Victor 10-Inch Double-Sided Electrical Records
1925-1958

From 1877 to the mid 1920s, sound could only be recorded acoustically, or in non-phonograph speak - mechanically. The recording horn was just that, a horn that carried sound to its tip that was connected to a diaphragm that vibrated a needle that scratched the groove into a rotating wax master. Depending on the materials used for the diaphragm and other components as well as placement of the performers in front of the horn, the resulting recordings didn't sound completely natural. Acoustic technology improved over time but couldn't be perfect. It took the advent of the electric microphone and amplifier to accomplish that. Also, electrical was much better for larger orchestras because they were difficult to record acoustically. The major companies switched in 1925 and the rest followed within a few years. At first, electrical recordings had their own unnatural sound but improvements made them near perfect by the late 1930s and totally so by the 1950s. Of course, the electrical era continues today. For the purpose of this section and website though, 1933 is the cutoff date for listings since that's when the Classic Jazz Age roughly ends and the Big Band Era begins.

Western Electric was the top player in the field and licensed its recording equipment to Victor and Columbia, who both started issuing the resulting sides in 1925. Victor delayed its official announcement and accompanying label design change for over a year in order to first sell off the older acoustic stock alongside the new. They thought an immediate announcement would leave them with an un-saleable back stock and catalog before they could unload it and record a large-enough electrical catalog. The final Wing-Label Victors caught in this transition can be identified as electric by a "VE" within a circle in the run-out area. The Scroll Label replaced it the following year in 1926. Fortunately, the electrical era began just early enough to capture the height of the Jazz Age and the Roaring '20s on record before the Great Depression of the 1930s changed the landscape.

This page covers the 19000 series (actually a continuation of the 16000s) from 19626 to 19999 with issue dates ranging from 1925 to 1926 and contains discs that were electrically recorded. A few higher numbers were acoustically recorded and released during the conversion; any such recordings will be listed in the acoustical 19000s section. Earlier and later issues can be found on other pages. Pricing remained at 75¢ throughout the rest of the decade and across all of the thirties too. A&R remained pretty much the same as the earlier 19000s. The earliest electrical issues sounded quite good from the very beginning since Victor was using equipment from an industry leader and not trying to homebrew their system. However, there was still a learning curve and recording engineers had to be retrained or replaced. Sometimes, an occasional issue would come out sounding more tinny or unnatural than it could have been.

Encoded Speed: 192 Kbps

By the Light of the Stars Seminola
Jan Garber and His Orchestra Jan Garber and His Orchestra
Victor 19689-A Victor 19689-B
Matrix# BVE-32719, Take 1 Matrix# BVE-32720, Take 2
May 29, 1925 May 29, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Let Me Linger Longer in Your Arms Steppin' in Society
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 19692-A Victor 19692-B
Matrix# BVE-32725, Take 5 Matrix# BVE-32724, Take 4
June 3, 1925 June 3, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Just a Bundle of Sunshine Every Sunday Afternoon
The Revelers The Revelers
Victor 19731-A Victor 19731-B
Matrix# BVE-33072, Take 7 Matrix# BVE-33076, Take 7
July 20, 1925 July 20, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Everything is Hotsy-Totsy Now That's All There Is (There Ain't No More)
Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra
Victor 19750-A Victor 19750-B
Matrix# BVE-33201, Take 7 Matrix# BVE-33159, Take 3
August 7, 1925 August 7, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

I'm Knee Deep in Daisies Hot Aire
George Olsen and His Music George Olsen and His Music
Victor 19761-A Victor 19761-B
Matrix# BVE-33337, Take 4 Matrix# BVE-33338, Take 4
August 21, 1925 August 21, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York
Note: Tinny sound. Note: Tinny sound.

I'm Tired of Everything but You The Rhythm Rag
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 19773-A Victor 19773-B
Matrix# BVE-33360, Take 1 Matrix# BVE-33331, Take 7
September 2, 1925 September 1, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York

Freshie Mighty Blue
Waring's Pennsylvanians Waring's Pennsylvanians
Victor 19784-A Victor 19784-B
Matrix# PBVE-141, Take 4 Matrix# PBVE-133, Take 4
September 7, 1925 September 4, 1925
Los Angeles, California Los Angeles, California
Note: Recorded in a big hall? Abrupt halt of recording at the end of the songs too.

