23
PRESTO
March 10, 1923
SHEET MUSIC TRADE
Sheet Music Dealers and Dancing Folk Show No
Excitement Over Its Possible Return.
This would be a sad blow to the Argentine public
if the estimate is correct that the tango accounts at
present for 70 per cent of the music sold in the shops.
The people of Argentina adore their tango, with its
melancholy and syncopated rhythm. Its popularity
has been maintained against an invasion of American
jazz that swept the ballroom orchestras, but not the
shelves of home music cases.
The true tango, Argentine music lovers say, has no
words, but many are written as songs. These usually
treat with melancholy humor of the ruined youth of
the cabarets who call for another libation to drown
his sorrows, the tribulations of a poor working girl,
or the loneliness of a "gaucho." If the music is true
lango music, only a melancholy theme can be con-
sistently litted to it, they say.
On the other hand, some critics of the tango, as a
musical production, say the world of music would not
miss much if tango composing did become a lost art.
Does America borrow its dance fashions from
Europe, or is it the other way around? Some months
ago, when it was announced that the tango had been
revived in London and that functions of the so-called
smart set were considered incomplete without the
Brazilian dance, a similar revival was expected here
by those who copy the English.
But the tango has not put a budge in the favor for
the fox-trot or the waltz so far on this side. There
are inany tango tunes in existence, although the
dance at its first appearance did not linger long
enough to get its name into the dictionary. A promi-
nent movie actor and his near-wife have been giving
exhibitions of the tango in the east and middle west
for the past few months, but the dance folk are not
mobbing the dancing schools for lessons as a result.
The sheet music dealers are not excited over any
anticipations of a tango revival, and music publishers
have not yet announced any forthcoming tango dance
music.
TO PUBLISHERS
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIMIIIIIIIIIII
THE COMBINED CIRCULATION
OF PRESTO (EST. 1884), AND MUS-
ICAL TIMES (EST. 1881), IS BY FAR
THE LARGEST IN THE FIELD OF
THE MUSIC TRADE. COMBINA-
TION RATES OF SPECIAL AT-
TRACTIVENESS FOR ADVERTIS-
ING SPACE IN BOTH PAPERS
WILL BE MADE TO MUSIC PUB-
LISHERS.
This department is designed to advance the sales
of sheet music, and give any current information in
the Sheet Music Trade.
This publication believes that Sheet Music will
pay the dealer, just as any other commodity pays
those who merchandise it properly.
The conductor of this department will review
any numbers that are sent in for the purpose. It is
not the intent to criticise, but to review these offer-
ings, giving particular information of the theme and
a description of the musical setting of the number
discussed.
Address all communications to Conductor Sheet
Music Dept, Presto, 407 S. Dearborn, Chicago, 111.
SOB SONQS OUT OP DATE
One Writer of "Spanish Onions" in England Now
Washes Windows to Live.
The popularity of sentimental songs is waning so
rapidly in England that one well-known sob ballad
writer of London is now cleaning windows for a
living, says a silly story from that city. It is prob-
able that song writers have been washing windows,
or doing other chores, from the beginning. But for
their "side lines" few of the song writers could live
at all.
However, the name of the English song writer
who washes windows is Will Geddes, and his pathetic
pieces that once wrung the hearts of thousands in-
clude "Don't Go Down the Mine, Daddy," '"Fare-
well, Kathleen" and "The Collier's Child."
" 'Spanish onions,' as the sentimental melodies are
called in the trade of song writing, are at a discount,"
Geddes said.
And the publishers say the same.
"They don't want sobs," one remarked. "Today's
song is the fox-trot type."
ARGENTINE COMPOSERS WORRY
Native Dance Music Subject to Raids by Pirates Is
Complaint of Society.
The tango pirate is a new pest providing a prob-
lem occupying the attention of the Argentine Society
of Authors and Composers. The society estimates
that six or seven new tangoes make their appearance
every week, and that some 80,000 copies are sold in
the same period, but it finds that in consequence of
inadequate copyright legislation the pirating of the
music is so rife that probably not more than 5,000 of
this total are legitimate copies returning royalty to
their authors, according to a report of the Associated
Press.
