ADA
JONES :
A Blue Amberol Cylinderography
Note: This new series will examine
in detail the cylinder-record output of popular studio artists. Cylinderographies
of Irving Kaufman, Billy
Murray, Steve Porter, and other pioneer
recording artists are currently in development, using the original Edison
files and other primary-source materials.
Related Articles:
Ada Jones: A Prehistory (1888–1905) | Photo Feature: Ada Jones at Home
Much of Ada Jones’
Blue Amberol output consisted of reissues of her four-minute wax Amberol
cylinders, recorded from 1908 through 1912. From 1912 through mid-1914,
the new Blue Amberols were recorded directly
to wax masters, as had been done in the past. However, by the end of 1914,
Edison was dubbing most of its Blue Amberols from existing Diamond
Disc masters. In those cases, the disc master number is shown, followed
by the corresponding Diamond Disc release (if there was one) in parentheses.
Many of Jones’ later recordings were rejected for issue on the expensive
Diamond Discs, but were approved for dubbing onto the cheaper and less
prestigious Blue Amberols.
Data are from the original Edison files, archived
at the Edison National Historic Site. All recordings were made in New
York. The surviving Edison files do not show the titles recorded at each
session prior to the advent of Diamond Discs. For these recordings, confirmed
release dates are shown, rather than listing speculative recording dates. Releases were generally made within three to
four months of the recording date; however, some titles were withheld
for far longer periods, thus it is not possible to extrapolate accurate
recording dates based on dates of release.
For information on Jones’ early career, see
A Prehistory of Ada Jones (1888–1905).
Information on other Blue Amberol cylinders can be found in Edison
Blue Amberol Records, available from Mainspring Press. Jones’
complete disc output will be covered in Ray Wile’s upcoming Edison
Disc Discography series, the first volume of which will be released
by Mainspring later this year.
1521 (released Dec 1912)
By the light of the silvery moon (Madden-Edwards; “Ziegfeld
Follies of 1909”)
Ada Jones & Peerless Quartet
Reissue of Amberol 421 (released May 1910)
Acc: Orch
1524 (released Dec 1912)
Silver Bell (Madden-Wenrich)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Reissue of Amberol 576 (released Dec 1910)
Acc: Orch
1577 (released Nov 1912)
The wedding glide (Hirsch; “Passing Show of 1912”)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch
1602 (released Dec 1912)
When I get you alone tonight (McCarthy-Goodwin-Fisher)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Chorus & orch
1611 (released Feb 1913)
Who puts me in my little bed? (H. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch
1634 (released Mar 1913)
Kiss me, my honey, kiss me (Snyder-Berlin)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Reissue of Amberol 617 (released Feb 1911)
Acc: Orch
1771 (released Jun–Jul 1913)
Just plain folks (Stonehill)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 286 (released Nov 1909)
Acc: Chorus & orch
1793 (released Aug 1913)
Whistling Jim (Morse)
Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch
1800 (released Aug 1913)
Oh, you silv’ry bells (Havez-Botsford)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch
1839 (released Sep 1913)
I’d do as much for you (Jerome-H. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch
1853 (released Sep 1913)
I’m looking for a nice young fellow who is looking for a
nice young girl
(Branen-Stern, as “Henry”)
Ada Jones & Premier Quartet
Reissue of Amberol 605 (released Feb 1911)
Acc: Orch
Note: Quartet is Billy Murray, John Bieling,
Steve Porter, William F. Hooley.
