May Irwin

The High Priestess of Jollity & The Southern Singer brings together the complete recorded output of two early stars of the vaudeville stage: Clarice Vance and May Irwin. Though prominent on stage—and sheet music covers—both had very short recording careers, with Irwin's output totalling 6 sides and Vance's 15. This set presents these 21 recordings for the first time and tells the story of these two remarkable women. The package includes a 32-page, full-color booklet with biographical essays on each of women and a bounty of photographs and lush illustrations. Read more
List price: $16.99

25 hits from 1907, the year that American banks suffered one of the worst panics in U.S. history, ushering in a two-year depression.  Features sentimental favorites by Byron G. Harlan ("School Days") and Frank Stanley ("Auld Lang Syne"), comic hits by Collins and Harlan, Bob Roberts, and Helen Trix ("The Bird on Nellie's Hat"), and the first stateside hit for Harry Lauder ("I Love a Lassie"). Other top artists include Billy Murray ("San Antonio" and "Harrigan"), Bert Williams, Ada Jones, Stanley and Burr ("Red Wing"), Enrico Caruso ("Vesti La Giubba" from Pagliacci), and the U.S. Marine Band doing a rousing version of Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag." Deluxe, full-color 24-page booklet features detailed notes on the songs, an historical essay, and rare graphics. Read more
List price: $17.49