Century-Old Sounds

Victor 10-Inch Double-Sided Electrical Records 1925-1958
This page covers the 20000 series (actually a continuation of the 16000s) from 20000 to 20999 with issue dates ranging from 1926 to 1927. Earlier and later issues can be found on other pages. Some electrical recordings from 1925 were finally issued in this number block. Surprisingly, even a few acoustical sides recorded years earlier are issued on these discs.

Sound quality of the 20000s remained good with only a few substandard issues. On rare occasion, an electrical short somewhere in their system would create a 60 Hz hum in the recording that can be easily filtered out with today's technology. However, Victor switched to coarser and softer shellac at this time that was the opposite of what electrical discs needed. Combined with a groove that was more-modulated with wider frequencies, playback lead to quick wear of the material. Many customers also still used their older acoustic phonographs with heavier reproducers and needles to play them to damaging effect. High notes were quickly lost as the grit they hid in wore away while bass frequencies shook the stylus wildly enough to shave off even more and leave distortion in its wake. Victor tried to combat this by polishing the grooves of the masters but that only dimmed the sound even before the recordings made it to fresh pressings. As such, only mint or near-mint discs sound fairly clean today, even modest playback back in the day has caused a great percentage of existing Victors from this period to sound worn.

A&R got much better and varied at this time, due in large part to the new technology. Large orchestras and symphonies were easier to record with multiple microphones instead of one acoustic recording horn the musicians had to crowd around. The handful of performers that dominated the catalog in acoustic times because of their special vocal or instrumental skills in front of the horn yielded said presence to a multitude of new talent that could now be satisfactorily captured with the more delicate microphone. A few old-timers like Billy Murray and Henry Burr relearned their delivery styles and remained but even then only for a limited number of issues and time. Soft-singing and whispering vocalists like Gene Austin and Jack Smith became possible to record and the genre of the Crooner quickly became a sensation. Later on, even bigger names like Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallée would join them in the field and on the Victor label.

A few other old-timers like Sousa and Pryor remained but Victor also finally signed many of the hot Jazz and Blues artists away from the smaller labels that had discovered them earlier in the decade. Jelly Roll Morton, Bennie Moten, Alberta Hunter, Red Nichols, Miff Mole and a host of other hot musicians and bands appear in the catalog. This prompted the established bands like Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra to become hotter in their style as well. As a matter a fact, Whiteman entered his best period at this time with the best musicians in his band, many who would become the major figures of the Big Band Era like Crosby, The Dorsey Brothers and Frankie Trumbauer. A lot of great Gospel music made the list with performers like J. M. Gates and the Tuskegee Institute Quartet. Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family and a host of other authentic names in Country music were signed and recorded.
Encoded Speed: 192 Kbps


Valencia	No More Worryin'
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20007-A	Victor 20007-B
Matrix# BVE-35242, Take 8	Matrix# BVE-35245, Take 2
March 30, 1926	March 26, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York


Sugar Foot Stomp	Slippery Elm
Fred Hamm and His Orchestra	Art Landry and His Orchestra
Victor 20023-A	Victor 20023-B
Matrix# BVE-34039, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-33657, Take 3
December 17, 1925	January 6, 1926
Chicago, Illinois	Camden, New Jersey
Note: Edge crack a few grooves in, not audible.
Note: Take 3 noted in DAHR. Worn.	Note: Worn.


"Gimme" a Little Kiss, Will "Ya"? Huh?	Lonesome and Sorry
Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra	Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra
Victor 20031-A	Victor 20031-B
Matrix# BVE-34798, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-34799, Take 1
April 23, 1926	April 23, 1926
Camden, New Jersey	Camden, New Jersey
	Note: Worn.


Sam 'Phoning His Sweetheart 'Liza	Sam 'n' Henry at the Dentist
Sam 'n' Henry	Sam 'n' Henry
Victor 20032-A	Victor 20032-B
Matrix# BVE-35328, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-35329, Take 1
April 20, 1926	April 20, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: In 1928, this duo changed their name to Amos 'n' Andy. 125Hz turnover used instead of 200.


I Don't Believe It - But Say It Again	I'd Climb the Highest Mountain If I Knew I'd Find You
Jack Smith (The Whispering Baritone)	Jack Smith (The Whispering Baritone)
Victor 20038-A	Victor 20038-B
Matrix# BVE-34399, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-34684, Take 1
February 5, 1926	March 5, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
	Note: Worn.


Mountain Greenery	Cross Your Heart
Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra	Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra
Victor 20071-A	Victor 20071-B
Matrix# BVE-35633, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-35398, Take 7
May 27, 1926	May 27, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
	Note: Great bass!


At Peace With the World	Valencia
Jesse Crawford	Jesse Crawford
Victor 20075-A	Victor 20075-B
Matrix# BVE-35080, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-35079, Take 4
May 30, 1926	May 30, 1926
Chicago, Illinois	Chicago, Illinois
Note: Extremely worn.	Note: Very worn.


