OH BY JINGO! OH BY GEE!
(YOU'RE THE ONLY GIRL FOR ME)

Premier Quartet
male voices with orchestra

Edison Diamond Disc 50666-L Year 1920

About: Premier Quartet

Turtle Talk:
Premier Quartet personnel changed a few times. According to "The Encyclopedia of Popular American Recording Artists: 1895-1925" "Oh ByJingo! Oh By Gee!" is the first Edison recording by the Premier Quartet -first tenor Charles Hart, second tenor Billy Jones, baritone Steve Porter, and bass Harry J. Donaghy. However the Billy Murray Discography in "Billy Murray, The Phonograph Industry's First Great Recording Artist," indicates that Murray was part of the Premier Quartet that recorded this Edison Diamond Disc.

Murray was the second tenor in the Quartet through July 1920. In August 1920, Murray became an exclusive Victor artist. Edison's "Oh By Jingo!..." was released on an Edison Blue Amberol Cylinder record in August 1920 and on Edison Diamond Disc 50666-L in September 1920.

According to "The Almost Complete 78 RPM Record Dating Guide (II)," the matrix (#7222)from which Edison Diamond Disc 50666-L was made, could have been made before August 1920. "Edison Diamond Disc Re-Creations, Records & Artists, 1910-1929" suggests that matrix #7222 was made in March or April of 1920. If correct, Billy Murray would have been part of the Premier Quartet when "Oh By Jingo!..." was recorded.

Did Murray record for Edison Diamond Disc 50666-L?

- A friend of the Jukebox, Edwin H., listened to this performance and believes that the tenor is Billy Jones not Billy Murray.
- A friend of the Jukebox, George Z.,agrees that the tenor is not Billy Murray. George writes "Somebody does sound a little like him, but it's a totally different quality voice. And it's not even close to Billy Murray's distinctive regional accent."
- A friend of the Jukebox, Allan, S., make a strong case for Jones not Murray. "This one can be solved pretty quickly using our [Mainspring Press] Blue Amberol Cylinders volume, which takes its data directly from the original Edison files at the Edison National Historic Site. Personnel for this title, per the Edison Studio Cash Book, are Charles Hart, tenor; Reese Jones [i.e., Billy Jones], lead tenor; Steve Porter, baritone; and Harry J. Donaghy, bass. The recording was made in New York on Tuesday, March 16, 1920, with studio orchestra accompaniment. Three disc takes were recorded, with take -C selected for dubbing to Blue Amberol 4041. (The Cash Books were handwritten ledgers that were maintained by Edison Studio managers, showing each session's date, the titles recorded, personnel employed, and how much each was paid.)"

Tech Tidbits:
"Oh ByJingo! Oh By Gee!" was transferred using a 2.5 mil truncated elliptical stylus in a Stanton 500 stereo cartridge at 80 rpm on a United Audio Dual 1219 turntable.

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