Al Jolson, orches...
youtube.com
1928 HITS ARCHIVE: Wildwood Flower - Carter Family
A variant of the 1860 song “I’ll Twine ‘Mid the Ringlets,” this was among the most famous recordings by the first vocal group to become country music stars. The trio consisted of A.P. Carter, his wife Sara (lead vocals), and sister-in-law Maybelle (guitar and harmony vocals). One of Maybelle’s daugh...
youtube.com
Van and Schenck - Carolina in the Morning (1922)
Charted at #1 in February 1923. Two of this duo's other big hits were "Mandy" and "Ain't We Got Fun". Other charting versions from 1923: #4 for Marion Harris, #5 for Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra and #8 for the American Quartet (which I've also posted). Al Jolson recorded his version in 1947. I...
youtube.com
1929 HITS ARCHIVE: Tip-Toe Thru The Tulips With Me - Nick Lucas
Both this and the flip side “Painting The Clouds With Sunshine” were major 1929 song hits that Nick Lucas performed on-screen in “Gold Diggers Of Broadway.” He recorded “Tip-Toe” on numerous occasions between 1929 and 1974 and was the primary inspiration for performer Herbert Khaury, the falsetto-vo...
youtube.com