M The Sonora Label

The Sonora Label

© Robert L. Campbell

Revised: September 27, 2022


Jim Jam Trio,
Sonora's Rhythm and Blues line lasted from September 1946 to May 1947. From the collection of Robert L. Campbell.

Revision note: We are thankful to Barbara Negleman Pogioli for correcting our information on the Gordon Trio. Courtesy of Jeremy Emmi, we have now documented Sonora 4015 through 4020, which were packaged as album M-257. Like other Sonoras in the 4000 series, they were reissues from the Musical Masterpieces label (and had already been used in a Masterpiece album). We have taken advantage of Marv Goldberg's excellent article on the Loumell Morgan Trio to improve our coverage of the Jim Jam Trio (which was started by Morgan's former bassist). We have also added to our bio of singer Roberta Lee. Courtesy of Martin Bryan, we have added information about Sonora album DA-270, which was issued toward the end of the "Interregnum," just before Sonora began recording its own sessions, and MS-491, one of the company's last albums from 1947.

Sonora was one of the first postwar independent labels. It actually got going during the war, at one of the least propitious times imaginable for the record industry: August of 1942.

Sonora was not some tiny start-up. Unusually, it was a new division of an established company. Sonora records in 1942 carried nearly the same logo as advertisements for Sonora phonographs had, back in 1919; Sonora sleeves boasted of 30-plus years in business (the vast majority of it not spent making records).


Clocks, Phonographs, Radios: 1900-1942

Around 1900, the Sonora Chime Company had begun making chiming clocks in New York City. It eventually developed chiming bells (hence the bell that figured in all of the successor company trademarks). These were licensed by a better-known company and built into Seth Thomas clocks. In 1909, Sonora made an initial, unsuccesful, move into "hornless" phonographs (in those days, patents were still fresh on competitors' machines). But in 1913, while still based in New York, it was reincorporated as the Sonora Phonograph Company. The big phonograph manufacturers, such as the Victor Talking Machine Company, would string out their patents well into the 1920s, but Sonora was tolerated as a competitor because it offered only high-end machines, some of which cost more than a new automobile. Sonora may also have been in the piano business for a while; we have learned of a Sonora toy piano, with a chime mechanism inside, that dates from around 1914; it was used by a piano saleman for promotional purposes. We will add a photo soon.

Sonora began a westward migration in 1923, when it merged with a furniture company based in Saginaw, Michigan, which had been making the cabinets for its players. In 1924, Sonora expanded into radios, initially with innards manufactured by other companies, and in 1927, the company's headquarters relocated to Saginaw. For a time, Sonora radios were being made and sold in Canada and in France as well as the USA.

The Great Depression hit Sonora hard; from 1930 onward it was in and out of receivership. On April 10, 1938, the company resurfaced from a bankruptcy as Sonora Radio and Television Corporation. It had made another westward move; its head offices were now in the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Sonora renewed its commitment to record players the next year, when it cut a deal with Eli Oberstein's new independent venture, United States Record Company. In July 1939, Down Beat ("Oberstein's 3 Million Deal," p. 29) announced that Oberstein had contracted to provide Sonora with 3 million pressings per year. Oberstein released a bunch of material (some newly recorded, some from other sources) on his Varsity and Royale labels, but his company was broke by the end of 1940.

There wasn't much of a market for televisions yet, but in 1940, Sonora was selling enough radios to get by. It reported sales of $200,000, which put it in a tie for 14th out of 18 among American radio manufacturers. Around this time the company opened a division, also located in Chicago, that made vacuum tubes for its radios.


The Rangers,
From the collection of Harry Sicherman

Putting Purchased Masters in Albums: 1942-1943


When Sonora decided to branch out into making records, the company's headquarters were still in Chicago, and stories that included comment from the company's president, Joseph Gerl, would all be bylined there. The move into records may have been, in part, a reaction to wartime restrictions on the manufacture of radios for the civilian market. But there were other wartime restrictions... Because the record operation opened right after the American Federation of Musicians imposed the first recording ban, Sonora's modus operandi was to buy masters (most often of classics or light classics) and reissue them. But there were long-term plans; the company's management wanted to build Sonora up into another major label, specifically a rival to RCA Victor. The ambition was to take considerable market share in records as well as in radios and players.

At first, Sonora Records was strictly in the album business. During 1942 and 1943, it was probably responsible for 24 sets of 78s. These were all pressed from masters it had purchased. The sources were Eli Oberstein's various companies (which had folded in 1940) and Gordon Mercer's Musicraft label (which had also shut down; the Musicraft label that most collectors know was resurrected under new ownership in 1943). Initially, the company made straight reissues of some Musicraft albums with new cover art: 5-pocket albums, which Musicraft sometimes used but Sonora would avoid when putting out its own recordings, are giveaways.

Billboard noted that the company was out scouting distributors in June 1943, and the plans obviously included starting up its own recording operation, because Sonora was one of the very first to sign a new agreement with the American Federation of Musicians in November 1943. The parent company moved from the Merchandise Mart to 325 North Hoyne Street, the address seen in many a Sonora record ad, in September 1943.

Early Sonora albums carried numbers in 200, 300, and 400 series. The prefixes were M or DA, whose exact meanings remain unknown to us. The individual 10-inch records (which were not meant to be sold as singles) carried numbers in a 4000 series. Sonora also released a few albums of 12-inch records; for these, the individual 78s carried numbers in a 19000 series. The most common prefix to the matrix numbers was MM (which, according to Dave Diehl, stood for Musical Masterpieces, the full name of the Musicraft company's classical series). Additional items came from Eli Oberstein's companies.

Most early Sonora albums are rare and obscure today, but those that we have seen sport clean, smooth surfaces. Sonora must have had access to some of the best "presseries," during a difficult period for record manufacturing. In fact, the 1942 and 1943 pressings are usually better than those that the company made in 1946 and 1947, when it ran its own pressing plants. Although we do not know exactly how this was accomplished, Sonora had acquired a big allotment of scarce shellac. Shellac quotas were pegged to 1939 production levels, so the most likely source, Eli Oberstein, controlled tons of the stuff even though he had no active record company during the war.

Our thanks to G. P. Gennaro for his research on the classical recordings in the 4000s and the 19000s, to Harry Sicherman for information about his copy of M 451, Cowboy Ballads Featuring the Rangers Quartet, to Janice Wakefield for information about items from M 259 and M 261, to Tyrone Settlemier for information about other 78s in the series, and to Dave Diehl for his research on the origins of the 4000 and 19000 series. Jeremy Emmi provided the label photos from M-257, a five-pocket album that was a straight reissue of Masterpiece A12, Festival of Opera.


The Rangers,
From the collection of Harry Sicherman

Every side in the 4000s and the 19000s was recorded by another company. MM matrix numbers (on all of the 19000s we have seen, and the majority of the 4000s) point to the Musical Masterpieces series, on the prewar Musicraft label, which was run out of New York City and owned by Gordon Mercer. Items recorded by Eli Oberstein originally had a US prefix, which usually did not appear on Sonora masters; most if not all of these had been released on his Royale label, though a few may have appeared on the first edition of his Varsity label.

Where we know the original issue, we will indicate in brackets after Sonora's release number. It can be seen how Masterpiece material had sometimes also been released on an Oberstein label (it was Royale for all that we have identified so far). From the matrix series, we infer that such items were initially recorded for Oberstein, then dealt to Mercer, but we are far from sure.

We will provide original recording dates when we learn them (so far, we have a handful). The first Musicraft label was in operation from 1936 to 1940. Massimo Freccia, a refugee from Mussolini's Italy, took over as conductor of the Havana Philharmonic in 1939 (he stayed till 1943, when he was finally able to gain entry to the United States). Varsity and Royale, each part of Oberstein's United States Record corporation, did all their new recording in 1939 and 1940. Masterpiece releases were cheaply made and obscure in origin (we wonder whether their obscurity was deliberate). They seldom credited their artists on the labels ("Violin and piano" or "Tenor with orchestra" were the norm). When we identify the artists here we are therefore relying on some of the Sonora labels. Sonora's information was not always correct, however; in at least one case, the company appears to have misindentified another operatic tenor as Jan Peerce. The company also confused a real Jan Peerce side with another one of his recordings that had served as the flip on the same Masterpiece 78. On another occasion, Sonora attributed to violinist Roman Totenberg and "piano accompaniment" (identified on another occasion as by Adolph Baller) when the original release was credited to violinist Eddy Brown (who, just to keep us more confused, later become a Sonora artist himself) and pianist Jascha Zayde.

We are still seeking information on other Sonoras in the 4000s. We do not know, for instance, whether the company aimed to reissue everything in the the 10-inch Masterpiece series, which ran from 8501 to at least 8602, or chose to pass on some items. The highest number we've found on a 4000 series Sonora is 4070.


The Sonora 4000 Series (10 inch 78s): Purchased Masters, Released 1942-1944

Matrix Sonora Release Album Artist Title Recording Date Release Date

4000 A












































































M 352Metropolitan Concert Orchestra | Leo Gottesman, ConductorGay Vienna Waltzes
































































(US)1565-14011-A [Royale 1875, Masterpiece 8507A]M 256Roman Totenberg, Violinist | piano accompanimentPeer Gynt Suite | Solvejg's SongApr-40
MM 850 A4011-B [Masterpiece 8513-A]M 256Roman Totenberg, Violinist | piano accompanimentAir on the G String (Bach)

(US)1566-14012-A [Royale 1875, Masterpiece 8507B]M 256Violin and PianoThe Prophet Bird (Schumann)Apr-40
MM 925 B4012-B [Masterpiece 8541]M 256Violin and PianoSpring Song (Mendelssohn)

MM 849 A4013-A [Masterpiece 8513-B]M 256Violin and PianoLiebestraume [sic] (Liszt)

MM 849 A4013-A [second label] [Masterpiece 8513-B] M 256Roman Totenberg, Violinist | piano accompanimentLiebestraume [sic] (Liszt)

MM 926 A4013-B [Masterpiece 8541]M 256Roman Totenberg, Violinist | piano accompanimentSouvenir (Drdla)

MM 929 B4014-A [Masterpiece 8549]M 256Violin and PianoTraumerei [sic] (Schumann)

MM 927 A4014-BM 256Violin and PianoOn Wings of Song (Mendelssohn)

MM 930 A4015-AM 256Violin and PianoSpanish Dance Op. 22 No. 3 (Sarasate)

MM 930 A4015-A [second label]M 256Roman Totenberg, Violinist | piano accompanimentSpanish Dance Op. 22 No. 3 (Sarasate)

MM 928 A4015-B [Masterpiece 8549]M 256Violin and PianoMeditation | From Thais (Massenet)

MM 928 A4015-B [second label; Masterpiece 8549]M 256Roman Totenberg, Violinist | piano accompanimentMeditation | From Thais (Massenet)

7919-414016-A [Masterpiece 8506-B]M-257 Tenor and OrchestraRigoletto | La Donna E Mobile (Verdi)

MM 934 A4016-B [Masterpiece 8546-B]M-257Tenor and OrchestraSalut, Demeure (Faust) | Gounod

MM 931 B4017-A [Masterpiece 8546-A]M-257Tenor and OrchestraDi Quella Pira (Il Trovatore) | Verdi

MM 932 A4017-B [Masterpiece 8545-A]M-257Tenor and OrchestraCeleste Aida (Aida) | Verdi

MM 933 A4018-A [Masterpiece 8545-B]M-257Tenor and OrchestraM'Appari (Martha) | von Flotow

MM 933 A4018-A [second label; Masterpiece 8545-B]M-257Jan Peerce, Tenor | Symphony Orchestra | Erno Rapee, ConductorM'Appari (Martha) | von Flotow

7920-424018-B [Masterpiece 8506-A]M-257Tenor and OrchestraPagliacci | Vesti la Giubba (Leoncavallo)

7920-424018-B [second label; Masterpiece 8506-A]M-257Jan Peerce, Tenor | Symphony Orchestra | Erno Rapee, ConductorPagliacci | Vesti la Giubba (Leoncavallo)

MM 906 A4019-A [Masterpiece 8543-A]M-257Soprano and OrchestraMy Heart at Thy Sweet Voice (Samson and Delilah) | Saint-Saens [sic]

MM 911 A4019-B [Masterpiece 8544-A]M-257Soprano and OrchestraHabanera (Carmen) | Bizet

MM 908 C4020-A [Masterpiece 8544-B]M-257Soprano and OrchestraVedrai, Carino (Don Giovanni) | Mozart

MM 907 A4020-B [Masterpiece 8543-B]M-257Soprano and OrchestraUna Voce Poco Fa (Barber of Seville) | Rossini

MM 7244021-A [Masterpiece 8501B]M 258Roman Totenberg, Violin | Adolph Baller, PianoBrahms | Hungarian Dance No. 5

MM 723-B4021-B [Masterpiece 8501A]M 258 Roman Totenberg, Violin | Adolph Baller, PianoSchubert | Serenade



M 258



MM 736 A4022-BM 258String EnsembleTschaikowsky | Andante Cantabile

MM 909 A4023-AM 258Judith Hellwig, Soprano with Concert OrchestraLes Filles de Cadiz (Leo Delibes)

MM 910 B4023-BM 258Judith Hellwig, Soprano with Concert OrchestraQueen of the Night | Aria—The Magic Flute (Mozart)

US1175-14024 A [Royale 1816, Masterpiece 8521]M 258Jan Peerce, Tenor | Piano AccompanimentI Love Life18-Dec-39
US7918-394024-B [Royale 1781B, Masterpiece 8508-B]M 258Jan Peerce, Tenor | Concert Orchestra | Erno Rapee, ConductorMacushla [L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour]Oct-39














35029-D14026-A [Masterpiece 8520-A]M-259Salon OrchestraSong of India (Rimsky-Korsakoff)

35004-D14026-B [Masterpiece 8520-B]M-259Salon OrchestraLoin du Bal (Gilet)

MM 848 A4027-A [Masterpiece 8514-A]M-259String EnsembleCavalleria Rusticana | Entr'acte Music (Mascagni)

MM 847 A4027-B [Masterpiece 8514-B]M-259String EnsembleLa Paloma

MM 962 A4028-A [Masterpiece 8569]M 259Violin and PianoGavotte in E Major (Bach)

MM 961 B4028-B [Masterpiece 8569]M 259Violin and PianoThe Swan (Saint-Saëns)

MM 939-C4029-A [Masterpiece 8561-B]M 259Tenor and OrchestraRomance | The Pearl Fishers (Bizet)

MM 942-A4029-B [Masterpiece 8561-A]M 259Tenor and OrchestraUna Furtiva Lagrima | L'Elisir d'Amour (Donizetti)

35031-D14030-A [Royale 1881, Masterpiece 8516-A]M 259Salon OrchestraNone but the Lonely Heart (Tschaikowsky)

35032-D14030-B [Masterpiece 8516-B]M 259Salon OrchestraHungarian Dance No. 6 (Brahms)



M 455The Musical BrigadiersListen America!


































































M 454Manhattan Concert Orchestra and QuartetOld Time Favorite Medleys
































































MM 1118 A4041-A [Masterpiece 8599-B]M 451The Rangers | Male QuartetOld Chisholm Trail; Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie

MM 1115 A4041-B [Masterpiece 8600-B]M 451The Rangers | Male QuartetJesse James

MM 1112 A4042-A [Masterpiece 8599-A]M 451The Rangers | Male QuartetWhoopee Ti Yi O

MM 1116 A4042-BM 451The Rangers | Male QuartetBilly Boy; Curtains of Night

MM 1113 A4043-A [Masterpiece 8600-A]M 451The Rangers | Male QuartetHome on the Range

MM 1119 A4043 B [Masterpiece 8602-A]M 451The Rangers | Male QuartetThe Cowboy's Dream

MM 1114 A4044-A [Masterpiece 8602-B]M 451The Rangers | Male QuartetGoodbye Old Paint

MM 1117 A4044-BM 451The Rangers | Male QuartetRed River Valley












































4048 AM 452Playland



4048 BM 452Playland


MM 10954049 AM 452 (3)Playland"Mary Had a Little Lamb; Little Bo-Peep; Little Boy-Blue; Baa, Baa, Black Sheep; Humpty Dumpty; The King of France; Jack & Jill"

MM 1094 A #24049 BM 452 (4)Playland"Cock-a-Doodle-Doo; Lazy Mary; Hot Cross Buns; To Market; Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been; Hickory Dickory Dock; Little Jack Horner; Sing a Song of Sixpence"


4050 AM 452Playland



4050 BM 452Playland


MM 955 A4051 A [Masterpiece 8552-A]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from Pirates of Penzance
1944
MM 954 A4051 B [Masterpiece 8550-B]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from The Mikado

MM 956 B4052 A [Masterpiece 8552-B]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from Pirates of Penzance

MM 953 A #24052 B [Masterpiece 8550-A]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from The Mikado

MM 951 B #24053 A [Masterpiece 8551-A]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from Iolanthe

MM 958 B4053 B [Masterpiece 8553-B]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from H. M. S. Pinafore

MM 952 A4054 A [Masterpiece 8551-B]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from Iolanthe

MM 957 B4054 B [Masterpiece 8553-A]DA 353Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera CompanySelections from H. M. S. Pinafore


4055-AM 261Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorWedding March (Wagner)


4055-B [Masterpiece 8548]M 261Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorCoronation March (Meyerbeer)

MM 882-B-24056-A [Masterpiece 8542]M 261Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorMarch Militaire (Schubert)

MM 1047-A4056-B [Masterpiece 8595]M 261Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorTurkish March from Ruins of Athens (Beethoven)

MM 1059-A4057-A [Masterpiece 8595]M 261Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorRadetsky March (J. Strauss)

MM 893-B4057-B [Masterpiece 8548]M 261"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"March of the Smugglers from Carmen (Bizet)

MM 1065-A4058-AM 261"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"March of the Sardar from Caucasian Sketches (Ippolitow-Iwanow)

MM 1064-B4058-BM 261Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorIn the Mosque from Caucasian Sketches (Ippolitow-Iwanow)

MM 902 C4059-A [Masterpiece 8540]M 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistThe Minute Waltz (Chopin)

MM 990 A4059-B [Masterpiece 8564]M 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistMinuet in G (Beethoven)

MM 991 A4060-AM 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistPrelude in G Minor and Prelude in C Minor (Rachmaninoff)

MM 904 B4060-B [Masterpiece 8547]M 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistFur Elise (Beethoven)

MM 903 B4061-A [Masterpiece 8540]M 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistPolonaise Militaire (Chopin)

MM 905 D4061-B [Masterpiece 8547]M 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistDie Fledermaus (J. Strauss)

MM 988 A4062-AM 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistNocturne in E Flat (Chopin)

MM 989 A4062-B [Masterpiece 8564]M 262Adolph Baller, concert pianistSpring Song (Mendelssohn)


4063-ADA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorMorning (Grieg)


4063-BDA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorMidsummer Night's Dream Part I (Mendelssohn)

MM 877 B24064-ADA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorMidsummer Night's Dream Part II—Scherzo (Mendelssohn)

MM 1067 A4064-BDA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorAnitra's Dance from Peer Gynt Suite (Grieg)

MM 1051 A4065-ADA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorMoment Musicale [sic] (Schubert)

MM 884 A4065-B [Masterpiece 8538-A]DA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorBarcarolle from Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach)

MM 1054 A4066-ADA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorThe Swan (Saint-Saens)

MM 878 A4066-B [Masterpiece 8538-B]DA-263Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorSpanish Dance (de Falla)

US1260-14067 A [Royale 1829, Masterpiece 8536]M 354Jan Peerce, Tenor | Piano AccompanimentTreesJan-40
MM 966 A4067 A [Masterpiece 8592-A]M 354Jan Peerce, Tenor [?] | Piano AccompanimentBelieve Me If All Those Enduring Young Charms

US1310-14068 A [Royale 1835, Masterpiece 8536]M 354Jan Peerce with organOh Promise MeFeb-40
MM 916 C4068 B [Masterpiece 8539]M 354Amy Laughton with pianoLove's Old Sweet Song

MM 732 B4069 A [Masterpiece 8502B]M 354Amy Laughton, Soprano | String Quartet and Piano AccompanimentAve Maria (Gounod)

MM 844 C4069 B [Masterpiece 8510]M 354Amy Laughton, Soprano | String Quartet and Piano AccompanimentLullaby (Brahms)

MM 979 A4070 AM 354Mixed Quartet with Piano AccompanimentDrink to Me Only with Thine Eyes (Jonson)

MM 845 A4070 B [Masterpiece 8510]M 354Amy Laughton, Soprano | String Quartet and Piano AccompanimentI Love You (Grieg)


The 19000 series consisted of 12-inch 78s (the only records that Sonora would issue in the larger format). All were originally recorded for the Musical Masterpiece 12000 series. There could be more 19000s than we're presently aware of, because Masterpiece is known to have issued some 12-inch sets (such as a complete Mozart Symphony "Number 40" in G minor, K550) that do not appear on this list.

The Sonora 19000 series (12 inch 78s): "Purchased masters," released 1942-1944

Matrix Sonora # Album Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
12107219001-A [Masterpiece 12001]DA 251-1Symphony OrchestraSchubert | Unfinished Symphony | 1st Mvt: Allegro Moderato

12107719001-B [Masterpiece 12001]DA 251-6Symphony OrchestraSchubert | Unfinished Symphony | 2nd Mvt: Andante con moto concluded

12107319002-A [Masterpiece 12002]DA 251-2Symphony OrchestraSchubert | Unfinished Symphony | 1st Mvt: Allegro Moderato continued

12107619002-B [Masterpiece 12002]DA 251-5Symphony OrchestraSchubert | Unfinished Symphony | 2nd Mvt: Andante con moto continued

12107419003-A [Masterpiece 12003]DA 251-3Symphony OrchestraSchubert | Unfinished Symphony | 1st Mvt: Allegro Moderato concluded

12107519003-B [Masterpiece 12003]DA 251-4Symphony OrchestraSchubert | Unfinished Symphony | 2nd Mvt: Andante con moto

MM 867 A19004-A [Masterpiece 12008]DA 252-1Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorNutcracker Suite (Tschaikowsky): Miniature Overture

MM 868 B19005-A [Masterpiece 12009]DA 252-2Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorNutcracker Suite (Tschaikowsky): March Dance of the Fairy Dragee

MM 869 A19006-A [Masterpiece 12010]DA 252-3"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"Nutcracker Suite (Tschaikowsky): Russian Dance Arabian Dance

MM 870 A19006-B [Masterpiece 12010]DA 252-4"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"Nutcracker Suite (Tschaikowsky): Chinese Dance Dance of the Mirlitons

MM 871 B-219005-B [Masterpiece 12009]DA 252-5"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"Nutcracker Suite (Tschaikowsky): Waltz of the Flowers (Part 1)

MM 872 A19004-B [Masterpiece 12008]DA 252-6"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"Nutcracker Suite (Tschaikowsky): Waltz of the Flowers (Part 2)

MM 1020 B19007-ADA 253-1Symphony OrchestraConcerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 1st Mvt: Allegro molto appassionato

MM 1021 A19008-ADA 253-2"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"Concerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 1st Mvt: Allegro molto appassionato continued

MM 1022 A19009-ADA 253-3Symphony OrchestraConcerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 1st Mvt: Allegro molto appassionato concluded

MM 1023 A19010-ADA 253-4Symphony OrchestraConcerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 2nd Mvt: Andante

MM 1024 A19010-BDA 253-5Symphony OrchestraConcerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 2nd Mvt: Andante concluded

MM 1025 A19009-BDA 253-6Symphony OrchestraConcerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 3rd Mvt: Allegro

MM 1026 A19008-BDA 253-7"Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, Conductor"Concerto for Violin and Orchestra | Mendelssohn | 3rd Mvt: Allegro concluded

MM 1061 A19007-BDA 253Symphony OrchestraOverture to the Marriage of Figaro | Mozart


19011-A [Masterpiece 12015]DA 264
Rosamunde Overture | Schubert


19011-B [Masterpiece 12015]

Rosamunde Overture | Schubert


19012-A [Masterpiece 12017]

Poet and Peasant Overture | Suppé


19012-B [Masterpiece 12017]

Poet and Peasant Overture | Suppé


19013-A [Masterpiece 12016]

Merry Wives of Windsor Overture | Nicolai


19013-B [Masterpiece 12016]

Merry Wives of Windsor Overture | Nicolai


19014-A [Masterpiece 12019]DA 265Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Carlo Duchesna, ConductorHungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Liszt)


19014-B [Masterpiece 12019]

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Liszt)


19015-A [Masterpiece 12018]

Dance of the Hours (Ponchielli)


19015-B [Masterpiece 12018]

Dance of the Hours (Ponchielli)


19016-A
Havana Philharmonic Orchestra | Massimo Freccia, ConductorSelections from Scheherezade (Rimsky-Korsakov)


19016-B

Selections from Scheherezade (Rimsky-Korsakov)


The Sonora "red" label, used throughout the company's history both for albums and single releases, was burgundy with gold print. Initially the word "Sonora" appeared in heavy Old English type, the bell to the right of the name had doubled edges, the label had a gold rim, and there was plenty of frilly scrollwork. (In 1945, the company would lightly modernize the print, reduce the bell to a single outline, and trim the frillwork). The same design, in white on red-orange, appeared on Sonora's line of lacquer recording blanks (because of the parent company's role as a manufacturer of electrical equipment, the blanks carried the UL seal of approval on their labels.) One exception: multicolored Sonora Playland labels, in a style influenced by the Wizard of Oz books, were used on the children's records, including Uncle Don Carney's various releases. A modified version was employed on two albums of more lavishly produced children's stories, which used several voice actors and instrumental accompaniment.


Interregnum: 1943-1944

There was a period of transition, lasting around 5 months, from the parent company's move out of the Merchandise Mart, in September 1943, up to the official launch of the music division's new recording efforts in February 1944.

Sonora started a new 1000 release series for its 10-inch 78s. Abandoning the old matrix series, it didn't immediately launch a new one. Consequently, the individual 78s in several albums (our best guess is that there were 7) are strictly A and Bs; they carry no matrix numbers distinct from their release numbers. The early 1000 series albums were still being compiled from licensed material. Without the original matrices the sources are harder to trace; however, the generic names ("Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra") suggest that the Masterpiece catalogue was still being mined. (The company got clearance to record from the Musicians Union in November 1943.)

One case that we have been able to examine more thoroughly, album M 355, recycled 4 records out of the five that had appeared on Masterpiece album A-3. It's possible Masterpiece A-3 was already reissued in full on an early Sonora album not yet documented. Another such album is DA-270, which may have been partly drawn from DA 252, a 12-inch album by the Havana Philharmonic Orchestra, which in turn had been a three-pocket album on Masterpiece. If so, editing and remastering (from 12-inch to 10-inch) were necessary, and the excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony had to be taken from a different source.


MatrixSonora #Album #ArtistTitleRecording DateRelease Date
[prob. 1585-1]S-1000 A [prob. Masterpiece 8505A]M-355-1American Concert OrchestraThe Blue Danube

[prob. 1586-1]S-1000 B [prob. Masterpiece 8522A]M-355-2American Concert Orchestra"Wine, Woman [sic] & Song | Sweetheart Waltz"

[prob. 1594-1]S-1001 A [prob. Masterpiece 8505B]M-355-3American Concert OrchestraTales from the Vienna Woods

[prob. 1592-1]S-1001 B [prob. Masterpiece 8531B]M-355-4American Concert OrchestraSouthern Roses

[prob. 1591-1]S-1002 A [prob. Masterpiece 8530B]M-355-5American Concert OrchestraArtists' Life

[prob. 1594-1]S-1002 B [prob. Masterpiece 8531A]M-355-6American Concert OrchestraVoices of Spring


S-1003 A [prob. Masterpiece 8529A]M-355-7American Concert OrchestraEmperor Waltz

[prob. 1587-1]S-1003 B [prob. Masterpiece 8530A]M-355-8American Concert OrchestraVienna Blood



M-269United Concert EnsembleString Ensemble























S-1006 AM-269-5United Concert EnsembleMelody in F


S-1006 BM-269-6United Concert EnsembleNarcissus



























































DA 266Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraBrahms





































S-1014DA 267Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 5 in E Minor (From the New World") | Dvor ak | 1st Movement


S-1014DA 267Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraHumoresque | Dvor ak


S-1015-ADA 267Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra"Symphony No. 5 in E Minor (""From the New World"") | Dvor ak | 2nd Movement Largo (excerpt)"


S-1015-BDA 267Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSlavonic Dance No. 8 in G Minor | Dvor ak


S-1016-ADA 267Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra"Symphony No. 5 in E Minor (""From the New World"") | Dvor ak | 3rd Scherzo Molto vivace (excerpt)"


S-1016-BDA 267Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra"Symphony No. 5 in E Minor (""From the New World"") | Dvor ak | 4th Movement Allegro con fuoco (excerpt)"


























































S-1021 ADA 268-1Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 8 in B Minor | Schubert | excerpt


S-1021 BDA 268-6Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraAve Maria | Schubert


S-1022 ADA 268-2Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 8 in B Minor | Schubert | excerpt


S-1022 BDA 268-5Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 5 in B Flat Major | Schubert | excerpt


S-1023 ADA 268-3Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSerenade | Schubert


S-1023-BDA 268-4Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 5 in B Flat Major | Schubert | excerpt


S-1024-ADA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 5 in E Minor | Tschaikowsky | 2nd Movement - excerpt


S-1024-BDA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraThe Nutcracker Suite (Dance of the Flutes) | Tschaikowsky


S-1025-ADA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 5 in E Minor | Tschaikowsky | 2nd Movement - excerpt


S-1025-BDA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraThe Nutcracker Suite (Waltz of the Flowers) | Tschaikowsky


S-1026-ADA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSymphony No. 6 in B Minor (Pathªtique) | Tschaikowsky | 2nd Movement - excerpt


S-1026-BDA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraThe Nutcracker Suite (March) | Tschaikowsky


S-1027-ADA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraSleeping Beauty Waltz | Tschaikowsky


S-1027-BDA 270Philharmonic Symphony OrchestraThe Nutcracker Suite (Overture) | Tschaikowsky


Recording Its Own Albums: 1944-1945

The company's music division was separately incorporated in February 1944 (Billboard, February 12, 1944, p. 67). Sonora's first announced recording sessions in the United States took place that same month; as would often be the case in future years, the company used WOR Studios in New York City (Billboard, February 19, 1944). The initial sessions actually coincided with the opening of a New York office.