Little success has been had by agents of the society
in their efforts to have the stolen music confiscated
or the pirates prosecuted, and now it wants the au-
thorities to do something about it. Fears are ex-
pressed that unless the copyright laws are amended
and enforced tango writing will become a lost art for
lack of reward.
GOVERNOR A "SONG PLUGGER."
At Albany, N. Y., March 2, Governor Smith, of
New York state, told callers that he has become a
successful "song plugger." To support his state-
ment, he read a letter from Charles B. Lawlor, author
of "The Sidewalks of New York," stating that the
Governor had brought the ballad back into popular-
ity and that as a result the author, aged and blind,
had been able to get a vaudeville engagement to sing
the ditty after a long period of unemployment.
SHEET MUSIC MEN MEET.
The new constitution of the recently organized
Association of Music Men was adopted at a meeting
held at the Old Heidelberg Cafe, 130 Third avenue,
New York, last week. H. C. Schulz, president of
the association presided. H. F. Rhaesa was chair-
man of the committee which drafted the constitution
and by-laws. The membership is composed of men
associated with the sheet music business.
J. H. REMICK'S WESTERN INTERESTS.
Portland was visited last week by Jerome H.
Remick, who was accompanied by his wife. Mr.
Remick's visit was due to his lumber business. He
is secretary of the Whitney Lumber Co., of Gari-
baldi, Ore., and while here the company held its
annual election. Mr. Remick announced while here
that he would return in a couple of months to visit
his chain of music stores.
AUDIENCES LIKE "CAROLINA."
Rodgers & Allen, a team of vaudeville headliners,
is making a great hit on the Orpheum circuit with
"Carolina in the Morning," a Remick hit. In a Port-
land, Ore., theater last Week the rule of the audience
at every performance was three or more encores.
7 FOREMOST SELLERS
RUTH
Just Foolin' With You
That Wonderful Sweetie of Mine
You're the One Little Girl for Me
Love of the Ages
Dreaming of Love's Old Dream
When I Dream That Auld Erin Is Free
HERBERT J. GOTT
Music Publisher
1 7 7 No. State S t .
CHICAGO
Estimates
Music Printers
ANY PUBLISHER
\
OUR REFERENCE
-
BAYNEB, DALHEIM & Co:
'
WORK DONE BY
ALL PROCESSES
2054-2060 W.Lake SLChicagalll.
NO NEW TANGO MUSIC
OPENS NEW YORK OFFICE.
The Kondas Music Publishing Company, 52 Har-
bor avenue, Ashtabula, O., has given another evi-
dence of its progressiveness by opening an eastern
branch with offices in the Roseland building, 1658
Broadway, New York city. The company is already
represented in offices in Chicago and Cleveland, O.
The company believes the exploitation of its publica-
tions is aided by the work at branches. The com-
pany has a list of popular songs that are selling well
and are much favored by orchestra leaders.
13-Our Lucky-13
Including "JONAH "
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
A
"I'd Give It All for You"
"Honey" (An Alabama Lullaby)
"If It Makes Any Difference to You"
"Dear Heart, Tell Me Why"
"In Candy Land with You"
"My Days Remember"
"Sweet Norah Daly"
"Tea Rose" (Japanese Romance)
"Stop Looking At Me"
"Dance Me On Your Knee"
"Alanna Macree"
"Misty Moon"
"Jonah"
ELIZA DOYLE SMITH
Music Publishers
59 East Van Buren St.
CHICAGO
REMICK SONG HITS
Nobody Lied
Sweet Indiana Home
My Buddy
California
Tomorrow Will Be Brighter
Than Today
Carolina in the Morning
Silver Swanee
Childhood Days
When Shall We Meet Again
Lovable Eyes
Out of the Shadows
Your Eyes Have Told Me So
Dixie Highway
Just a Little Blue
Polly
J, H. REMICK & CO.
New York
Chicago
Detroit
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