Byron G. Harlan

Voices of Christmas Past

I released VOCP 10 years ago and each year as we get closer to the Christmas holidays I get overwhelmed with requests for it. The disc is out of print and I have no copies left so I’ve uploaded the files for all to enjoy. Just scroll past the liner notes to get to the music player.

From the original liner notes: Of all things Christmas nothing is more traditional than the singing of carols and songs. Songs that capture in lyrics and in music the many traditions that we have at Christmas – the birth of the Christ child, the Christmas tree, the opening of gifts and even sleigh rides. Any well dressed sleigh ride featured those cheery sounding bells attached to the horse’s harness. In fact one of the most beloved Christmas songs ever, “Jingle Bells” celebrates this sound and the spirit of a country sleigh ride. On October 30, 1889 banjoist Will Lyle made history by recording “Jingle Bells”, the very first Christmas record. Although no known copies of this record survive one of the earliest vocal examples of “Jingle Bells” does survive on an Edison brown wax cylinder entitled, “Sleigh Ride Party”. It was made a decade later and was reissued for the first time on this CD (now out of print). This collection of carols, songs and monologues from the original vintage recordings capture the essence of the Christmas spirit as it was in the opening two decades of the 20th Century. So gather up the family, wind up the phonograph and take a trip back in time to the early 1900’s and celebrate the holidays with the “Voices of Christmas Past”.

Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

1. Santa Claus Hides in the Phonograph (Ernest Hare, recorded 1922)
2. On A Christmas Morning (Prince’s Orchestra, recorded 1911)
3. Sleigh Ride Party / Jingle Bells (Edison Male Quartette, recorded 1898)
4. Messiah – And the Glory of the Lord (Victor Mixed Chorus, recorded 1915)
5. Hark the Herald Angels Sing (Henry Burr, recorded 1907)
6. Silent Night, Hallowed Night (Haydn Quartet, recorded 1905)
7. Christmas Time at Pumpkin’ Center (Cal Stewart, recorded 1905)
8. Christmas Hymns (Francis J. Lapitino, recorded 1917)
9. When the Christmas Chimes Are Ringing (Lewis James, recorded 1922)
10. The Star of Bethlehem (Harry MacDonough, recorded 1909)
11. Come and Spend Christmas With Me (Byron G. Harlan, recorded 1909)
12. Christmas Morning at Clancey’s (Steve Porter, recorded 1922)
13. Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem (Trinity Choir, Recorded 1916)
14. Adeste Fideles (John McCormack and William Reitz, recorded 1915)
15. Night Before Christmas (Ernest Hare, recorded 1920)
16. Nutcracker Ballet: Chinese Dance/Dance of the Mirilitons (Victor Herbert’s Orchestra, recorded 1913)
17. On A Good Old Time Sleigh Ride (Peerless Quartet, recorded 1913)
18. Angels from the Realms of Glory (Trinity Choir, recorded 1916)
19. While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night / Christians Awake (Trinity Quartet, recorded 1921)
20. Uncle Josh Plays Santa Claus (Cal Stewart, recorded 1907)
21. Christmas in Camp (Anonymous, recorded ca. 1917)
22. Noel (Holy Night) (Venetian Trio, recorded 1916)
23. Auld Lang Syne (Navada Van der Veer, recorded 1921)

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Published: December 2, 2008

Dawn of Sound Podcast #2 – The Christmas Show

Voices of Christmas Past

Santa Claus hides in the phonograph, Cal Stewart falls down the chimney! The Peerless Quartet on an old fashioned sleigh ride, classic Christmas carols and the first ever recording of Jingle Bells! I hope you enjoy this trip back in time to a 1900’s Christmas.


Show Notes:

Hosted by Peter Nagy
Sound recording: Ameene Shishakly
Transfer & restoration: Peter Nagy
The Night Before Christmas
Ernest Hare
Brunswick 5032 (1920)

Sleigh Ride Party/Jingle Bells
Edison Male Quartette
Edison Cylinder 2218 (1898)

On A Good Old Time Sleigh Ride
Peerless Quartet
Victor 17482 (1913)

On A Christmas Morning
Prince’s Orchestra
Columbia A1078 (1811)

Hark The Herald Angels Sing
Henry Burr (Harry McClaskey)
Columbia A264 (1907)

Come and Spend Christmas With Me
Byron G. Harlan
Columbia a761 (1909)

Santa Claus Hides in the Phonograph
Santa Claus Himself! (Ernest Hare)
Brunswick 2333 (1922)

Uncle Josh Plays Santa Claus
Cal Stewart
Columbia 3738 (1907)

The Star of Bethlehem
Harry MacDonough
Victor 35055 (1909)

Noel (Holy NIght)
Venetian Trio
HMV 17842 (1916)

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
Trinity Choir
Victor 35594 (1916)

Nutcraker Ballet: Chinese Dance / Dance of the Mirilitons
Victor Herbert’s Orchestra
Victor 45053 (1913)

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Published: December 23, 2007

Dawn of Sound Netcast Episode 1

Billy Murray fixes up his automobile, Esther Walker belts it out slow and easy, Salt & Pepper has them crazy blues and who is Zina Brozia?

Join Adrian Shuman and I as we take a trip back to the days of Cylinders & 78s in our very first netcast! To listen click on the play button. To download the netcast right click on the download button and select “save link as” or “save target as”.

Dawn of Sound Episode 1

Show notes
Recorded March 18th, 2007
With Peter Nagy & Adrian Shuman
Studio Producer Ameene Shishakly
Audio Transfer & Restoration: Peter Nagy

Playlist
He’d have to get under, get out and get under to fix up his automobile.
Billy Murray
Victor 17491 Released 1913

Slow and Easy
Esther Walker
Victor 18680
May 14, 1929

O Promise Me
Harry Macdonough
Victor 1212
Released 1902

I’m Tying the Leaves so they Won’t Fall down
Bryon G. Harlan
Victor 16122
Released 1907

Crazy Blues
Salt & Pepper
Cameo 583
Recorded July 14th, 1924

Jewel Song – Faust
Zina Brozia
Columbia A1242
Released 1912

By the light of the Silvery Moon (Take 2)
Ada Jones & Male Quartette
Edison Blue Amberol Cylinder Record 1512

Life Will Be a Bed of Roses
Hollywood Dance Orchestra
Banner 1837
Recorded August 16, 1926

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Published: March 20, 2007