maandag 20 juni 2016

Souvenirs (1927) / Among My Souvenirs (1928) / Ein bißchen Seligkeit (1928)


In 1914, Edgar Leslie was a charter member of ASCAP and served as a director from 1931 through 1941 and again from 1947 through 1953. He formed his own publishing firm in the mid-1920’s and in 1927, he traveled to England were he began a collaboration with composer Horatio Nicholls (pseudonym for publisher Lawrence Wright). During this time, the pair would produce “Among My Souvenirs” (a Connie Francis hit in 1959), “Mistakes” (a Vera Lynn hit recording) and “Shepherd of the Hills” (a hit for the Jack Hylton Orchestra).
The song was published by co-composer Lawrence Wright Music Co. London.
In the UK it was originally titled just "Souvenirs", but as soon as the song became famous in the USA, it was retitled "Among My Souvenirs" there.


Although there could be earlier versions (as we see later on in this post), the next version is surely one of the very first.

(o) Arthur Briggs' Savoy Syncopators Orchestra 1927 (as "Souvenirs")
With Al Bowlly (vocals)
Recorded August, 1927 in Berlin
Matrix 684bd; B-41884


Released on (Deutsche) Grammophon 21122 (for the German market)


Also released on Polydor 211222 (for the British market)



Or here:




4 months later Al Bowlly recorded another version in Berlin, this time with Fred Bird.

(c) Fred Bird & The Salon Symphonie Jazzband (1928) (as "Souvenirs")
(Fred Bird = Felix Lehmann) SEE:  Fred Bird - Felix Lehmann
with Al Bowlly (vocals)
Recorded December, 1927 in Berlin
Matrix M-19749


Released in 1928 on Homocord Electro 4-2496



Or here:




(c) Layton & Johnstone (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Recorded about Oct/Nov 1927
Released on Columbia 4533
Matrix A-6482
 



Listen here:





The version by The Kit-Cat Band was probably released after the version by Layton & Johnstone
But, according to the matrix-numbers, recorded before.
Untill now the version below by the Kit-Cat Band is considered as the very first recording.

(c) The Kit-Cat Band directed by Al Starita (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Al Starita-cl-as/dir. Tom Smith/Edwin Knight-t/Ted Heath-tb/Billy Ternent-as/George Smith-cl-ts/Eric Siday-Jean Pougnet-Vivian Dunn-vn/Harry Berly-vl/D. Cameron-vc/Sid Bright-p/Len Fillis-bj,g/Alfred Field-bb/Eric Little-d, -v, vocal Eddie Collis and Al Starita
Recorded Sept 19, 1927 Piccadilly Hotel Ballroom, London
Matrix A-6189-2
Released on (British) Columbia 4563




Listen here:




Within 1 month The Kit-Cat Band recorded another version, this time with Joe Leigh on vocals

(c) The Kit-Cat Band directed by Al Starita (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Al Starita-cl-as/dir. Tom Smith/ Edwin Knight-t/ Ted Heath-tb/ Billy Ternent-as/ George Smith-cl-ts/
Eric Siday-Jean Pougnet-Vivian Dunn-vn/ Harry Berly-vl/ D. Cameron-vc/ Sid Bright-p/
Len Fillis-bj,g/ Alfred Field-bb/ Eric Little-d/ Joe Leigh-voc
Recorded Oct 13, 1927 Piccadilly Hotel Ballroom, London
Matrix WA-6189-3 
Released on  Columbia 4653




(c) Ronnie Munro's Orchestra (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Vocal trio with Eddie Collis
Recorded July ? 1927 in London

Also released on Ariel 4250 (as by Ariel Dance Orhestra)  Ariel

Listen here:




The 3 subsequent Parlophone releases also contained a version of "Souvenirs" 

(c) The Singing Serenaders (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Recorded June ? 1927 in London
Matrix E-1538-2 
Released on Parlophone E-5902 


Given the matrix number (#1538-2), this could very well be the FIRST RECORDED version of "Souvenirs" (but the evidence has yet to pop up)

The same recording (matrix 1538-2) was also released on the Ariel-label (#4253)
 



(c) Ronnie Munro and Barry Mills (piano duet) (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Recorded July 1927 in London
Matrix E-1555-4 
Released on Parlophone E-5903 
 