No fewer than 5 albums came out of these sessions. Sonora rashly announced that it was going to keep right on cranking out 5 albums per month, a pace it couldn't maintain (60 a year!) and didn't try to. The new albums carried an MS prefix (the S meant they were Sonora's own recordings) and their release numbers quickly settled into the 400 series. And each side carried a matrix number in the 1500 series, which would continue until Sonora ceased recording.

First up was an 8-tune set by Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders, a medium-sized band, including vibes and violins, that purveyed a sedate brand of Hawaiian music and consequently enjoyed a long residency at the Ambassador Hotel in New York City. Hitting the stores in March 1944, MS 457 was the first album in the new series to see release. It must have pulled in some sales, because copies still show up with regularity on the used market.

Next, the company brought in Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble, whose MS 271 would be the last album in the 200 series. There are also still a few copies of this album around today.

Pauline Alpert was a classically trained novelty pianist who also flashed some boogie chops. She was born Pauline Edith Alpert, in New York City on December 27, 1900. Her father was a portrait painter and her mother played the piano, giving Pauline her first lessons when she was 2 years old. The family moved to Rochester, New York, when she was a young child; at age 11 she was giving piano lessons (25 cents each) to help support them. She won a full scholarship to the Eastman School of Music. She liked playing her own arrangements of popular tunes, and went into vaudeville and radio work. With a rock-solid technique that was praised by Zez Confrey and George Gershwin, among others, she was billed as "The Young Lady Who Sounds like Two Pianos" and the "Whirlwind Pianist."

She walked into the offices of the Duo-Art piano roll company and was immediately signed to make piano rolls for them. In fact, her piano rolls would outnumber her records by a substantial margin, and her biggest following today is among player-piano enthusiasts. In 1927, however, she made 8 sides for Victor, 6 of which were released. She also appeared in two Vitaphone shorts, one in 1927 and one in 1935.

Though she had not made any records in 16 years, Pauline Alpert was working regularly in New York City when Sonora signed her. She recorded a solo album (MS 460) of standards and Raymond Scott numbers (for more about their composer, see below); she also included her own composition, "Dream of a Doll." Alpert would record a second 4-pocket album in 1945, for the New York-based Pilotone label. Although the Pilotone was her last commercial recording, she also worked for Muzak, using Peggy Anderson as a pseudonym. In later years, when she heard herself in the lobby of a building, she would say, "It's nice to know I'm still around."

In 1940, Pauline Alpert married Sidney Rooff, a physician who played the violin in his spare time. By her 70s, she had limited mobility but had not lost any of her pianistic skills, as can be seen from a 1979 video of her playing a Gershwin medley, interspersed with "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "It Had to Be You," and several other pieces, including a couple of stride passages (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd68aylJrbo). Pauline Alpert died in the Bronx on April 6, 1988. We are indebted to the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors' Association for the detailed retrospective on this artist at http://www.amica.org/Live/Organization/Honor-Roll/alpert.htm.

Then, after an unexplained gap in the 1500 matrix series (an album that Sonora decided to sit on?), popular children's show host Uncle Don Carney, who had been doing radio at WOR since 1928, made his first appearance for the company. Uncle Don's Playland was a 3-pocket collection of nursery rhymes interspersed with patter and given basic piano accompaniment by Uncle Don himself.

Last in the initial batch was Bob Stanley and his Orchestra, performing a batch of popular waltz tunes that were released on MS 459. Stanley led what was closer to a chamber orchestra than a "sweet" dance band, and the company used him for sentimental pop material as well as light classics. At the same sessions, Stanley cut a batch of Strauss waltzes, which were used on his next album, MS 461.

From 1948 paperwork on the sale of Sonora masters, Dave Diehl discovered that Bob Stanley and Stanislaw Mroczek (the leader of a big band that played polkas) were the same person. Many years later, Royale would reissue some of the polka band material under Bob Stanley's name. The usual procedure in 1940s America would have been for Stanislaw Mroczek to take Bob Stanley as his stage name. Yet it occurs to us that Bob Stanley is a suboptimal name for a polka artist, and we don't presently know what name was on the leader's birth certificate. However he was identified, Mroczek/Stanley did enough recording for Sonora to make him the de facto house bandleader.

Some of the MS albums purposely duplicated repertoire from the older M series (for example, Strauss waltzes and other light classics). Either licenses were about to expire (ownership of many ex-Oberstein properties changed in 1944), or Sonora merely felt that it could make better recordings itself. In one case that we know of, Sonora pinched a few pennies by reusing the cover off an M-series album that had consisted of licensed material for an MS album of new recordings. Hence, what had been previously titled "Playland" reappeared, with most of the same nursery rhymes, as "Uncle Don's Playland"—the album's spine mentioned Uncle Don and the cover art didn't. Some copies of the album were sold with one of the predecessor 78s mistakenly substituted for one of Uncle Don's.

In the next batch of albums, Sonora included a set of lullabyes (MS 462) performed by a string ensemble under the leadership of violinist Eddy Brown, who had previously recorded quite a bit for Oberstein's Royale label. Two classically trained female singers, soprano Crys Holland and alto Jean Merrill, also contributed.

The individual records were now in a 1000 series. Every item in the series (eventually there would be nearly 200 of them) appeared as part of an album. The first 78 in the Lani McIntire album, MS 457, was individually numbered Sonora 1028, and the first matrix number was 1500.

By the middle of 1944, Sonora had reached 1062: Billboard reviewed Enric Madriguera's Latin set on MS 463 on June 24, 1944 (p. 72). Enric Madriguera was born in Barcelona in 1904; a child prodigy on the violin, he studied with Leopold Auer. He arrived in the Western Hemisphere in the 1920s—for a time he conducted the Cuban Philharmonic—and by 1928 was playing in Ben Selvin's studio orchestra for Columbia. He started his own band in 1932 to play the Biltmore Hotel, initially concentrating on standard dance-band material. By 1940 he was recording Latin music almost exclusively. Madriguera's outfit played the fancy hotels and high-toned nightspots, and carried a vocalist (first, Helen Ward; later, his wife, Patricia Gilmore) who sang mostly in English. The reviewer even recommended the individual 78s for jukebox play; in a distributor's ad from the Billboard of December 15, 1945, 78s out of various Sonora albums were offered singly to jukebox operators. An oddly numbered Sonora 999 has shown up; it looks like an isolated single spun off from the album. Madriguera had previously recorded for Columbia, RCA Victor, and Brunswick. He ended up making just the one album for the company; on March 9, 1946, Billboard announced (p. 22) that Madriguera had left Sonora for Vogue, the Detroit-based maker of "picture disks." When his big band stopped being economically viable, Enric Madriguera and Patricia Gilmore retired to Danbury, Connecticut, where he died in 1973.

Sonora signed a singer named Frank Connors, a very high Irish tenor who obliged with "Mother Machree" and "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen." On his first album (MS 465), Connors was backed by the ubiquitous Bob Stanley Orchestra.

Sonora rounded out its roster with an album of Western songs performed sentimentally by Red River Dave (MS 464), a collection of Viennese but non-Straussian waltzes by Bob Stanley (MS 466), and a set of polkas (MS 458) by a tight Eastern-style band led by the Stanley alter ego, Stanislaw Mroczek. The Red River Dave set contained several of the Western songs previously released on the Ranger Quartet album (M 451), which was derived from Masterpiece material; here is one instance of what looks like deliberate replacement. Lots of Red River Dave sets must have been sold, because in 2016 copies of the entire album were almost continuously available on the used market.

Following the second and third offerings by Stanley/Mroczek, Sonora turned to another bandleader with two names, Murray Kellner aka Kel Murray. A violinist, Murray Kellner entered a recording studio in 1925 and was rarely missed a recording session for another 45 years, his last known appearance taking place in 1970. "If a musician's popularity was based purely on a system of tallying up every time had been heard by an individual set of ears," writes Eugene Chadbourne (http://www.allmusic.com/artist/murray-kellner-mn0001576130/biography), then musicians like Kellner who played on countless pop records with added string sections would be "superstars of the music business." On records, Kellner accompanied everyone from Vernon Dalhart to Frank Sinatra and Doris Day. He was also a member of a Paul Whiteman-sponsored studio group called The Virginians. As a leader he made records in the 1920s for Edison with Murray Kellner's Dinner Music Ensemble, and later led dance music dates for Royale, which was probably where Sonora got the idea to record him. In the 1930s, rebounding from a bankruptcy, he started using the name Kel Murray. His first Sonora album came out under that name, but the full title—Kel Murray's Dinner Music—would have told older record buyers what to expect. He would return to the label in 1946, making 2 further albums under his real name.

Sonora scored a coup when it landed Robert Russell Bennett, a well-known arranger and conductor for Broadway shows, for a two-album deal. MS 468, Broadway Hits of Today, got a prompt release; MS 475, Broadway Hits of Yesterday, was held till 1945. Both consisted of instrumental renditions played by a large orchestra. Despite the absence of vocals, the Bennett albums moved Sonora a little closer to contemporary popular music. However, the label wasn't able to keep him. Bennett's services were in too much demand from RCA Victor and Columbia when those labels finally signed with the American Federation of Musicians.

In October 1944, when Billboard put out its Music Year Book, Sonora bought a full-page ad (p. 174) to promote the 10 albums that it had recorded and released since March of that year. Several more were already in the can, and the matrix numbers had already moved past 1600.


Stanislaw
A 1944 release, from the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Stanislaw Mroczek,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The Sonora 1000 Series (with 1500 series matrix numbers): Albums from 1944

Matrix Sonora # Album Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1500-1028 AMS 457-1Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersSong of the Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii)Feb-44Mar-44
1502-1028 BMS 457-2Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersYou Are Like a Beautiful Flower (Makalapua)

1501-1029 AMS 457-3Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersOne, Two, Three, Four

1503-1029 BMS 457-4Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersSweet Constancy (Ue Like Noa Like)

1504-1030 AMS 457-5Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersFarewell to Thee (Aloha Oe)

1505-1030 BMS 457-6Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersBeautiful Kahana

1506-1031 AMS 457-7Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersIsle of Golden Dreams

1507-1031 BMS 457-8Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersMaori Brown Eyes

1594-1032-AMS 458-1Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraVictory Polka
Aug-44
1589-11032-BMS 458-2Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraRuby Polka

1592-1033-AMS 458-3Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraBlackberry Polka

1591-1033-BMS 458-4Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraSaturday Night Polka

1590-11034-AMS 458-5Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraHelena Polka

1588-11034-BMS 458-6Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraMother Goose Polka

1587-21035-AMS 458-7Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraPennsylvania Polka

1593-1035-BMS 458-8Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraClarinet Polka

1543-21036 AMS 459-1Bob Stanley and his OrchestraSong of LoveFeb-44Mar-44
1540-21036 BMS 459-2Bob Stanley and his OrchestraLet Me Call You Sweetheart

1538-1037 AMS 459-3Bob Stanley and his OrchestraTwo Hearts in Waltz Time

1545-1037 BMS 459-4Bob Stanley and his OrchestraAlice Blue Gown

1539-1038 AMS 459-5Bob Stanley and his OrchestraMissouri Waltz

1544-1038 BMS 459-6Bob Stanley and his OrchestraBeautiful Ohio

1542-1039 AMS 459-7Bob Stanley and his OrchestraShadow Waltz

1541-21039 BMS 459-8Bob Stanley and his Orchestra"Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time"

1517-21040 AMS 460-1Pauline Alpert | PianistDream of a DollFeb-44Mar-44
1521-21040 BMS 460-2Pauline Alpert | PianistChopsticks

1516-1041 AMS 460-3Pauline Alpert | PianistWhere or When

1522-21041 BMS 460-4Pauline Alpert | PianistSweet Sue

1519-21042 AMS 460-5Pauline Alpert | PianistHungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Liszt)

1523-1042 BMS 460-6Pauline Alpert | PianistIn a Country Garden

1520-21043 AMS 460-7Pauline Alpert | PianistToy Trumpet

1518-11043 BMS 460-8Pauline Alpert | PianistParade of the Wooden Soldiers

1533-1044 AMS 452-1Uncle Don"Mary Had a Little Lamb; Little Bo Peep; Little Boy Blue; Baa Baa Black Sheep; Humpty Dumpty; Tom, Tom the Piper's Son; Jack and Jill"Feb-44Feb-44
1535-1044 BMS 452-2Uncle Don"Cock a Doodle Doo; Lazy Mary; Hot Cross Buns; To Market, to Market; Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been; Hickory Dickory Dock; Little Jack Horner; Sing a Song of Sixpence"

1536-21045 AMS 452-3Uncle DonOld King Cole; There Was a Little Woman; The Muffin Man; Bean Porridge; Alphabet Song; Three Blind Mice; Old Mother Hubbard

1537-11045 BMS 452-4Uncle DonThis Little Pig Went to Market; Pat a Cake; There Was a Little Girl; I Love Little Pussy; Goosey Goosey Gander; Ten Little Indians

1532-1046 AMS 452-5Uncle Don"The Farmer in the Dell; Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow; London Bridge Is Falling Down"

1534-1046 BMS 452-6Uncle DonHere We Go round the Mulberry Bush; A Tisket A Tasket; Ring around the Roses; Pop Goes the Weasel

1508-1047 AMS 271-1Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleShining Moon Medley (Swietit mieisiatz)Feb-44Mar-44
1509-1047 BMS 271-2Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleTwo Guitars (Dwie gitary)

1510-1048 AMS 271-3Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleDark Eyes (Otchi tchornie)

1514-1048 BMS 271-4Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleWhen a Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry

1511-1049 AMS 271-5Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleThe Only Girl (Chok Adge Kishlan)

1513-1049 BMS 271-6Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleA Gypsy's Dream (Adge Tsigan Alma)

1512-1050-AMS 271-7Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleWhen I Stroll Down Acatia Lane (Akatsosh Ut Ha Royta Medgyek Vedgyk En)

1515-1050 BMS 271-8Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy EnsembleWaiting for You

1549-1051-AMS 461-1Bob Stanley and OrchestraVoices of Spring
Jun-45
1550-21051-BMS 461-2Bob Stanley and OrchestraSouthern Roses

1552-1052-AMS 461-3Bob Stanley and OrchestraYou and You

1551-21052-BMS 461-4Bob Stanley and OrchestraEmperor Waltz

1547-21053-AMS 461-5Bob Stanley and OrchestraThousand and One Nights

1548-21053-BMS 461-6Bob Stanley and OrchestraBlue Danube

1553-21054-AMS 461-7Bob Stanley and Orchestra"Wine, Women and Song"

1546-31054-BMS 461-8Bob Stanley and OrchestraTales from the Vienna Woods

1554-1055-AMS 462-1Eddy Brown and EnsembleBerceuse (From "Jocelyn")
Dec-44
1555-1055-BMS 462-2Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Crys HollandMa Curly-Headed Baby

1558-11056-AMS 462-3Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean MerrillBrahms' Lullaby

1556-21056-BMS 462-4Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Crys HollandLove's Old Sweet Song

1559-1057-AMS 462-5Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean MerrillLullaby from "Ermine"

1557-21057-BMS 462-6Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean MerrillSweet and Low

1560-1058-AMS 462-7Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean MerrillThat's an Irish Lullaby

1561-11058-BMS 462-8Eddy Brown and EnsembleSleep Baby Sleep

1563-11059-AMS 463-1Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Bob LidoBesame Mucho-Bolero
Jun-44
1565-21059-BMS 463-2Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita RosaComo Tru-Cu-Tu-Rhumba
Jun-44
1564-21060-AMS 463-3Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita RosaChiu Chiu-Rhumba
Jun-44
1566-21060-BMS 463-4Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita Rosa and Bob LidoI'm Living from Kiss to Kiss-Beguine
Jun-44
1569-21061-AMS 463-5Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Patricia GilmoreCansado (I'm So Tired)-Rhumba
Jun-44
1570-21061-BMS 463-6Enric Madriguera and OrchestraOs Quindis de Yaya-Samba
Jun-44
1567-1062-AMS 463-7Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita RosaCae Cae-Samba
Jun-44
1568-1062-BMS 463-8Enric Madriguera and OrchestraLlumbele-Guarracha
Jun-44
1585-1063-AMS 464-1"Red River Dave" and OrchestraIs the Range Still the Same Back Home
Aug-44
1586-1063-BMS 464-2"Red River Dave" and OrchestraHome on the Range

1582-21064-AMS 464-3"Red River Dave" and OrchestraThe Last Round-Up

1580-1064-BMS 464-4"Red River Dave" and OrchestraWagon Trail

1579-1065-AMS 464-5"Red River Dave" and OrchestraOle Faithful

1583-1065-BMS 464-6"Red River Dave" and OrchestraTake Me Back to My Boots and Saddle

1584-1066-AMS 464-7"""Red River Dave"" and Orchestra"Empty Saddles

1581-1066-BMS 464-8"Red River Dave" and OrchestraRed River Valley

1575-11067-AMS 465-1Frank Connors and OrchestraMy Wild Irish Rose
Oct-44
1571-21067-BMS 465-2Frank Connors and OrchestraI'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
Oct-44
1573-21068-AMS 465-3Frank Connors and OrchestraYou're Irish and You're Beautiful
Oct-44
1576-21068-BMS 465-4Frank Connors and OrchestraMother Machree
Oct-44
1578-31069-AMS 465-5Frank Connors and OrchestraWhen Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Oct-44
15771069-BMS 465-6Frank Connors and OrchestraA Little Bit of Heaven
Oct-44
15741070-AMS 465-7Frank Connors and OrchestraRose of Tralee
Oct-44
1572-11070-BMS 465-8Frank Connors and OrchestraLittle Town in Ould County Down
Oct-44
1597-21071-AMS 466-1Bob Stanley and his OrchestraGold and Silver-Waltz

16011071-BMS 466-2Bob Stanley and his OrchestraGypsy Love-Waltz

15981072-AMS 466-3Bob Stanley and his OrchestraVienna Beauties-Waltz

16001072-BMS 466-4Bob Stanley and his OrchestraCount of Luxembourg Waltz

1599-21073-AMS 466-5Bob Stanley and his OrchestraMerry Widow-Waltz

16021073-BMS 466-6Bob Stanley and his OrchestraDolores-Waltz

1596-21074-AMS 466-7Bob Stanley and his OrchestraEstudiantina Waltz

1595-11074-BMS 466-8Bob Stanley and his OrchestraSari Waltz

16231075-AMS 467-1Kel Murray and his OrchestraAndante Cantabile (Tschaikowsky)
Jan-45
16251075-BMS 467-2Kel Murray and his OrchestraSouvenir (Drdla)

1621-11076-AMS 467-3Kel Murray and his OrchestraTraumerei (Reverie) (Schumann)

16201076-BMS 467-4Kel Murray and his OrchestraIntermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana" (Mascagni)

16221077-AMS 467-5Kel Murray and his OrchestraTo a Wild Rose (MacDowell)

1626-21077-BMS 467-6Kel Murray and his OrchestraNone but the Lonely Heart (Tschaikowsky)

16241078-AMS 467-7Kel Murray and his OrchestraMinuet in G Major (Paderewski)

1619-11078-BMS 467-8Kel Murray and his OrchestraSerenade (Rimpianto) (Toselli)

16111079-AMS 468-1Russell Bennett and his OrchestraI Love You
Oct-44
16061079-BMS 468-2Russell Bennett and his OrchestraYou Are Love
Oct-44
1612-21080-AMS 468-3Russell Bennett and his OrchestraOh What a Beautiful Morning
Oct-44
1607-31080-BMS 468-4Russell Bennett and his OrchestraSummertime
Oct-44
16131081-AMS 468-5Russell Bennett and his OrchestraSpeak Low
Oct-44
16081081-BMS 468-6Russell Bennett and his OrchestraWhy Do I Love You
Oct-44
1615-21082-AMS 468-7Russell Bennett and his OrchestraSurrey with the Fringe on Top
Oct-44
16051082-BMS 468-8Russell Bennett and his OrchestraThou Swell
Oct-44
16291083-AMS 469-1Ben Yost SingersDrink Songs
Dec-45
1628-21083-BMS 469-2Ben Yost SingersFlower Song

1630-11084-AMS 469-3Ben Yost SingersHoliday Songs

16321084-BMS 469-4Ben Yost SingersSweetheart Songs

16271085-AMS 469-5Ben Yost SingersNew York Songs

16331085-BMS 469-6Ben Yost SingersIrish Songs

16311086-AMS 469-7Ben Yost SingersFavorite Songs

16341086-BMS 469-8Ben Yost SingersDrama Songs


Album production continued into 1945, albeit at a slower pace now that Sonora had put itself on the map.

During the first half of the year, a string orchestra led by Kel Murray put out an album of light classics (MS 467), and the Ben Yost Singers did a nostalgic assortment (MS 469) of barbershop quartet numbers. There were sequels by Lani McIntire (MS 471; "Drowsy Waters" is the title that tells you all you need to know) and Frank Connors (MS 472).

The most important new artist signed to the label, however, was Mark Warnow (1900-1949), a violinist who, since 1939, had been leading the orchestra on the CBS radio show Your Hit Parade. Warnow's album, released to much fanfare in February 1945, featured two pop singers (Jerry Wayne and Vera Barton) and a repertoire that the company obviously wanted to explore further: current pop hits and standards.

On July 14, 1945, Billboard announced that Sonora had a pressing plant up and running in Meriden, Connecticut (p. 16); the plant had been in the works for about a year. That summer, the company seems to have concentrated on getting everything up to speed at the plant, perhaps also on gearing up for the changes planned for the fall; no new recording took place.

By the middle of 1945, Sonora had released 19 albums of new material. The company would ultimately be responsible for 50, according to Billboard magazine (November 29, 1947, p. 20). Nearly all were of the 4-pocket variety. Albums in Sonora's children's series (e.g., Uncle Don at the Zoo) were normally restricted to 3 pockets, but there were four "envelopes" with room for two 78s (each also, as it turns out, by Uncle Don).


The Sonora 1000 Series: Albums from 1945

Matrix Sonora # Album Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1646-21087-AMS 470-1Jerry Wayne | Mark Warnow and his OrchestraLet's Take the Long Way Home
Feb-45
1647-21087-BMS 470-2Jerry Wayne | Mark Warnow and his OrchestraI Didn't Know about You
Feb-45
1645-11088-AMS 470-3Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera BartonI'm Making Believe
Feb-45
1650-21088-BMS 470-4Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera BartonI'll Walk Alone
Feb-45
1649-21089-AMS-470-5Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Jerry WayneAc-Cent-Tchuate the Positive
Feb-45
1644-21089-BMS 470-6Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Jerry WayneThe Very Thought of You
Feb-45
1651-11090-AMS 470-7Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera BartonEvery Time We Say Goodbye
Feb-45
1648-11090-BMS 470-8Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera BartonTime Waits for No One
Feb-45
16381091-AMS 471-1Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Vocal by Lani McIntireMoonlight in Hawaii

16351091-BMS 471-2Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersDrowsy Waters (Wailana)

1639-11092-AMS 471-3Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Vocal by Lani McIntireDreams of Old Hawaii

16371092-BMS 471-4Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersKilima Waltz

1643-11093-AMS 471-5Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Vocal by Lani McIntireHawaiian Sunset

1636-11093-BMS 471-6Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersHilo March

16411094-AMS 471-7"Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Lani McIntire, Leilani Iaea | Samson Akaka"Ma Poina Oe Ia'u (Forget Me Not)

16421094-BMS 471-8Lani McIntire and his Aloha IslandersParadise Isle

1655-21095-AMS 472-1Frank Connors and OrchestraOh Promise Me
Oct-45
1653-21095-BMS 472-2Frank Connors and OrchestraAt Dawning

1652-21096-AMS 472-3Frank Connors and OrchestraWhen I Grow Too Old to Dream

1656-11096-BMS 472-4Frank Connors and OrchestraLove Here Is My Heart

1654-21097-AMS 472-5Frank Connors and OrchestraA Little Love A Little Kiss

1657-11097-BMS 472-6Frank Connors and OrchestraSilver Threads among the Gold

1659-1X1098-AMS 472-7Frank Connors and OrchestraI Love You Truly

1658-11098-BMS 472-8Frank Connors and OrchestraLove's Old Sweet Song

1660-21099-AMS 473-1Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott)Adeste Fideles
Nov-45
1663-21099-BMS 473-2Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott)Good King Wenceslas; Tannenbaum; Deck the Hall

1661-21100-AMS 473-3Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott)Silent Night

1665-21100-BMS 473-4Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott)Joy to the World; It Came upon the Midnight Clear; Hark the Herald Angels Sing

1662-21101-AMS 473-5Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott)The First Nowell; Away in the Manger

1664-21101-BMS 473-6Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott)"O' Little Town of Bethlehem; God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen"

1666-11102-AMS 474-1Uncle DonJack Sprat; Taffy; One, Two, Buckle My Shoe; Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling; Thirty Days Has September; Nephew of Mine
Oct-45

1102-BMS 474-2Uncle DonLittle Polly Flinders; Ride a Cock Horse; Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary; When; Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater; Simple Simon

1668-11103-AMS 474-3Uncle DonLittle Tommy Tucker; Sneezing; Curly Locks; I Sell Sea Shells; I Saw a Ship A-Sailing; What Are Little Boys Made of; Wee Willie Winkie


1103-BMS 474-4Uncle DonThe Frog Went A-Courtin'; Three Little Kittens


1104-AMS 474-5Uncle DonThere Was an Old Woman; A Bunch of Blue Ribbons; Little Robin Red Breast; Peter Piper


1104-BMS 474-6Uncle Don"Tweedle-Dee, Tweedle-Dum; One Grasshopper Jumped over the Other Grasshopper's Back; The Green Grass Grew All Around"

1609-1105-AMS 475-1Russell Bennett and his OrchestraWith a Song in My Heart

1614-21105-BMS 475-2Russell Bennett and his OrchestraHoops

1604-1106-AMS 475-3Russell Bennett and his OrchestraSoft Lights and Sweet Music

1616-11106-BMS 475-4Russell Bennett and his OrchestraOf Thee I Sing - Overture

1610-21107-AMS 475-5Russell Bennett and his OrchestraWhat Is This Thing Called Love

1617-11107-BMS 475-6Russell Bennett and his OrchestraThe Song Is You

1618x1108-AMS 475-7Russell Bennett and his Orchestra"Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise"

1603-21108-BMS 475-8Russell Bennett and his OrchestraRose Marie - Overture

1678-11109-AMS 476-1Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteLittle Brown JugSep-45Mar-46
1677-11109-BMS 476-2Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteGolden Wedding (La Cinquantaine)Sep-45
1676-21110-AMS 476-3Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteLeone JumpSep-45
1675-11110-BMS 476-4Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteSwing Low Sweet ChariotSep-45
1680-21111-AMS 476-5Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteThat's a PlentySep-45
1681-21111-BMS 476-6Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteScotch MedleySep-45
1674-21112-AMS 476-7Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteThe Jazz Me BluesSep-45
1679-21112-BMS 476-8Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm SextetteNursery RhymesSep-45

Yenning the Pops: 1945-1946

Press coverage during 1944 and the first half of 1945 had pegged Sonora exclusively as a maker of albums. But on October 20, 1945, Billboard told its readers how "Sonora Yens Pops, Too." "Up to now confined to albums, Sonora aims to take full advantage of its radio and tele backing and make a play for single-disk selling" (p. 20).

Sonora had now signed Mark Warnow and singer Dick Todd to five-year contracts (!) and was planning to increase its production significantly after January 1, 1946. Recording resumed in September 1945, around 1660 in the company's matrix series. Two new series of singles were rolled out in November: the 3000 series was launched with a Christmas record by—who else?—Warnow and Todd, and an H7000 Hillbilly series opened for business with H7001 by Fred Kirby.

