Admirals [with Ben Berlin] - My love parade

Grammophon master 2715 BR, rec. Berlin, November 1929.
Eddie Lee (tenor), Joe Lee (tenor), Noman Bartlett (baritone).
This American group has been the first (and only) American group to reside in Germany for a longer period in the 1920s and 30s, thus being a huge influence on many other groups.
The first sign of the Lee brothers' Admirals (originally a quartet) were two recordings for Columbia in New York, recorded in May 1927, that remained unpublished. Looking for success elsewhere, the ensemble then moved to England, where they recorded 12 sides for Edison Bell between October 1927 and June 1928. In the summer of 1928 they arrived at Berlin, where they were an instant success. They secured a recording contract with the Tri-Ergon company and recorded musical short films for the Lignose company (if anybody out there has the film for "Gonna get a girl": I happen to have the soundtrack ...). By the end of the 1920s they recorded for all major German companies, appeared in movies ("Der Herr auf Bestellung", "Nie wieder Liebe") as well as in important stage productions: For example, they were singing in the world premiere of Kurt Weill's "Mahagonny", and their recording of Alabama Song with Lotte Lenya can be found on various CDs.
At this time their line-up constantly changed between three and four musicians - it is possible that their original bass, who also accompanied them on banjo, had joined a band and was no longer available full-time.
Listening to their recordings, it is obvious that they never got on friendly terms with the German language, so most of their recordings either have them singing in English or completely without words, often lending harmony to other singers' voices. As many others, after the election of Hitler the group left Germany and returned to England, where they worked until at least 1938.
Dance band leader Ben Berlin was born in Reval (Tallinn) as Hermann Byk. He first became known in the mid-20s as an arranger of excellent hot dance recordings for the Vox company. He formed his own band in 1928 and soon had a healthy fan base in many European countries. After a tour through Switzerland at the beginning of 1933 Byk decided not to return to Germany, but emigrated to England. I don't know what became of him. Collectors treasure his recordings, and although there are some that turn up regularly, many are extremely rare, so I hope you still enjoy this very steeled copy of a disc you might not get to hear elsewhere.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 30s
• close
• harmony
• trio
• American
• German
• Admirals
• Grammophon
• Ben
• Berlin
• Hermann
• Byk
• Bick
• dance
• band
• hot
• jazz
• novelty

[Schellackplatte]

Schöne Aufnahme und wirklich interessante Infos.

Ich besitze 3 Aufnahmen der TriErgon Sitzung und werde bald eine davon bei YT einstellen.

Sammlergürße aus München

[kr103]

Darum beneide ich sie aber! Ich bin sehr gespannt darauf ...

[bill3murr]

very enjoyable....the admirals appear on some recordings i have from germany; they are the back up for marcel wittrisch. thank you for sharing.

[valdo2est]

Here in Estonia seems that Ben Berlin (in real life Hermann Biek) is totally forgotten. No one knows his name and recordings...

Additionally he was a great classical pianist. It is known for me that if Hermann Biek lived in England in 1934, he visited in September-October 1934 also his previous homeland Estonia with classical concerts. Estonian newspapers said in 1934 that a great pianist Hermann Biek is after 8 years again back here for a two concerts...

[rogharm]

great snappy arrangement!!! better than maurice. ROGHARM

[dairyman716]

Vielen Dank für die seltene Aufnahme und die interessanten Informationen.