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54
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
OCTOBER 7,
1922
Proved Instantly Popular in Vaudeville
—A Great Favorite with Dancers.
"STUMBLING" A GREAT HIT
Number Recently Released by Leo Feist, Inc.,
Springs Into Instantaneous Popularity
Despite the fact that popular songs have had
rather slow sales during the past season, the
publishers protest again the statement that this
has been caused by the lack of meritorious mate-
rial. Naturally, any depression in the sales of
popular music is reflected in the lack of demand
for popular records. It is, therefore, gratifying
to know that during the past few weeks there
have been two or three popular numbers which
have been successful enough to be called "hits"
in the fullest meaning of that word.
Particularly is this true of the novelty song
and dance, "Stumbling" (Feist), which almost
overnight has jumped into national popularity.
Seemingly, this is the best sales creator since the
appearance of the now-famous "Dardanella,"
and all channels of the industry have been quick
to see its great possibilities. Some of the talking
machine record companies have made special
releases of the number and the whole industry
is practically co-operating in exploiting this
issue.
The statement of the publishers that there have
been other numbers of much merit issued in
recent months is quite true, but, with all their
merits, few of them have made any decided
impression—that is to say, gained national prom
inence and universal recognition.
No one seems to know just what a song or
instrumental number needs to make this uni-
versal appeal. We know, of course, that it must
have distinct merit, but there is also an in-
definable something that a big hit needs to gain
popularity on a large scale. When such a num-
ber does arrive it hardly needs an introduction,
it is so quickly accepted.
It is very fortunate that an exceptional in-
dividual number has arrived at this particular
period. It will serve to make sales active in the
sheet music, talking machine record, and player
roll field, not only for "Stumbling," but for
other works of merit. Coming at a time when
sales were none too active made it welcome,
but to arrive at what can be termed the open-
ing of the dull season makes it doubly im-
portant, for invariably a hit of this caliber is
followed by two or three other numbers having
good sales.
There is no reason to doubt but that history
of this sort will be repeated. At any rate, the
popularity of "Stumbling" will extend well into
the Fall and there are possibilities that it
will even be popular at a much later period,
particularly inasmuch as its present success is
based upon its value as an instrumental num-
ber, and while it has yet to be tested for its
vocal appeal on a wide scale, there are those
who believe that it will achieve prominence also
from that angle.
FEATURE "LOVE OF THE AGES"
CHICAGO, III., September 29.—"Love of the
Ages," the ballad published by Gott & Hender-
son, this city, is being sung by Cyrena Van
Gordon and will be broadcasted by radio, as
well as recorded, by the Columbia Graphophone
Co. The song has gone over big wherever it
has been heard and has all the earmarks of a
big success. Two other features of the Gott &
Henderson catalog are "Dreaming of Love's
Old Dream" and "You Are the One Little Girl
for Me," waltzes, which are meeting with con-
siderable success. Jobbers for these songs have
been established in a number of cities.
Two Paul Specht orchestras, known as "The
Criterions" and the "Frisco Syncopators," are
featuring the Leo Feist, Inc., fox-trot ballad en-
titled "Human Hearts" at prominent hotels in
London, England.
MUSIC SPEEDS UP CARPENTERS
Skating Rink in Miami Constructed to the
Music of Latest Jazz Numbers
Our good friend S. Ernest Philpitt, of Miami
and elsewhere, sent us the following clipping
from the Miami Metropolis, which demonstrates
and proves, we think, that strikes and other
labor troubles can be settled by charming the
belligerents with music:
"It is common knowledge that music has
charms to soothe the savage breast and man-
eating animals have been held spellbound by its
effects, but it remained for Manager Joe Schact,
of the new Luna Park skating rink, to discover
this week that it has a speeding effect on car-
penters.
"To the carpenters themselves it may have
seemed an accident when A. Tchakarian, an
organ tuner, appeared at the same time they did
and began to work on the big organ which
is to furnish music for the skaters.
"First the organ started with slow music. Then
it jumped into the jazzy stuff that goes to the
head and the feet at the same time. The effect
on the carpenters was miraculous, almost alarm-
ing. As the jazz notes floated out from the
organ, hammers began to speed in accompani-
ment and boards were sawed as though the
lives of the carpenters depended on getting the
work done in record time.
"From a point of vantage Schact watched the
remarkable change and passed the word on to
Tchakarian to defer the tuning of the organ
and keep the jazz stu-ff going. Twelve thousand
feet of maple flooring was finished hours ahead
of schedule and was laid by twelve carpenters
in two days."
Consult the universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.