Preparing for the two new series, the company adjusted its Sonora with bell logo to lighten it up, reducing the thickness of the lettering and removing the double bell outline, took some scrollwork off each side of the label, and altered the gold rim, otherwise keeping the same basic red-label design. Even after the revamp, the label had a distinctly retro look.

Initially meant as a pop series, the 3000s eventually came to include jazz combo and big band releases, along with Latin and polka sides; they would top out at 3045. Country and Western singles in the H7000 series went on for something like 45 releases (the last that we have heard of was H7049).

Finally, in October 1946, Sonora added a 100 series for R&B; this got as far as 16 or 17 releases.


Sonora Choristers,
An old Sonora label on one side. From the collection of Steve G.

The first session in September 1945 produced MS-473, an album of Christmas carols by the Sonora Choristers, under the direction of Eugene Mott. Some disks from set show the old Sonora label and some show the new.


Sonora Choristers,
And a new label on the other. From the collection of Steve G.

Next up was Mark Warnow, including Sonora 3000 with Dick Todd; this was the first session in the 1500 series not to be released on an album. (Despite the hoopla about a five-year contract, Warnow would make this session and just one more before he either asked to be released or Sonora lost interest in him.)


Joe Biviano,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Joe Biviano,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Also cutting in September 1945 was the very first combo with some jazz interest to record for the company. It was an unlikely ensemble: three accordions, two guitars, and bass. The group was led by the accordion virtuoso Joe Biviano, who seemed to like nearly any kind of music. He had already appeared at the first Carnegie Hall concert to feature accordion soloists, back in 1938. His "Rhythm Sextette" (Biviano, John Serry, and Angelo Dellaira, accordions; Tony Mottola and Tony Colucci, guitars; and Ward Lay, bass) played in a style between Western Swing and the unmodified variety: "That's a Plenty," "The Jazz Me Blues," and a Swing original called "Leone Jump" were 3 of the titles recorded. All 8 appeared on the Accordion Capers album (MS 476); "Little Brown Jug" and "Leone Jump" were also selected for single release on Sonora 3001. Biviano was one of those multi-genre musicians, like guitarist and violinist Remo Biondi, whose work has received insufficiant attention from jazz fans.

Before the 1945 was out, Sonora added another Uncle Don album (MS 474, the usual 3 78s), recorded a set of spirituals sung by Kenneth Spencer (MS 478), and another batch of titles by Vera Barton accompanied by Mark Warnow (released on Sonora 3002 and 3005). The main matrix series had now reached up to the 1690s.

Sonora also picked up several Country and Western artists from radio station WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina: Fred Kirby, The Carolina Playboys, and Whitey & Hogan. Their first sessions were recorded for Sonora at the WBT studios, and carried matrix numbers in a separate 500 series (occasionally prefixed with an RR instead of the Sonoran SR). Although the WBT affiliations were displayed on the labels of many of their Sonora releases, the Country recordings in the 500 matrix series ended at 523, and subsequent sessions, cut at Sonora's customary venues, were given numbers in the main 1500 series. The Fred Kirby discography by Tony Russell, Praguefrank, Mario Manciotti, and Murray Kirch (http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2014/12/fred-kirby.html) agrees with our assessment of what that means, putting Kirby's first session for Sonora at WBT Studios, and the second, third, and fourth at WOR Studios in New York City.

Fred Kirby was born Frederick Austin Kirby, in Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 19, 1910. He began working on radio in 1931, for WIS in Columbia, South Carolina, but quickly moved to WBT in Charlotte, where he appared on Briarhopper Time and Crazy Barn Dance (John W. Rumble, "Fred Kirby," Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2nd edition, p. 268). His recording career began in September 1932, when he cut duets with steel guitar player Cliff Carlisle at four New York sessions spread out over a week. Three sides were released on Conqueror. From 1936 through 1938, Kirby was under contract to RCA Victor, recording a slew of sides over 9 sessions. Most were done with steel guitar player Don White, but some added other musicians. Some were released on Bluebird, others on the Montgomery Ward label. During this period he spent time at WLW in Cincinnati and WLS in Chicago. During World War II, he was based in Saint Louis, where he was called the Victory Cowboy because of his appearances at war bond rallies. When Kirby signed with Sonora, he was recently back at WBT with his own show, he was on his third record company and it had been seven years since his last commercial recording. Personnel on his first session was Fred Kirby (guitar, vocals), Don White (steel guitar), probably Arval Hogan (mandolin, vocal), probably Roy "Whitey" Grant (guitar, vocal), and other musicians.

The Carolina Playboys recorded only for Sonora. That's because they were an all-star group of performers associated with WBT, and three of them (initially) were under their own contracts to the company. The core of the group was Fred Kirby (guitar, vocal), Walden Whystell aka Don White (steel guitar, vocal), Arval Albert Hogan (mandolin, vocal), and Roy "Whitey" Grant (guitar, vocal)—three of these names should already be familiar. The Playboys' three sessions for are all said to have been done at WBT, but why the Playboys would have insisted on staying in Charlotte when several of the group's members were going to New York to record is unclear (see Dick Grant's discography at http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2015/11/carolina-playboys-by-dick-grant.html).

Fred Kirby and the Carolina Playboys made their first sides in batches of 8, as though album releases were planned on each. Only Fred Kirby actually ended up getting one (MS 477). The Kirby album was heavy on sentimental, old-timey material. The Playboys got 4 singles out of their first session (H 7002 and 7005-7007); Whitey and Hogan got two (H 7003 and 7004) from a four-tune outing.

Whitey and Hogan were Roy Grant and Arval Hogan. Roy Grant was born in Shelby, North Carolina on April 7, 1916; Arval Hogan on July 24, 1911 in Robbinsville, North Carolina. They began working as a duo in 1935, when both were working at the same mill in Gastonia, North Carolina, and did their first radio work for WSPA in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They made their first recordings in 1939, when, working as a duo, they laid down 16 sides in a single day for Decca in New York. All 16 were released. In 1941, they began working for WBT. Their four-tune session for Sonora, again as a duo, was their second under their own names (see the discography by Dick Grant, Dave Sax, Al Turner, Tony Russell, Mario Manciotti and Praguefrank at http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2014/12/whitey-and-hogan-briarhoppers.html).

While continuing to record with the Carolina Playboys and behind Fred Kirby, Whitey and Hogan appear to have let their own contracts lapse. In January 1947, they were in Linden, New Jersey, doing 4 tunes for DeLuxe; a second session followed in November. DeLuxe 5023, from their first session, billed them as Whitey & Hogan | Charlotte, North Carolina. 5038, from their second, was credited to Whitey & Hogan and The Farmhands. Toward the end of 1948, adding a third member, they cut a single for the Philadelphia-based Cowboy label. In later years Whitey and Hogan made a series of LPs for Old Homestead (2 LPs in 1977) and 4 LPs and a CD for Lamon (over a series of sessions starting in 1980 and ending in the 1990s), all as leaders of various Briarhopper groups. They retired from performing in 2001, after 66 years. Arval Hogan died in Charlotte on September 12, 2003, and Whitey Grant died in Charlotte on September 17, 2010.


The Sonora 3000 Pop Series: 1945-1946

Matrix Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1672-43000-A
Mark Warnow — Dick Todd | Hit Parade Orch. and ChorusAll around the Xmas TreeSep-45Nov-45
1673-23000-B
Mark Warnow — Dick Todd | Hit Parade Orch. and ChorusHappy Little SongsSep-45Nov-45
1678-13001-A
Joe BivianoLittle Brown JugSep-45Dec-45
1676-23001-B
Joe BivianoLeone JumpSep-45Dec-45
1690-23002-A
Mark Warnow and his Orch. | Presenting Vera BartonSlowly
Feb-46
1692-23002-B
Mark Warnow and his Orch. | Presenting Vera BartonTake All
Feb-46
525-A3003-A
Raymond Scott and His OrchestraEnchanted Forest

P 340493003-B
Raymond Scott and His OrchestraToonerville Trolley

1703-23004-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Lora JamisonAzusa

1705-23004-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Laura ButlerI Didn't Mean a Word I Said

1693-23005-A
Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Presenting - Vera BartonI'll Be Yours (J'Attendrai)

1691-33005-B
Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Presenting - Vera BartonStarlit Reverie

1704-23006-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Larry ButlerYou Haven't Changed At All
May-46
1702-23006-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Larry ButlerIt Couldn't Be True (Or Could it?)
May-46
1717-23007-A
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Anne RussellLaughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside)Feb-46May-46
1715-23007-B
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Anne RussellThey Say It's WonderfulFeb-46May-46
526-3008-A
Raymond Scott and His OrchestraMagic Garden
Jul-46
527-3008-B
Raymond Scott and His OrchestraMr. Basie Goes to Washington
Jul-46
1729-23009-A
Bob Stanley and OrchestraTill We Meet AgainMar-46Jun-46
1728-23009-B
Bob Stanley and OrchestraGirl of My DreamsMar-46Jun-46
1775-23010-A
The VelvetonesPittsburgh JoeMay-46Jul-46
1774-23010-B
The VelvetonesIt's Written All Over Your FaceMay-46Jul-46
1777-13011-A
Bob Chester and his Orchestra | Vocal - Lou GardnerSurrenderMay-46Jul-46
1779-13011-B
Bob Chester and his Orchestra | Vocal - Lou GardnerIf You Were the Only GirlMay-46Jul-46
1772-23012-A
The VelvetonesIt Just Ain't RightMay-46Jul-46
1773-23012-B
The VelvetonesReverse the ChargesMay-46Jul-46
1817-23013-A
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David RhodesSomewhere in the Night
Aug-46
1818-23013-B
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David RhodesThis Is Always
Aug-46
1809-23014-A
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Mary NashYour Conscience Tells YouJun-46Sep-46
1810-23014-B
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Mary NashLazy LullabyJun-46Sep-46
1727-23015-A
Bob Stanley and OrchestraMeet Me Tonight in DreamlandMar-46Jun-46
1726-23015-B
Bob Stanley and OrchestraCarolina MoonMar-46Jun-46
1811-13016-A
Jerry Wald OrchestraDiga Diga DooJun-46Jul-46
1812-23016-B
Jerry Wald OrchestraRumba FantasyJun-46Jul-46
1776-13017-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal - Lou Gardner"Linger in My Arms a Little Longer, Baby"May-46Aug-46
1778-23017-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal - Peter DeanShort TalkMay-46Aug-46
1854-23018-A
Bob Chester and his OrchestraThe Octave JumpSep-46
1853-23018-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal - Lou GardnerSomeday (You'll Want Me to Want You)Sep-46
1820-13019-A
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David RhodesI Get the Blues When It Rains
Sep-46
1819-13019-B
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David RhodesSmart Little Fool
Sep-46

3020-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal by Lou GardnerYears and Years Ago
Oct-46

3020-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal by Lou GardnerWhen You Make Love to Me
Oct-46
1824-23021-A
Joe Biviano QuintetteCopenhagenJul-46Sep-46
1821-33021-B
Joe Biviano QuintetteHoneysuckle RoseJul-46Sep-46
1863-23022-A
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Bob KirkBless You (For Being an Angel)Sep-46Oct-46
1864-23022-B
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Bob KirkAmong My SouvenirsSep-46Oct-46
1822-13023-A
Joe Biviano QuintetteBugle Call RagJul-46Aug-46
1823-33023-B
Joe Biviano QuintetteStumblingJul-46Aug-46
1860-13024-A
Coleman Hawkins and Orch.Cocktails for TwoSep-46Nov-46
1858-23024-B
Coieman Hawkins and Orch.Bean and the BoysSep-46Nov-46
1876-13025-A
Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors | Vocal - Hector Rivera"Cu-Tu-Gu-Ru (Jack, Jack, Jack!)"Sep-46Jan-47
1874-13025-B
Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors | Vocal - Hector RiveraPor Causa de las Muieres [sic]Sep-46Jan-47
1827-13026-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Don GradyThe Old Lamp-LighterJul-46Aug-46

3026-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Don GradyRumors Are Flying
Aug-46
1859-13027-A
Coieman Hawkins and Orch.You Go to My HeadSep-46Oct-46
1857-13027-B
Coieman Hawkins and Orch.I Mean YouSep-46Oct-46
1861-23028-A
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Bob KirkThere Is No Breeze (To Cool the Flame of Love)Sep-46Oct-46
1862-23028-B
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Walter KingDo It AgainSep-46Oct-46
1826-23029-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Saxie DowellRugged but RightJul-46Aug-46
1825-23029-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Saxie Dowell"She Told Him Emphatically ""No!"""Jul-46Aug-46
1904-13030-A
Stanislaw Mroczek and his OrchestraWarsaw PolkaOct-46Feb-47
1902-13030-B
Stanislaw Mroczek and his OrchestraPolka to the LeftOct-46Feb-47

3031-A
Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors | Vocal Hector RiveraMi Bumba Ne
Nov-46

3031-B
Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors | Vocal Hector RiveraRumbomba
Nov-46
1966-13032-A
The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality"Managua, Nicaragua"Nov-46Jan-47
1965-13032-B
The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityJealousNov-46Jan-47
1903-13033-A
Stanislaw Mroczek and his OrchestraAccordion PolkaOct-46
1901-13033-B
Stanislaw Mroczek and his OrchestraBeggar's PolkaOct-46
1917-13034-A
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal - Billy JohnsonI'll Close My EyesOct-46Nov-46
1918-13034-B
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal by EnsembleMargieOct-46Nov-46
1963-23035-A
The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityCaravanNov-46Jan-47
1964-13035-B
The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityLullaby of the LeavesNov-46Jan-47
1936-13036-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Suzanne Shepard Don GradyIt's DreamtimeOct-46Jan-47
1937-23036-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Saxie DowellAll I've Got Is MeOct-46Jan-47
1920-13037-A
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal - Billy JohnsonIsn't This Better than Walkin' in the RainOct-46Nov-46
1919-13037-B
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal - Dee KeatingPlease Be KindOct-46Nov-46

Sonora was now entering its year of peak activity, laying down 276 masters in its main 1500 series. During the first half of 1946, the company recorded and released a wide array of music.

Ed Durlacher and his Top Hands produced album of square dance tunes, performed by a string band with a fiddler who doubled on alto saxophone. There was lots of calling by Durlacher.

Sonora signed Bob Chester, a tenor saxophonist from Detroit. Born on March 20, 1908, Chester was the stepson of the man who ran Fisher Body Works for General Motors. He worked for Ben Bernie, Irving Aaronson, and Ben Pollack before starting his own band in Detroit around the beginning of 1939; it was not commercially successful. But by midyear, he launched a new band on the East Coast that got the engagements and appeared on the radio. In fact, Chester got a recording deal with Bluebird that put his band in the studio nearly once a month for three years, starting in July 1939. Initially a follower of the Glenn Miller formula, Chester had gradually incorporated "hotter" elements into his presentation. Chester's last two sessions before the first Petrillo ban hit, in May and June 1942, included arranger Paul Jordan playing piano. He formed a new band early in 1944, with Teddy Napoleon at the piano, and signed with Hit. At the end of 1944, he disbanded, in part because of a dispute with his agents at MCA, and took a hiatus; then he put a new band together in March 1945. In January 1946 Chester signed with Sonora. Sonora 3004 featured crooner Larry Butler on one side, and slick chick Lora Jamison on the other; both sides were fairly peppy Swing numbers. The other two sides from the session, both with drippy vocals by Butler, were released on Sonora 3006. (Tom Lord's Jazz Discography purposely leaves out Chester's sessions for Hit and Sonora, on the grounds that they had less jazz content than his Bluebirds. We are skeptical, since Bluebird obviously preferred numbers with vocalists—and got them at least 75% of the time.)

And the company put out 4 sides by a big band led by musical visionary Raymond Scott. From 1942 through 1944, Scott had been the music director and bandleader for CBS radio; unusually for the time, his studio band was integrated, and several name jazz musicians were featured (such as Charlie Shavers on trumpet).

Raymond Scott's real name was Harry Warnow. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 10, 1908, he was the younger brother of Mark Warnow, who had been born before Joseph and Sarah Warnow emigrated from Ukraine (then part of the Russian empire). Harry Warnow graduated from the Juilliard School of Music in 1931 and took a job playing piano with the CBS radio band, which was led by his older brother. He took the name Raymond Scott when the band began playing his compositions. From 1937 through 1939, he led the Raymond Scott "Quintette" (there were actually six in the combo), which drew most of its members from the CBS band. Drawing inspiration from jazz (though the final versions of the pieces did not include improvising) and from the classics, Scott recorded for Irving Mills' Master label, where he scored several hits. In the 1940s, many of these pieces were used in Warner Brothers cartoons, considerably expanding his audience. In 1939, Scott started a big band, then in 1942, he took over the CBS radio band, leaving in 1944 to pursue other projects (such as writing a Broadway musical).

Mark Warnow probably recommended Scott to Sonora. Three of the sides that were released on Sonora 3003 and 3008 carried matrix numbers in the 500s, indicating that they had been recorded by the radio network. A fourth carried a matrix number in a different series, indicating that Scott had recorded it himself and brought the master to Sonora.

Raymond Scott did not continue with Sonora, most likely because he lost interest in leading a big band. In 1948, he started a new "quintette," which appeared on a CBS radio show, and released some recordings of it on a new Master label. In 1949, after the death of his brother, he took over as the bandleader for Your Hit Parade, which in 1950 moved to NBC TV. The show, which ran through 1957, paid him very well. He was no longer interested in pop, so he plowed the money into his research on electronic music. In his later years, Scott worked on such instruments as the Clavivox and the Electronium, which in time were overshadowed by the Moog and other synthesizers; the main outlet for his electronic music was TV and radio commercials. He became increasingly reclusive, and in 1987 suffered a disabling stroke. In 1992, there was a major revival of interest in his music, sparked by a Sony CD of his Quintette recordings produced by Irwin Chusid. Raymond Scott died in North Hills, California, on February 8, 1994.

A Musical Bouquet, still another album by the prolific Bob Stanley consisted of standards ("Pretty Little Poppy," "Lilacs in the Rain") whose titles referred to flowers.

The company made a jazz pickup when it signed clarinetist Jerry Wald, a disciple of Artie Shaw's who had started his own big band. Wald was frequently written up in Billboard during this period, though the entertainment scribes thought that his orchestra lacked a strong enough commercial profile (the usual advice was to hire singers who pleased bigger crowds). The first release, on Sonora 3007, featured a female vocalist, Anne Russell, singing standards. Even when oriented toward the pop market, Wald's records typically featured two or three jazz solos, including one by the leader.


The Sonora H 7000 Country and Western Series: 1945-1946

Matrix Sonora Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
500-3H 7001-AFred Kirby of the W B T's BriarhoppersWhen It's Reveille Time in HeavenFall 1945Dec-45
507-2H 7001-BFred Kirby of the W B T's BriarhoppersSomewhere a Heart Is BreakingFall 1945Dec-45
508-2H 7002-AThe Carolina PlayboysGold on the RainbowFall 1945Dec-45
511-2H 7002-BThe Carolina PlayboysBe My Darlin'Fall 1945Dec-45
519-2H 7003-AWhitey & HoganI'm Longing for My Sweetheart

516-1H 7003-BWhitey & HoganTalking to Mother

517-1H 7004-AWhitey & Hogan of W B T's BriarhoppersHave I Told You Lately That I Love You

518-1H 7004-BWhitey & Hogan of W B T's BriarhoppersMama I'm Sick

515-2H 7005-AThe Carolina PlayboysThe Precious JewelFall 1945Apr-46
509-3H 7005-BThe Carolina PlayboysThere's a New Moon over My ShoulderFall 1945Apr-46
510-2H 7006-AThe Carolina PlayboysFort Worth JailFall 1945Apr-46
513-3H 7006-BThe Carolina PlayboysEach Minute Seems a Million YearsFall 1945Apr-46
514-2H 7007-AThe Carolina PlayboysPlant Some Flowers on My GraveFall 1945Apr-46
512-2H 7007-BThe Carolina PlayboysI Want to Live and LoveFall 1945Apr-46
1718-2H 7008-AFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp.Atomic PowerFeb-46May-46
1720-2H 7008-BFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp.Honey Be My Honey Bee (The Honey Bee Song)Feb-46May-46
1719-2H 7009-AFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp.My War-Torn HeartFeb-46Jul-46
1721-2H 7009-BFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp.I've Been a Fool Too Often and Too LongFeb-46Jul-46
1722-2H 7010-AThe Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp.I Want to Be a Cowboy's SweetheartFeb-46Apr-46
1724-2H 7010-BThe Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp.Ridin' Down That Old Texas TrailFeb-46Apr-46
1725-2H 7011-AThe Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp.Palace in DallasFeb-46Apr-46
1723-2H 7011-BThe Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp.Chime BellsFeb-46Apr-46
1731-2H 7012-AJesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.When the Sun Goes DownMar-46
1730-2H 7012-BJesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.I Love the Name of TexasMar-46
1733-2H 7013-AJesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.He's Tall in the SaddleMar-46Jul-46
1732-2H 7013-BJesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.When It's Sundown in Old San AntonioMar-46Jul-46
1738-2H 7014-AJesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.Cowboy's HeavenMar-46Jul-46
1743-2H 7014-BJesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.My Lop-Eared MuleMar-46Jul-46
1748-2H 7015-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Let's Be Sweethearts AgainApr-46Jul-46
1746-2H 7015-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Forget & ForgiveApr-46Jul-46
1744-3H 7016-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.I Can't Believe It's TrueApr-46Jul-46
1750-1H 7016-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Baby You Gotta Quit That NoiseApr-46Jul-46
1747-2H 7017-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.I'll Get You Back SomehowApr-46Jul-46
1745-3H 7017-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.So Long to My Little Ole HomesteadApr-46Jul-46
1749-2H 7018-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Don't Cry over Me When I'm GoneApr-46Jul-46
1751-2H 7018-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.It Makes No Never MindApr-46Jul-46
1761-2H 7019-AThe Moore SistersBoogie-Woogie CowboyMay-46Jul-46
1760-1H 7019-BThe Moore SistersThe Cowpuncher's WaltzMay-46Jul-46
1763-2H 7020-AThe Moore SistersGoin' Down to Santa Fe TownMay-46Jul-46
1762-2H 7020-BThe Moore SistersHeart in the Heart of TexasMay-46Jul-46

H 7021-AStu Davis and the NorthwestersRainbow at MidnightSep-46Dec-46

H 7021-BStu Davis and the NorthwestersThe Bottom Fell out of the SkySep-46Dec-46
1813-2H 7022-AHal Horton With Orch. Accomp.Dreamy Rio GrandeJul-46Aug-46
1814-1H 7022-BHal Horton With Orch. Accomp.Rhythm in the HillsJul-46Aug-46
1942-1H 7023-AFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersThat's How Much I Love YouDec-46
1946-1H 7023-BFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersAfter All These YearsDec-46
1879-2H 7024-AStu Davis and the NorthwestersI Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode AwaySep-46Nov-46
1880-2H 7024-BStu Davis and the NorthwestersI Can Beat You Doin' (What You're Doin' to Me)Sep-46Nov-46
1816-1H 7025-AHal Horton With Orch. Accomp.Blue Texas MoonlightJul-46Aug-46
1815-2H 7025-BHal Horton With Orch. Accomp.Gotta Get Together with My GalJul-46Aug-46
1951-1H 7026-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Divorce Me C. O. D.Dec-46Jan-47
1948-1H 7026-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.I Love You Mary LouDec-46Jan-47
1878-2H 7027-AStu Davis and the Northwesters"Land, Sky and Water"Sep-46
1877-3H 7027-BStu Davis and the Northwesters"Darlin', Now I Know the Reason Why"Sep-46
1890-2H 7028-AThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosChoo Choo Ch'BoogieOct-46Nov-46
1889-2H 7028-BThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosI Betcha My Heart I Love YouOct-46Nov-46
1865-1H 7029-AStu Davis and the NorthwestersWhat a Fool I WasSep-46
1868-3H 7029-BStu Davis and the NorthwestersCrossroadsSep-46
1885-2H 7030-AAlice Cornett with the Glory Road TravelersThe Old Rugged CrossOct-46Apr-47
1887-1H 7030-BAlice Cornett with the Glory Road TravelersJesus Hold My HandOct-46Apr-47
1894-1H 7031-AThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosMissouriOct-46Dec-46
1895-1H 7031-BThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosBlueberry LaneOct-46Dec-46

H 7032-AJesse Rogers and the Pecos PioneersGo West Young Man, Go West

1927-1H 7032-BJesse Rogers and the Pecos PioneersDays Are Long—Nights Are LonelyNov-46
1891-2H 7033-AThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosInflationOct-46Jan-47
1893-2H 7033-BThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosRose of the AlamoOct-46Jan-47

H 7034-AAlice CornettI'll Meet You in the Morning
Mar-47

H 7034-BAlice CornettIn the Garden
Mar-47
1896-1H 7035-AThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosMet a Texas Gal (In Cal-i-for-ni-a)Oct-46Feb-47
1892-1H 7035-BThe Moore Sisters with the Big BuckaroosIda-IdahoOct-46Feb-47
1925-1H 7036-AJesse Rogers—The Saddle Sweethearts Accomp. by the Pecos PioneersTomorrow, You'll Be Sorry That You Broke My Heart TodayNov-46
1928-1H 7036-BJesse Rogers—The Saddle Sweethearts Accomp. by the Pecos PioneersMary from MarylandNov-46
1944-1H 7037-AFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersBoogie Woogie FarmerDec-46Mar-47
1939-1H 7037-BFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersMy Little Boy BlueDec-46Mar-47
1955-1H 7038-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.I'd Trade All My TomorrowsDec-46Mar-47
1950-1H 7038-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.You My Love Will Have to PayDec-46Mar-47
1957-1H 7039-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.It Takes a Long Tall Brownskin GalDec-46Jan-47
1952-1H 7039-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.I've Got a Feeling Somebody's Stealing My DarlingDec-46Jan-47

With Fred Kirby's second session in February 1946, Sonora began recording its Country artists in the studios that it normally used. This was a four-tune outing at WOR Studios, with the same basic personnel as on the first. Sonora H 7008 and H 7009 feature contemporary Country tunes with catchy titles rather than traditional material. His third session, in November, was album-length (8 sides), but releases got spread out from H 7023 all the way to H 7043, and his band was now referred to as the Mountaineers. Basic personnel, however, was the same as before. The songs were a mix of new ("Boogie Woogie Farmer") and old.

Bob Stanley returned to record some sentimental standards, this time intended for singles only. Sonora 3015 paired "Carolina Moon" and "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland."


Jesse Rogers,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

With Jesse Rogers, a tenor who was billed as "Texas' Blue Yodeler," Sonora expanded its Country signings beyond North Carolina and WBT. Rogers was doing a show on a radio station in Philadelphia when he came to the label's attention. Jesse Otto Rodgers was born in Claremore, Oklahoma, on March 5, 1913. In the 1930s, he was indeed based in Texas, and his first record company, Victor, liked the Rodgers spelling. The company recorded him in San Antonio and released his singles on the Bluebird and Montgomery Ward labels. (See the discography by Tony Russel, Michel Ruppli, Walter Gabriel, Praguefrank, Murray Kirch, Mario Manciotti, and Steve Hathaway at http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com/2012/07/jesse-rogers.html.) He cut two sessions in 1934, two in 1935, one in 1936, and one in 1937. Postwar, Sonora was the first record company to show an interest in him.

Much was expected of him; Rogers was called in for 14 sides, enough for an album of Western tunes (MS 481) and three singles (Sonora H 7012 through H 7014).


Jesse Rogers,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The Carolina Playboys also cut enough new sides for an album, but although everything did get released, their session was channeled into singles (H 7015 through H 7018).

In February 1946, the company added another non-WBT Country act, the three Moore Sisters , Viola, Bella, and Yvonne. They were brought into WOR Studios right away in February, leading to their first release in April (Sonora H 7010), then promptly again in May. Such titles as "Palace in Dallas" and "Boogie-Woogie Cowboy" give an adequate idea of their style.

Next came the first R and B signing. The Velvetones were a vocal/instrumental group out of Newark, New Jersey; they had previously recorded in January 1946 for the small New York-based company Coronet. From its first session for Sonora, which took place around June of 1946, the group released two singles in the red-label series, Sonora 3010 and 3012. Marv Goldberg in his article on the group (http://www.uncamarvy.com/Velvetones/velvetones.html) supplies the history of the group's sessions, and the personnel.

Bob Chester returned for another pop session, this time featuring a crooner named Lou Gardner. Two sides were released on Sonora 3011.

More album-oriented was a further session of children's songs by Uncle Don. In addition, Sonora released an album of military tunes by the Singing Sentinels, and a collection of hymns by the Sonora Chapel Choir, another choral group led by Eugene Mott, who had first recorded for the company in September 1945.

