Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan sing - Aba Daba Honeymoon - from 1914 Victor Type III Gramophone

Here is one of the most popular singing Comedy Duos from the first two decades of the 20th Century, Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan singing, "The Aba Daba Honeymoon" composed by Fields and Donovan from 1914. The Gramophone is a Victor Type III from 1914. Most people recall the modern day version of the song done by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter in the late 1940's, but here is the original version from 1914 complete with the cleverly done Jungle and Ape sound effects.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Victor Record
• Gramophone
• Phonograph
• Victrola
• 78rpm

[camaysar222]

Great post, as usual. There seem to be 2 Collins and Harlan versions of this song, both referred to as 1914 recordings. In the other, there are many differences, for example the line "Chimp I love you, too" is not spoken, but sung. Overall, it does not sound quite as bright as this one. I'm trying to track down the recording history... any ideas?

[victrolaman]

The song was written and published by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan in 1914. The first recordings of Aba Daba Honeymoon was made in 1914 by Collins & Harlan. It was recorded by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter on August 4, 1950, and released by MGM Records as catalog number 30282, it reached #3 on the Billboard magazine chart in 1951. Richard Hayes and Kitty Kallen as well as Freddy Martin's Orchestra with Merv Griffin (vocal), also had a successful versions of the song.

[AnnieVeeAy]

@camaysar222

There are many Collins & Harlan recordings of "Aba Daba" on various labels and both 78 and cylinder. This RCA one isn't as lively as the version you can hear at the Library of Congress audio archives.

[EdisonCollector]

@Leadfang Yes, ebay. That Victor iii you see in the photo will run you around $900. You can buy an Edison CYLINDER player MUCH cheaper, but it will be much less versatile. One of those will run around $350 for a Standard that will play 4 minute cylinders. The cylinder version of this song is better in my view.

[Leadfang]

I am rather curious, you see, I am highly fascinated by antiques, phonographs/gramophones in particular.

I live in rural Alabama, where would you think I could find a gramophone?

I've search all of the antique shops, no luck.

Perhaps ebay?

[bearcub410]

just wonderful the year the first world war broke out 1914 . what a different world . born too late . thanks

[camaysar222]

Actually, I see that they also recorded it on Edison Blue Amberol in the same year. That's probably what I've been hearing. I think the Victor is better.