Rondoliers - I need lovin'

Columbia master 151807-1, rec. New York, September 23 1931.
Royal Halle (1st tenor), Earl Palmer (2nd tenor), Artells Dickinson (baritone), and Kenneth Schon (bass) with Charles Touchette (piano, arr) and another unknown pianist.
One of my favourite recordings by this group. Although they recorded extensively in the early 1930s, only about ten titles were published under their name. More than 50 others have them as refrain singers with various orchestras, and the fun factor of those is usually rather limited. This here is something else, though. Apart from a few obscure recordings by the Manhattan Quartet, the Rondoliers were the first (and for quite some time the only) vocal group to record not with one, but two pianists, which gives their recordings additional drive and an even fuller sound. Unfortunately, it also means that these records are significantly louder than those of similar groups, so you usually find them in quite worn condition. This copy is no exception, but in my opinion still very enjoyable.
Bassist Schon, by the way, later sang as a soloist for quite a few years at the Met.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 1920s
• 1930s
• close
• harmony
• American
• male
• vocal
• group
• quartet
• Rondoliers
• novelty
• hot
• Columbia

[AIKevorkian]

Wow, this is when my Dad's Dad (Grandpa I never got to meet) was a teenager. It is just so awesome that we can hear the stuff from so long ago nowadays.

[LordWham]

One of my Favorites..!

[bill3murr]

just wonderful.....thank you.

[bsgs98]

This is a great tune. Love that male quartet, and those pianos are terrific! Thanks for posting this rare recording.