Dave Diehl has noted that Sonora 1143, from the Chapel Choir album, was mastered and probably also pressed by Capitol Records, at its plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania. How often Sonora farmed work out to Capitol needs further investigation.

Sonora closed out the first half of the year with two elaborate children's albums, commanding forces far in excess of Uncle Don and his elementary piano. First, a Tick-Tock-Tale, a story about animated clocks, was produced with music by Classical composer Paul Creston. Then Lynn Duddy supervised a series of staged excerpts from such classics as Cinderella, featuring radio actors and a chamber orchestra led by Archie Bleyer.

The company took a few weeks off during the summer. When it returned to action, the second half of 1946 was just as busy as the first.


Jerry Wald,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Jerry Wald was back with his big band. He had a new female vocalist named Mary Nash—whether she was hired at the prompting of the Billboard scribes, we don't know. More to the point, Sonora let him record two jazz instrumentals ("Diga Diga Doo" and "Rumba Fantasy"), which were paired on Sonora 3016. The Nash vocals appeared on 3014. Sonora 3016 is one of the Sonora 78s still sought by today's collectors.


Jerry Wald,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Hal Horton, who made two sessions for Sonora, the first in July 1946, was not mainly a recording artist. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1893, Hal Horton was a vaudevillian (first on-stage appearance at age 10) and a sideshow barker before he got into broadcasting. He worked at stations in Davenport, Iowa, and across the border in Mexico, before landing on WRR in Dallas with a hillbilly show in 1936. In the early 1940s, he started his Hillbilly Hit Parade show on KRLD, expanding to add a Mutual Network show and a music publishing company. Suffering from heart disease, he made no more recordings after his Sonora session. Hal Horton died on November 28, 1948, two weeks after making his last broadcast from a studio on his back porch. (See "Hal Horton," in Paul Kingsbury, Michael McCall, and John W. Rumble, The Encyclopedia of Country Music (2nd edition), New York: Oxford, p. 229).

Next up was one Jerry Sellers, who sang "Smart Little Fool" and "I Get the Blues when It Rains" for the pop series, on Sonora 3019.

Joe Biviano returned with a quintet, unambiguously playing jazz on Sonora 3021 and 3023.

The company signed another sweet band led by Saxie Dowell, who had played in Hal Kemp's band before the war and had just returned from a long tour in the Navy as a war hero. Dowell relied on other vocalists to handle the sentimental tunes but programmed a lot of comic items, which he sang himself. His first Sonora release, on 3029, played up the comedy.

The harmonica duo of Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay made an album. Jimmy Mulcay was a showbiz veteran who had been featured as a harmonica player since the late 1920s (when he was known as Gus). His wife Mildred learned the instrument from scratch when she joined the act; soon she was outplaying her husband. Another veteran, Murray Kellner, was in charge of the accompaniment. The Mulcays' album was released in October.


The Sonora 1000 Series: Albums from 1946

Matrix Sonora # Album Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
506-11113-AMS 477-1Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersPlease Don't Take My Baby
May-46
502-21113-BMS 477-2Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersHang Your Head in Shame
May-46
507-21114-AMS 477-3Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersSomewhere a Heart Is Breaking
May-46
503-21114-BMS 477-4Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersHello My Baby
May-46
505-21115-AMS 477-5Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersBury My Heart Beneath the Roses
May-46
500-31115-BMS 477-6Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersWhen It's Reveille Time in Heaven
May-46
504-11116-AMS 477-7Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersOur Hearts Beat Together
May-46
501-31116-BMS 477-8Fred Kirby of W B T's BriarhoppersOut of My Mind
May-46
1684-21117-AMS 478-1Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.Water BoyOct-45May-46
1682-21117-BMS 478-2Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.Hear De Lam's Acryin' | Goin' to Ride up in De ChariotOct-45May-46
1688-21118-AMS 478-3Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.Deep RiverOct-45May-46
1685-21118-BMS 478-4Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.Every Mail DayOct-45May-46
1683-21119-AMS 478-5Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.City Called HeavenOct-45May-46
1686-21119-BMS 478-6Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.There's a Man Goin' Roun' Takin' Names | Joshua Fit the Battle of JerichoOct-45May-46
1689-21120-AMS 478-7Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp.Go Down MosesOct-45May-46
1687-21120-BMS 478-8Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp."Black Sheep, Where You Left You' Lamb | Little David, Play on Yo Harp"Oct-45May-46
1696-11121-AMS 479-1Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsNellie BlyJan-46May-46
1698-21121-BMS 479-2Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsVirginia ReelJan-46May-46
1699-11122-AMS 479-3Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsUptown-DowntownJan-46May-46
1695-21122-BMS 479-4Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsSanita HillJan-46May-46
1694-21123-AMS 479-5Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsRed River ValleyJan-46May-46
1697-21123-BMS 479-6Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsLoobie Lou | Skip to My LouJan-46May-46
1701-21124-AMS 479-7Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsYou Did It So Well - So Do it AgainJan-46May-46
1700-21124-BMS 479-8Ed Durlacher and The Top HandsBack to BackJan-46May-46
1707-21125-AMS 480-1Bob Stanley and OrchestraOrchids in the Moonlight - TangoFeb-46Jul-46
1708-11125-BMS 480-2Bob Stanley and OrchestraIn Apple Blossom Time - WaltzFeb-46Jul-46
1711-21126-AMS 480-3Bob Stanley and OrchestraTangerine - Fox TrotFeb-46Jul-46
1712-21126-BMS 480-4Bob Stanley and OrchestraLove Sends a Little Gift of Roses - WaltzFeb-46Jul-46
1706-21127-AMS 480-5Bob Stanley and OrchestraPretty Little Poppy - Rhumba (Amapola)Feb-46Jul-46
1710-21127-BMS 480-6Bob Stanley and OrchestraWhen You Wore a Tulip - Fox Trot (And I Wore a Big Red Rose)Feb-46Jul-46
1709-11128-AMS 480-7Bob Stanley and OrchestraWon't Somebody Buy My Violets - Tango (La Violetera)Feb-46Jul-46
1713-11128-BMS 480-8Bob Stanley and OrchestraLilacs in the Rain - Fox TrotFeb-46Jul-46
1736-11129-AMS 481-1Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.Ridin' down the CanyonMar-46
1742-21129 BMS 481-2Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.Old Conestoga WagonMar-46
1735-21130-AMS 481-3Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.The Yellow Rose of TexasMar-46
1741-21130-BMS 481-4Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.Patent Leather BootsMar-46
1734-21131-AMS 481-5Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.The Cattle CallMar-46
1739-21131-BMS 481-6Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.Back in the Saddle AgainMar-46
1737-11132-AMS 481-7Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.When the Bloom Is on the SageMar-46
1740-11132-BMS 481-8Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp.Roll Along Prairie MoonMar-46
1781-21133-AMS 482-1Uncle DonQueen of Hearts-I Love Sixpence-The Vegetable Song
10-Jul-46
1780-11133-BMS 482-2Uncle DonKilkenny Cats-For Want of a Nail-Solomon Grundy-A Week of Birthdays-The King of Cannibal Islands

1784-21134-AMS 482-3Uncle DonThe Old Woman and the Peddler-Ding Dong Bell-Jenny Wren

1783-11134-BMS 482-4Uncle DonSleeping-I Had a Little Pony-Little Fred-Dance to Your Daddy-The Clock-Fingernails

1782-11135-AMS 482-5Uncle DonThere Was a Man in Our Town-Punch and Judy-This Is the House that Jack Built

1785-11135-BMS 482-6Uncle DonClever Hen-Come out to Play-Baby Doll-Boy and the Sparrow-One I Love-Ride Away

1759-21136-AMS 483-1The Singing SentinelsDesert Blue & SilverApr-46Jul-46
1753-31136-BMS 483-2The Singing SentinelsLonesome Road | Colorado TrailApr-46Jul-46
1756-21137-AMS 483-3The Singing SentinelsDown Moblie | Way Down Yonder in the CornfieldApr-46Jul-46
1757-21137-BMS 483-4The Singing SentinelsOld Aunt Jemima | Dinah's in the Kitchen | I Told Her That I Loved Her in the MoonlightApr-46Jul-46
1755-21138-AMS 483-5The Singing SentinelsBrass Wagon | Wait for the WagonApr-46Jul-46
1758-21138-BMS 483-6The Singing SentinelsMy Lord What a Mawnin' | Golden SlippersApr-46Jul-46
1752-21139-AMS 483-7The Singing Sentinels"Long, Long Ago | Hoosen Johnny | Skip to My Lou"Apr-46Jul-46
1754-21139-BMS 483-8The Singing SentinelsBlue Tail FlyApr-46Jul-46
1792-21140-AMS 484-1"Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott (John Herrick, Solo)"O Love That Will Not Let Me Go | The Church's One Foundation
Jul-46
1793-11140-BMS 484-2Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene MottMine Eyes Have Seen the Glory | Onward Christian Soldiers
Jul-46
1788-11141-AMS 484-3Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene MottAbide with Me | Now the Day Is Over
Jul-46
1791-21141-BMS 484-4Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene MottCrown Him with Many Crowns | Saviour Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise
Jul-46
1786-11142-AMS 484-5Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene MottLead Kindly Light | Nearer My God to Thee
Jul-46
1787-11142-BMS 484-6Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene MottRock of Ages | A Mighty Fortress
Jul-46
1790-21143-AMS 484-7Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott"Holy, Holy, Holy | Come Thou Almighty King"
Jul-46
1794-11143-BMS 484-8Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene MottO Beautiful for Spacious Skies | Faith of Our Fathers
Jul-46
1795-21144-AMS 485-1Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul CrestonTick-Tock-Tale 1
Oct-46
1796-21145-AMS 485-2Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul CrestonTick-Tock-Tale 2
Oct-46
1797-11146-AMS 485-3Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul CrestonTick-Tock-Tale 3
Oct-46
1798-11146-BMS 485-4Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul CrestonTick-Tock-Tale 4
Oct-46
1799-11145-BMS 485-5Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul CrestonTick-Tock-Tale 5
Oct-46
1800-11144-BMS 485-6Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul CrestonTick-Tock-Tale 6
Oct-46
1801-21147-AMS 486-1Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerJack and the Beanstalk Part 1Jul-46Oct-46
1831-31147-BMS 486-2Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerHansel and Gretel Part 3Jul-46Oct-46
1802-21148-AMS 486-3Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerJack and the Beanstalk Part 2Jul-46Oct-46
1830-21148-BMS 486-4Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerHansel and Gretel Part 2Jul-46Oct-46
1803-21149-AMS 486-5Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerJack and the Beanstalk Part 3Jul-46Oct-46
1829-11149-BMS 486-6Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerHansel and Gretel Part 1Jul-46Oct-46
1832-11150-AMS 486-7Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerCinderella Part 1Jul-46Oct-46
1806-21150-BMS 486-8Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer | Orchestra Directed by Archie BleyerCinderella Part 2Jul-46Oct-46
1835-21151-AMS 487-1Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraBlue SkiesAug-46Oct-46
1836-21151-BMS 487-2Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraTabúAug-46Oct-46
1840-11152-AMS 487-3Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraTiger RagAug-46Oct-46
1839-21152-BMS 487-4Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraMalagueñaAug-46Oct-46
1838-21153-AMS 487-5Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraSt. Louis BluesAug-46Oct-46
1837-11153-BMS 487-6Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra"I Surrender, Dear"Aug-46Oct-46
1834-11154-AMS 487-7Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraSwanee River (Old Folks at Home)Aug-46Oct-46
1833-21154-BMS 487-8Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and OrchestraMildred's BoogieAug-46Oct-46
1929-11155-AMS 488-1Uncle DonBus Trip to the the Zoo | Visit with the Giraffe

1930-11155-BMS 488-2Uncle DonThe Ostrich

1931-11156-AMS 488-3Uncle DonThe Polar Bear | The Kangaroo

1932-11156-BMS 488-4Uncle DonThe Lions | The Monkeys

1933-11157-AMS 488-5Uncle DonThe Elephant | The Camel

1934-11157-BMS 488-6Uncle DonThe Seals

1841-21158-AMS 489-1Murray Kellner and OrchestraSingin' in the RainAug-46Oct-46
1846-21158-BMS 489-2Murray Kellner and OrchestraLet a Smile Be Your Umbrella (On a Rainy Day)Aug-46Oct-46
1842-11159-AMS 489-3Murray Kellner and OrchestraRainAug-46Oct-46
1845-11159-BMS 489-4Murray Kellner and OrchestraAutumn ShowersAug-46Oct-46
1842-21160-AMS 489-5Murray Kellner and OrchestraApril ShowersAug-46Oct-46
1847-21160-BMS 489-6Murray Kellner and OrchestraOver the RainbowAug-46Oct-46
1844-11161-AMS 489-7Murray Kellner and OrchestraCall Me on Some Rainy AfternoonAug-46Oct-46
1848-21161-BMS 489-8Murray Kellner and OrchestraLook for the Silver LiningAug-46Oct-46
2071-11162 AUD-1 1Uncle DonBirds and Bees

2072-11162 BUD-1 1Uncle DonCircus Song


1163 AUD-1 2Uncle DonCircus Day with Uncle Don


1163 BUD-1 2Uncle Don
















1899-21165-AMS 490-1D'Artega and His Orchestra | Piano-Milton KayeTschaikowky's Piano Concerto
May-47
1905-11165-BMS 490-2D'Artega and His Orchestra | Trombone-Will Bradley | Trumpet-Charles MarguliesMy Heart at Thy Sweet Voice
May-47
1898-11166-AMS 490-3D'Artega and His Orchestra | Vocal-Tony Russo | Trombone-Will BradleyBeware My Heart
May-47
1897-11166-BMS 490-4D'Artega and His OrchestraTschaikowsky's Fifth Sympony
May-47
1908-21167-AMS 490-5D'Artega and His Orchestra | Violin-Jacques MargoliesTschaikowsky's Violin Concerto
May-47
1900-21167-BMS 490-6D'Artega and His Orchestra | Piano-Milton KayeFire Dance
May-47
1906-11168-AMS 490-7D'Artega and His OrchestraBrown Danube
May-47
1907-21168-BMS 490-8D'Artega and His Orchestra | Vocal-Tony RussoNight of Memories
May-47

The Sonora 100 Rhythm & Blues Series: 1946-1947

Matrix Sonora Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1850-1100-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtTriflin' Woman BluesSep-46Oct-46
1849-2100-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtSweet Jam JamSep-46Oct-46
1851-1101-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtLay Your Habits DownSep-46Oct-46
1852-2101-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtWould You Do Me a FavorSep-46Oct-46
1922-1102-A
Sonny Williams | Eddie Barefield and His QuintetteThat Ain't Right (To Boogie on Sunday)Oct-46
1921-2102-B
Sonny Williams | Eddie Barefield and His QuintetteWhat's Mine Is MineOct-46
1881-2103-A
Dud Bascomb and Orchestra |Vocal - Merle TurnerJust One More ChanceSep-46Nov-46
1882-2103-B
Dud Bascomb and Orchestra"Not Bad, Bascomb"Sep-46Nov-46
1923-1104-A
Eddie Barefield and his QuintetteAfter HoursOct-46
1924-2104-B
Eddie Barefield and his QuintetteThree Buckets-o-JiveOct-46
1883-3105-A
Dud Bascomb and OrchestraThat's My HomeSep-46Feb-47
1884-1105-B
Dud Bascomb and OrchestraLate Hour RockSep-46Feb-47
1982-1106-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtI'm HenpeckedJan-47Mar-47
1980-1106-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtMy Little Dog Got KittensJan-47Mar-47
1984-2107-A
Jim Jam TrioRiffin' RufusJan-47Mar-47
1983-1107-B
Jim Jam TrioJim Jam BoogieJan-47Mar-47
1985-108-A
Jim Jam Trio"I've Got Ya Covered, Mr. Buzzard"Jan-47Mar-47
1986-108-B
Jim Jam TrioEv'ryday BluesJan-47Mar-47
1979-1109-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtGood Woman BluesJan-47Mar-47
1981-1109-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde BernhardtIf It's Any News to YouJan-47Mar-47

110-A
Snub MosleyHerman's Boogie
Sep-47

110-B
Snub MosleySquash Head
Sep-47
2000-1111-A
Snub Mosley and Orch.Social DragJan-47Sep-47
1999-1111-B
Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal - Snub MosleyYou Went Too Far and Stayed Too LongJan-47Sep-47
2024-1112-A
Eddie Barefield QuintetteClarinet BluesFeb-47Sep-47
2026-1112-B
Eddie Barefield QuintetteF' Taint One Thing It's AnotherFeb-47Sep-47
2033-1113-A
"Baby Dee" and Her OrchestraIt Feels So Doggone GoodFeb-47Jul-47
2034-1113-B
"Baby Dee" and Her OrchestraLike He Never Loved Me BeforeFeb-47Jul-47
2023-1114-A
Eddie Barefield QuintetteClara 'n EddieFeb-47May-47
2025-2114-B
Eddie Barefield Quintette | Vocal-Eddie BarefieldRight off the IceFeb-47May-47

115-A
"Baby Dee" and Her OrchestraIf You've Gotta Go
Sep-47

115-B
"Baby Dee" and Her OrchestraThe Last Man I'll Ever Lose
Sep-47
2047-2116-A
Milt Larkin and his Orch. | Vocal - Milton LarkinBring the Money In
Sep-47
2050-1116-B
Milt Larkin and his Orch. | Vocal - Milton LarkinLovin' Woman Blues
Sep-47

117-A
Milt LarkinMister Worm
Sep-47

117-B
Milt LarkinBack Home Blues
Sep-47

In September 1946, Sonora finally decided it was interested in rhythm and blues, for which it would launch a 100 "race" series.

The first artist signed was trombonist Clyde Bernhardt, who took a combo into the studio the same month. The four sides saw prompt release on Sonora 100 and 101. The leader's vocals were heavily featured, but there was room for solos from all four horns in the combo.

Bob Chester returned to the studio in September for what turned out to be his third and last session for Sonora. Two of the sides, including a rare instrumental ("The Octave Jump," which had been in his book since at least early 1940, and was previously done for Bluebird on March 4 of that year), were released on 3018. Around the time Sonora went under, Chester, like so many others, had to close down his big band; in October 1948 he was working as a DJ for WKMH in Dearborn, Michigan. He returned to bandleading on a couple of occasions, in 1950 (when he made some sides for Columbia and some more for Regal) and 1955, but spent the rest of his life in the automobile industry, dying on June 14, 1977.


Coleman Hawkins ad, Sonora Records, February 1, 1947
Sonora plugs Coleman Hawkins' two releases. Billboard, February 1, 1947, p. 176.

Unquestionably the biggest jazz name in the Sonora catalogue was Coleman Hawkins, the father of the tenor saxophone. Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1904, Hawk had been a prominent contributor since 1920, when he broke in with Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds. After a brilliant career with Fletcher Henderson's band (1923-1934), a sojourn in Europe, and a triumphant return to the United States in 1939, he was still at the peak of his powers as jazz underwent the Swing to Bop transition. While the World War II recording ban was letting up, Hawk went with any label that would make him a decent offer; among these were indies of such varying stature as Asch, Signature, Apollo, Regis, and Joe Davis. In 1946, Sonora was a bigger company than Asch or Apollo, but landing Hawkins was still a coup.

The session took place in September 1946, not in December, as has been stated in Lord's Jazz Discography. Hawk's combo included alto saxophonist Porter Kilbert, who joined the Red Saunders band in New York, then went on the road with Saunders shortly after Saunders recorded behind Big Joe Turner for National on October 11 and 12. The resulting sides were released in the 3000 pop series, not the 100 R&B series. Sonora 3027 was advertised in the October 26, 1946 issue of Billboard, and both of Hawk's Sonora releases, 3024 and 3027, showed up in the company's ad in the November 2, 1946 issue.

Another newly signed leader was pianist Griff Williams, at the helm of yet another sweet band. Williams, who had been leading a band since 1933, was yet another veteran of the old Oberstein labels. The two Williams sides of which we are aware, released on Sonora 3028, both featured crooners; however, the leader was accorded some solo space on them.

September 1946 turned out to be a busy month, with more sessions to come. Enric Madriguera had departed to bigger labels; Sonora filled its Latin vacancy with Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors, a high-energy ensemble. Two releases ensued, on Sonora 3025 and 3031.

Stu Davis would be the second-last Country musician signed to Sonora. Born David Stewart, on July 7, 1921, in Regina, Saskatchewan, he was making his recording debut for Sonora. He recorded 8 sides at two sessions that were held a few days apart in September 1946. From the information available to us, New York studio musicians were used, suggesting Davis was a long way from home and not traveling with his own band. Davis reportedly had Tony Mottola on guitar, Vaughn Horton on steel guitar, Bertram Hirsch on fiddle, Joe Biviano (already a Sonora artist) on accordion, and Henry Questa on clarinet, plus an unidentified bassist. Davis got four releases on Sonora: H 7021, H 7024, H 7027, and H7029. This was enough for an album but the company doesn't seem to have been interested.

Davis made one more session in New York, 8 sides in October 1947, but it was for RCA Victor, with the same personnel as before (maybe Ray Sims was the bassist). He seems to have switched labels as soon as his Sonora contract expired. The rest of Stu Davis's recording activity took place in Canada: sessions in Vancouver and Edmonton, for Aragon (two in 1949, plus isolated tracks from 1950 and 1952); then enough for two LPs for London, in Montréal in 1956. He made a single in 1958 for a label called Apex, but his later activity was nearly all with London, leading to 13 more LPs through the end of the 1960s. He recorded another album for Dominion in 1971 and one for Birchmount in 1975. Stu Davis died at the age of 85 on March 25, 2007. (See the Stu Davis discography by Praguefrank, Mario Manciotti, and Steve Hathaway at http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2016/03/stu-davis.html).


Dud Bascomb,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Sonora closed out the month by bringing in its second R&B artist, veteran trumpeter Dud Bascomb. Sonora 103 and 105 presented what was really a Swing session—it included "That's My Home," a ballad associated with Louis Armstrong.


Dud Bascomb,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Sonora was now recording fewer albums, with longer delays till release. However, the company found time in October for an album of show tunes by the band of Murray Kellner, who had previously directed the band for the Mulcays' session. Kellner was already recording for Edison in the 1920s.

Although her sides appeared in the H 7000 series, Alice Cornett was not a Country performer. As H 7030 indicates, she sang hymns in an operatic contralto to foursquare accompaniment.

October 1946 was also proving a busy month, as The Moore Sisters cut enough sides at WOR for an album of their own (again, what came out of the session were four singles: H 7028, H 7031, H 7033, and H 7035). Louis Jordan's "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" was now in their repertoire. The Moore Sisters, like the Carolina Playboys, never recorded for another company besides Sonora. We are indebted to Praguefrank and Dick Grant for their discography at http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2015/06/moore-sisters.html.

Alfonso D'Artega was being groomed to replace the long-serving Bob Stanley. He recorded 8 sides of Classical excerpts, keyed to a film titled Carnegie Hall, in which such luminaries as Artur Rubinstein, Leopold Stokowski, and Harry James all did their turns—and D'Artega himself appeared as Peter Tchaikovsky. The album would be held till the movie came out (on February 28, 1947).

After a two-year hiatus, Sonora decided it needed more polkas, and brought back Bob Stanley in his Stanislaw Mroczek guise, this time with the 3000 series in mind. Four tunes were cut, and at least two were released (on Sonora 3030).

Another album of classical excerpts, likewise delayed till the Spring of 1947, was conducted by H. Leopold Spitalny.

Back in the 3000 series, Sonora recorded the debut session of Chicago-based big band leader Ray Anthony. Sonora 3034 and 3037, both featuring vocal renditions of standards, were released in November 1946.


Eddie Barefield,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The third R&B artist signed to the label was veteran clarinetist Eddie Barefield, who recorded in October at the helm of a quintet. A title like "Three Buckets-o-Jive" would seem to need a vocal, but it's really a high quality Swing instrumental. Barefield got plenty of solo space on an instrument not often featured in R&B.


Eddie Barefield,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Jesse Rogers was back in November, laying down four tunes with the Saddle Sweethearts and the Pecos Pioneers. They were released on Sonora H 7032 and 7036. Rogers had a long career after Sonora, making a single for Cowboy (a very small label out of Philadelphia) in 1948, then resuming his relationship with RCA Victor after an 11-year hiatus. Old habits died hard: RCA reverted to "Rodgers." His first session back with Victor produced a release in December 1948, but it could have been done quite a bit earlier, as his Sonora contract must have run out well before the company did. He cut two sides for Apollo in Dallas in 1949 (atypical, if they actually are his—they were religious and his first name was spelled "Jessie"). Then back to RCA Victor for two sessions in 1950. He recorded for MGM in 1952, 1954, and 1955. His last sides were made for a small Philadelphia label called Arcade, one single each in 1957, 1960, and 1961. Jesse Rogers died on December 12, 1973. (See the discography by Tony Russell et al. at http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com/2012/07/jesse-rogers.html).

Another Fred Kirby session produced 8 tracks and four singles (H 7023, H 7037, H 7040, and H 7043).

Sonora also brought the Carolina Playboys back on December 15, 1946, laying down enough tracks, and then some, to make the album that the group would never get from Sonora; in all there were 12 sides. We are told that the session was conducted in Charlotte, but considering the overlap in personnel with other groups Sonora was recording in New York, we're skeptical. There was an emphasis on recent hits, such as Merle Travis's "Divorce Me COD." The group got six singles out of the session (H 7026, H 7038, H 7039, H 7040, H 7042, and H 7044).

Uncle Don returned for a three-pocket album (MS 488) that celebrated a visit to the zoo.

And Saxie Dowell laid down another four sides, leading to releases on Sonora 3036 and 3039.

In November 1946, Sonora picked up a fourth R&B artist. Lawrence Leo "Snub" Mosley was a seasoned jazz musician when he signed with the label. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 29, 1905, he played trombone in his high school band, then spent the years from 1926 to 1937 touring with the bands of Alphonse Trent, Jeter-Pillars, Claude Hopkins, Fats Waller, and Louis Armstrong. In 1937, he settled in New York City, where he led jump bands. As commemorated in his number "The Man with the Funny Little Horn," he invented the slide saxophone, which attached a mouthpiece from the latter to the slide apparatus of the trombone. He joined Sonora after three sessions for Decca (1940-1942).


Snub Mosley,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Mosley's first four sides were held till February and March 1947, in order to launch a new, black-label 500 series. Judging from Sonora 500, Mosley, like Barefield, remained a Swing player at heart; far from the comic blues that the title might have led record buyers to expect, "Hinkty Man" is a mellow instrumental featuring jazz solos by different members of the band.


Snub Mosley,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The Sonora 500 R&B Series: 1946-1947

Matrix Sonora Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1959-1 500-A Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal - Snub Mosley You and the Devil Nov-46 Feb-47
1961-1 500-B Snub Mosley and Orch. Hinkty Man Nov-46 Feb-47
1962-1 501-A Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal - Snub Mosley Blues at High Noon Nov-46 Mar-47
1960-1 501-B Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal by Ensemble Snub's Boogie Nov-46 Mar-47

The Sonora 500s were meant to be a budget counterpart to the 100 red-label series. Mosley ended up getting them all to himself: Sonora 500 and 501. Mosley's first sides were cut a short while after Ray Anthony's first session (matrix numbers 1917 through 1920, which were dated November 1946 in Lord's Jazz Discography, but were actually from October; the Anthony sides were being advertised in Billboard in November).

The same thing would happen to the black-label Country series, the H6000s; it consisted entirely of two releases by an Jerry and Sky, the second to last Country act signed to the label. Jerry was Gerald Howorth, who played guitar, sang, and occasionally yodeled; Sky was Schuyler Snow, who played guitar and sang. On their first session for Sonora (which was the first they made under their own names), they were accompanied by Ralph Jones (probably) on mandolin and dobro guitar, and William "Bill" Carver on dobro, among others. After Sonora folded, both sides of Sonora H6000 were purchased by MGM in 1948, and reissued as MGM 10400. (Our thanks to Dick Grant, Walt Saunders, and Praguefrank for Jerry and Sky discography at http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com/2009/12/jerry-and-sky.html.)


The Sonora H 6000 Country Series: 1946-1947

Matrix Sonora Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1872-1 H 6000-A Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Sparkling Brown Eyes Sep-46 Feb-47
1869-2 H 6000-B Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Troubles in My Heart Sep-46 Feb-47
1871-1 H 6001-A Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Am I Still P-A-R-T of Your H-E-A-R-T? Sep-46 Mar-47
1870-2 H 6001-B Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Left by the Wayside Sep-46 Mar-47

Max Gordon Trio, Sonora ad, February 1, 1947
Billboard, February 1, 1947, p. 175.

Gordon Trio,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The Gordon Trio (billed on the labels as "Music with Personality") combined organ, accordion, and guitar. Until someone puts together accordion, hurdy-gurdy, and tromba marina, this could, to my ears, be the worst sounding instrumental combination. True, the group was emulating a commercially successful ensemble called The Three Suns, then recording for RCA Victor. Couldn't the Suns could have kept their lane to themselves?

