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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
SEPTEMBER 17, 1921
CONDUCTED BY V. D. WALSH
MELODIES TAKING PLACE OF JAZZ
REVIVAL OF "THE MERRY WIDOW"
Cld-fashioned Ballads Superseding Jazz for
Dancing—Prove Less Strenuous for Dancers
Lehar's Music, Though Familiar, Makes Strong
Appeal to Present-day Audiences
That melody songs are fast taking the place of
jazz and novelties lias been conceded in pub'
lishing circles for some time. Apropos this
new type of song and dance we reproduce below
an article which appeared in the Feist News, a
monthly publication prepared for the general
information of the trade:
"Despite the clamor for jazz the old-fashioned
ballads with pure rhythmic melodies are fast
coming into their own during the Summer
months. Many of these are ballad fox-trots and
revive the grace and charm of the old-fashioned"
waltz, which meets the Summertime require-
ments with their very ease rather better than
the peppery just-can't-keep-still jazz tunes.
"Proof of this was given recently in Atlantic
City, when at Young's Million-dollar Pier 60,000
persons fox-trotted to the dulcet strains of
'Sweetheart,' played by Charles Strickland's
famous orchestra.
" 'Sweetheart' made its debut on the Strickland
orchestra program along with several other
'buds.' The calls for repeat and encore were so
insistent that the orchestra was forced to play
it thirty times during three sessions. Its 'dolce
far niente' rhythm caught the holiday crowds
just right. 'Sweetheart' is by Benny Davis and
Arnold Johnson.
"We believe it is one number which will begin
the turn" of the tide of music back to the days
when beautiful melodies with lyrics of endear-
ing sentiment were what the public asked for.
It has been made on practically all the records
and rolls."
The revival of Franz Lehar's operetta, "The
Merry Widow," at the Knickerbocker Theatre,
New York, recently, aroused much interest from
both the public and the critics. In view of the
tremendous success enjoyed by "The Merry
Widow" when first presented there is consider-
able interest evinced in the revival from the
standpoint of observing how the present-day
public took it. Although much of the music
has not lost its familiarity to the theatre-goirtg
public, the familiar airs were hailed with ac-
claim. The New York Journal, in the course
of its criticism, said: "The famous 'Merry
Widow' waltz weaves its lure about the audience
as surely as ever, and lusty cheers arise from
the orchestra to topmost gallery at Mr. Pasch's
singing of 'I'm Happy at Maxim's.'
"One by one the old favorite tunes, 'Vilia,'
'Women,' 'For I'm a Dutiful Wife' and 'I Love
You So' lay their spell. Nevertheless the affair
is thoroughly up-to-date, though the old waltzes
are dance supreme here.
" 'The Merry Widow' is one of those pieces
that can be revived again and again. It will
never grow old. Those who witnessed and heard
its reopening will tell of the much-cheered
event for some time to come." Chappell-Harms,
Inc., publish the score.
MUSIC NEWS FROM PORTLAND, ORE.
Capital Music Co. to Publish Katherine Bernard
Compositions—Featuring Feist Songs
PORTLAND, ORE., September 9.—Katherine Ber-
CANADIAN MARKING ACT POSTPONED nard has just returned from an extended tour
of the Northwest territory, which she has made
The new amendment to the Canadian Customs in looking after the interests of her composi-
Act regulating the importation of music, which tions, "Moonlight Hours" and "Come Back and
prescribes that the publishers must affix the Drive the Clouds Away." When she was in
words "Printed in the U. S. A." on all music Seattle she closed negotiations with the Capital
shipped into the Dominion, or become subject Music Co., who has taken over the production
to an additional import tax of 10 per cent, and of '"Come Back and Drive the Clouds Away."
which was to go into effect on October 1, has
The McDougall sheet music department, under
been postponed to January 1, 1922.
the management- of Octavia Stone, is having a
big sale of the three Feist numbers, "Wang-
Wang Blues," "My Man" and "Peggy O'Neil."
SONGWRITERS END VACATIONS
Miss Stone has taken up with the Portland
Joe McKiernan, the songwriter; Frank Bacon music teachers the possibility of being able to
and Milt Hagen have all returned to New York, supply alf their needs without having to send
after an extended vacation. While away Mc- East for the music required. Miss Stone says
Kiernan and Hagen completed the book, lyrics her house carries a most complete stock of
and score for a new musical play, which, it is classical and semi-classical music and that it can
supply all local needs.
understood, will open during the Fall.
SONGS THAT SELL
Irving Berlin's
Song Hit of the Hour
All By Myself
Cry Baby Blues
Birds of a Feather
My Mammy
Home Again Blues
I Wonder Where
My Sweet, Sweet Daddy's Gone
Drowsy Head (Waltz)
Oh, My Sweet Hortense
Once in a Blue Moon
You're Just the Type for a
Bungalow
When the Sun Goes Down
I've Got the Joys
The New Sensational Hit
Tuck Me to Sleep in My Old
'Tucky Home
IRVING BERLIN, Inc.
1587 Broadway,
New York
DRIVE ON BERLIN NUMBERS
Irving Berlin, Inc., has inaugurated a big drive
in vaudeville circles on its songs, "Cry-baby
Blues" and "Tuck Me to Sleep in My Old 'Tucky
Home." Many singers have already programmed
these numbers and with ' the various Berlin
branches making an active drive these songs
will, within a short time, become quite popular.
THE COUNTRY'S QUICKEST "BLUES" HIT
EVERYWHERE IS HEARD THE
Ta De Da Da De Dum.
Already obtainable for player-piano
and any talking machine
Publishers
J. W. JENKINS SONS MUSIC CO., Kansas City, Mo.
Also Publishers of "12th Street Rag," "Sweet Love," "Colleen O'Mine"