Deep Henderson	Ace in the Hole
Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra	Al Katz and His Kittens
Victor 20081-A	Victor 20081-B
Matrix# BVE-35034, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-35510, Take 2
March 9, 1926	May 3, 1926
Chicago, Illinois	Camden, New Jersey


Valencia	The Blue Room
The Revelers	The Revelers
Victor 20082-A	Victor 20082-B
Matrix# BVE-35653, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-35666, Take 2
June 2, 1926	June 8, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York


Sam's Speech at the Colored Lodge	Sam 'n' Henry at the Fortune Tellers
Sam 'n' Henry	Sam 'n' Henry
Victor 20093-A	Victor 20093-B
Matrix# BVE-35066, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-35073, Take 1
May 27, 1926	May 28, 1926
Chicago, Illinois	Chicago, Illinois
Note: In 1928, this duo changed their name to Amos 'n' Andy.


Hi-Diddle-Diddle	Where'd You Get Those Eyes
George Olsen and His Music	George Olsen and His Music
Victor 20112-A	Victor 20112-B
Matrix# BVE-35778, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-35777, Take 4
July 16, 1926	July 16, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


Precious	Moonlight on the Ganges
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20139-A	Victor 20139-B
Matrix# BVE-36041, Take 8	Matrix# BVE-36044, Take 2
August 13, 1926	August 13, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


For My Sweetheart	Me Too
Gene Austin	Gene Austin
Victor 20143-A	Victor 20143-B
Matrix# BVE-36042, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-36043, Take 1
August 12, 1926	August 12, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York


I Can't Get Over a Girl Like You	Who Wouldn't
Aileen Stanley-Billy Murray	Aileen Stanley-Billy Murray
Victor 20148-A	Victor 20148-B
Matrix# BVE-36056, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-36062, Take 1
August 20, 1926	August 24, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: A few stressed grooves.


Narcissus	Serenade
Charles Kellogg	Charles Kellogg
Victor 20168-A	Victor 20168-B
Matrix# BVE-17170, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-17157, Take 3
February 17, 1926	February 17, 1926
Camden, New Jersey	Camden, New Jersey


Cho-Cho-San	Song of India
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20200-A	Victor 20200-B
Matrix# BVE-25307, Take 5	Matrix# BVE-25322, Take 8
August 25, 1926	August 26, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York


Black Bottom Stomp	The Chant
Jelly-Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers	Jelly-Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers
Victor 20221-A	Victor 20221-B
Matrix# BVE-36239, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-36241, Take 3
September 15, 1926	September 15, 1926
Chicago, Illinois. Webster Hotel.	Chicago, Illinois. Webster Hotel.
	Note: Volume problems at end on master.


Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Part 3 "Anitra's Dance"	Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 - Part 4 "In the Hall of the Mountain King"
Victor Symphony Orchestra	Victor Symphony Orchestra
Victor 20245-A	Victor 20245-B
Matrix# BVE-35888, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-35886, Take 3
September 30, 1926	September 30, 1926
Camden, New Jersey. Church Building.	Camden, New Jersey. Church Building.


Meadow Lark	Stars are the Windows of Heaven
Jesse Crawford	Jesse Crawford
Victor 20264-A	Victor 20264-B
Matrix# BVE-36446, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-36440, Take 2
October 5, 1926	October 2, 1926
Chicago, Illinois. Wurlitzer Building.	Chicago, Illinois. Wurlitzer Building.


In a Little Spanish Town	There's a Boatman on the Volga
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20266-A	Victor 20266-B
Matrix# BVE-36067, Take 8	Matrix# BVE-35243, Take 4
September 3, 1926	March 26, 1926
New York, New York.	New York, New York.
Note: Worn.	Note: Very worn, especially at start.


Just a Bird's-Eye View of My Old Kentucky Home	There's a Little White House on a Little Green Hill
Jean Goldkette's Book-Cadillac Hotel Orchestra	Jean Goldkette's Book-Cadillac Hotel Orchestra
Victor 20268-A	Victor 20268-B
Matrix# BVE-36431, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-36428, Take 2
September 29, 1926	September 28, 1926
Chicago, Illinois. Webster Hotel.	Chicago, Illinois. Webster Hotel.


I'd Rather Be the Girl in Your Arms	Sunday
Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra	Jean Goldkette and His Orchestra
Victor 20273-A	Victor 20273-B
Matrix# BVE-36814, Take 8	Matrix# BVE-36829, Take 3
October 15, 1926	October 15, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


I Never Knew What the Moonlight Could Do	I Don't Mind Being All Alone
George Olsen and His Music	Art Landry and His Orchestra
Victor 20337-A	Victor 20337-B
Matrix# BVE-36883, Take 6	Matrix# BVE-36575, Take 4
November 12, 1926	November 1, 1926
New York, New York	Camden, New Jersey
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


To-night You Belong to Me	It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry
Gene Austin	Gene Austin
Victor 20371-A	Victor 20371-B
Matrix# BVE-36989, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-36990, Take 1
December 1, 1926	December 1, 1926
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


The Doll Dance	Flapperette
Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra	Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra
Victor 20503-A	Victor 20503-B
Matrix# BVE-38134, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-37522, Take 1
March 3, 1927	January 7, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


Muddy Water (vocal by Bing Crosby)	Ain't She Sweet
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra
Victor 20508-A	Victor 20508-B
Matrix# BVE-38143, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-38153, Take 2
March 7, 1927	March 10, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York


Forgive Me	Someday Sweetheart
Gene Austin	Gene Austin
Victor 20561-A	Victor 20561-B
Matrix# BVE-38172, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-38174, Take 3
March 15, 1927	March 16, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York


Muddy Water	My Idea of Heaven
Gene Austin	Gene Austin
Victor 20569-A	Victor 20569-B
Matrix# BVE-38178, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-38183, Take 2
March 17, 1927	March 18, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Does it need to be said?