(c) Frank Westfield's Orchestra (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Recorded July ? 1927 in London
Matrix E-1557-2
Released on Parlophone E-5904



(c) Fred Elizalde and his Music (1927) (as "Souvenirs")
Recorded September 1927 in London
Released on Brunswick 127
 


Listen here:





(c) Jack Hylton 1927 (as "Souvenirs")
Vocals Jack Jackson, Billy Ternent, Chappie d'Amato
Recorded September 21, 1927 in Hayes, Middlesex
Released on HMV B-5356

Len Fillis: guitar / Syd Bright: piano
Recorded October 21, 1927 in London
Matrix WA-6430-1
Released on Columbia 4678 (UK) and Columbia 0991 (Australia)





In the USA this song was released with the extended title "Among My Souvenirs"
First US version seems to be: 

(c) Nick Lucas (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Recorded October 12, 1927 in New York
Matrix E24720/1
Released on Brunswick 3684

Listen here:




(c) Astorites  (= Fred Rich Orchestra) (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Vocals Scrappy Lambert
Recorded October 21, 1927 in New York
Released on Harmony 528-D


Listen here:


Also released on Diva 2528-G




(c) Ben Selvin and his Orchestra (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Vocals: Cyril Pitts
Recorded October 24, 1927 in New York
Released on Columbia 1188-D





(c) Irving Kaufman (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Recorded November 1, 1927 in New York
Matrix 144937
Released on Harmony 531-H







(c) Charles Harrison (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Recorded November 4, 1927 in New York
Released on Edison 52150

Also released on Edison cylinder # 5482


Listen here:




(c) The Caroliners (=Sam Lanin Orchestra) (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal: Scrappy Lambert
Recorded November 5, 1927 in New York
Matrix 2675-B


Some versions of Romeo 492 (matrix 7619-3) were recorded on November 11, 1927 and (matrix 7619-5-6) on November 25, 1927 ---> see further on in this post



(c) Markel's Society Favorites (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal:  Harold "Scrappy" Lambert.
Recorded November 11, 1927 in New York
Released on Domino 4059, on Regal 8437 and on Conqueror 7001


Also released on Banner 6121 (as by Gotham Society Orchestra)

Also released on Oriole 1067 and Jewel 5152 (as by Miami Society Orchestra)

Also released on Romeo 492 ( as by Caroliners)

some takes of matrix 7619 (recorded on November 25, 1927) show Irving Kaufman as vocalist.

see for example : 



Listen here




(c) Regent Club Orchestra (= Bob Haring Orhestra) (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Vocal: Lewis James
Recorded November 14, 1927 in New York
Released on Brunswick 3723





(c) Paul Bolognese and his Orchestra (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal: Arthur Fields
Recorded November 1927 in New York
Matrix: 2683-A
Released on Grey Gull 1488






(c) Golden Gate Orchestra (=California Ramblers)  (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal: Ed Lloyd (=John Ryan)
Recorded November 18, 1927
Matrix: 107913
Released on Perfect 14895 

Also released on Pathe Actuelle 36714 (as by Palace Garden Orchestra)



Also released in the UK on Perfect P-315 (as by Meyer's Dance Orchestra)


Some copies of P-315 use a different master (N 95212) (also by Meyer's Dance Orchestra), which is in fact Léo Poll(nareff) & his orchestra with John Thorne singing.


Listen here:


This different master was also issued on Pathe Actuelle 11508 (as by Casino Dance Orchestra). 




(c) Justin Ring's Okeh Orchestra (=Sam Lanin Orchestra) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal: Scrappy Lambert
Recorded November 21, 1927 in New York
Released on Okeh 40945





Or here: 





(c) James Melton (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Recorded December 14, 1927 in New York
Released on Columbia 1238-D



(c) Abe Lyman's California Orchestra (1927) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Vocals Phil Neely
Recorded December 15, 1927
Released on Brunswick 3753


Listen here:




(c) Vernon Dalhart (1928) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Vernon Dalhart: voc / Adelyne Hood: voc and f / Carson Robison: voc and guitar
Recorded December 20, 1927 in New York
Released on Romeo 529. Also released on Lincoln 2760 and Cameo 8106

Recorded December 21, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey
Matrix BVE-41051
German lyrics: Fritz Rotter
Recorded February 1928 in Berlin
Matrix Be 6596
Released on O-2357 a
 