1858 (released Sep 1913)
Silver star (Johnson)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Reissue of Amberol 940 (released Mar 1912)
Acc: Orch
1871 (released Sep 1913)
The golden wedding (Stonehill; adapted by Spencer)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 312 (released Dec 1909)
Acc: Orch
1879 (released Sep 1913)
Put on your slippers, you’re in for the night (Powell-Furth)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 502 (released Sep 1910)
Acc: Orch
1882 (released Sep 1913)
Put your arms around me, honey (McCree-A. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 669 (released May 1911)
Acc: Chorus & orch
1884 (released Sep 1913)
Rainbow (Bryan-Wenrich)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Reissue of Amberol 699 (released Jun 1911)
Acc: Orch
1942 (released Oct 1913)
Come and kiss your little baby (Brown-A. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch
1949 (released Oct 1913)
Come, Josephine, in my flying machine (Bryan-Fisher)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Reissue of Amberol 655 (released Apr 1911)
Acc: Chorus & orch
1965 (released Oct 1913)
Grand baby, or a baby grand? (Durand)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 660 (released Apr 1911)
Acc: Orch
1971 (released Oct 1913)
Peaches and cream—Vaudeville sketch, intro. Peaches
and cream (Lowitz-Blumenthal)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 448 (released Jun 1910)
Acc: Orch
1987 (released Oct 1913)
It’s got to be someone I love (Doyle)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 777 (released Sep 1911)
Acc: Chorus & orch
2021 (released Nov 1913)
Snow Deer (Mahoney-Wenrich)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch
2043 (released Nov 1913)
The Pullman porters on parade (Abrahams-Berlin, as “May”)
Edward Meeker & Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch
2069 (released Dec 1913)
I wish that you belonged to me (Browne)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch
2105 (released Dec 1913)
The bird on Nellie’s hat (Lamb-Solman)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 237 (released Oct 1909)
Acc: Orch
2122 (released Jan 1914)
If you only knew what I know, says the moon (Sharp)
Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch
2129 (released Jan 1914)
On the old front porch (Heath-Lange)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2156 (released Feb 1914)
There’s lots of stations on my railroad track (McCarthy-Edwards)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2190 (released Mar 1914)
That’s how I lost him
Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2197 (released Mar 1914)
Pussy cat rag (Kitty, kitty, kitty) (Allen-Daly)
Peerless Quartet with Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Quartet is Albert Campbell, Henry Burr,
Arthur Collins, John H. Meyer.
2212 (released Apr 1914)
All aboard for Dixieland (Cobb)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2224 (released Apr 1914)
I’m crying just for you (McCarthy-Monaco)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2274 (released May 1914)
Hiram Tucker
Ada Jones & Byron G. Harlan
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2280 (released May 1914)
Si Perkins’ barn dance (Spencer)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 133 (released May 1909)
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2303 (released Jun 1914)
Why is the ocean so near the shore? (Weinberg-Jones;
“When Claudia Smiles”)
Ada Jones
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2311 (released Jun 1914)
Where can I meet you tonight? (Farran-Lange)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2336 (released Jul 1914)
In the heart of the city that has no heart (Allen-Daly)
Ada Jones & Henry Burr (as “Irving Gillette”)
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2361 (released Aug 1914)
The whistling coquette (Belmont)
Ada Jones, Billy Murray & Joe Belmont
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2394 (released Sep 1914)
’Twas in September (Burt-Hein; “The Beauty
Shop”)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Direct master
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
2409 (released Sep 1914)
The bedtime at the zoo (Greenbank-Mayne-Monckton; “The
New Aladdin”)
Ada Jones
Reissue of Amberol 102 (released Apr 1909)
Acc: Orch
2940 (released Sep 1916)
If I knock the “L” out of Kelly (It would still be
Kelly to me) (Lewis-Young-Grant)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 4777 (50364-R)
NY: Jun 8, 1916
Acc: Chorus & orch (Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Chorus is Billy Murray, Steve Porter, and
William F. Hooley.
2979 (released Oct 1916)
When Priscilla tries to reach high C (H. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Disc mx: 4745 (50363-L)
NY: May 25, 1916
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3010 (released Nov 1916)
He’s the makin’s of a darn’d fine man
(Herman-Mahoney)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 4848 (—)
NY: Jul 6, 1916
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued only on Blue
Amberol.
3037 (released Jan 1917)
O’Brien is tryin’ to learn to talk Hawaiian
(Cormack-Dubin)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 5039 (50402-R)
NY: Oct 3, 1916
Acc: Orch (Ceasre Sodero, cond.)
3117 (released Mar 1917)
Since Maggie Dooley learned the hooley hooley (Kalmar-Leslie-Meyer)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 5209 (—)
NY: Dec 12, 1916
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3123 (released Apr 1917)
Put on your slippers and fill up your pipe (You’re not going
bye-bye tonight)
(Moran-A. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 5160 (50398-L)
NY: Nov 20, 1916
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3135 (released Apr 1917)
Don’t slam that door (H. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Disc mx: 5253 (50981-R, not issued)
NY: Jan 2, 1917
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Disc 50981 was cancelled before release.
3152 (released May 1917)
The band festival at Plum Center (Doty)
Ada Jones, Byron G. Harlan & Steve Porter
Disc mx: 5227 (50463-R)
NY: Dec 20, 1916
Acc: “Small band” (per studio cash book)
Note: “Rice” and an illegible name
were also entered in the cash book for this session, but their identities
and roles are not known.
3161 (released May 1917)
A ragtime drama (Merrill)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Disc mx: 5276 (—)
NY: Jan 8, 1917
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3166 (released May 1917)
Cross my heart (and hope to die) (H. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 5249 (—)
NY: Dec 29, 1916
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3194 (released Jun 1917)
Come out of the kitchen, Mary Ann (Kendis-Bayha)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 5303 (—)
NY: Jan 18, 1917
Acc: Chorus & orch (Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only. Chrorus is Billy Murray, George Wilton Ballard, Steve Porter,
and William F. Hooley.