The Gordon Trio was founded in 1945. It used the leader's stage name.

Joseph Maxler Trout, to use his full name, was born in Conneautville, a farming village in northwestern Pennsylvania, on May 24, 1915. He was the son of Joseph Leedy Trout and Charlotte Maxler Trout. There already being a Joseph in the family, he came to be known as Maxler. Conneautville had around 900 inhabitants when Maxler Trout was born; it has fewer today.

Maxler Trout was working as Max Gordon in Columbus, Ohio, in 1940. He participated in an audition for organists at the Cabana Lounge at the Broad-Lincoln Hotel. Placing first out of fifteen, he not only landed a solo gig at the hotel but was supposedly going to broadcast on network radio ("High Honors for Max Trout," Conneautville Courier, March 20, 1940, p. 1).

Trout started The Gordon Trio in 1945, when all three members were living near Pittsburgh. On November 23, 1945, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette carried a classified ad (p. 16) for the group at the Park Casino, in Monessen, Pennsylvania. A couple of weeks later, now billed as the "Max Gordon Trio" "from Pittsburgh," they were at the White House Inn near Uniontown (The Morning Herald, December 8, 1945, p. 9).

In February 1946, the trio had moved to Bill Green's in Pittsburgh, where it was the intermission act (Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, February 15, 1946, p. 18). Bill Green's still featured dance bands, in this case Clyde McCoy's. A blurb on the same page ("McCoy to Open") is the earliest article we've found that names the other members of the trio: Frank Negleman, accordion, and Joe Salvino, electric guitar.

Frank Negleman Jr was born in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1921. He was the son of Frank Negleman Sr. and Celline Gerein Negleman. He joined the trio after service in World War II.

The Hickory House gig is what brought the group to Sonora's attenion. Recording standards and novelty tunes in November 1946, the trio put out two singles, Sonora 3032 and 3035, in January 1947.


Gordon Trio,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Next, Sonora picked up another experienced recording artist in Roy Smeck, a virtuoso of the Hawaiian steel guitar. Although Smeck's band went with sappy arrangements and a crooner named Bob Houston was too often featured, the leader's long solos on such numbers as "My Little Grass Shack" still dazzle. Smeck's sides were assigned to the black-label Sonora 2000 series, so they didn't begin appearing till Febtuary of the next year.


Black-Label Overreach: 1947

Since entering the singles market in November 1945, Sonoran strategy had relied heavily on competing on price. Sonora offered 10-inch 78s at 50 or 53 cents when most retailed for 79 cents. In February 1947, Sonora rolled out an even cheaper line, at 39 cents, with the same label design in gold but on a black background. These plans were met with incredulity from competitors. (The headline in Billboard read "Sonora Preems 39 c Label; Wax Trade Baffled; Tough Trick, Say Rivals," January 18, 1947, pp. 13, 32.) And Sonora had further expanded its production capacity in November 1946, when it bought the Reko-Plastik pressing plant, near its existing works in Meriden, Connecticut. (Despite the plant's name, it did not press even a children's record on plastic for Sonora, which stuck with shellac to the end.)

Sparing no expense to promote its new 39-cent line, Sonora went absolutely wild on a 11-page layout in Billboard's special issue for jukebox operators (February 1, 1947). It's a real trove for musical archeologists, but we wonder whether the company balance sheet spent a minute in the black afterward.


The Sonora 2000 Series: Released 1947

Matrix Sonora Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1969-22000-A
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal - Bob HoustonCharmaineDec-46Feb-47
1968-12000-B
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music MenSteel Guitar RagDec-46Feb-47
1970-12001-A
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal by Bob HoustonThe Anniversary WaltzDec-46Mar-47
1967-12001-B
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music MenMy Little Grass Shack (In Kealakekua, Hawaii)Dec-46Mar-47
1975-12002-A
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Mary Anne WayneYou Can't See the Sun When You're Cryin'Jan-47Feb-47
1976-22002-B
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Mary Anne Wayne & Russell DrewWe Could Make Such Beautiful MusicJan-47Feb-47

2003-A
Ted Straeter and His Orchestra | Vocal by Bill KaylorMidnight Masquerade
Mar-47

2003-B
Ted Straeter and His Orchestra | Vocal by Kitty CrawfordYou'll Know When It Happens
Mar-47
1978-12004-A
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Mary Anne Wayne & Russell DrewAnniversary SongJan-47Feb-47
1977-22004-B
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Russell DrewSonataJan-47Feb-47

2005-A
Ted Straeter and His Orchestra | Vocal by Kitty CrawfordThat's Where I Came In
Mar-47

2005-B
Ted Straeter and His Orchestra | Vocal by Bill KaylorHeartaches
Mar-47
1993-22006-A
Bob Chester and his Orch. | Vocal - Alan FosterLindaJan-47Apr-47
1992-12006-B
Bob Chester and his Orch. | Vocal - Alan FosterRoses in the RainJan-47Apr-47
1995-22007-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Don GradyI Want to Thank Your FolksJan-47Apr-47
1998-22007-B
"Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Saxie, Suzanne & Don"Sh-h, the Old Man's Sleepin'Jan-47Apr-47

2008-A
Bob Chester and his Orch. | Vocal - Alan FosterSpeaking of Angels
Apr-47

2008-B
Bob Chester and his Orch. | Vocal - Alan FosterWhy Did It Have to End So Soon
Apr-47
1996-22009-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Don GradyThey Can't Convince MeJan-47Apr-47
1997-12009-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Suzanne ShepardI Can't Believe It Was All Make-Believe (Last Night)Jan-47Apr-47
2003-12010-A
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'ArtegaIf I Had My Life to Live OverJan-47Apr-47
2004-12010-B
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'ArtegaAce in the HoleJan-47Apr-47
2005-12011-A
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'ArtegaThe Egg and IJan-47Apr-47
2006-22011-B
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'ArtegaOh! My Achin' Heart!Jan-47Apr-47
2027-22012-A
Hal Horton | D'Artega Orch.I Wonder Who's Kissing Her NowFeb-47Apr-47
2030-12012-B
Hal Horton | D'Artega Orch.I Wish You the Best of EverythingFeb-47Apr-47
2029-22013-A
Hal Horton With Orchestra under direction of D'ArtegaAll of MeFeb-47Jul-47
2028-22013-B
Hal Horton With Orchestra under direction of D'ArtegaPal in Palo AltoFeb-47Jul-47
2035-12014-A
The VelvetonesAsk Anyone Who KnowsFeb-47Apr-47
2036-12014-B
The VelvetonesI Want Some Bread, I SaidFeb-47Apr-47
2037-12015-A
The VelvetonesCan You Look Me in the EyesFeb-47Sep-47
2038-22015-B
The VelvetonesDon't Bring Me No NewsFeb-47Sep-47
2046-22016-A
Roberta Lee With Orchestra under direction of D'ArtegaYou Don't Learn That in School
May-47
2043-12016-B
Roberta Lee With Orchestra under direction of D'ArtegaMoanin' Low
May-47

2017-A
Roberta Lee With Orchestra under direction of D'ArtegaMy Man
Apr-47

2017-B
Roberta Lee With Orchestra under direction of D'ArtegaI Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City
Apr-47
2059-12018-A
Fred Meadows | America's No. 1 Singing WaiterWhen Your Old Wedding Ring Was New
Jun-47
2061-12018-B
Fred Meadows | America's No. 1 Singing WaiterWhen I Lost You
Jun-47
2078-12019-A
Ray Anthony and His Orchestra | Vocal by Dee KeatingThat's My Desire
May-47
2075-22019-B
Ray Anthony and His Orchestra | Vocal by Dee Keating and Billy JohnsonWe Knew It All the Time
May-47

2020-A
Fred MeadowsOnce Upon a Time
May-47

2020-B
Fred MeadowsDear Old Girl
May-47
2076-12021-A
Ray AnthonyMeet Me at No Special Place
May-47
2077-12021-B
Ray AnthonyWould You Believe Me
May-47
2098-12022-A
Ted Straeter & Orch. | Vocal-Ted Straeter & EnsembleMahzel (Means Good Luck)Mar-47Apr-47
2097-12022-B
Ted Straeter & Orch. | Vocal-Kitty CrawfordMy Pretty GirlMar-47Apr-47

2023-A
George Towne and His Orchestra | Vocal by Mary Anne Wayne and the Ensemble"Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba"
May-47

2023-B
George Towne and His Orchestra | Vocal by Kitty CrawfordMam'selle
May-47

2024-A
Ted Straeter & Orch. | Vocal-Kitty Crawford"I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder"
May-47

2024-B
Ted Straeter & Orch.Stella by Starlight
May-47
2101-12025-A
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal-Mary Ann WayneI Won't Be Home Anymore When You CallMar-47May-47
2099-12025-B
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal-Mary Ann WayneI Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)Mar-47May-47
2092-12026-A
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob HoustonSweet Leiliani
Jun-47
2094-12026-B
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob HoustonThe One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)
Jun-47
2093-2027-
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob HoustonMexicali Rose
Jul-47

2027-
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob HoustonPretty Baby
Jul-47

The main black-label series, in the 2000s, can't be distinguished from the 3000s on a content basis; some bands ended up with releases in both series. The main black-label series would end at 2027. A black-label Country and Western series, in the H6000s, stalled out after just two releases, both by the old-timey duet Jerry and Sky. (And, as we've noted, the black-label R&B series lasted no longer.)

All of Sonora's 1947 recording took place in the first half of the year. The same pace was maintained as in 1946, with around 160 masters recorded—except it was all over by end of May.

Sonora signed still another sweet band, led by one George Towne. Towne's boy and girl singers, Russell Drew and Mary Anne Wayne, were featured on pretty much everything he recorded. Towne's output was also reserved for the new black-label series; Sonora 2002 and 2004 were released in February 1947.

The company picked up Ted Straeter (1914-1963), a flashy pianist who led still another sweet band. He appeared strictly in the 2000 series, except for an album that the company, running out of money, would never release as such.


Clyde Bernhardt,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Sonora was sufficiently pleased with Clyde Bernhardt's sales to bring his combo back for a second session, on January 21, 1947 (this is one of two Sonora sessions for which we have the month and the day!). On Sonora 106 and 109, such titles as "My Little Dog Got Kittens" featured the leader's wry vocals.


Clyde Bernhardt,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Jim Jam Trio,
Note the composer credit. From the collection of Robert L. Campbell.

The company welcomed 1947 in with a fifth R&B signing, of the Jim Jam Trio. Jimmy "Jim Jam" Smith (one of the many Jimmy Smiths not related to the jazz organist) had been the bassist and occasional vocalist in the trio led by pianist Loumell Morgan. Morgan (see Marv Golberg, "The Loumell Morgan Trio" at http://www.uncamarvy.com/LoumellMorganTrio/loumell.html) was the regular pianist in Slim Gaillard's group before the war, recording with Gaillard for Vocalion and OKeh between 1939 and 1941. In 1941, Slim Gaillard and Slam Stewart split for the West Coast while Morgan stayed East and started a trio. The Loumell Morgan Trio did four sides for V-Disc in 1943. In December 1943, Jim Jam Smith replaced Lynwood "Duke" Jones, who had been drafted. In September 1944, the trio did several AFRS Jubliee appearances, and in February 1945 it made more V-Discs. As the war was ending, the Loumell Morgan Trio cut four sides for Super Disc (releaed in September 1945). In June 1946, Duke Jones was back from the Army and Smith was out of the group.

Jim Jam Smith formed his own trio with Lanice "Lanny" Scott at the piano and Johnny Cousins on guitar.

While Smith was working with the Jim Jams, the Loumell Morgan Trio recorded four sides for Apollo in September 1946. Two singles were released, but Apollo announced in January 1947 that it was dropping the trio.

We previously entertained the possibility that the Jim Jams were recorded in Chicago, but the trio's only gigs that have turned up in newspapers were in Yonkers, New York and in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania (see http://www.uncamarvy.com/LoumellMorganTrio/loumell.html). New York City is the safe bet. The Jim Jam Trio enjoyed two solid releases on Sonora 107 and 108, but the label was going downhill and there would be no follow-up. Meanwhile the group wasn't pulling in that many bookings.

Morgan's current trio broke up in California in October or November 1947. He re-formed in New York with returning bassist Jim Jam Smith and returning guitarist Newell "Johnny" Johns. They backed a vocalist on the Sterling label (single released in December) and made some more AFRS Jubilee disks in the middle of 1948. In May 1949, the trio, augmented for the occasion by Buddy Tate on tenor sax and Herman Bradley on drums, cut four sides for the Manhattan label. Around February 1950, the trio made one single for Columbia. In November 1951, Loumell Morgan's group, temporarily expanded to a quintet, recorded four sides for Atlantic.

The Loumell Morgan Trio with Jim Jam and Johnny broke up for good in August or September 1952 (for all of this, and much more, see http://www.uncamarvy.com/LoumellMorganTrio/loumell.html). Jim Jam Smith and Johnny Johns joined Dutch jazz pianist Pia Beck and worked as a trio in Europe during 1953 and 1954. They cut several sides with Beck that were later released on Philips. On returning to New York, Jim Jam and Johnny started a group called the Dee-Jays, which recorded four items for the After Hours label. The last Jim Jam and Johnny recording was done for Dove in 1958, resulting in one single. For a full bio, there is more work to be done on Jim Jam Smith, a man with a name highly unsuited to newspaper research.


Jim Jam Trio,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Jim Jam Trio,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Finishing out 1946 was the third and last session by Saxie Dowell, whose sides would be held for a while for use in the new black-label 2000 series.


In Feburary 1947, Sonora brought Fred Kirby back to the studio for the fourth time, probably with an album in mind, though again none materialized. Again the basic personnel were as above, and the session took place at WOR. Four singles eventually came out of it, Sonora 3038, 3040, H 7045, and H 7046. The uncertainty as to series placement marked what was starting to be a difficult year.

Kirby's show on WBT lasted till 1950, and he kept recording for a while. In 1948-1949 he put out two singles on MGM, which were purchased from somewhere—but not, so far as we can determine, from Sonora. (In 1951, Gotham would put out two singles on him, with their Sonora matrix numbers still attached.) In 1950 and 1952, he recorded in Nashville for Columbia, with five singles ensuing. His last single was done sometime later in the decade, for a label in Charlotte called Dixie (http://countrydiscoghraphy2.blogspot.com/2014/12/fred-kirby.html. From the early 1960s to the early 1980s, Kirby was a featured entertainer at the Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Fred Kirby died on April 22, 1996 (Encyclopedia of Country Music, 2nd edition, p. 268).

Bob Chester was back for a final outing.

Next, D'Artega and his studio orchestra laid down an album of Latin numbers (MS-492). Apparently the Rhumba Ambassadors were no longer available.

D'Artega had also become the preferred accompanist for the label's pop singers. So he made four sides behind Roberta Lee (Sonora 2016 and 2017).

Roberta Lee was born in Dayton, Ohio, around 1922. She got her start as a band singer, for such leaders as Les Brown and Henry Busse. She sang with Busse on "I Don't Care Who Knows It," released on Cosmo 454 in July 1945. By 1947, when Sonora signed her, she was appearing in clubs as a solo act. Lee was a lot hipper than most of Sonora's featured females, as her repertoire makes clear: it included "My Man" and "Moanin' Low." Her bluesy rendition makes "You Didn't Learn That in School," a trivial tune making the rounds in the spring of 1947, still worth a listen. "My Man" (on Sonora 2017) was said to be selling well enough (Cash Box, June 16, 1947, p. 13) that its publisher, Leo Feist, was showing renewed interest in promoting the song. Unfortunately, by the time Roberta Lee's Sonoras were released, the label was running out of time.

By 1949, Roberta Lee was married to Wally Brady, a music publisher's representative, who got her a contract with Tempo (Cash Box, July 30, 1949, p. 12). The trade paper referred to "Roberta Lee (Mrs. Brady), whose Sonora records are collector items." She got four singles out of the deal. The first, a coupling of "The Man I Love" and "Bill Bailey," was released in December 1949 (Tempo 428, reviewed in Cash Box on December 24, 1949, p. 8). Tempo 430, "Singing the Blues" b/w "Back in Your Own Back Yard," was advertised in Cash Box on January 28, 1950 (p. 16). After two jazz singles, Roberta Lee put out a pop single on Tempo 462 ("Don't Bring Me Posies" b/w "Weary River," reviewed in Cash Box, June 10, 1950, p. 6). The fourth, Tempo 4726 ("With a No, No, No That Sounds like Yes" b/w "September in the Rain," was released at an unknown date. It appears her contract with Tempo was not renewed.

From mid-1951 through mid-1953, with her husband acting as her agent, Roberta Lee was under contract to Decca. The company entrusted her with a wide variety of material (everything from "Say It Isn't So" with the Gordon Jenkins Orchestra; to "The Little White Cloud That Cried"; to a country rendition of "Sixty Minute Man"—in a duet with Hardrock Gunter; to a Dixieland single with Lawson and Haggart's band). At least half of what she did for Decca was Country, including duets with Red Foley and Tennessee Ernie Ford. She next signed with RCA Victor's X subsidiary (Billboard, June 26, 1954, p. 17), getting three singles out of that deal (see the review of X 0166 in Cash Box, October 1, 1955, p. 8). Roberta Lee released one single on Columbia in 1957. We don't know of other Roberta Lee records until well into the 1960s. Because of her husband's Nashville connections, her later 45s were for such labels as Montclare (date uncertain, pairing "Big Mamou" with a Van Dyke Parks song) and Tower (a 1968 release).

In addition, D'Artega did at least two with Hal Horton (now moved from the H 7000 Country to the 2000 budget pop series), four with Dick Todd of the five-year contract, two with Tony Russo, and four with Bob Houston.

Snub Mosley also got a second session in early 1947. For years it was thought the entire thing had been left in the vault, though two sides showed up on a 1987 LP from Dan Kochakian's Whiskey Women and … label. It turns out, however, that Mosley, after the plug was pulled on the 500 series, got two further releases on red-label Sonora, 110 and 111. Sonora 110 was released in September 1947, when the company was in its death throes—but there is a copy in the collection of Tom Hustad. Sonora 111, with an unknown release date, has turned up on ebay. Neither deserves its rarity.

When Mosley's contract with Sonora expired, the company was on its way out. During the recording frenzy at the end of 1947, he cut for the Super Disc label, getting a release in May 1948 (Cash Box, May 8, 1948, p. 11). Mosley was subsequently with another small New York-based company called Penguin. One of his Penguin releases was reviewed in Billboard on July 9, 1949, p. 163; advertised in Cash Box on July 30, 1949, p. 17. Another Penguin single was released in December 1949 and got a boost from Broadway Bill Cook, a DJ at WAAT, Newark (Cash Box, January 7, 1950, p. 16). Later, Mosley recorded for British Columbia (1959), and his final sessions were done in England for Pizza Express (1978). After suffering a stroke in January 1981, Snub Mosley died at his home in Harlem on July 21, 1981.

Eddie Barefield cut a second session, producing two more releases on Sonora 112 and 114. These again were in a mellow Swing style.

Dolores Spriggs, stage name Baby Dee, was the singer for a combo led by pianist Bill Campbell. Campbell made two singles for DeLuxe in 1946 with his Harlem Eight: DeLuxe 1046 featured Thelma Cooper on both sides and 1043 featured Baby Dee. That same year, Baby Dee recorded for Mayo Williams' Harlem label; Harlem 1010 was credited to "Bill Campbell And His Harlem Band with Vocalizing Baby Dee." She next recorded with him for Apollo (in a session that took place in November 1946). Apparently it was Bill Campbell who was under contract to Apollo, because Baby Dee's "signing" was announced in January 1947, when a one-year contract for the bandleader would still have been in force. Her February 1947 session (with an uncredited band) apparently led to two releases—Billboard acknowledged receipt of both Sonora 113 and 115. Of course, it would be nice if someone could unearth a copy of 115. Bill Campbell, t turns out, was credited as the composer for both sides on Sonora 113, which sold some copies in Harlem (Cash Box, July 14, 1947, p. 13) before the curtain was rung down on the company.

In 1949 and 1950, Baby Dee made appearances in clubs in Detroit and New York City, often in the company of Bill Campbell.

After a few years away from the studio, Baby Dee cut for MGM in 1954, apparently without Bill Campbell. Her signing was mentioned in Billboard on July 13, 1954, p. 45; she was working the Cotton Club in Atlantic City through Labor Day, and was said to be booked in Las Vegas next. Meanwhile, Cash Box for July 13 declared (Rhythm n' Blues Ramblings, p. 19) that the "stormy looking gal" had recently finished 22 straight weeks at Club Savannah in New York. She was under the management of the marvelously named Stan Pat, then a DJ in Trenton (later Pat would be a distributor and a record salesman in Chicago). A Baby Dee MGM was reviewed in Cash Box on August 7, 1954, p. 24. MGM 55002, her second and apparently final release for the label, was reviewed in Cash Box on February 19, 1955 (p. 26). Baby Dee next recorded for Amber in 1957, and for a company called Zebra in 1958 (she must have gotten back with Bill Campbell, because her Zebra single featured two compositions by him).Her known public appearances during the mid-1950s were in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island (the Las Vegas gig, if it came off as scheduled, was the one exception). We are indebted to Robert Javors for information about Sonora 113 and about the artist.


The Velvetones,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The Velvetones were back for a second session in February. Now they were reassigned to the main black-label series; their final four sides appeared on Sonora 2014 and 2015.


The Velvetones,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Possibly the most obscure artist to get a release on Sonora was one Fred Meadows, billed as "America's No. 1 Singing Waiter." He sang two sentimental numbers on Sonora 2018 and two more on Sonora 2020.

Bob Stanley came back once more, to make a session mixing standards and light classics. This appeared in an album, MS 495, but few copies could ever have circulated. Most customers encountered these sides when Varsity reissued some of them.

Ray Anthony returned at some point for another 4 sides, which became black-label offerings: Sonora 2019 and 2021 came out in May 1947. Anthony became a lot more famous a little while later, when he moved to Hollywood and began recording for Capitol.

There was still unfilled demand for polkas, so Sonora invited Bob Stanley's Polish edition,Stanislaw Mroczek, for a third outing to do such currently requested numbers as the "Beer Barrel Polka." This time, 8 sides were recorded and Sonora went through with its plans to release an album (MS 491), which is not especially abundant today.

And Roy Smeck returned to do four more tunes, which formed the valedictory black-label singles, Sonora 2026 and 2027.


Ted Straeter,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

This was promptly follwed by the second George Towne session (leading to a pair of releases on Sonora 2023 and 2025), and a second Ted Straeter session, which recorded enough for an album but led to three singles instead.


Ted Straeter,

The H 7000 series kept on going. Most releases were by old reliables such as Fred Kirby and the Carolina Playboys. The last Country artist signed to the label was Art Dixon, while the final four releases (H 7049 through H 7052) were by Jerry and Sky.

Of Art Dixon we still know hardly a thing. He led a band called the Melody Mustangs that performed in such places as Hagerstown, Maryland, and Staten Island, New York. He cut a four-tune session that led to two singles, Sonora H 7047 and H 7048.

Sonora had given up on the H 6000s by now, and wasn't interested in trying to any more Country albums, even though Jerry and Sky must have thought they were making one. Their second session featured Gerald Howorth, Schuyler Snow, Ralph Jones, Bill Carver (all on the instruments aforelisted), Alan "Bud" Arthur (fiddle), Joseph "Joey" Paul (accordion), and others. MGM would later acquire at least the two sides of Sonora H 7050, reissuing them in 1949 on MGM 10347 (and again in 1952 on MGM K11356). Jerry and Sky signed with Decca in 1949, cutting four sides at Universal Recording in Chicago in August 1949.But they got just one single out of their efforts; a second Decca session, probably in 1950, produced several covers of Hank Williams tunes, which Decca decided to sit on after Williams' untimely death in 1953 (again, we are indebted to the discography at http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com/2009/12/jerry-and-sky.html).


Milt Larkin,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The last of the 100-series artists was Milt Larkin. He played trumpet and valve trombone and sang blues. Larkin formed a Swing band in Houston, Texas, in 1936 which never recorded, despite at various times featuring Russell Jacquet, Illinois Jacquet, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Arnett Cobb, and Tom Archia; in 1942-1943, a later edition of the Larkin band enjoyed a long residency at the Rhumboogie Café in Chicago. The big band broke up in the Fall of 1943 when most of the members, including the leader, were drafted. After returning to civilian life, Larkin led a rhythm and blues combo. Sonora 116 and 117 were recorded in the spring of 1947; their weakly promoted release terminated the 100 series. As soon as it became clear that Sonora had quit recording, Larkin moved over to the Sunrise label, which advertised two singles on him in September 1947 and definitely released one of them. Sunrise 2011 actually came out around the same time as his Sonoras, which were held for the company's final desperate push in the fall of the year. He subsequently fronted a successful combo called the X-Rays, which recorded for Regal among other labels.


Milt Larkin,
From the collection of Robert L. Campbell

The Sonora H 7000 Country series: 1947

Matrix Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1943-1H 7040-AFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersTwo Double XDec-46May-47
1945-1H 7040-BFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersAges and Ages AgoDec-46May-47
1956-1H 7041-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with accomp.Headin' HomeDec-46Apr-47
1958-1H 7041-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with accomp.Is There Somebody Else?Dec-46Apr-47
1949-1H 7042-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.I Traded My Soul for a RoseDec-46Apr-47
1954-1H 7042-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Then You'll Be the One to CryDec-46Apr-47

H 7043-AFred KirbyI Can't Tell That Lie to My Heart
Mar-47

H 7043-BFred KirbyDownright Lonely, Downright Blue
Mar-47
1947-1H 7044-AThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.Nobody's Love Is like MineDec-46Apr-47
1953-1H 7044-BThe Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp.All I Have Is LoveDec-46Apr-47

H 7045-AFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersYou'll Never Take away My Dreams
Sep-47
2013-2H 7045-BFred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersThe Chapel in the HillsFeb-47Sep-47

H 7046-AFred KirbyWelcome Back to My Heart
Sep-47

H 7046-BFred KirbyThe Leaf of Love
Sep-47
2040-2H 7047-AArt Dixon and his Melody MustangsA Song That I Heard in LaredoFeb-47Sep-47
2039-1H 7047-BArt Dixon and his Melody MustangsDon't Dog Me AroundFeb-47Sep-47

H 7048-AArt DixonBite Your Tongue and Say You're Sorry
Sep-47

H 7048-BArt DixonDon't Let the Light Burn Low
Sep-47
2057-H 7049-AJerry & SkyNo One NowFeb-47Sep-47
2056-H 7049-BJerry & SkyGoodbye My Lover GoodbyeFeb-47Sep-47

H 7050-AJerry & SkyDriftwood on the RiverFeb-47Sep-47

H 7050-BJerry & SkyOrange Blossom SpecialFeb-47Sep-47
2058-1H 7051-AJerry & SkyCrying for YouFeb-47Oct-47
2055-1H 7051-BJerry & SkyYou Can't Go Wrong Doing RightFeb-47Oct-47

H 7052-AJerry & SkyDreamy EyesFeb-47Oct-47

H 7052-BJerry & SkyThe First WhippoorwillFeb-47Oct-47

The Sonora 3000 Pop Series: 1947

Matrix Release Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
2007-3038-A
Fred KirbyThe Wreck of the Old '97Feb-47Apr-47

3038-B
Fred KirbyDeep in the Bottom of the Sea
Apr-47

3039-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal by Don GradySerenade to Love
Jan-47

3039-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal by Saxie DowellLulu Has a Sweetheart
Jan-47
2008-13040-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersCasey Jones (The Brave Engineer)Feb-47Jul-47
2009-13040-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The MountaineersIt's the Beginning of the EndFeb-47Jul-47
1898-13041-A
D'Artega and His Orchestra | Vocal by Tony RussoBeware My HeartOct-46Jan-47
1907-23041-B
D'Artega and His Orchestra | Vocal by Tony RussoNight of MemoriesOct-46Jan-47
1974-13042-A
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp.The Man Who Paints the Rainbow in the SkyDec-46Jan-47

3042-B
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp.You Call It Madness (But I Call It Love)Dec-46Jan-47
1972-13043-A
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp.How Are Things in Glocca MorraDec-46Jan-47
1973-13043-B
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp."Dream, Dream, Dream"Dec-46Jan-47
2108-23044-A
Ginny Simms and OrchestraAn Apple Blossom WeddingMar-47Jun-47
2104-23044-B
Ginny Simms and OrchestraWait'll I Get My Sunshine in the MoonlightMar-47Jun-47
2110-23045-A
Ginny Simms and Orchestra(I've Been So Wrong for So Long—But) I'm So Right TonightMar-47Jun-47
2109-23045-B
Ginny Simms and OrchestraOn the Old Spanish TrailMar-47Jun-47
1840-13046-
Jimmy & Mildred MulcayTiger RagAug-46Jul-47
1833-23046-
Jimmy & Mildred MulcayMildred's BoogieAug-46Jul-47

Ginny Simms,
The last in Sonora's pop series, from the collection of Robert L. Campbell

Ginny Simms was Sonora's last catch. Originally one of Kay Kyser's girl singers, she had gotten a foothold in Hollywood and made records under her own name for Vocalion/OKeh, Columbia, and ARA. In 1947, she also had her own network radio show. Simms cost the company a bundle; Sonora guaranteed her $10,000 a year. Her extensive recording sessions produced two singles in the 3000s and an album of Cole Porter tunes (MS 496). The Cole Porter sides are still worth a listen, particularly the numbers on which D'Artega dispensed with the string section. She would be one of the last artists to go into the studio for Sonora.