(c) Saxophon-Orchester Dobbri (1928) (as "Ein bißchen Seligkeit"
instrumental
Recorded February 18, 1928 in Berlin
Matrix 34625
Released on Beka B.6348-1
 

Also released for the British market on Parlophon B.7545 
(as "Souvenirs") (as by Orchestra Dobbri)

Listen here:




(c) Irene Ambrus (1928) (as "Ein bißchen Seligkeit")
German lyrics: Fritz Rotter
Irene Ambrus (S), Otto Dobrindt (cnd), 'Lindström' (orch)
Recorded April 28, 1928 in Berlin
Matrix 34871
Released on Beka B.6426-II


Listen here:




(c) Austin Egen (1928) (as "Ein bißchen Seligkeit")
Recorded June 27, 1928
Matrix BL 4316-1
Released on Electrola E.G. 936






(c) Comedian Harmonists (1928) (as "Ein bißchen Seligkeit")
Recorded August 18, 1928 in Berlin
Matrix Be7120
Released on Odeon O-2586

Listen here:




(c) Jan Garber (1936) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal: Lew Palmer
Recorded July 1, 1936 in Los Angeles
Released on Decca 1007



Listen here:




(c) Benny Carter (1940) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
vocal: Roy Felton
Recorded January 30, 1940
Matrix M 1127
Released on Vocalion 5458





(c) Eddy Howard (1940) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Recorded June 28, 1940 in Chicago
Released on Columbia 35949
 




(c) Louis Armstrong (1942) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Frank Galbreath, Shelton Hemphill, Bernard Flood (tp), 
George Washington, James Whitney, Henderson Chambers (tb), Rupert Cole, Carl Frye (cl, as), 
Prince Robinson (cl, ts), Joe Garland (cl, ts, arr), Luis Russell (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), 
John Simmons (b), Sid Catlett (d), Sy Oliver (arr).
Recorded April 17, 1942 in Los Angeles
Released on Decca 4327A


Listen here:




In 1946 Hoagy Carmichael plays the tune in a barscene in the movie "The Best Years Of Our Lives".


The movie was released November 21, 1946 in the United States

Watch it here at 38 min and 50 seconds in the YT below:




(c) Etta Jones (1946) (as "Among My Souvenirs")
Etta Jones (vcl) acc by George Treadwell (tp) Dickie Harris (tb) Budd Johnson (ts) Jimmy Jones (p) Al McKibbon (b) J.C. Heard (d)
Recorded June 11, 1946 in New York
Released on RCA Victor 20-1998

Etta Jones


Or here:




(c) Alvino Rey (1946) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Recorded July 1946 in LA
Released on Capitol 338




(c) Judy Garland (1957) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Recorded March 6, 1957
Released on Capitol EAP 1- 835





(c) Connie Francis (1959) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Top 10 Hit USA / Nr 11 Hit UK
Recorded October 14, 1959 in the Regent Studio in New York City




(c) Imca Marina (1960)  (as "In mijn herinnering"




In 1976, Marty Robbins had his 16th and last Nr 1 Hit on the country charts.

(c) Marty Robbins (1976) (as "Among My Souvenirs"
Recorded May 20, 1976 in Nashville, TN
Marty Robbins [vcl], Tommy Allsup [gt], Glenn Keener [gt], Grady Martin [gt], Billy Sanford[gt], 
Pete Drake/Buddy Emmons [steel], Norbert Putman [bass], Buddy Spicher [fiddle], 
Jerry Carrigan [drums], Charlie McCoy [harmonica], Shaune Keister. Producer: Billy Sherrill) 
Released on Columbia 3-10396
RecordedPerformersLabelCat.#Matrix
12/05/1927Lee Sims (Piano)Brunswick375825429
12/18/1927Eddie Dunstedter (Organ)Brunswick3762C 1383
02/04/1928South Sea Hawaiians {Frank Ferera}Cameo81422865
01/07/1946Alvino ReyCapitol3381264
07/30/1946Frank SinatraColumbia37161HCO1930
06/30/1951Paul Weston & His OrchestraColumbia39509HCO4515
11/15/1927Jack Richmond (Tenor)Paramount1259620217
11/18/1927Palace Garden Orchestra (Ramblers)Pathé Actuelle36714107913
06/11/1946Etta JonesRCA Victor20-1998
12/20/1927Vernon Dalhart / C. Robison / A. HoodRomeo5292752
02/04/1928South Sea Hawaiians {Frank Ferera}Romeo5652865=A