Red Lips, Kiss My Blues Away	Why Should I Say That I'm Sorry
Charles Dornberger and His Orchestra	Nat Shilkret and the Victor Orchestra
Victor 20615-A	Victor 20615-B
Matrix# BVE-38014, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-38373, Take 4
April 27, 1927	April 28, 1927
Camden, New Jersey	New York, New York. Liederkranz Hall.


Side By Side	Pretty Lips
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20627-A	Victor 20627-B
Matrix# BVE-38378, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-38124, Take 1
April 29, 1927	February 28, 1927
New York, New York. Liederkranz Hall	New York, New York


Magnolia (Mix The Lot - What Have You Got?)	Love And Kisses (From Baby to You)
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20679-A	Victor 20679-B
Matrix# BVE-38779, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-38805, Take 2
May 24, 1927	May 13, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Poor shellac.


Delirium	Davenport Blues
Red and Miff's Stompers	Red and Miff's Stompers
Victor 20778-A	Victor 20778-B
Matrix# BVE-37768, Take 2	Matrix# BVE-37769, Take 2
February 11, 1927	February 11, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York


Deep River	I'm Goin' to Tell God All 'o My Troubles
Paul Robeson	Paul Robeson
Victor 20793-A	Victor 20793-B
Matrix# BVE-38418, Take 5	Matrix# BVE-38416, Take 3
May 10, 1927	May 10, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York


Melodies For Children Heavenly Aïda ("Aïda") Heaven May Forgive You ("Martha") Habanera ("Carmen") Miserere ("Trovatore")	Melodies For Children Song of the Evening Star ("Tannhäuser") Toreador Song ("Carmen") Soldiers' Chorus ("Faust") Woman is Fickle ("Rigoletto")
Victor Orchestra	Victor Orchestra
Victor 20801-A	Victor 20801-B
Matrix# BVE-25107, Take 7	Matrix# BVE-25106, Take 8
July 8, 1927	July 8, 1927
Camden, New Jersey	Camden, New Jersey


I'm Gonna Dance Wit De Guy Wot Brung Me (The Gum Chewers Song)	I Walked Back From The Buggy Ride
Aileen Stanley - Billy Murray	Aileen Stanley - Johnny Marvin
Victor 20822-A	Victor 20822-B
Matrix# BVE-39297, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-39285, Take 2
June 27, 1927	June 22, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Reversing the RIAA curve by the standard 200Hz made it sound too tinny. 125Hz may still be the same way but that's what was used above. Here's the recording with no adjustment (0Hz).	Note: 125Hz used instead of 200.


My Blue Heaven	All By My Ownsome
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Roger Wolfe Kahn and His Orchestra
Victor 20828-A	Victor 20828-B
Matrix# BVE-39627, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-39660, Take 1
July 6, 1927	July 14, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York


Just a Memory	Cheerie Beerie Bee
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20881-A	Victor 20881-B
Matrix# BVE-39576, Take 4	Matrix# BVE-39564, Take 3
August 19, 1927	August 15, 1927
Camden, New Jersey. Church Bldg.	Camden, New Jersey. Church Bldg.
Note: Studio cue at start.	Note: Studio cue at start.


It Won't Be Long Now	Five-Step
Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra	Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
Victor 20883-A	Victor 20883-B
Matrix# BVE-39577, Take 8	Matrix# BVE-39569, Take 3
August 20, 1927	August 16, 1927
Camden, New Jersey. Church Bldg.	Camden, New Jersey. Church Bldg.


Beale Street Blues	The Pearls
Jelly-Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers	Jelly-Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers
Victor 20948-A	Victor 20948-B
Matrix# BVE-38661, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-38662, Take 3
June 10, 1927	June 10, 1927
Chicago, Illinois. 952 North Michigan Ave.	Chicago, Illinois. 952 North Michigan Ave.


Moten Stomp	Blue Guitar Stomp
Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra	Clifford Hayes' Louisville Stompers
Victor 20955-A	Victor 20955-B
Matrix# BVE-38674, Take 3	Matrix# BVE-38646, Take 1
June 12, 1927	June 7, 1927
Chicago, Illinois	Chicago, Illinois


My Blue Heaven	Are You Thinking Of Me To-night?
Gene Austin	Gene Austin
Victor 20964-A	Victor 20964-B
Matrix# BVE-39179, Take 1	Matrix# BVE-39190, Take 2
September 14, 1927	September 16, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.

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