Billy Murray, Isabelle Patricola and the Virginians - When You and I Were Young Maggie Blues (1922)

William Thomas "Billy" Murray (25 May 1877 17 August 1954)

was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century.

While he received star billings on Vaudeville, he was best known for his prolific work in the recording studio, making records for almost every record label of the era. He was probably the best selling recording artist of the first quarter of the 20th century.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of immigrants from Ireland. He became fascinated with the theater and joined a traveling vaudeville troupe in 1893. He also performed in minstrel shows early in his career. He made his first recordings for a local phonograph cylinder company in San Francisco, California in 1897. He started recording regularly in the New York City and New Jersey area in 1903, when the nation's major record companies as well as the Tin Pan Alley music industry were concentrated there.

In 1906 he waxed the first of his popular duets with Ada Jones. He also performed with Aileen Stanley, the Haydn Quartet, and the American Quartet (also known as the Premier Quartet), in addition to his solo work.

He had a strong tenor voice with excellent enunciation and a more conversational delivery than common with bel canto singers of the era. On comic songs he often deliberately sang slightly flat, which he felt helped the comic effect.

While he often performed romantic numbers and ballads which sold well at the time, his comedy and novelty song recordings continue to be popular with later generations of record collectors.

Murray's popularity faded with changes in public taste and recording technology; the rise of the electric microphone in the mid 1920s coincided with the rise of the crooners. His "hammering" style, as he called it, essentially yelling the song into the recording horn, did not work in the electronic era, and it took him some time to learn how to soften his voice.

While his singing style was considered "dated" and was less in demand, he continued to find recording work. By the late 1920s and early 1930s, the music from his salad days was considered nostalgic (the modern term would be "oldies") and Murray was in demand again. He did voices for animated cartoons, especially the popular "follow the bouncing ball" sing-along cartoons. He also did radio work.

A subtlety in the evolution of American English pronunciation can be detected in Murray's career. The word "record" was once pronounced with the last syllable rhyming with "cord", as evidenced on the spoken introductions to some of his early work. Example: "Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis — sung by Billy Murray, Edison Records". Murray also signed his autographed photos with the play on words, "re-cordially yours". In modern times, the final syllable of "record" is typically pronounced to rhyme with "curd" rather than "cord".

Murray made his last recordings in 1943 and retired to Freeport, Long Island, New York in 1944. He died in nearby Jones Beach.


Billy Murray, Isabelle Patricola and the Virginians - When You and I Were Young Maggie Blues (1922)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Billy
• Murray
• Isabelle
• Patricola
• Virginians
• 1922
• 20's

[Donkey9900]

Thanks for posting some Isabelle Patricola-I've been curious about her for many years, as I have a Vocalion record by her (#14623 Stingo Stungo/Oh Sister Ain't That Hot) on brown vinyl. My Dad got it as I recall, as a child in the late 30's in a lady's attic he was cleaning in Zanesville, Ohio. He kept it all these years & still in fairly decent shape. (recently just transferred both sides to MP3 files)

[TreblePop]

Enjoyed the clip you've posted. Thanks for posting the biographical information about Billy Murray, too. I tried to find something regarding Isabella Porticola and haven't found much of anything, though - other than her being an American entertainer, who was born and died (1886 - 1965).

[hotsickle]

I've heard of Miss Patricola aka Miss Pepsicoke. Had a 78 buy her somewhere in my stash....

[bill3murr]

love it! thanks.

[heinbanjo12]

I was too fast. It deserves 5 stars.