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The Music Trade Review
New Berlin Song Is Composed, Arranged
and Broadcast Within Twenty-four Hours
"What Does It Matter?" Composed by Irving Berlin in Palm Beach on January 27
and Broadcast by Bori in Victor Concert on January 28—A Record
Radio listeners, who were said to num-
ber over ten million, who heard the Victor
Talking Machine Co.'s concert over WEAF
and its chain of broadcasting stations on Fri-
day evening, January 28, were surprised to read
in their papers the next morning that the Irving
Berlin song, "What Does it Matter," had been
composed practically the day before. This
achievement undoubtedly establishes two new
records for popular songs, one the speed by
which it was written and placed before the
public and second the number of listeners who
heard for the first time such a new composition.
The song was composed by Irving Berlin,
who is sojourning at Palm Beach with his fam-
ily, on Thursday, January 27. At 4 o'clock on
Friday morning he telephoned long distance to
Nathaniel Shilkret, director of the Victor Salon
Orchestra. Berlin hummed the tune over the
wires and Shilkret took it down and hummed
it back. This was repeated several times to
make sure. Later in the morning Mr. Shilkret
orchestrated the piece and on the same Friday
evening Lucrezia Bori broadcast it through the
twenty-two radio stations and probably to ten
million listeners.
This was unusual publicity presented to the
public in an unusual way and for a popular
song to be sung by such a great artist was a
tribute to its meritorious qualities. It prob-
ably is the greatest send-off ever given a new
composition and, considering the methods and
ihe circumstances, it establishes a record that
will stand for a long, long time. So the song,
"What Does it Matter," seems to have mat-
tered considerably.
Mme. Bori's surprise number came in the
midst of a notable program in which she was
joined by Giovanni Martinelli, tenor, both of
whom are members of the Metropolitan Opera
Company, and Pablo Casals, 'cellist, a remark-
able list of artists
FEBRUARY 5, 1927
ritory. A special drive is being made on "My
Cutey's Due at Two to Two To-day," "Am I
Wasting My Time On You," "Cock a Doodle
I'm Off My Noodle" and "Tears." Harold Berg,
by the way, was formerly a resident of Detroit
where, for a number of years, he represented
Eastern publishers. Since being permanently
connected with the Pacific Coast, he has become
a great booster for the climate as well as for
popular music.
Change in Copyright
Charges in New Bill
Congressman Vestal, of Indiana, Introduces
New Bill in House Covering These Items
Changes in the charge for the registration ol
copyrights is proposed in a bill (House Bill No
16548) just introduced in the House by Repre-
sentative Vestal (Rep.), of Anderson, Ind.
The bill provides that for the registration of
any work subject to copyright, the fee shall be
$2, which sum would include a certificate of
registration under seal; provided that in case
of photographs the fee shall be $1, where a cer-
tificate is not demanded. For every additional
certificate made, $1. For recording and certify-
ing any instrument of writing for the assign-
ment of copyright, or any such license specified
'orchestral arrangement effect." Then came in section 1, subsection (e), or for any copy of
the next step, the Merrymakers, with their won- such assignment or license, duly certified, $2 for
derful vocal arrangement creations. On the each copyright office record-book page or frac-
records the "fill-ins" or "breaks" are partly tion thereof over one-half page.
For recording the notice of user or
New Record Just Made by Well-known Singer vocal "squeals" and partly words. Their vocal ar-
rangements are much like a modern orchestra- acquiescence specified in section 1, sub-section
Has Novel Use of Breaks for Voice
tion. Now another progressive step has been (e), $1 for each notice of not more than five
made in Mr. Hall's recent recordings.
