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? Turtle tends to believe that Murray was part of the Quartet but is not certain.... Perhaps someone with a discerning ear can listen to the performance and answer the question.

- 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."

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