In many ways, the Harmony/Velvet Tone sound is much like Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" from the 1960's - the aim is to increase intelligibility on the lowest common denominator playback source, which in this case is the portable phonograph. Budget records were purchased in large part by the owners of cheap suitcase phonographs, to play at impromptu events indoors and out. When you play them on one today, the appeal of these recordings is obvious vis-a-vis a more sophisticated machine.
A really fantastic tune from a talkie Broadway Melody (1929)!
valdo2est 4 months ago
In many ways, the Harmony/Velvet Tone sound is much like Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" from the 1960's - the aim is to increase intelligibility on the lowest common denominator playback source, which in this case is the portable phonograph. Budget records were purchased in large part by the owners of cheap suitcase phonographs, to play at impromptu events indoors and out. When you play them on one today, the appeal of these recordings is obvious vis-a-vis a more sophisticated machine.
zjsprout 7 months ago