Cecilia I'm Knee Deep in Daisies
Jack Smith (The Whispering Baritone) Jack Smith (The Whispering Baritone)
Victor 19787-A Victor 19787-B
Matrix# BVE-33383, Take 4 Matrix# BVE-33397, Take 3
September 21, 1925 September 21, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

Dinah Oh, Miss Hannah
The Revelers The Revelers
Victor 19796-A Victor 19796-B
Matrix# BVE-33252, Take 5 Matrix# BVE-33281, Take 6
September 4, 1925 September 24, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Crack halfway in, somewhat audible. Worn. Note: Crack not audible on this side. Worn.

Angry Whisp'ring Trees, Memories and You
Wendell Hall Wendell Hall
Victor 19819-A Victor 19819-B
Matrix# BVE-33451, Take 4 Matrix# BVE-33150, Take 3
October 6, 1925 August 7, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

Who Sunny
George Olsen and His Music George Olsen and His Music
Victor 19840-A Victor 19840-B
Matrix# BVE-33856, Take 3 Matrix# BVE-33855, Take 3
November 6, 1925 November 6, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

Sleepy Time Gal What Could be Sweeter Than You?
Art Landry and His Orchestra (vocal by Henry Burr) Art Landry and His Orchestra
Victor 19843-A Victor 19843-B
Matrix# BVE-33611, Take 1 Matrix# BVE-33613, Take 4
November 10, 1925 November 13, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Worn.

I'm Sitting on Top of the World I Never Knew
Roger Wolfe Kahn and his Hotel Biltmore Orchestra Roger Wolfe Kahn and his Hotel Biltmore Orchestra
Victor 19845-A Victor 19845-B
Matrix# BVE-33867, Take 3 Matrix# BVE-33868, Take 2
November 13, 1925 November 13, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York
Note: Volume drops on record.

The Camel Walk Everybody Stomp!
Art Landry and His Orchestra Art Landry and His Orchestra
Victor 19858-A Victor 19858-B
Matrix# BVE-33614, Take 4 Matrix# BVE-33618, Take 6
November 14, 1925 November 19, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey

Thanks for the Buggy Ride I've Got Some Lovin' to Do
Waring's Pennsylvanians Waring's Pennsylvanians
Victor 19913-A Victor 19913-B
Matrix# BVE-33637, Take 3 Matrix# BVE-33995, Take 3
December 17, 1925 December 16, 1925
Camden, New Jersey Camden, New Jersey
Note: Worn.

Tie Me to Your Apron Strings Again Want a Little Lovin'
Jack Chapman's Orchestra Fred Hamm and His Orchestra
Victor 19915-A Victor 19915-B
Matrix# BVE-34040, Take 3 Matrix# BVE-34037, Take 4
December 17, 1925 December 17, 1925
Chicago, Illinois Chicago, Illinois
Note: Worn. Note: Worn.

I Never Knew Sometime
Victor Salon Orchestra Victor Salon Orchestra
Victor 19927-A Victor 19927-B
Matrix# BVE-34191, Take 3 Matrix# BVE-34187, Take 4
December 31, 1925 December 30, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York
Note: Very worn. Note: Very worn. Needle dig @ 1:22.

Dinah After I Say I'm Sorry
Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra
Victor 19947-A Victor 19947-B
Matrix# BVE-34369, Take 1 Matrix# BVE-34368, Take 2
January 28, 1926 January 28, 1926
New York, New York New York, New York

Always Princess Flavia - Medley Waltz

I Dare Not Love You
Only One
Yes or No
George Olsen and His Music The Troubadours
Victor 19955-A Victor 19955-B
Matrix# BVE-34601, Take 5 Matrix# BVE-34346, Take 3
February 5, 1926 January 20, 1926
New York, New York New York, New York

Song of the Volga Boatmen Shining Moon
Kirilloff's Russian Balalaika Orchestra Kirilloff's Russian Balalaika Orchestra
Victor 19960-A Victor 19960-B
Matrix# BVE-25067, Take 10 Matrix# BVE-25066, Take 3
September 14, 1925 December 8, 1925
New York, New York New York, New York

On, Wisconsin! 'Varsity Toast
University of Wisconsin Concert Band University of Wisconsin Concert Band
Victor 19990-A Victor 19990-B
Matrix# BVE-35006, Take 1 Matrix# BVE-35007, Take 4
March 6, 1926 March 6, 1926
Chicago, Illinois Chicago, Illinois

Return To Front Page