"Jingle Bells" - Part 2

We continue our journey into the world of "Jingle Bells" with some recordings from the early-to-mid 1930s.

First up is a quick little version by Phil Spitalny from 1931. This was before he started leading the all-girl orchestra for which he was best-known (and as seen in "Here Come the Co-Eds" from 1945!):

This was released on Hit of the Week Records, which were pressed on something called Durium and could be bought for only 15 cents. 1931 being the depths of the Depression, it was a good deal to get a couple of well-performed songs for that price.

Also from 1931 is this "regular" record by Joe Gumin and his Orchestra:

I don't know too much about Joe Gumin but I understand he was popular in the Midwest back in the day.

This version is interesting in that has choruses sung in different languages. Except for the Pig Latin one, I don't know if any are authentic. Probably not the most PC thing ever!

Another territorial band from the era was led by Charles Dornberger. They played in Canada a lot and I believe this record was cut in Montreal:

That's pretty fun, especially the new verse about modes of transportation with the sound effects!

Always bringing the fun were the various recording groups led by ace banjo player Harry Reser, such as the Clicquot Club Eskimos and the Six Jumping Jacks. This one is billed under his own name but still features his regular vocalist Tom Stacks:

That's just a blast! Love the vocals of Tom Stacks!

These preceding records still all kind of have a 1920s feel to me, but things would be changing.

A more early-to-mid 1930s band sound is featured on this version by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra with Ozzie sharing vocal duties with Harriet Hilliard, also from 1934:

This was actually recorded a year before Ozzie and Harriet got married! 

Big band aficionados know that Ozzie was a popular bandleader and Harriet (Hilliard) a singer/actress before they started their long-running sitcom on radio then TV.

Fascinating is that this version uses the old-school lyrics that go "Oh what joy..." instead of "Oh what fun..." What was up with that? 

We go a little bit back to an older sound with this 1935 recording by the American Novelty Orchestra:

There were tons of records recorded by various bands under various pseudonyms such as this one on cheap record labels such as this one. Hard to say which band this was. Maybe Joe Greene, maybe Jack Shilkret (pictured above). "Cheap" refers to the price, not the performances on such records!

We're off to interesting start and next we'll jump head on into the Swing Era!