Edison BA 5716 - "Kansas City Kitty" Billy Murray

This is an Edison Blue Amberol cylinder recording, #5716, "Kansas City Kitty" by Mr. Billy Murray, being played on my Amberola 50.

This is amongst the rarest of all Blue Amberols because it was released in June 1929, and cylinder production ended on July 6, 1929. According to original inventory forms, only 102 copies of this particular cylinder were ever produced, and far fewer than that were ever sold to the public. The remaining unsold cylinders were destroyed at the end of 1929, when Edison shut down the "entertainment records" division of his business. As such, there are very few extant copies of this cylinder, and the few other cylinders released in June 1929.

Also special about this cylinder is that it is one of only a handful of Blue Amberol cylinders that was electrically-dubbed from an electrically-recorded Edison Diamond Disc. Only Blue Amberols from around catalogue number 5650 and up were electrically-dubbed, and very few copies of any electrically-dubbed cylinders were produced, so it is extremely difficult to find an example of a true electrically-recorded cylinder such as this, especially in such remarkable condition. It plays perfectly, and has far greater depth and frequency response than any of the acoustically-dubbed cylinders I have heard, especially those cylinders which were dubbed acoustically from electrically-recorded Diamond Discs.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Edison
• Amberola
• 50
• Blue
• Amberol
• Cylinder
• Record
• 5716
• Kansas
• City
• Kitty
• Billy
• Murray
• 1929
• Electric

[Jim1Johnson]

My father gave me his 1918 Edison similar to yours, but the sound is not nearly as good. The cylinder must be in great shape. I have found some of the old cylinders placed on CD and enjoy listening to music recorded in the early 1900s.

[Casathious]

@Jim1Johnson The machine is in great shape, considering it's around 95 years old. The cylinder itself is also in immaculate condition; it is one of the best playing cylinders I have, in part because it is one of the few electrically-dubbed Blue Amberols. I also love listening to old cylinders that have been transferred digitally. In fact, if you go to cylinders.library.ucsb.edu, you can listen to and download thousands of digitised cylinders for free.

[Westtoledoguy]

that is one of the most rarest cylinders ......great to see 5732 last known copy put out so that is right near the end

[DIYPhonophile]

Absolutely amazing! What a great selection. I would keep that record VERY safe!

[JeffsGreats]

It really does sound good too bad Edison didnt keep making them with that good of quality maybe they would have stayed popular longer, thanks casathious, hope you dont wait so long before downloads this time... I enjoy you and your music collection.take care jeff

[RobinPratt]

RARE cylinder! Great number by Billy.