The last new group to record for Sonora was a concert band led by Sousa disciple Edwin Franko Goldman, which ended the 1500 matrix series at 2122. His album of marches (MS 497) was the second last to be released.

The last group to make an album for release was the Gordon Trio with Frank Negleman and Joe Salvino, still billed as providing "Music with Personality." Their album (MS 498) was so rare that most record buyers had to think the sides were new when they were reissued on the Rondo label. We haven't posted a date for the sessions, but they were probably in May 1947. By the time the album was out, the Gordon Trio no longer existed; in Setember 1947, the group was playing a hotel in Peoria, Illinois, when an angry husband fired a shot at Max Gordon while they were performing. Frank Negleman promptly quit and took a day job with Caterpillar in Peoria; Joe Salvino returned to the Pittsburgh area. Max Gordon would assemble another trio, but by then Sonora was history.


The Sonora 1000 Series: Albums from 1947

Matrix Sonora # Album # Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1915-1169-AMS 493-1H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraPara Mia
Mar-47
1916-1169-BMS 493-2H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraVienna City of My Dreams
Mar-47
1912-11170-AMS 493-3H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraMeadowlands
Mar-47
1911-1170-BMS 493-4H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraNorwegian Dance #2
Mar-47
1913-11171-AMS 493-5H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraHora Staccato
Mar-47
1914-1171-BMS 493-6H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraFrere Jacques
Mar-47
1909-1172-AMS 493-7H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraPomp and Circumstance
Mar-47
1910-1172-BMS 493-8H. Leopold Spitalny and OrchestraTorna a Sorriento
Mar-47


MS 494?




















































2022-1177-AMS 492-1D'Artega and Orch. | Vocal-Gloria MorenoGreen EyesFeb-47May-47
2016-11177-BMS 492-2D'Artega and Orch.Tico TicoFeb-47May-47
2020-1178-AMS 492-3D'Artega and Orch.A Media LuzFeb-47May-47

1178-BMS 492-4D'Artega and Orch.BrazilFeb-47May-47
2018-11179-AMS 492-5D'Artega and Orch. | Vocal-Jose y SocarrasThe Peanut VendorFeb-47May-47
2021-11179-BMS 492-6D'Artega and Orch.La CumparsitaFeb-47May-47
2015-11180-AMS 492-7D'Artega and Orch. | Vocal-Jose y SocarrasMama InezFeb-47May-47
2019-11180-BMS 492-8D'Artega and Orch.El ChocloFeb-47May-47
2065-1181-AMS 495-1Bob Stanley and OrchestraThree O'Clock in the Morning
Jun-47
2070-1181-BMS 495-2Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe AllenWaiting
Jun-47
2063-1182-AMS 495-3Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe AllenRamona
Jun-47
2068-1182-BMS 495-4Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe AllenMemory Lane
Jun-47
2064-1183-AMS 495-5Bob Stanley and OrchestraWabash Moon
Jun-47
2067-1183-BMS 495-6Bob Stanley and OrchestraThe Waltz You Saved for Me
Jun-47
2069-1184-AMS 495-7Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe AllenMy Moonlight Madonna
Jun-47
2066-1184-BMS 495-8Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe AllenWonderful One
Jun-47
2079-11185-AU D-2-1Uncle DonOn the Farm: The Farmer Man Song | My Dog Stubby

2080-11185-BU D-2-1Uncle DonOn the Farm: Lambs - Hen - Rooster - Turkey

2081-11186-AU D-2-3Uncle DonOn the Farm: Horse - Cat - Cow

2082-11186-BU D-2-4Uncle DonOn the Farm: Duckling - Frog - Pig

2089-11187-AMS 491-1Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraThe Party Polka (Ev'rybody Laugh)

2084-11187-BMS 491-2Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraMoonlight Polka

2087-11188-AMS 491-3Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra | Vocal-Bob DouglasHolka Polka

2086-11188-BMS 491-4Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraPolka Time

2085-11189-AMS 491-5Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraJolly Peter

2088-11189-BMS 491-6Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraCarousel Polka

2083-11190-AMS 491-8Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraBeer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel)

2090-11190-BMS 491-7Stanislaw Mroczek and OrchestraBell Polka

2111-31191-AMS 496-1Ginny Simms and OrchestraNight and DayMar-47Oct-47
2105-21191-BMS 496-2Ginny Simms and OrchestraYou're the TopMar-47Oct-47
2107-31192-AMS 496-3Ginny Simms and OrchestraEasy to LoveMar-47Oct-47
2112-21192-BMS 496-4Ginny Simms and OrchestraJust One of Those ThingsMar-47Oct-47
2114-31193-AMS 496-5Ginny Simms and OrchestraI Get a Kick out of YouMar-47Oct-47
2103-31193-BMS 496-6Ginny Simms and OrchestraWhat Is This Thing Called LoveMar-47Oct-47
2113-41194-AMS 496-7Ginny Simms and OrchestraI've Got You under My SkinMar-47Oct-47
2106-21194-BMS 496-8Ginny Simms and OrchestraMy Heart Belongs to DaddyMar-47Oct-47
2122-11195-AMS 497-1The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorBugles and Drums—March
Oct-47
2121-11195-BMS 497-2The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorKindergarten March
Oct-47
2117-11196-AMS 497-3The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorVictory Day—March
Oct-47
2120-11196-BMS 497-4The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorWorld Peace—March
Oct-47
2119-11197-AMS 497-5The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorO'er Land and Sea—March
Oct-47
2116-31197-BMS 497-6The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorHail Brooklyn—March
Oct-47
2115-31198-AMS 497-7The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorAnniversary March
Oct-47
2118-11198-BMS 497-8The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman ConductorBirthday March
Oct-47
2123-11199-AUD3An Airplane Trip with Uncle DonTo the Airport-Start of the Airplane Trip

2124-11199-BUD3An Airplane Trip with Uncle DonNew York City-New Jersey-Pennsylvania The Stewardess

2125-11200-AUD3An Airplane Trip with Uncle Don"Detroit-Chicago-The Plains-Rocky Mountains-Idaho-Hollywood, Calif."

2126-11200-BUD3An Airplane Trip with Uncle Don"Grand Canyon-Arizona-Texas-Mississippi-Florida-Virginia-Washington, D. C."

2129-21201-AMS 498-1The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityMemories
Dec-47
2130-11201-BMS 498-2The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityCarolina in the Morning
Dec-47
2132-11202-AMS 498-3The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityMarie
Dec-47
2131-31202-BMS 498-4The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityValencia
Dec-47
2127-31203-AMS 498-5The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityWhispering
Dec-47
2134-31203-BMS 498-6The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityButton up Your Overcoat
Dec-47
2128-21204-AMS 498-7The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityMy Little Girl
Dec-47
2133-31204-BMS 498-8The Gordon Trio | Music with PersonalityYou're the Cream in My Coffee
Dec-47


UD 4Uncle DonUncle Don Tell Me a Story






















2142-21207-A"MS 499-5"Ted Straeter | his Piano and The Straeter Singers | vocal—Ted StraeterThe Most Beautiful Girl in the World
Feb-48
2135-11207-B"MS 499-6"Ted Straeter | his Piano and Orch.You Do Something to Me
Feb-48

Sonora was able to keep up the pace for all of three months after the controversial launch. The last display ad in Billboard promoting a slew of black-label releases ran on May 31. Meanwhile, the union workers at Reko-Plastik had been threatening to strike. To avert a work stoppage, the company offered them 20% raises, a move that required immediately boosting the retail prices on its black-label records to 50 cents and on its red-label product to 60 cents (Billboard, May 17, 1947, p. 19). No longer able to offer black-label 78s for 39 cents, Sonora promptly closed the two short series (the 500s and H 6000s) and moved the artists back to the corresponding red-label series. Soon enough it also closed the 2000 series.

This wasn't all. The company quit scheduling recording sessions, and sent so many of its workers on vacation that its pressing plants were idle for most of the summer. Rumors began to circulate: that Sonora was going back to albums only, and looking for a buyer for Reko-Plastik.

In June, Bob Houston signed with the recently launched MGM Records operation, which wanted more male vocalists. Cash Box ("MGM Pacts Bob Houston," June 30, 1947, p. 30) described his business arrangement with Sonora as a "one shot deal," although it obviously hadn't been: Houston had recorded with Roy Smeck and D'Artega. No matter; the exodus was under way.

On August 9, Joseph Gerl, the company's president, felt obliged to deny the stories. Gerl insisted that a new round of sessions would begin on September 1, 1947 (Billboard, August 16, 1947, p. 17). On August 16, the last ad mentioning a new Sonora appeared in the trade magazine; Shapiro-Bernstein Music listed Sonora 3044 by Ginny Simms as one of 8 new recordings of its song "An Apple Blossom Wedding." Sonora really was finished recording.

The second to last new Sonora release to be announced in Billboard was The Goldman Band's album MS 497, listed on October 11, 1947. The last to be reviewed was MS 496, Ginny Simms' collection of Cole Porter songs as featured in the movie Night and Day (October 18, 1947, p. 125).

On November 29, 1947, Billboard reported that Sonora was no longer recording or releasing any pop singles, Sonora 3045 by Ginny Simms having been the end of the line. (If it had really just been "over two months" since 3045 came out, the record's release had slipped substantially after the announcement in May.) Really the last Sonora pop was 3046, a reissue of two sides by the Mulcays; obviously the trades never heard of it. Billboard wasn't paying attention any more, but the last release in the H 7000 series—H 7052, according to our current information—probably came out around the same time as 3045. Company officials wouldn't respond to inquiries, while, ominously, "it was learned from artists under contract to Sonora that they were making no platters for the coming Petrillo work-stoppage period backlog as other firms are doing" (p. 20).

Griff Williams, in fact, told the magazine he had gotten Sonora to release him from his contract. (Williams kept a band going after Sonora folded; in May 1949 he would four sides in Chicago for Tower, Cash Box, May 21, 1949, p. 9). Saxie Dowell confirmed that after his Sonora contract ran out in September and wasn't renewed, he'd moved to another Chicago-based label, Vitacoustic.

It wasn't just the record company that was in trouble. In 1947, a year in which countless big bands shut down or shrank their personnel, most of the sweet-band leaders on Sonora's roster were in trouble. By the time he signed with Vitacoustic, Saxie Dowell had broken up his big band and downsized, first to a sextet, then to a quartet.

Meanwhile, a story in the same issue of Billboard (also p. 20) noted that Harry Fox, an agent for some big New York music publishers, was in Chicago to demand back royalties from several companies: Vogue, the Detroit-based maker of picture disks on vinyl, which was already out of business; Majestic, which was in financial trouble and on the skids with the Musicians Union in Los Angeles; and Sonora.

The last album dribbled out in December, when MS 498 by the now-defunct Gordon Trio, recorded at the company's second-last studio session 7 months earlier, was listed as a new release in Billboard. As previously noted, the 8 sides are often found as reissues on Rondo, rarely as Sonora originals.


Scavenger Hunt: 1948


Ted Straeter,
The last Sonora. Courtesy of Dave Diehl.

In January 1948, the remnant record company, now cut loose from corporate HQ in Chicago, was listed in Billboard at 730 Fifth Avenue, New York 19, New York (Juke Box supplement, January 24, 1948, p. 9). Sonora let out a final gasp in February 1948. Word came of a limited release on "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World," recorded by Ted Straeter's orchestra at the company's very last session, some day in May 1947. A few pressings of the number, cut when Straeter was scheduled to make an album, had been sold in Philadelphia ("Sonora Shunts Special Wax to Single Siding," Billboard, February 14, 1948, p. 36). On February 28, 1948, a brief item in Billboard (p. 20) declared that Sonora might try releasing the recently test-marketed Straeter "on a new color label," retailing for 79 cents. The record duly materialized, on a purple label with silver print (album side numbers still forlornly included), but sales weren't there. In fact, some copies carried the gold on maroon labels that had been intended for use in the album. By May, Sonora Records was being referred to, simply, as defunct. Straeter's other six sides would never see release.


Ted Straeter,
Courtesy of Dave Diehl

Vultures circled. Eli Oberstein, who had left RCA Victor to start his own Varsity operation, then moved on to Hit Records after Varsity and Royale folded, had returned to the major after the war. Now he was about to leave again and start a new company, initially called Wright Record Corporation. Sonora had gotten its start with material recorded for Musical Masterpieces and Oberstein's Royale label. Now Oberstein was returning the favor. First, he made a deal in May to secure the use of the Meriden pressing plants, renting them out to Victor. In a little while, he was their new owner and was using them to press his own records.

By July, Oberstein was up and running and ready to reissue Sonora material on a resurrected Varsity label ("Obie Kicks off Varsity 39 Cent Platters; Direct to Dealers," Billboard, July 3, 1948, pp. 3, 16). He also revived his Royale imprint. Where the 1939-1940 Varsity labels gave New York City as the company's location, the new labels put Meriden, Connecticut. Adding to the insult, Oberstein was intent on selling his Varsity singles for 39 cents—precisely the move that had precipitated Sonora's collapse.

Oberstein announced that his new Varsity singles would start coming out in September; he also declared that he had "purchased, for a backlog, some 250 standard material masters from Sonora. [...] Right now he is using some of them as promotional material to soften up the department store market" (p. 16). And so he was; according to the somewhat incredulous Billboard writer, Oberstein was moving 4-pocket Sonora albums (or Varsity rebrands of the same; some Varsity albums were identical to their Sonoran precursors, right down to the album numbers, except where "Varsity" replaced "Sonora" on the cover) for $1.98 each at Macy's. Of course, Sonora had recruited the artists, paid for the recording and mastering, and contracted for the cover art; Varsity's overhead was, ummm, lower. Meanwhile, Oberstein was in such terrible repute with the Musicians Union (among other things, for recording after the 1942 ban) that he did not make one new recording of his own in the United States after selling his Hit label.

In November 1948, Oberstein put out "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" on Varsity 113, with another Sonoran hand-me-down, Robert Russell Bennett's orchestra playing "Speak Low," on the other side. The trade paper (Billboard, November 6, 1948, p. 36) described "Most Beautiful," less than truthfully, as "a number that sold big on Sonora."

Among the 78s in the new Varsity 100 series, at least 11 sides were of Sonoran origin. In the 500s, no fewer than 40 came from Sonora. (See http://www.78discography.com/VarsWri.htm for an informative, albeit incomplete, listing of these two series.) Nearly everything else on the new Varsity was scavenged from another medium-sized independent label, Majestic, which had absorbed Oberstein's old Hit label in early 1945 and was already on the skids when Sonora failed (Majestic went broke in February 1948). Or it came more or less directly from Oberstein's old United States operation. By the end of 1949, Eli Oberstein had reissued a bunch of Sonora 78 albums on Varsity. Wright would be replaced in late 1951 or early 1952 by the cheekily named Record Corporation of America, which would serve as Oberstein's corporate umbrella for the rest of his career. To judge from what is still showing up these days on Varsity and other labels in Oberstein's grasp and control, such as Royale's line of 10-inch LPs in the early 1950s, or the Allegro line of cheap LPs in the later 1950s, or even the 12-inch LPs on Pickwick, it was the Bob Stanley sets of waltzes that he most coveted. Other pickings of interest were Enric Madriguera's Latin album, Robert Russell Bennett's Broadway albums, Lani McIntire's Hawaiian albums, and Stanislaw Mroczek, er, Bob Stanley's collected polka output.

But Oberstein grabbed up a lot more, hooking Ben Yost's barbershop quartet numbers, Red River Dave and Jesse Rogers' cowboy songs, Kel Murray's chamber orchestra lullabyes, assorted sides by D'Artega, even Ed Durlacher's collection of square dances (Durlacher wasn't a household name; his group became the "Varsity String Band"). The Sonora Choristers were also included; Oberstein lumped them in with some other choirs as the "Varsity Choraleers." Oberstein was so cheap that, as soon as LPs starting pulling market share, he retreaded his Varsity albums into 10-inch Royale LPs—the same 8 tracks, with the same cover art that Sonora had commissioned from 1944 through 1947. A little later, he did some retreading on Varsity 10-inch LPs: the first 10 releases in the Varsity 6900 series were all of Sonora material.

Oberstein was not the only one out scavenging. He had encouraged Herman Lubinsky to enter the record business in 1942, selling a bunch of masters to Lubinsky's new Savoy operation in the process. In August 1948, Lubinsky, the proprietor of Savoy and recent acquirer of Regent, announced that he had bought 4000 masters from Sonora. The stories we have been able to find on the subject are confusing—as we know Lubinsky wanted them to be—but the most plausible interepretation is that he had mostly snapped up masters that Sonora had, in turn, bought from other sources in the early going. By our reckoning (see below) Sonora recorded 660 masters on its own account. Could the company have purchased another 3340? The Billboard item from August 7, 1948 (p. 15) declared that Savoy/Regent was now a "strong pop entrant," but none of the pop items that it identifies—the King Cole Trio, Phil Harris, Kay Thompson, and Dick Robertson—came from Sonora. "Race and hillbilly sides" are mentioned, too, but none of these are named. Here's what sounds sort of Sonoran: "Some 25 per cent of the Sonora sides, Lubinsky said, consist of 12-inch classical, semi, and standard numbers, including the only recorded version of the Verdi opera, Hernani, on a 10-side album." Sort of. We know of 12-inch Sonoras, from the company's earliest days, and a couple of early 10-inch albums with 5 pockets each—all derived from Musicraft Musical Masterpieces. Not, however, a 5-pocket 12-inch album of an opera, which in any event would have consisted of highlights; it wouldn't have contained much more than 50 minutes of music.

Intriguingly, the same article declared that Lubinsky had obtained (and already released) "the old Lang Thompson waxing of You Darlin', the sleeper recently revived via exhumation of the Ben Selvin record of the 1920's." Here the story gets really twisted. On July 31, Billboard had announced "Rondo and Regent to Serve "Darlin'" on Thompson Platter" (p. 19, story dated July 24). Thompson had led a sweet band from 1934 to 1947, using "You Darlin'" as his theme song, and was now working as a band booker in Chicago. He was puzzled to hear of the reissues, because he'd recorded the tune in 1940 for ... Varsity, which was then owned by ... Eli Oberstein. Herman Lubinsky wouldn't say where the side came from, but Rondo reported getting it from Sonora. And Milton Benjamin, who, along with his wife Marie Reubens, had taken control of what remained of Sonora's music operation, acknowledged recently selling 26 Lang Thompson masters. Apparently, then, Oberstein unloaded the masters to Sonora, which to our knowledge never released any of them; Sonora went under; then Benjamin sold all 26 to Lubinsky and one to Rondo. (One has to wonder whether Oberstein sold any masters to Sonora only to buy them back for less than Sonora had paid him.) On Regent, the coupling was another Lang Thompson side. On Rondo, it was the last instrumental by organist Ken Griffin that the company could release without getting into Union trouble during the 1948 recording ban, "Bumble Bee on a Bender."

After Oberstein and Lubinsky completed their swoops and side deals, thick slices of Sonora were still on the table. Rondo picked up another 80 items in October 1948. There's no way Herman Lubinsky would have spent money on Sonora's Coleman Hawkins sides, or its Dud Bascombs and Clyde Bernhardts, then never released them on one of his own labels. Rondo may not have gotten the Bascombs and the Bernhardts, but it did obtain sides by Coleman Hawkins, the Velvetones, and Snub Mosley for its 1550 R&B series, reissuing them in February 1949. It also got sides by the Gordon Trio, reissuing Sonora 3035 on Rondo 180 before 1948 was out, and resurrecting the Trio's album from dying days of Sonora on Rondo 193, 194, and 195 in 1949. Rondo then signed Max Gordon's new trio, for new recordings for in 1949 and 1950.

Although many Country items from Sonora were reportedly included in the October 1948 deal, so far we have found just two such releases on Rondo. Meanwhile Varsity was helping itself to the Jesse Rogers and Red River Dave sides. And it was Herman Lubinsky who would eventually make use of Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay, putting their Sonoran output on a 12-inch Regent LP. (In the 1950s, the Mulcays were making new recordings for Decca, Essex, and Cardinal, among other labels, and Lubinsky felt he could compete.)

Lubinsky also put out 12-inchers on Joe Biviano and some other Sonora artists. Granted, these LPs didn't appear till 1955 or 1956, so Lubinsky could have acquired the sides from Oberstein later on... even after Rondo, in its turn, was sold.

Some Bob Stanley sides were also said to have changed hands, but we haven't seen any of them on Rondo either.


"The Company Definitely Will Not Produce Records Again": 1949-1957

On February 5, 1949, Billboard reported that Ginny Simms had filed suit against Sonora Radio and TV Corp. in Circuit Court. She claimed that her contract had guaranteed her $10,000 a year and Sonora still owed her $5,000. (It's most unlikely that she got any more money, but her Cole Porter sides hadn't gone away. They would be seeing further circulation on Eli Oberstein's Royale label, which didn't have to pay her a dime for the privilege.)

Without a briefing on how the radios and TV sets were selling, we can't be sure, but it's reasonable to suppose that the record division's losses were pulling the whole company down. In October 1949, the parent company filed for Chapter 11, reorganizing strictly as a maker of radio and TV sets ("Sonora Mending Financial Aches," Billboard, November 5, 1949, p. 15; money quote: "The company definitely will not produce records again, however.")

There were still pickings. In 1950, Lubinsky's Savoy label announced that its first batch of 45s would include some Sonora material, and Billboard ran a piece on a record emporium in Buffalo, New York, that was known for operating the biggest polka department in the known universe and for using brash marketing tactics. The store had bought up every Sonora album it could find within some radius of Buffalo (supposedly, 5,000 copies) and sold them all off in a giant half-price sale lasting a couple of days. Meanwhile, Sonora Radio and Television stumbled on. On January 1, 1957, the corporation filed for bankruptcy for the last time; on December 23, 1958 the State of Illinois ordered it dissolved (see Richard Arnold's capsule history of Sonora's radios at http://www.antiqueradio.com/Apr07_Arnold_Sonora.html).


An Unfocused Legacy

Sonora was actually one of the larger post-World War II independents. While it was doing its own recording, between February 1944 and May 1947, Sonora was about as prolific as the New York-based outfits Hit/Majestic and Continental, which also failed to extend their runs past the end of the decade. (Majestic and Sonora, it may be worth noting, were divisions of radio and TV manufacturers.) Allowing for skipped master numbers and not counting alternates, there were 632 masters in Sonora's 1500 matrix series, and another 28 in its 500 series, totaling 660 newly recorded sides in a little over three years. But Sonora hasn't gotten nearly so much attention as Continental or Majestic in the years since it closed.

Partly this may be because it had no regional identity. The company's head offices were in Chicago, but Sonora didn't do its recording there. The soon-to-be-Hollywood band of Ray Anthony was in the city when Sonora signed him, and Saxie Dowell was affiliated with radio station WGN during his year with the company. But apart from some early entries in the H7000s that were cut at a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, every recording session that we can place for Sonora was in New York, right where it had launched its recording program at the WOR Studios in 1944. And the company's main master numbering series didn't differentiate by location. The pressing plant complex, with which Sonora would become ruinously preoccupied, was located in Connecticut.

Sonora's posthumous reputation hasn't been helped by its initial concentration on what would later be marketed as "beautiful music" or "easy listening." Bob Stanley/Stanislaw Mroczek sold plenty of records in the 1940s and was still generating revenue for Eli Oberstein and Herman Lubinsky in the 1950s. Who collects his sides today? Sonora recorded a wide variety of Mickey Mouse bands, did light classics, cut some show tunes, made a bunch of children's records, worked up a slew of Country offerings, and dabbled in other ethnic performances by polka, rhumba, Hawaiian, and Gypsy bands. Most of this material would also make money for Eli Oberstein or Herman Lubinsky for another decade; again, however, these are not the records today's collectors are after.

The Sonoras of greatest value to most of our readers—the jazz outings by Joe Biviano, Jerry Wald, Coleman Hawkins, Dud Bascomb, and Roberta Lee; the R&B by the Velvetones, Clyde Bernhardt, Eddie Barefield, the Jim Jam Trio, Milt Larkin, and Snub Mosley—form a small part of the company's output, but they shouldn't be overooked on that account. Sonoras were always well recorded by the standards of the era. Many were better pressed than other postwar indie offerings. The main limitation is that everything was pressed on shellac; the company went under before vinyl pressing was widely adopted. Although the shellac pressings were, as always, thick and brittle, the only faults we have noted are occasional pimply or bubbly surfaces. And, as we have noted, the wartime pressings, made while shellac was rationed, are inevitably tight and smooth, while the quality of those from the company's own plants, in 1946 and 1947, is noticeably more variable.


We have compiled a numerical listing of Sonora's 1500 series, which the company used for all of the new material that it recorded.