titles. For comparing any copy of an assign-
CHICAGO, I I I . , January 29.—Wendell Hall, popu-
On his latest record, "Take in the Sun and ment with the record of such document in the
lar entertainer and exclusive Brunswick artist,
has introduced a new innovation in recent re- Hang Out the Moon" and "I'm Tellin' the copyright office and certifying the same under
cordings. This new advance in vocal record Birds, Tellin' the Bees How I Love You,' r the seal, $2. For recording the renewal of copyright
progress which has been worked out by Wen- distinctive feature is carried out of "doubling- provided for in sections 23 and 24, $1. For re-
dell Hall is found in the Brunswick record, up" the chorus lyrics, that is, the introduction cording the transfer of the proprietorship of
"Just a Bird's Eye View of My Old Kentucky of additional descriptive lyric rhymes so as to copyrighted articles, 10 cents for each title of a
Home" and "Meadow Lark," and emphasizes produce a sort of swingy, melodious jingle book or other article, in addition to the fee
the additional lyrics, the strengthened "story" which in its newness might be called "chatter." prescribed for recording the instrument of as-
—the continuity—and the "finished" idea The "breaks" are filled in with attractive, signment. For any requested search of copy-
carefully rhymed words sung to a catchy "fill- right office records, indexes, or deposits, $1
throughout.
About three years ago Mr. Hall introduced in" melody strain. With these additional for each hour of time consumed in making such
on vocal records the vocal "blooey-blooery's" many-rhythmed lyrics, the complete "word search. Provided, that only one registration at
thai were "squealed" into the "fill-ins" or pictures" are strengthened with continuity and one fee shall be required in the case of several
"breaks" of the popular song. ("It Ain't Gonna the whole "vocal orchestration" as a rec- volumes of the same book deposited at the same
lime.
Rain No Mo" and "Red-Headed Music Maker" ord is a more "finished" presentation.
are examples). A little later Ukulele Ike and
This new specialty is absolutely individual
others" improved upon this idea by making more and characteristic of "The Red-Headed Music
peculiar and more kinds of various noises, in Maker." It is obvious that it is of his com-
other words, advancing a step in this vocal position. In other words, this "chatter" has
given Wendell Hall, the composer, a chance j
Billy Heagney, well-known writer, who in the
to show his original idea of how a popular
BUY YOUR MUSIC FROM
past has written a number of Hawaiian suc-
song hit should be presented.
cesses, has just given the firm of Fred K. Steele,
Inc., with which he is associated, a new timely
Hawaiian number called "Belle of Hawaii." The
Oliver Ditson Company
Harold Berg, Pacific Coast manager for Bibo, Steele Co., which recently moved into its new
Bloedon & Lang, Inc., the successful New York home, 745 Seventh avenue, where it has elabo-
BOSTON
NEW YORK
Anticipate and Supply Erery Requirement of Muiic
music publishing house, is just completing a rate sfudios, executive offices and its' other de-
.-•
Dealer*
most intensive exploitation campaign in his ter- partments, is carrying on some very intensive
activities on "Ev'ry Little While," "Florence,
«a»qt>iW««MW>*Ji>»^^
Cut It Out," and several other of its last year's
successes, with a particularly heavy campaign on
its latest offerings.
Another Wendell Hall
Recording Innovation
New Hawaiian Number
Issued by Steele, Inc.
BOSTON
Publishers
Pacific Coast Campaign
CHAPPELL-HARMS, INC
LATEST SUCCESSES
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review.
FOR YOU AND ME
COME BACK IN DREAMS
THE FAR-AWAY BELLS
I FOUND YOU AT LAST
THAT LITTLE WORLD IS MINE
ROBERT TELLER SONS & DORNER
Music Engraven and Printers
POPULAR SUCCESSES
Roses of Picardy
A Nigh* of Love
World Is Waiting for the Sunrise
In the Garden of Tomorrow
Song of Songs
By My Fireside
A Little Love, A Little Kiss
1 8 5 MADISON AVENUE
Brown Bird Singing
There's a Song in My Heart
I Look Into Your Garden
I Heard You Singing
Bells of St. Mary's
Thank God for a Garden
Smile Thru Your Tears
NEW YORK CITY
IIND MANUSCRIPT AND I DBA OF
TITLB FOB B4TIM ATB
311 W«»t 43rd StrMt
N«w York City
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