3261 (released Sep 1917)
Sweet Peggy Magee
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 148 (released Jun 1909)
3351 (released Dec 1917)
Some Sunday morning (Kahn-Egan-Whiting)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Disc mx: 5720 (—)
NY: Jul 31, 1917
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3354 (released Dec 1917)
Lily of the valley (A “nut” song) (Gilbert-Friedland)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Disc mx: 5758 (—)
NY: Aug 31, 1917
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3453 (released Apr–May 1918)
Daddy, I want to go (Dunn-Stembler)
Premier Quartet (assisted by Ada Jones)
Disc mx: 5901 (—)
NY: Nov 27, 1917
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only. The quartet is Billy Murray, Harvey Hindermeyer, Steve Porter,
and William F. Hooley.
3473 (released Jun 1918)
Says I to myself, says I (Moran-H. von Tilzer)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 5889 (—)
NY: Nov 20, 1917
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3483 (released Jun 1918)
I’ll take you back to Italy (Berlin; “Jack
O’ Lantern”)
Ada Jones & Billy Murray
Disc mx: 5994 (50473-L)
NY: Feb 1, 1918
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3500 (released Jul 1918)
The daughter of Rosie O’Grady (Donaldson)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 6083 (—)
NY: Mar 27, 1918
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3612 (released Dec 1918)
Goodbye, Alexander (Goodbye, honey boy) (Creamer-Layton)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 6308 (—)
NY: Aug 25, 1918
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3726 (released May 1919)
How ’ya gonna keep ’em down on the farm after they’ve
seen Paree?
(Young-Lewis-Donaldson)
Ada Jones & Byron G. Harlan
Disc mx: 6591 (50518-R)
NY: Jan 28, 1919
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3780 (released Jul 1919)
Oh! Lawdy (Something’s done got between Ebecaneezer and
me) (Creamer-Layton)
Ada Jones
Disc mx: 6687 (50558-L)
NY: Mar 26, 1919
Acc: Orch (Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3818 (released Sep 1919)
How Sandy proposed (Boone)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 240 (released Oct 1909)
Acc: Orch
3838 (released Oct 1919)
The raggity man (van Alstyne)
Edward Meeker & Ada Jones
Disc mx: 6812 (50901-L)
NY: May 29, 1919
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
3840 (released Oct 1919)
Danny’s return from France—Descriptive
Bob Willis, Ada Jones & Edward Meeker
Disc mx: 6678 (—)
NY: March 19, 1919
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Rejected for disc; issued as Blue Amberol
only.
3857 (released Nov 1919)
A race for a wife—A racetrack sketch (Spencer)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 335 (released Jan 1910)
3890 (released Jan 1920)
Uncle Josh and Aunt Nancy put up the kitchen stove (Stewart)
Cal Stewart & Ada Jones
Disc mx: 6861 (50599-R)
NY: Jul 8, 1919
3899 (released Jan 1920)
Little Arrow and Big Chief Greasepaint (Spencer)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 108 (released Apr 1909)
Acc: Orch & sound effects
3921 (released Feb 1920)
A picture of long ago (Spencer)
Ada Jones & Len Spencer
Reissue of Amberol 69 (released Jan 1909)
Acc: Orch
3923 (released Mar 1920)
Uncle Josh’s birthday party (intro. Pick ’em
up Silas, lay ’em down Zeke) (Stewart)
Cal Stewart & Company
Disc mx: 6920 (50689-R)
NY: Aug 28, 1919
Acc: Orch (probably Cesare Sodero, cond.)
Note: Supporting artists are Ada Jones, Billy
Murray, John Young, Steve Porter, Donald Chalmers, and Edward Meeker.
3946 (released Apr 1920)
Backyard conversation between Mrs. Reilly and Mrs. Finnegan
(Porter)
Ada Jones & Steve Porter
Disc mx: 6994 (50667-L)
NY: Oct 2, 1919
3992 (released Jun 1920)
Flanagan’s night off (Porter)
Ada Jones & Steve Porter
Disc mx: 7041 (50745-R)
NY: Dec 1919
4404 (released Nov 1921)
On a little side street (Harris-Howard)
Ada Jones & Billy Jones
Disc mx: 8206 (50852-R)
NY: Sep 7, 1921
Acc: Orch
4425 (released Jan 1922)
When Francis dances with me (Ryan-Violinsky)
Ada Jones & Billy Jones
Disc mx: 8203 (50852-L)
NY: Sep 6, 1921
Acc: Orch
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