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THE
SEPTEMBER 10, 1921
MUSIC
TRADE
43
REVIEW
MORE SONGS NEEDED IN VAUDEVILLE
Investigation Proves That New Numbers Are
Receiving Inadequate Attention From Vaude-
ville Performers—More Singing Would Lead
to More Sheet Music Sales
Apropos the present movement in some pub-
lishing circles to induce the player roll and talk-
ing machine record manufacturers and orches-
tra leaders to render melodies as they are origi-
nally written in orchestra form, it might also
be well to give some thought to a plan for a
more intensive drive in vaudeville circles with
an idea of having songs more actively featured
in vocal form.
At the present time the publishers are center-
ing the biggest part of their energies in exploit-
ing their numbers through orchestras, and vaude-
ville in some instances has been overlooked.
This is not intended to belittle the work of
orchestras, as the value of their work cannot
be disputed, but a greater sale can be obtained
on a given song number, where attention is
given to both means of publicity—vocal and in-
strumental.
Melodies as played by the present-day orches-
tias, more often than not, cannot be carried
away in the mind and, after all, where the num-
ber is put over in that form the best the pub-
lisher gets out of it is to have it whistled. The
public certainly cannot sing songs if they do
not known the lyric, no matter how appealing the
melody.
The writer has attended a number of vaude-
ville shows recently with the idea of finding out
just how actively numbers are exploited in that
direction and, without taking a pessimistic view,
can say that in his quest he met with much dis-
appointment. In a recent bill at the Riverside
Theatre, New York, only two active numbers
were sung and in neither case were they well
featured. Some years ago on the average bill
it was possible to hear at least six or eight of
the latest tunes. If there was any complaint in
those days it was because more than one act on
the same bill had programmed the same num-
bers. The public probably would like to hear
more numbers in vocal form and we think if
they are given a chance to do so that sheet
music sales will increase materially.
Cominff
Shermaniflav& Go?
San Fran cisc
THE FEIST PRODUCTION CATALOG
That House Publishing the Music of a Number
of Musical Comedy Successes This Season
The production catalog of Leo Feist, Inc., this
season is one of the strongest and most inter-
esting ever handled by this house, and a notable
feature of the catalog is the number of selec-
tions from the various musical comedies that
have proven individual hits. The productions
for which Leo Feist are now publishing the
music include: "Tangerine," one of the latest
Broadway successes, with the song "Sweet
Lady" as the big hit; "Greenwich Village
Follies," "Broadway Whirl," "Blossom Time,"
and the two new Morosco shows now in re-
hearsal, one to be known as "Love Dreams,"
and the other, with Charlotte Greenwood, prob-
ably entitled "Good-Bye, Letty." In addition
to these newer productions the new season will
see four "Irene" companies on tour, which
means a continued demand for the song hits of
that show, "Irene" and "Alice Blue Gown."
There will also be companies of "Afgar" on
tour.
The Greatest Oriental Song
Ever Published
Starting to s w e e p the country
Featured by headllners all
over
GOOD SELLERS IN SAN FRANCISCO
Publications of Local Houses Are Finding Much
Favor in That City
Frank Davis has joined the selling organiza-
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., September 2.—According to
tion of the Maurice Richmond Music Co., and
the sheet music sales noted by Charles S. Walter,
is now on a selling trip through the West.
55 Stockton street, "Love Beam," published by
the Florentine Co., of San Francisco, is still a
big seller. "Arabian Maid," by Walter Smith, is
also in great demand, and Art Hickman, director
Victor and Brunswick Sept. Record
of the St. Francis Hotel orchestra, says that it is
the favorite of the great hostelry.
VERY BIG
Edward Little, manager of the sheet music de-
SELLER
partment of Sherman, Clay & Co., reports that
sales of "Have You Forgotten Me?" are coming
up to expectations, although the height of the
sale is scarcely realized.
"Dreams of Dixie," by McMaken and Al Hynd-
man (published by the authors, San Francisco),
is having a good sale.
Harold Dana, who left the sheet music depart-
ment of Sherman, Clay & Co. to join the United
States navy during the war, will soon resume his
duties in his old place. Mr. Dana proved to be
so valuable in the radio service that the Govern-
ment was reluctant to give him up.
Wonderful "Mother" Song
(Fox-Trot)
By Al LeBovv and Ray Hlbbeler
DEALERS—Be Prepared
Don't overlook these numbers
Listening
McKinley Music Co.
DR. RHYS-HERBERT ILL
Dr. W. Rhys-Herbert, the well-known com-
poser, who during the middle of August spent
some time in New York, was taken dangerously
ill in Chicago while returning to his home in
Minneapolis, Minn., and is now confined in a
Chicago hospital.
OPENS OFFICE IN BOSTON
6
San"
The. Snyder Music Pub. Co., 1658 Broadway,
New York City, recently opened a Boston of-
fice, under the management of Steve Paul, who
will be assisted by Ned Nickerson.
(Fox-Trot)
You Are The
Rose Of My Heart"
tt
(Fox-Trot)
"Sunshine"
(Ballad)
12c Per Copy
Al Rose Music Pub. Co.
(Not Inc.)
3131 Douglas Blvd.,
Chicago