GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 February 1927, Page 4

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

(By “Record”).

Which is the most popular amongst singers? is a question that is easier asked than answered. Both men and women singers (I speak of artists) seem to have the power to draw crowded houses in like proportion, but it is none the less a fact that for some years past the male voice has been preferred on the gramophone, the reason being that the reproduction was so much more life-like than that of the female voice. The demand until quite recently was for male voices, especially in ballad singing. It must be understood I uni speaking of the rule to which, of course, there are exceptions. There is a change coming in. this department, indeed it is here already, and the female voice is coining into its own. Record makers for a long time have been making tests in their research departments, and have succeeded at last in reproducing the female voice with its true colour and atmosphere. It has been conceded that the true test of a gramophone is the woman’s voice, and if this could be reproduced, true to life, all other tone production would be an easy matter. Slo now, whether a person' takes up an organ or violin or ’cello record or of any other instrument Ihe new process records give each and all their true individuality and life-like character. The writer has had the pleasure of listening to a variety of records quite recently, Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” Wagner’s “Twilight of the Gods,” “The Anvil Chorus,” “Baal. Chorus,” Kreisler’s rendering of “’lndian Love Call,” Pablo Cassals playing “Moment Musical, ’ Marion Talley siging “Una Voce” or “Home, Sweet Home,” and the conclusion he has come is that no matter what particular branch of music appeals to the gramophile, all that is being produced now will satisfy the most exacting. Diction too is being specially attended to, and it is diction that has helped in a marked manner to make John Mac Cormack and Peter Dawson so popular. These two, amongst others,; have been singing for the gramophone for the last twenty-five years and seem to be more popular today than when they commenced. It may happen that some possessor of a gramophone has ■ some records that have become warped or buckled. If this be the case, it is not a difficult matter to restore these. Lay them on a flat table, warm thoroughly a board on one side and lay it upon the record and put weights on top, leaving it under pressure for 24 hours. This may have to be repeated, but it will make the record quite flat again.