Appendix A. The Sonora 1500 Matrix Series

Matrix Sonora # Album # Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
1500- 1028 A MS 457-1 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Song of the Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii) Feb-44 Mar-44
1501- 1029 A MS 457-3 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders One, Two, Three, Four Feb-44 Mar-44
1502- 1028 B MS 457-2 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders You Are Like a Beautiful Flower (Makalapua) Feb-44 Mar-44
1503- 1029 B MS 457-4 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Sweet Constancy (Ue Like Noa Like) Feb-44 Mar-44
1504- 1030 A MS 457-5 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Farewell to Thee (Aloha Oe) Feb-44 Mar-44
1505- 1030 B MS 457-6 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Beautiful Kahana Feb-44 Mar-44
1506- 1031 A MS 457-7 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Isle of Golden Dreams Feb-44 Mar-44
1507- 1031 B MS 457-8 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Maori Brown Eyes Feb-44 Mar-44
1508- 1047 A MS 271-1 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble Shining Moon Medley (Swietit mieisiatz) Feb-44 Mar-44
1509- 1047 B MS 271-2 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble Two Guitars (Dwie gitary) Feb-44 Mar-44
1510- 1048 A MS 271-3 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble Dark Eyes (Otchi tchornie) Feb-44 Mar-44
1511- 1049 A MS 271-5 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble The Only Girl (Chok Adge Kishlan) Feb-44 Mar-44
1512- 1050-A MS 271-7 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble When I Stroll Down Acatia Lane (Akatsosh Ut Ha Royta Medgyek Vedgyk En) Feb-44 Mar-44
1513- 1049 B MS 271-6 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble A Gypsy's Dream (Adge Tsigan Alma) Feb-44 Mar-44
1514- 1048 B MS 271-4 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble When a Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry Feb-44 Mar-44
1515- 1050 B MS 271-8 Noy Gorodinsky and his Gypsy Ensemble Waiting for You Feb-44 Mar-44
1516- 1041 A MS 460-3 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Where or When Feb-44 Mar-44
1517-2 1040 A MS 460-1 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Dream of a Doll Feb-44 Mar-44
1518-1 1043 B MS 460-8 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Parade of the Wooden Soldiers Feb-44 Mar-44
1519-2 1042 A MS 460-5 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Liszt) Feb-44 Mar-44
1520-2 1043 A MS 460-7 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Toy Trumpet Feb-44 Mar-44
1521-2 1040 B MS 460-2 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Chopsticks Feb-44 Mar-44
1522-2 1041 B MS 460-4 Pauline Alpert | Pianist Sweet Sue Feb-44 Mar-44
1523- 1042 B MS 460-6 Pauline Alpert | Pianist In a Country Garden Feb-44 Mar-44
























































1532- 1046 A MS 452-5 Uncle Don "The Farmer in the Dell; Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grow; London Bridge Is Falling Down" Feb-44 Mar-44
1533- 1044 A MS 452-1 Uncle Don "Mary Had a Little Lamb; Little Bo Peep; Little Boy Blue; Baa Baa Black Sheep; Humpty Dumpty; Tom, Tom the Piper's Son; Jack and Jill" Feb-44 Mar-44
1534- 1046 B MS 452-6 Uncle Don Here We Go round the Mulberry Bush; A Tisket A Tasket; Ring around the Roses; Pop Goes the Weasel Feb-44 Mar-44
1535- 1044 B MS 452-2 Uncle Don "Cock a Doodle Doo; Lazy Mary; Hot Cross Buns; To Market, to Market; Pussy Cat, Where Have You Been; Hickory Dickory Dock; Little Jack Horner; Sing a Song of Sixpence" Feb-44 Mar-44
1536-2 1045 A MS 452-3 Uncle Don Old King Cole; There Was a Little Woman; The Muffin Man; Bean Porridge; Alphabet Song; Three Blind Mice; Old Mother Hubbard Feb-44 Mar-44
1537-1 1045 B MS 452-4 Uncle Don This Little Pig Went to Market; Pat a Cake; There Was a Little Girl; I Love Little Pussy; Goosey Goosey Gander; Ten Little Indians Feb-44 Mar-44
1538- 1037 A MS 459-3 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Two Hearts in Waltz Time Feb-44 Mar-44
1539- 1038 A MS 459-5 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Missouri Waltz Feb-44 Mar-44
1540-2 1036 B MS 459-2 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Let Me Call You Sweetheart Feb-44 Mar-44
1541-2 1039 B MS 459-8 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra "Jeannine, I Dream of Lilac Time" Feb-44 Mar-44
1542- 1039 A MS 459-7 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Shadow Waltz Feb-44 Mar-44
1543-2 1036 A MS 459-1 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Song of Love Feb-44 Mar-44
1544- 1038 B MS 459-6 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Beautiful Ohio Feb-44 Mar-44
1545- 1037 B MS 459-4 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Alice Blue Gown Feb-44 Mar-44
1546-3 1054-B MS 461-8 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Tales from the Vienna Woods Feb-44 Jun-45
1547-2 1053-A MS 461-5 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Thousand and One Nights Feb-44 Jun-45
1548-2 1053-B MS 461-6 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Blue Danube Feb-44 Jun-45
1549- 1051-A MS 461-1 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Voices of Spring Feb-44 Jun-45
1550-2 1051-B MS 461-2 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Southern Roses Feb-44 Jun-45
1551-2 1052-B MS 461-4 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Emperor Waltz Feb-44 Jun-45
1552- 1052-A MS 461-3 Bob Stanley and Orchestra You and You Feb-44 Jun-45
1553-2 1054-A MS 461-7 Bob Stanley and Orchestra "Wine, Women and Song" Feb-44 Jun-45
1554- 1055-A MS 462-1 Eddy Brown and Ensemble "Berceuse (From ""Jocelyn"")"
Dec-44
1555- 1055-B MS 462-2 Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Crys Holland Ma Curly-Headed Baby
Dec-44
1556-2 1056-B MS 462-4 Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Crys Holland Love's Old Sweet Song
Dec-44
1557-2 1057-B MS 462-6 Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean Merrill Sweet and Low
Dec-44
1558-1 1056-A MS 462-3 Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean Merrill Brahms' Lullaby
Dec-44
1559- 1057-A MS 462-5 Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean Merrill "Lullaby from ""Ermine"""
Dec-44
1560- 1058-A MS 462-7 Eddy Brown and Ensemble | Vocal by Jean Merrill That's an Irish Lullaby
Dec-44
1561-1 1058-B MS 462-8 Eddy Brown and Ensemble Sleep Baby Sleep
Dec-44
1562-




Dec-44
1563-1 1059-A MS 463-1 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Bob Lido Besame Mucho-Bolero
Jun-44
1564-2 1060-A MS 463-3 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita Rosa Chiu Chiu-Rhumba
Jun-44
1565-2 1059-B MS 463-2 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita Rosa Como Tru-Cu-Tu-Rhumba
Jun-44
1566-2 1060-B MS 463-4 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita Rosa and Bob Lido I'm Living from Kiss to Kiss-Beguine
Jun-44
1567- 1062-A MS 463-7 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Nita Rosa Cae Cae-Samba
Jun-44
1568- 1062-B MS 463-8 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra Llumbele-Guarracha
Jun-44
1569-2 1061-A MS 463-5 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra | Vocal by Patricia Gilmore Cansado (I'm So Tired)-Rhumba
Jun-44
1570-2 1061-B MS 463-6 Enric Madriguera and Orchestra Os Quindis de Yaya-Samba
Jun-44
1571-2 1067-B MS 465-2 Frank Connors and Orchestra I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen
Oct-44
1572-1 1070-B MS 465-8 Frank Connors and Orchestra Little Town in Ould County Down
Oct-44
1573-2 1068-A MS 465-3 Frank Connors and Orchestra You're Irish and You're Beautiful
Oct-44
1574- 1070-A MS 465-7 Frank Connors and Orchestra Rose of Tralee
Oct-44
1575-1 1067-A MS 465-1 Frank Connors and Orchestra My Wild Irish Rose
Oct-44
1576-2 1068-B MS 465-4 Frank Connors and Orchestra Mother Machree
Oct-44
1577- 1069-B MS 465-6 Frank Connors and Orchestra A Little Bit of Heaven
Oct-44
1578-3 1069-A MS 465-5 Frank Connors and Orchestra When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Oct-44
1579- 1065-A MS 464-5 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Ole Faithful
Aug-44
1580- 1064-B MS 464-4 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Wagon Trail

1581- 1066-B MS 464-8 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Red River Valley

1582-2 1064-A MS 464-3 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra The Last Round-Up

1583- 1065-B MS 464-6 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle

1584- 1066-A MS 464-7 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Empty Saddles

1585- 1063-A MS 464-1 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Is the Range Still the Same Back Home

1586- 1063-B MS 464-2 "Red River Dave" and Orchestra Home on the Range

1587-2 1035-A MS 458-7 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Pennsylvania Polka
Aug-44
1588-1 1034-B MS 458-6 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Mother Goose Polka

1589-1 1032-B MS 458-2 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Ruby Polka

1590-1 1034-A MS 458-5 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Helena Polka

1591- 1033-B MS 458-4 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Saturday Night Polka

1592- 1033-A MS 458-3 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Blackberry Polka

1593- 1035-B MS 458-8 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Clarinet Polka

1594- 1032-A MS 458-1 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Victory Polka

1595-1 1074-B MS 466-8 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Sari Waltz

1596-2 1074-A MS 466-7 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Estudiantina Waltz

1597-2 1071-A MS 466-1 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Gold and Silver-Waltz

1598- 1072-A MS 466-3 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Vienna Beauties-Waltz

1599-2 1073-A MS 466-5 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Merry Widow-Waltz

1600- 1072-B MS 466-4 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Count of Luxembourg Waltz

1601- 1071-B MS 466-2 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Gypsy Love-Waltz

1602- 1073-B MS 466-6 Bob Stanley and his Orchestra Dolores-Waltz

1603-2 1108-B MS 475-8 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Rose Marie - Overture

1604- 1106-A MS 475-3 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Soft Lights and Sweet Music

1605- 1082-B MS 468-8 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Thou Swell
Oct-44
1606- 1079-B MS 468-2 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra You Are Love
Oct-44
1607-3 1080-B MS 468-4 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Summertime
Oct-44
1608- 1081-B MS 468-6 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Why Do I Love You
Oct-44
1609- 1105-A MS 475-1 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra With a Song in My Heart

1610-2 1107-A MS 475-5 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra What Is This Thing Called Love

1611- 1079-A MS 468-1 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra I Love You
Oct-44
1612-2 1080-A MS 468-3 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Oh What a Beautiful Morning
Oct-44
1613- 1081-A MS 468-5 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Speak Low
Oct-44
1614-2 1105-B MS 475-2 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Hoops

1615-2 1082-A MS 468-7 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Surrey with the Fringe on Top
Oct-44
1616-1 1106-B MS 475-4 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra Of Thee I Sing - Overture

1617-1 1107-B MS 475-6 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra The Song Is You

1618x 1108-A MS 475-7 Russell Bennett and his Orchestra "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise"

1619-1 1078-B MS 467-8 Kel Murray and his Orchestra Serenade (Rimpianto) (Toselli)
Jan-45
1620- 1076-B MS 467-4 Kel Murray and his Orchestra "Intermezzo from ""Cavalleria Rusticana"" (Mascagni)"

1621-1 1076-A MS 467-3 Kel Murray and his Orchestra Traumerei (Reverie) (Schumann)

1622- 1077-A MS 467-5 Kel Murray and his Orchestra To a Wild Rose (MacDowell)

1623- 1075-A MS 467-1 Kel Murray and his Orchestra Andante Cantabile (Tschaikowsky)

1624- 1078-A MS 467-7 Kel Murray and his Orchestra Minuet in G Major (Paderewski)

1625- 1075-B MS 467-2 Kel Murray and his Orchestra Souvenir (Drdla)

1626-2 1077-B MS 467-6 Kel Murray and his Orchestra None but the Lonely Heart (Tschaikowsky)

1627- 1085-A MS 469-5 Ben Yost Singers New York Songs
Dec-45
1628-2 1083-B MS 469-2 Ben Yost Singers Flower Song

1629- 1083-A MS 469-1 Ben Yost Singers Drink Songs

1630-1 1084-A MS 469-3 Ben Yost Singers Holiday Songs

1631- 1086-A MS 469-7 Ben Yost Singers Favorite Songs

1632- 1084-B MS 469-4 Ben Yost Singers Sweetheart Songs

1633- 1085-B MS 469-6 Ben Yost Singers Irish Songs

1634- 1086-B MS 469-8 Ben Yost Singers Drama Songs

1635- 1091-B MS 471-2 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Drowsy Waters (Wailana)

1636-1 1093-B MS 471-6 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Hilo March

1637- 1092-B MS 471-4 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Kilima Waltz

1638- 1091-A MS 471-1 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Vocal by Lani McIntire Moonlight in Hawaii

1639-1 1092-A MS 471-3 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Vocal by Lani McIntire Dreams of Old Hawaii

1640-





1641- 1094-A MS 471-7 "Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Lani McIntire, Leilani Iaea | Samson Akaka" Ma Poina Oe Ia'u (Forget Me Not)

1642- 1094-B MS 471-8 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders Paradise Isle

1643-1 1093-A MS 471-5 Lani McIntire and his Aloha Islanders | Vocal by Lani McIntire Hawaiian Sunset

1644-2 1089-B MS 470-6 Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Jerry Wayne The Very Thought of You
Feb-45
1645-1 1088-A MS 470-3 Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera Barton I'm Making Believe
Feb-45
1646-2 1087-A MS 470-1 Jerry Wayne | Mark Warnow and his Orchestra Let's Take the Long Way Home
Feb-45
1647-2 1087-B MS 470-2 Jerry Wayne | Mark Warnow and his Orchestra I Didn't Know about You
Feb-45
1648-1 1090-B MS 470-8 Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera Barton Time Waits for No One
Feb-45
1649-2 1089-A MS-470-5 Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Jerry Wayne Ac-Cent-Tchuate the Positive
Feb-45
1650-2 1088-B MS 470-4 Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera Barton I'll Walk Alone
Feb-45
1651-1 1090-A MS 470-7 Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Vocal by Vera Barton Every Time We Say Goodbye
Feb-45
1652-2 1096-A MS 472-3 Frank Connors and Orchestra When I Grow Too Old to Dream
Oct-45
1653-2 1095-B MS 472-2 Frank Connors and Orchestra At Dawning
Oct-45
1654-2 1097-A MS 472-5 Frank Connors and Orchestra A Little Love A Little Kiss
Oct-45
1655-2 1095-A MS 472-1 Frank Connors and Orchestra Oh Promise Me
Oct-45
1656-1 1096-B MS 472-4 Frank Connors and Orchestra Love Here Is My Heart
Oct-45
1657-1 1097-B MS 472-6 Frank Connors and Orchestra Silver Threads among the Gold
Oct-45
1658-1 1098-B MS 472-8 Frank Connors and Orchestra Love's Old Sweet Song
Oct-45
1659-1X 1098-A MS 472-7 Frank Connors and Orchestra I Love You Truly
Oct-45
1660-2 1099-A MS 473-1 Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott) Adeste Fideles Sep-45 Nov-45
1661-2 1100-A MS 473-3 Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott) Silent Night Sep-45 Nov-45
1662-2 1101-A MS 473-5 Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott) The First Nowell; Away in the Manger Sep-45 Nov-45
1663-2 1099-B MS 473-2 Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott) Good King Wenceslas; Tannenbaum; Deck the Hall Sep-45 Nov-45
1664-2 1101-B MS 473-6 Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott) "O' Little Town of Bethlehem; God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen" Sep-45 Nov-45
1665-2 1100-B MS 473-4 Sonora Choristers (Under Direction Eugene Mott) Joy to the World; It Came upon the Midnight Clear; Hark the Herald Angels Sing Sep-45 Nov-45
1666-1 1102-A MS 474-1 Uncle Don "Jack Sprat; Taffy; One, Two, Buckle My Shoe; Diddle, Diddle, Dumpling; Thirty Days Has September; Nephew of Mine"








1668-1 1103-A MS 474-3 Uncle Don Little Tommy Tucker; Sneezing; Curly Locks; I Sell Sea Shells; I Saw a Ship A-Sailing; What Are Little Boys Made of; Wee Willie Winkie






















1672-4 3000-A
Mark Warnow — Dick Todd | Hit Parade Orch. and Chorus All around the Xmas Tree Sep-45 Nov-45
1673-2 3000-B
Mark Warnow — Dick Todd | Hit Parade Orch. and Chorus Happy Little Songs Sep-45 Nov-45
1674-2 1112-A MS 476-7 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" The Jazz Me Blues Sep-45 Mar-46
1675-1 1110-B MS 476-4 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" Swing Low Sweet Chariot Sep-45
1676-2 1110-A MS 476-3 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" Leone Jump Sep-45
1677-1 1109-B MS 476-2 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" Golden Wedding (La Cinquantaine) Sep-45
1678-1 1109-A MS 476-1 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" Little Brown Jug Sep-45
1679-2 1112-B MS 476-8 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" Nursery Rhymes Sep-45
1680-2 1111-A MS 476-5 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" That's a Plenty Sep-45
1681-2 1111-B MS 476-6 "Joe Biviano, his Accordion and Rhythm Sextette" Scotch Medley Sep-45
1682-2 1117-B MS 478-2 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. Hear De Lam's Acryin' | Goin' to Ride up in De Chariot Oct-45 May-46
1683-2 1119-A MS 478-5 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. City Called Heaven Oct-45 May-46
1684-2 1117-A MS 478-1 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. Water Boy Oct-45 May-46
1685-2 1118-B MS 478-4 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. Every Mail Day Oct-45 May-46
1686-2 1119-B MS 478-6 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. There's a Man Goin' Roun' Takin' Names | Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho Oct-45 May-46
1687-2 1120-B MS 478-8 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. "Black Sheep, Where You Left You' Lamb | Little David, Play on Yo Harp" Oct-45 May-46
1688-2 1118-A MS 478-3 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. Deep River Oct-45 May-46
1689-2 1120-A MS 478-7 Kenneth Spencer With Piano Accomp. Go Down Moses Oct-45 May-46
1690-2 3002-A
Mark Warnow and his Orch. | Presenting Vera Barton Slowly

1691-3 3005-B
Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Presenting - Vera Barton Starlit Reverie

1692-2 3002-B
Mark Warnow and his Orch. | Presenting Vera Barton Take All

1693-2 3005-A
Mark Warnow and his Orchestra | Presenting - Vera Barton I'll Be Yours (J'Attendrai)

1694-2 1123-A MS 479-5 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Red River Valley Jan-46 May-46
1695-2 1122-B MS 479-4 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Sanita Hill Jan-46 May-46
1696-1 1121-A MS 479-1 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Nellie Bly Jan-46 May-46
1697-2 1123-B MS 479-6 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Loobie Lou | Skip to My Lou Jan-46 May-46
1698-2 1121-B MS 479-2 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Virginia Reel Jan-46 May-46
1699-1 1122-A MS 479-3 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Uptown-Downtown Jan-46 May-46
1700-2 1124-B MS 479-8 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands Back to Back Jan-46 May-46
1701-2 1124-A MS 479-7 Ed Durlacher and The Top Hands You Did It So Well - So Do it Again Jan-46 May-46
1702-2 3006-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Larry Butler It Couldn't Be True (Or Could it?)
May-46
1703-2 3004-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Lora Jamison Azusa

1704-2 3006-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Larry Butler You Haven't Changed At All
May-46
1705-2 3004-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal Laura Butler I Didn't Mean a Word I Said

1706-2 1127-A MS 480-5 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Pretty Little Poppy-Rhumba (Amapola) Feb-46 Jul-46
1707-2 1125-A MS 480-1 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Orchids in the Moonlight - Tango Feb-46 Jul-46
1708-1 1125-B MS 480-2 Bob Stanley and Orchestra In Apple Blossom Time - Waltz Feb-46 Jul-46
1709-1 1128-A MS 480-7 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Won't Somebody Buy My Violets—Tango (La Violetera) Feb-46 Jul-46
1710-2 1127-B MS 480-6 Bob Stanley and Orchestra When You Wore a Tulip - Fox Trot (And I Wore a Big Red Rose) Feb-46 Jul-46
1711-2 1126-A MS 480-3 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Tangerine - Fox Trot Feb-46 Jul-46
1712-2 1126-B MS 480-4 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses - Waltz Feb-46 Jul-46
1713-1 1128-B MS 480-8 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Lilacs in the Rain - Fox Trot Feb-46 Jul-46







1715-2 3007-B
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Anne Russell They Say It's Wonderful Feb-46 May-46







1717-2 3007-A
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Anne Russell Laughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside) Feb-46 May-46
1718-2 H 7008-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp. Atomic Power Feb-46 May-46
1719-2 H 7009-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp. My War-Torn Heart Feb-46 Jul-46
1720-2 H 7008-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp. Honey Be My Honey Bee (The Honey Bee Song) Feb-46 May-46
1721-2 H 7009-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers With Orch. Accomp. I've Been a Fool Too Often and Too Long Feb-46 Jul-46
1722-2 H 7010-A
The Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp. I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart Feb-46 Apr-46
1723-2 H 7011-B
The Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp. Chime Bells Feb-46 Apr-46
1724-2 H 7010-B
The Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp. Ridin' Down That Old Texas Trail Feb-46 Apr-46
1725-2 H 7011-A
The Moore Sisters With Orch. Accomp. Palace in Dallas Feb-46 Apr-46
1726-2 3015-B
Bob Stanley and Orchestra Carolina Moon Mar-46 Jun-46
1727-2 3015-A
Bob Stanley and Orchestra Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland Mar-46 Jun-46
1728-2 3009-B
Bob Stanley and Orchestra Girl of My Dreams Mar-46
1729-2 3009-A
Bob Stanley and Orchestra Till We Meet Again Mar-46
1730-2 H 7012-B
Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. I Love the Name of Texas Mar-46
1731-2 H 7012-A
Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. When the Sun Goes Down Mar-46
1732-2 H 7013-B
Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. When It's Sundown in Old San Antonio Mar-46 Jul-46
1733-2 H 7013-A
Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. He's Tall in the Saddle Mar-46 Jul-46
1734-2 1131-A MS 481-5 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. The Cattle Call Mar-46
1735-2 1130-A MS 481-3 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. The Yellow Rose of Texas Mar-46
1736-1 1129-A MS 481-1 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. Ridin' down the Canyon Mar-46
1737-1 1132-A MS 481-7 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. When the Bloom Is on the Sage Mar-46
1738-2 H 7014-A
Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. Cowboy's Heaven Mar-46
1739-2 1131-B MS 481-6 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. Back in the Saddle Again Mar-46 Jul-46
1740-1 1132-B MS 481-8 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. Roll Along Prairie Moon Mar-46
1741-2 1130-B MS 481-4 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. Patent Leather Boots Mar-46
1742-2 1129 B MS 481-2 Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. Old Conestoga Wagon Mar-46
1743-2 H 7014-B
Jesse Rogers With Orch. Accomp. My Lop-Eared Mule Mar-46 Jul-46
1744-3 H 7016-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. I Can't Believe It's True Apr-46 Jul-46
1745-3 H 7017-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. So Long to My Little Ole Homestead Apr-46 Jul-46
1746-2 H 7015-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Forget & Forgive Apr-46 Jul-46
1747-2 H 7017-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. I'll Get You Back Somehow Apr-46 Jul-46
1748-2 H 7015-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Let's Be Sweethearts Again Apr-46 Jul-46
1749-2 H 7018-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Don't Cry over Me When I'm Gone Apr-46 Jul-46
1750-1 H 7016-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Baby You Gotta Quit That Noise Apr-46 Jul-46
1751-2 H 7018-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. It Makes No Never Mind Apr-46 Jul-46
1752-2 1139-A MS 483-7 The Singing Sentinels "Long, Long Ago | Hoosen Johnny | Skip to My Lou" Apr-46 Jul-46
1753-3 1136-B MS 483-2 The Singing Sentinels Lonesome Road | Colorado Trail Apr-46 Jul-46
1754-2 1139-B MS 483-8 The Singing Sentinels Blue Tail Fly Apr-46 Jul-46
1755-2 1138-A MS 483-5 The Singing Sentinels Brass Wagon | Wait for the Wagon Apr-46 Jul-46
1756-2 1137-A MS 483-3 The Singing Sentinels Down Moblie | Way Down Yonder in the Cornfield Apr-46 Jul-46
1757-2 1137-B MS 483-4 The Singing Sentinels Old Aunt Jemima | Dinah's in the Kitchen | I Told Her That I Loved Her in the Moonlight Apr-46 Jul-46
1758-2 1138-B MS 483-6 The Singing Sentinels My Lord What a Mawnin' | Golden Slippers Apr-46 Jul-46
1759-2 1136-A MS 483-1 The Singing Sentinels Desert Blue & Silver Apr-46 Jul-46
1760-1 H 7019-B
The Moore Sisters The Cowpunchers' Waltz May-46 Jul-46
1761-2 H 7019-A
The Moore Sisters Boogie Woogie Cowboy May-46 Jul-46
1762-2 H 7020-B
The Moore Sisters Heart in the Heart of Texas May-46 Jul-46
1763-2 H 7020-A
The Moore Sisters Goin' Down to Santa Fe Town May-46 Jul-46
























































1772-2 3012-A
The Velvetones It Just Ain't Right May-46 Jul-46
1773-2 3012-B
The Velvetones Reverse the Charges May-46 Jul-46
1774-2 3010-B
The Velvetones It's Written All Over Your Face May-46 Jul-46
1775-2 3010-A
The Velvetones Pittsburgh Joe May-46 Jul-46
1776-1 3017-A
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal - Lou Gardner "Linger in My Arms a Little Longer, Baby" May-46 Aug-46
1777-1 3011-A
Bob Chester and his Orchestra | Vocal - Lou Gardner Surrender May-46 Jul-46
1778-2 3017-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal - Peter Dean Short Talk May-46 Aug-46
1779-1 3011-B
Bob Chester and his Orchestra | Vocal - Lou Gardner If You Were the Only Girl May-46 Jul-46
1780-1 1133-B MS 482-2 Uncle Don Kilkenny Cats-For Want of a Nail-Solomon Grundy-A Week of Birthdays-The King of Cannibal Islands

1781-2 1133-A MS 482-1 Uncle Don Queen of Hearts-I Love Sixpence-The Vegetable Song

1782-1 1135-A MS 482-5 Uncle Don There Was a Man in Our Town-Punch and Judy-This Is the House that Jack Built

1783-1 1134-B MS 482-4 Uncle Don Sleeping-I Had a Little Pony-Little Fred-Dance to Your Daddy-The Clock-Fingernails

1784-2 1134-A MS 482-3 Uncle Don The Old Woman and the Peddler-Ding Dong Bell-Jenny Wren

1785-1 1135-B MS 482-6 Uncle Don Clever Hen-Come out to Play-Baby Doll-Boy and the Sparrow-One I Love-Ride Away

1786-1 1142-A MS 484-5 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott Lead Kindly Light | Nearer My God to Thee
Jul-46
1787-1 1142-B MS 484-6 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott Rock of Ages | A Mighty Fortress
Jul-46
1788-1 1141-A MS 484-3 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott Abide with Me | Now the Day Is Over
Jul-46
1789-




Jul-46
1790-2 1143-A MS 484-7 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott "Holy, Holy, Holy | Come Thou Almighty King"
Jul-46
1791-2 1141-B MS 484-4 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott Crown Him with Many Crowns | Saviour Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise
Jul-46
1792-2 1140-A MS 484-1 "Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott (John Herrick, Solo)" O Love That Will Not Let Me Go | The Church's One Foundation
Jul-46
1793-1 1140-B MS 484-2 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory | Onward Christian Soldiers
Jul-46
1794-1 1143-B MS 484-8 Sonora Chapel Choir Under Direction of Eugene Mott O Beautiful for Spacious Skies | Faith of Our Fathers
Jul-46
1795-2 1144-A MS 485-1 Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul Creston Tick-Tock-Tale 1
Oct-46
1796-2 1145-A MS 485-2 Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul Creston Tick-Tock-Tale 2
Oct-46
1797-1 1146-A MS 485-3 Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul Creston Tick-Tock-Tale 3
Oct-46
1798-1 1146-B MS 485-4 Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul Creston Tick-Tock-Tale 4
Oct-46
1799-1 1145-B MS 485-5 Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul Creston Tick-Tock-Tale 5
Oct-46
1800-1 1144-B MS 485-6 Written and Directed by Jules Werner | Music Composed and Directed By Paul Creston Tick-Tock-Tale 6
Oct-46
1801-2 1147-A MS 486-1 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Jack and the Beanstalk Part 1 Jul-46 Oct-46
1802-2 1148-A MS 486-3 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Jack and the Beanstalk Part 2 Jul-46 Oct-46
1803-2 1149-A MS 486-5 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Jack and the Beanstalk Part 3 Jul-46 Oct-46














1806-2 1150-B MS 486-8 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Cinderella Part 2 Jul-46 Oct-46














1809-2 3014-A
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Mary Nash Your Conscience Tells You Jul-46 Sep-46
1810-2 3014-B
Jerry Wald and His Orchestra | Vocal - Mary Nash Lazy Lullaby Jul-46 Sep-46
1811-1 3016-A
Jerry Wald Orchestra Diga Diga Doo Jul-46
1812-2 3016-B
Jerry Wald Orchestra Rumba Fantasy Jul-46
1813-2 H 7022-A
Hal Horton With Orch. Accomp. Dreamy Rio Grande Jul-46 Aug-46
1814-1 H 7022-B
Hal Horton With Orch. Accomp. Rhythm in the Hills Jul-46 Aug-46
1815-2 H 7025-B
Hal Horton With Orch. Accomp. Gotta Get Together with My Gal Jul-46 Aug-46
1816-1 H 7025-A
Hal Horton With Orch. Accomp. Blue Texas Moonlight Jul-46 Aug-46
1817-2 3013-A
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David Rhodes Somewhere in the Night Jul-46 Aug-46
1818-2 3013-B
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David Rhodes This Is Always Jul-46 Aug-46
1819-1 3019-B
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David Rhodes Smart Little Fool Jul-46 Sep-46
1820-1 3019-A
Jerry Sellers With Orch. Under Direction of David Rhodes I Get the Blues When It Rains Jul-46 Sep-46
1821-3 3021-B
Joe Biviano Quintette Honeysuckle Rose Jul-46 Sep-46
1822-1 3023-A
Joe Biviano Quintette Bugle Call Rag Jul-46 Aug-46
1823-3 3023-B
Joe Biviano Quintette Stumbling Jul-46 Aug-46
1824-2 3021-A
Joe Biviano Quintette Copenhagen Jul-46 Sep-46
1825-2 3029-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Saxie Dowell "She Told Him Emphatically ""No!""" Jul-46 Aug-46
1826-2 3029-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Saxie Dowell Rugged but Right Jul-46 Aug-46
1827-1 3026-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orchestra | Vocal—Don Grady The Old Lamp-Lighter Jul-46 Aug-46







1829-1 1149-B MS 486-6 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Hansel and Gretel Part 1 Jul-46 Oct-46
1830-2 1148-B MS 486-4 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Hansel and Gretel Part 2 Jul-46 Oct-46
1831-3 1147-B MS 486-2 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer and Richard Leone | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Hansel and Gretel Part 3 Jul-46 Oct-46
1832-1 1150-A MS 486-7 Lyn Duddy Swing Choir Featuring Joan Lazer | Orchestra Directed by Archie Bleyer Cinderella Part 1 Jul-46 Oct-46
1833-2 1154-B MS 487-8 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra Mildred's Boogie Aug-46 Oct-46
1834-1 1154-A MS 487-7 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra Swanee River (Old Folks at Home) Aug-46 Oct-46
1835-2 1151-A MS 487-1 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra Blue Skies Aug-46 Oct-46
1836-2 1151-B MS 487-2 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra Tabú Aug-46 Oct-46
1837-1 1153-B MS 487-6 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra I Surrender, Dear Aug-46 Oct-46
1838-2 1153-A MS 487-5 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra St. Louis Blues Aug-46 Oct-46
1839-2 1152-B MS 487-4 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra Malagueña Aug-46 Oct-46
1840-1 1152-A MS 487-3 Jimmy and Mildred Mulcay | Harmonica Virtuosi Accomp. by Murray Kellner and Orchestra Tiger Rag Aug-46 Oct-46
1841-2 1158-A MS 489-1 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Singin' in the Rain Aug-46 Oct-46
1846-2 1158-B MS 489-2 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella (On a Rainy Day) Aug-46 Oct-46
1842-1 1159-A MS 489-3 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Rain Aug-46 Oct-46
1845-1 1159-B MS 489-4 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Autumn Showers Aug-46 Oct-46
1842-2 1160-A MS 489-5 Murray Kellner and Orchestra April Showers Aug-46 Oct-46
1847-2 1160-B MS 489-6 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Over the Rainbow Aug-46 Oct-46
1844-1 1161-A MS 489-7 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Call Me on Some Rainy Afternoon Aug-46 Oct-46
1848-2 1161-B MS 489-8 Murray Kellner and Orchestra Look for the Silver Lining Aug-46 Oct-46
1849-2 100-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt Sweet Jam Jam Sep-46 Oct-46
1850-1 100-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt Triflin' Woman Blues Sep-46 Oct-46
1851-1 101-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt Lay Your Habits Down Sep-46 Oct-46
1852-2 101-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt Would You Do Me a Favor Sep-46 Oct-46
1853-2 3018-B
Bob Chester and His Orchestra | Vocal - Lou Gardner Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You) Sep-46
1854-2 3018-A
Bob Chester and his Orchestra The Octave Jump Sep-46