11/01/1927Irving KaufmanSilvertone3452144937



12/01/1927Jack MoranSilvertone8000AG13277
12/01/1927Jack Moran (Les Backer)Supertone9023AG13277
07/16/1941Collins BriggsVictor27651BS066842
1940Raymond Paige And His OrchestraVictor36379-B1
12/21/1927Reinald WerrenrathVictor1310BVE41051
01/11/1928Richard GreenVocalion15642E6831-2
09/06/1927Harol "Scrappy" LambertBanner61587657
10/12/1927Nick LucasBrunswick368424721
10/18/1927Gotham Society Orchestra (Markel)Banner6121A7619
10/21/1927Astorites (Fred Rich)Harmony528-H144891
10/21/1927Astorites (Fred Rich)Velvet Tone1528-V144891
10/24/1927Ben Selvin & His OrchestraColumbia1188-DW144899
11/01/1927Irving KaufmanHarmony531-H144937
11/01/1927Irving KaufmanVelvet Tone1531-V144937
11/07/1927CarolinersCameo12582675
11/07/1927CarolinersRomeo4922675
11/11/1927Markel Society FavoritesConqueror7001A7619
11/14/1927Deikman BobBell574X942
11/14/1927Regent Club Orchestra (Haring)Brunswick372325212
11/14/1927Grandview Inn OrchestraChampion15401X0942
11/14/1927Bob Deikman & His OrchestraGennett6325X0942
11/18/1927Golden Gate OrchestraPerfect14895107913
11/21/1927Justin Ring's OrchestraOkeh4094581843
11/22/1927Paul Whiteman And His Concert OrchestraVictor35877-A40934
11/23/1927Roger Wolfe Kahn and his OrchestraVictor21084-A41104
11/23/1927RevelersVictor21100-A41106
11/25/1927Les BackerGennett6328G13277
11/25/1927Miami Society Orchestra (Markel)Oriole1067-A7619
11/25/1927Markel's Society FavoritesRegal8437-A7619
12/07/1927Seger Ellis W Justin Ring TrioOkeh4095281903
12/12/1927Harold LambertConqueror70247657
12/12/1927Larry Holton (H.Lambert)Oriole11077657
12/12/1927Harold LambertRegal84647657
12/13/1927Dick EvansChampion15408+G13277
12/13/1927Jesse Crawford (Organ)Victor2114640762
12/14/1927Frank Ferera's HawaiiansBanner70457795
12/14/1927James MeltonColumbia1238-DW145407
12/15/1927Abe Lyman & His CaliforniansBrunswick3753-AE25641
12/19/1927Seger Ellis (Piano)Okeh4097081945A
12/30/1927The Artist EnsembleColumbia1289-DW145453
02/20/1928Hawaiian SerenadersOriole11697795
02/20/1928Ferera's Hawaiian SerenadersRegal85107795
06/04/1928Grandview Inn OrchestraChampion15401aX1414
06/04/1928Van & His Orchestra (Van Steeden)Gennett6325X1414
06/04/1928Van Steeden PSilvertone8038X1414
06/04/1928Van & His Orchestra (Van Steeden)Supertone9001AX1414
07/01/1936Jan Garber & His OrchestraDecca1007DLA403
06/17/1938Sammy Williams & 3 NaturalsConqueror908323122
06/17/1938Sammy Williams & 3 NaturalsVocalion425923122
01/30/1940Benny Carter & His OrchestraVocalion5458M1127
02/27/1940Henry Wells & His OrchestraDecca3073-B67247
06/28/1940Eddy HowardColumbia35949WC3181
04/17/1942Louis Armstrong & His OrchestraDecca4327-ADLA2975
08/06/1946Herbie Fields And His OrchestraRCA Victor20-1961BD6VB2619

08/11/1953
06/09/1954
08/24/1956
08-22-1957
08/22/1946

Bette McLaurin
Four Aces
Kitty Kallen
Norvelle Reid
Bing Crosby / Russ Morgan Orchestra

Coral
Decca
Decca
Decca
Decca

9-61064
ED-2170
ED-2468
9-30566
23745-A

84998
86480
100506
103133
L4276