1857-1 3027-B
Coieman Hawkins and Orch. I Mean You Sep-46 Oct-46
1858-2 3024-B
Coieman Hawkins and Orch. Bean and the Boys Sep-46 Nov-46
1859-1 3027-A
Coieman Hawkins and Orch. You Go to My Head Sep-46 Oct-46
1860-1 3024-A
Coieman Hawkins and Orch. Cocktails for Two Sep-46 Nov-46
1861-2 3028-A
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Bob Kirk There Is No Breeze (To Cool the Flame of Love) Sep-46 Oct-46
1862-2 3028-B
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Walter King Do It Again Sep-46 Oct-46
1863-2 3022-A
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Bob Kirk Bless You (For Being an Angel) Sep-46 Oct-46
1864-2 3022-B
Griff Williams and his Orchestra | Vocal - Bob Kirk Among My Souvenirs Sep-46 Oct-46
1865-1 H 7029-A
Stu Davis and the Northwesters What a Fool I Was Sep-46














1868-3 H 7029-B
Stu Davis and the Northwesters Crossroads Sep-46
1869-2 H 6000-B
Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Troubles in My Heart Sep-46 Feb-47
1870-2 H 6001-B
Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Left by the Wayside Sep-46 Mar-47
1871-1 H 6001-A
Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Am I Still P-A-R-T of Your H-E-A-R-T? Sep-46 Mar-47
1872-1 H 6000-A
Jerry & Sky and the Melody Men Sparkling Brown Eyes Sep-46 Feb-47







1874-1 3025-B
Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors | Vocal - Hector Rivera Por Causa de las Muieres [sic] Sep-46 Jan-47







1876-1 3025-A
Maya and his Rhumba Ambassadors | Vocal - Hector Rivera "Cu-Tu-Gu-Ru (Jack, Jack, Jack!)" Sep-46 Jan-47
1877-3 H 7027-B
Stu Davis and the Northwesters "Darlin', Now I Know the Reason Why" Sep-46
1878-2 H 7027-A
Stu Davis and the Northwesters "Land, Sky and Water" Sep-46
1879-2 H 7024-A
Stu Davis and the Northwesters I Tipped My Hat and Slowly Rode Away Sep-46 Nov-46
1880-2 H 7024-B
Stu Davis and the Northwesters I Can Beat You Doin' (What You're Doin' to Me) Sep-46 Nov-46
1881-2 103-A
Dud Bascomb and Orchestra | Vocal - Merle Turner Just One More Chance Sep-46 Nov-46
1882-2 103-B
Dud Bascomb and Orchestra "Not Bad, Bascomb" Sep-46 Nov-46
1883-3 105-A
Dud Bascomb and Orchestra That's My Home Sep-46 Feb-47
1884-1 105-B
Dud Bascomb and Orchestra Late Hour Rock Sep-46 Feb-47
1885-2 H 7030-A
Alice Cornett with the Glory Road Travelers The Old Rugged Cross Oct-46







1887-1 H 7030-B
Alice Cornett with the Glory Road Travelers Jesus Hold My Hand Oct-46







1889-2 H 7028-B
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos I Betcha My Heart I Love You Oct-46 Nov-46
1890-2 H 7028-A
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Choo Choo Ch'Boogie Oct-46 Nov-46
1891-2 H 7033-A
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Inflation Oct-46 Jan-47
1892-1 H 7035-B
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Ida-Idaho Oct-46 Feb-47
1893-2 H 7033-B
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Rose of the Alamo Oct-46 Jan-47
1894-1 H 7031-A
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Missouri Oct-46 Dec-46
1895-1 H 7031-B
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Blueberry Lane Oct-46 Dec-46
1896-1 H 7035-A
The Moore Sisters with the Big Buckaroos Met a Texas Gal (In Cal-i-for-ni-a) Oct-46 Feb-47
1897-1 1166-B MS 490-4 D'Artega and His Orchestra Tschaikowsky's Fifth Sympony Oct-46 May-47
1898-1 1166-A MS 490-3 D'Artega and His Orchestra | Vocal-Tony Russo | Trombone-Will Bradley Beware My Heart Oct-46 May-47
1899-2 1165-A MS 490-1 D'Artega and His Orchestra | Piano-Milton Kaye Tschaikowky's Piano Concerto Oct-46 May-47
1900-2 1167-B MS 490-6 D'Artega and His Orchestra | Piano-Milton Kaye Fire Dance Oct-46 May-47
1901-1 3033-B
Stanislaw Mroczek and his Orchestra Beggar's Polka Oct-46
1902-1 3030-B
Stanislaw Mroczek and his Orchestra Polka to the Left Oct-46 Feb-47
1903-1 3033-A
Stanislaw Mroczek and his Orchestra Accordion Polka Oct-46
1904-1 3030-A
Stanislaw Mroczek and his Orchestra Warsaw Polka Oct-46 Feb-47
1905-1 1165-B MS 490-2 D'Artega and His Orchestra | Trombone-Will Bradley | Trumpet-Charles Margulies My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice Oct-46 May-47
1906-1 1168-A MS 490-7 D'Artega and His Orchestra Brown Danube Oct-46 May-47
1907-2 1168-B MS 490-8 D'Artega and His Orchestra | Vocal-Tony Russo Night of Memories Oct-46 May-47
1908-2 1167-A MS 490-5 D'Artega and His Orchestra | Violin-Jacques Margolies Tschaikowsky's Violin Concerto Oct-46 May-47
1909- 1172-A MS 493-7 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Pomp and Circumstance Oct-46 Mar-47
1910- 1172-B MS 493-8 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Torna a Sorriento Oct-46 Mar-47
1911- 1170-B MS 493-4 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Norwegian Dance #2 Oct-46 Mar-47
1912-1 1170-A MS 493-3 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Meadowlands Oct-46 Mar-47
1913-1 1171-A MS 493-5 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Hora Staccato Oct-46 Mar-47
1914- 1171-B MS 493-6 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Frere Jacques Oct-46 Mar-47
1915- 1169-A MS 493-1 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Para Mia Oct-46 Mar-47
1916- 1169-B MS 493-2 H. Leopold Spitalny and Orchestra Vienna City of My Dreams Oct-46 Mar-47
1917-1 3034-A
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal - Billy Johnson I'll Close My Eyes Oct-46 Nov-46
1918-1 3034-B
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal by Ensemble Margie Oct-46 Nov-46
1919-1 3037-B
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal - Dee Keating Please Be Kind Oct-46 Nov-46
1920-1 3037-A
Ray Anthony and his Orchestra | Vocal - Billy Johnson Isn't This Better than Walkin' in the Rain Oct-46 Nov-46
1921-2 102-B
Sonny Williams|Eddie Barefield and His Quintette What's Mine Is Mine Oct-46
1922-1 102-A
Sonny Williams|Eddie Barefield and His Quintette That Ain't Right (To Boogie on Sunday) Oct-46
1923-1 104-A
Eddie Barefield and his Quintette After Hours Oct-46
1924-2 104-B
Eddie Barefield and his Quintette Three Buckets-o-Jive Oct-46
1925-1 H 7036-A
Jesse Rogers—The Saddle Sweethearts Accomp. by the Pecos Pioneers "Tomorrow, You'll Be Sorry That You Broke My Heart Today" Nov-46







1927-1 H 7032-B
Jesse Rogers and the Pecos Pioneers Days Are Long—Nights Are Lonely Nov-46
1928-1 H 7036-B
Jesse Rogers—The Saddle Sweethearts Accomp. by the Pecos Pioneers Mary from Maryland Nov-46
1929-1 1155-A MS 488-1 Uncle Don Bus Trip to the the Zoo | Visit with the Giraffe Nov-46
1930-1 1155-B MS 488-2 Uncle Don The Ostrich Nov-46
1931-1 1156-A MS 488-3 Uncle Don The Polar Bear | The Kangaroo Nov-46
1932-1 1156-B MS 488-4 Uncle Don The Lions | The Monkeys Nov-46
1933-1 1157-A MS 488-5 Uncle Don The Elephant | The Camel Nov-46
1934-1 1157-B MS 488-6 Uncle Don The Seals Nov-46







1936-1 3036-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Suzanne Shepard Don Grady It's Dreamtime Nov-46 Jan-47
1937-2 3036-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Saxie Dowell All I've Got Is Me Nov-46 Jan-47







1939-1 H 7037-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers My Little Boy Blue Dec-46 Apr-47














1942-1 H 7023-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers That's How Much I Love You Dec-46
1943-1 H 7040-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers Two Double X Dec-46
1944-1 H 7037-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers Boogie Woogie Farmer Dec-46 Apr-47
1945-1 H 7040-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers Ages and Ages Ago Dec-46
1946-1 H 7023-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers After All These Years Dec-46
1947-1 H 7044-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Nobody's Love Is like Mine Dec-46 Apr-47
1948-1 H 7026-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. I Love You Mary Lou Dec-46 Jan-47
1949-1 H 7042-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. I Traded My Soul for a Rose Dec-46 Apr-47
1950-1 H 7038-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. You My Love Will Have to Pay Dec-46 Mar-47
1951-1 H 7026-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Divorce Me C. O. D. Dec-46 Jan-47
1952-1 H 7039-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. I've Got a Feeling Somebody's Stealing My Darling Dec-46 Jan-47
1953-1 H 7044-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. All I Have Is Love Dec-46 Apr-47
1954-1 H 7042-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. Then You'll Be the One to Cry Dec-46 Apr-47
1955-1 H 7038-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. I'd Trade All My Tomorrows Dec-46 Mar-47
1956-1 H 7041-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with accomp. Headin' Home Dec-46 Apr-47
1957-1 H 7039-A
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with Accomp. It Takes a Long Tall Brownskin Gal Dec-46 Jan-47
1958-1 H 7041-B
The Carolina Playboys | Vocal with accomp. Is There Somebody Else? Dec-46 Apr-47
1959-1 500-A
Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal - Snub Mosley You and the Devil Dec-46 Feb-47
1960-1 501-B
Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal by Ensemble Snub's Boogie Dec-46 Mar-47
1961-1 500-B
Snub Mosley and Orch. Hinkty Man Dec-46 Feb-47
1962-1 501-A
Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal - Snub Mosley Blues at High Noon Dec-46 Mar-47
1963-2 3035-A
The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Caravan Dec-46 Jan-47
1964-1 3035-B
The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Lullaby of the Leaves Dec-46 Jan-47
1965-1 3032-B
The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Jealous Dec-46 Jan-47
1966-1 3032-A
The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality "Managua, Nicaragua" Dec-46 Jan-47
1967-1 2001-B
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men "My Little Grass Shack (In Kealakekua, Hawaii)" Dec-46 Mar-47
1968-1 2000-B
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men Steel Guitar Rag Dec-46 Feb-47
1969-2 2000-A
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal - Bob Houston Charmaine Dec-46 Feb-47
1970-1 2001-A
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal by Bob Houston The Anniversary Waltz Dec-46 Mar-47







1972-1 3043-A
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp. How Are Things in Glocca Morra Dec-46 Jan-47
1973-1 3043-B
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp. "Dream, Dream, Dream" Dec-46 Jan-47
1974-1 3042-A
Bob Houston With Orch. Accomp. The Man Who Paints the Rainbow in the Sky Dec-46 Jan-47
1975-1 2002-A
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Mary Anne Wayne You Can't See the Sun When You're Cryin' Jan-47 Feb-47
1976-2 2002-B
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Mary Anne Wayne & Russell Drew We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Jan-47 Feb-47
1977-2 2004-B
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Russell Drew Sonata Jan-47 Feb-47
1978-1 2004-A
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal - Mary Anne Wayne & Russell Drew Anniversary Song Jan-47 Feb-47
1979-1 109-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt Good Woman Blues Jan-47 Mar-47
1980-1 106-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt My Little Dog Got Kittens Jan-47 Mar-47
1981-1 109-B
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt If It's Any News to You Jan-47 Mar-47
1982-1 106-A
Clyde Bernhardt and his Blue Blazers | Vocal - Clyde Bernhardt I'm Henpecked Jan-47 Mar-47
1983-1 107-B
Jim Jam Trio Jim Jam Boogie Jan-47 Mar-47
1984-2 107-A
Jim Jam Trio Riffin' Rufus Jan-47 Mar-47
1985- 108-A
Jim Jam Trio "I've Got Ya Covered, Mr. Buzzard" Jan-47 Mar-47
1986- 108-B
Jim Jam Trio Ev'ryday Blues Jan-47 Mar-47



































1992-1 2006-B
Bob Chester and his Orch. | Vocal - Alan Foster Roses in the Rain Jan-47 Apr-47
1993-2 2006-A
Bob Chester and his Orch. | Vocal - Alan Foster Linda Jan-47 Apr-47







1995-2 2007-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Don Grady I Want to Thank Your Folks Jan-47 Apr-47
1996-2 2009-A
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Don Grady They Can't Convince Me Jan-47 Apr-47
1997-1 2009-B
Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Suzanne Shepard I Can't Believe It Was All Make-Believe (Last Night) Jan-47 Apr-47
1998-2 2007-B
"Saxie Dowell and His Orch. | Vocal - Saxie, Suzanne & Don" "Sh-h, the Old Man's Sleepin'" Jan-47 Apr-47
1999-1 111-B
Snub Mosley and Orch. | Vocal - Snub Mosley You Went Too Far and Stayed Too Long Jan-47 Sep-47
2000-1 111-A
Snub Mosley and Orch. Social Drag Jan-47 Sep-47














2003-1 2010-A
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'Artega If I Had My Life to Live Over Jan-47 Apr-47
2004-1 2010-B
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'Artega Ace in the Hole Jan-47 Apr-47
2005-1 2011-A
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'Artega The Egg and I Jan-47 Apr-47
2006-2 2011-B
Dick Todd with the Velvet-Tone Orch. Under the direction of D'Artega Oh! My Achin' Heart! Jan-47 Apr-47
2007- 3038-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers The Wreck of the Old 97 Feb-47 Apr-47
2008-1 3040-A
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers Casey Jones (The Brave Engineer) Feb-47 Jul-47
2009-1 3040-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers It's the Beginning of the End Feb-47 Jul-47





















2013-2 H 7045-B
Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers and The Mountaineers The Chapel in the Hills Feb-47 Sep-47







2015-1 1180-A MS 492-7 D'Artega and Orch. | Vocal-Jose y Socarras Mama Inez Feb-47 May-47
2016-1 1177-B MS 492-2 D'Artega and Orch. Tico Tico Feb-47 May-47







2018-1 1179-A MS 492-5 D'Artega and Orch. | Vocal-Jose y Socarras The Peanut Vendor Feb-47 May-47
2019-1 1180-B MS 492-8 D'Artega and Orch. El Choclo Feb-47 May-47
2020- 1178-A MS 492-3 D'Artega and Orch. A Media Luz Feb-47 May-47
2021-1 1179-B MS 492-6 D'Artega and Orch. La Cumparsita Feb-47 May-47
2022- 1177-A MS 492-1 D'Artega and Orch. | Vocal-Gloria Moreno Green Eyes Feb-47 May-47
2023-1 114-A
Eddie Barefield Quintette Clara 'n Eddie Feb-47 Sep-47
2024-1 112-A
Eddie Barefield Quintette Clarinet Blues Feb-47 Sep-47
2025-2 114-B
Eddie Barefield Quintette | Vocal-Eddie Barefield Right off the Ice Feb-47 Sep-47
2026-1 112-B
Eddie Barefield Quintette F' Taint One Thing It's Another Feb-47 Sep-47
2027-2 2012-A
Hal Horton | D'Artega Orch. I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now Feb-47 Apr-47
2028-2 2013-B
Hal Horton With Orchestra under direction of D'Artega Pal in Palo Alto Feb-47 Jul-47
2029-2 2013-A
Hal Horton With Orchestra under direction of D'Artega All of Me Feb-47 Jul-47
2030-1 2012-B
Hal Horton | D'Artega Orch. I Wish You the Best of Everything Feb-47 Apr-47














2033-1 113-A
"""Baby Dee"" and Her Orchestra" It Feels So Doggone Good Feb-47 Jul-47
2034-1 113-B
"""Baby Dee"" and Her Orchestra" Like He Never Loved Me Before Feb-47 Jul-47
2035-1 2014-A
The Velvetones Ask Anyone Who Knows Feb-47 May-47
2036-1 2014-B
The Velvetones "I Want Some Bread, I Said" Feb-47 May-47
2037-1 2015-A
The Velvetones Can You Look Me in the Eyes Feb-47 Sep-47
2038-2 2015-B
The Velvetones Don't Bring Me No News Feb-47 Sep-47
2039-1 H 7047-B
Art Dixon and his Melody Mustangs Don't Dog Me Around Feb-47 Sep-47
2040-2 H 7047-A
Art Dixon and his Melody Mustangs A Song That I Heard in Laredo Feb-47 Sep-47














2043-1 2016-B
Roberta Lee With Orchestra under direction of D'Artega Moanin' Low Feb-47 May-47














2046-2 2016-A
Roberta Lee With Orchestra under direction of D'Artega You Don't Learn That in School Feb-47 May-47
2047-2 116-A
Milt Larkin and his Orch. | Vocal - Milton Larkin Bring the Money In Feb-47 Sep-47














2050-1 116-B
Milt Larkin and his Orch. | Vocal - Milton Larkin Lovin' Woman Blues Feb-47 Sep-47




























2055-1 H 7051-B
Jerry & Sky You Can't Go Wrong Doing Right Feb-47 Oct-47
2056- H 7049-B
Jerry & Sky Goodbye My Lover Goodbye Feb-47 Sep-47
2057- H 7049-A
Jerry & Sky No One Now Feb-47 Sep-47
2058-1 H 7051-A
Jerry & Sky Crying for You Feb-47 Oct-47
2059-1 2018-A
Fred Meadows | America's No. 1 Singing Waiter When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New
Jun-47







2061-1 2018-B
Fred Meadows | America's No. 1 Singing Waiter When I Lost You
Jun-47







2063- 1182-A MS 495-3 Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe Allen Ramona
Jun-47
2064- 1183-A MS 495-5 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Wabash Moon
Jun-47
2065- 1181-A MS 495-1 Bob Stanley and Orchestra Three O'Clock in the Morning
Jun-47
2066- 1184-B MS 495-8 Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe Allen Wonderful One
Jun-47
2067- 1183-B MS 495-6 Bob Stanley and Orchestra The Waltz You Saved for Me
Jun-47
2068- 1182-B MS 495-4 Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe Allen Memory Lane
Jun-47
2069- 1184-A MS 495-7 Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe Allen My Moonlight Madonna
Jun-47
2070- 1181-B MS 495-2 Bob Stanley and Orchestra | Vocal-Joe Allen Waiting
Jun-47
2071-1 1162 A UD-1 1 Uncle Don Birds and Bees

2072-1 1162 B UD-1 1 Uncle Don Circus Song















2075-2 2019-B
Ray Anthony and His Orchestra | Vocal by Dee Keating and Billy Johnson We Knew It All the Time
May-47
2076-1 2021-A
Ray Anthony Meet Me at No Special Place
May-47
2077-1 2021-B
Ray Anthony Would You Believe Me
May-47
2078-1 2019-A
Ray Anthony and His Orchestra | Vocal by Dee Keating That's My Desire
May-47
2079-1 1185-A U D-2-1 Uncle Don On the Farm: The Farmer Man Song | My Dog Stubby

2080-1 1185-B U D-2-1 Uncle Don On the Farm: Lambs - Hen - Rooster - Turkey

2081-1 1186-A U D-2-3 Uncle Don On the Farm: Horse - Cat - Cow

2082-1 1186-B U D-2-4 Uncle Don On the Farm: Duckling - Frog - Pig

2083-1 1190-A MS 491-8 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out the Barrel)

2084-1 1187-B MS 491-2 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Moonlight Polka

2085-1 1189-A MS 491-5 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Jolly Peter

2086-1 1188-B MS 491-4 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Polka Time

2087-1 1188-A MS 491-3 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra | Vocal-Bob Douglas Holka Polka

2088-1 1189-B MS 491-6 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Carousel Polka

2089-1 1187-A MS 491-1 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra The Party Polka (Ev'rybody Laugh)

2090-1 1190-B MS 491-7 Stanislaw Mroczek and Orchestra Bell Polka








2092-1 2026-A
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob Houston Sweet Leiliani
Jun-47
2093- 2027-
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob Houston Mexicali Rose
Jul-47
2094-1 2026-B
Roy Smeck (Wizard of the Strings) and the Music Men | Vocal-Bob Houston The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)
Jun-47














2097-1 2022-B
Ted Straeter & Orch. | Vocal-Kitty Crawford My Pretty Girl Mar-47 Apr-47
2098-1 2022-A
Ted Straeter & Orch. | Vocal-Ted Straeter & Ensemble Mahzel (Means Good Luck) Mar-47 Apr-47
2099-1 2025-B
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal-Mary Ann Wayne I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You) Mar-47 May-47







2101-1 2025-A
George Towne and His Orch. (The Talk of the Town) | Vocal-Mary Ann Wayne I Won't Be Home Anymore When You Call Mar-47 May-47







2103-3 1193-B MS 496-6 Ginny Simms and Orchestra What Is This Thing Called Love Mar-47 Oct-47
2104-2 3044-B
Ginny Simms and Orchestra Wait'll I Get My Sunshine in the Moonlight Mar-47 Jun-47
2105-2 1191-B MS 496-2 Ginny Simms and Orchestra You're the Top Mar-47 Oct-47
2106-2 1194-B MS 496-8 Ginny Simms and Orchestra My Heart Belongs to Daddy Mar-47 Oct-47
2107-3 1192-A MS 496-3 Ginny Simms and Orchestra Easy to Love Mar-47 Oct-47
2108-2 3044-A
Ginny Simms and Orchestra An Apple Blossom Wedding Mar-47 Jun-47
2109-2 3045-B
Ginny Simms and Orchestra On the Old Spanish Trail Mar-47 Jun-47
2110-2 3045-A
Ginny Simms and Orchestra (I've Been So Wrong for So Long—But) I'm So Right Tonight Mar-47 Jun-47
2111-3 1191-A MS 496-1 Ginny Simms and Orchestra Night and Day Mar-47 Oct-47
2112-2 1192-B MS 496-4 Ginny Simms and Orchestra Just One of Those Things Mar-47 Oct-47
2113-4 1194-A MS 496-7 Ginny Simms and Orchestra I've Got You under My Skin Mar-47 Oct-47
2114-3 1193-A MS 496-5 Ginny Simms and Orchestra I Get a Kick out of You Mar-47 Oct-47
2115-3 1198-A MS 497-7 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor Anniversary March
Oct-47
2116-3 1197-B MS 497-6 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor Hail Brooklyn—March
Oct-47
2117-1 1196-A MS 497-3 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor Victory Day—March
Oct-47
2118-1 1198-B MS 497-8 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor Birthday March
Oct-47
2119-1 1197-A MS 497-5 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor O'er Land and Sea—March
Oct-47
2120-1 1196-B MS 497-4 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor World Peace—March
Oct-47
2121-1 1195-B MS 497-2 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor Kindergarten March
Oct-47
2122-1 1195-A MS 497-1 The Goldman Band | Edwin Franko Goldman Conductor Bugles and Drums—March
Oct-47
2123-1 1199-A UD3 An Airplane Trip with Uncle Don To the Airport-Start of the Airplane Trip

2124-1 1199-B UD3 An Airplane Trip with Uncle Don New York City-New Jersey-Pennsylvania The Stewardess

2125-1 1200-A UD3 An Airplane Trip with Uncle Don Detroit-Chicago-The Plains-Rocky Mountains-Idaho-Hollywood, Calif.

2126-1 1200-B UD3 An Airplane Trip with Uncle Don Grand Canyon-Arizona-Texas-Mississippi-Florida-Virginia-Washington, D. C.

2127-3 1203-A MS 498-5 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Whispering
Dec-47
2128-2 1204-A MS 498-7 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality My Little Girl
Dec-47
2129-2 1201-A MS 498-1 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Memories
Dec-47
2130-1 1201-B MS 498-2 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Carolina in the Morning
Dec-47
2131-3 1202-B MS 498-4 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Valencia
Dec-47
2132-1 1202-A MS 498-3 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Marie
Dec-47
2133-3 1204-B MS 498-8 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality You're the Cream in My Coffee
Dec-47
2134-3 1203-B MS 498-6 The Gordon Trio | Music with Personality Button up Your Overcoat
Dec-47
2135-1 1207-B "MS 499-6" Ted Straeter | his Piano and Orch. You Do Something to Me
Feb-48










































2142-2 1207-A "MS 499-5" Ted Straeter | his Piano and The Straeter Singers | vocal—Ted Straeter The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
Feb-48

The 500 series was for material purchased after the Fall of 1945, from radio stations or radio networks.

Appendix B. The Sonora 500 Matrix Series

Matrix # Sonora # Album # Artist Title Recording Date Release Date
500-3 H 7001-A MS 477-6 Fred Kirby of the W B T's Briarhoppers When It's Reveille Time in Heaven
Dec-45
501-3 1116-B MS 477-8 Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers Out of My Mind
May-46
502-2 1113-B MS 477-2 Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers Hang Your Head in Shame
May-46
503-2 1114-B MS 477-4 Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers Hello My Baby
May-46
504-1 1116-A MS 477-7 Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers Our Hearts Beat Together
May-46
505-2 1115-A MS 477-5 Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers Bury My Heart Beneath the Roses
May-46
506-1 1113-A MS 477-1 Fred Kirby of W B T's Briarhoppers Please Don't Take My Baby
May-46
507-2 H 7001-B MS 477-3 Fred Kirby of the W B T's Briarhoppers Somewhere a Heart Is Breaking
Dec-45
508-2 H 7002-A
The Carolina Playboys Gold on the Rainbow Fall 1945 Dec-45
509-3 H 7005-B
The Carolina Playboys There's a New Moon over My Shoulder Fall 1945 Apr-46
510-2 H 7006-A
The Carolina Playboys Fort Worth Jail Fall 1945 Apr-46
511-2 H 7002-B
The Carolina Playboys Be My Darlin' Fall 1945 Dec-45
512-2 H 7007-B
The Carolina Playboys I Want to Live and Love Fall 1945 Apr-46
513-3 H 7006-B
The Carolina Playboys Each Minute Seems a Million Years Fall 1945 Apr-46
514-2 H 7007-A
The Carolina Playboys Plant Some Flowers on My Grave Fall 1945 Apr-46
515-2 H 7005-A
The Carolina Playboys The Precious Jewel Fall 1945 Apr-46
516-1 H 7003-B
Whitey & Hogan Talking to Mother

517-1 H 7004-A
Whitey & Hogan of W B T's Briarhoppers Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

518-1 H 7004-B
Whitey & Hogan of W B T's Briarhoppers Mama I'm Sick

519-2 H 7003-A
Whitey & Hogan I'm Longing for My Sweetheart




































525-A 3003-A
Raymond Scott and His Orchestra Enchanted Forest

526- 3008-A
Raymond Scott and His Orchestra Magic Garden
Jul-46
527- 3008-B
Raymond Scott and His Orchestra Mr. Basie Goes to Washington
Jul-46

Acknowledgments: Tyrone Settlemier's 78 rpm discography (see http://www.78discography.com/Sonora.htm) has been a helpful source for Sonoras we would otherwise have missed, in nearly every series but especially in the H 7000s. Our thanks to David Diehl for his help with the 4000 and 19000 series and G. P. Gennaro for his help with the 19000s. Settlemier's discographies for Masterpiece (http://www.78discography.com/Masterpiece.htm) and Royale (http://www.78discography.com/Royale1700.htm) have also helped us get our bearings. We are further indebted to Praguefrank and his circle of Country music specialists for information on most of the H 7000 artists and their releases.


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