Early Western Australian Sound Recordings

The Museum of Early Western Australian Sound Recordings

This is a Recordiochrony
of Western Australian sound documents.
Dedicated to the preservation of unique Western Australian recordings.

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August 1891	John Forrest (now lost) recording Professor Douglas Archibald visited Western Australia in 1891 with an Edison Phonograph. On Friday August 21, 1891 he recorded a speech by Sir John Forrest. The (now lost) cylinder was kept by Archibald and is known to have been played in Surabaya Indonesia in 1892. David Dolan recreated the speech on a cylinder record in 2004 using the actual text.	Play
January 1907	Ensign Suridge Ensign Suridge was in charge of the Salvation Army in Albany in 1906-7. Approximately four weeks before his death on February 17 1907 from typhoid he recorded this cylinder record. This is the oldest known datable Western Australian recording. INTRO: “Cornet selection by Ensign Suridge. Albany Records”. OUTRO: “This cornet selection was played by Ensign Suridge about four weeks before he was Promoted to Glory.” Full record (2:38) Short version (36 seconds) Photo: Ensign Surdges Albany Records	Play full record Play short version Story of the record
1928	Charles Court "Lucille" Disc is backed with "Serenade". In 1928, at the age of 16, Charles Court, entered the Tanunda Band Competition in South Australia. Playing the cornet he won Boys’ Championship, Amateur Championship, Open Championship, Sight-Reading Championship, Memorized Championship. He also gained Third Place in the Champion of Champions. Having achieved this, he was asked to make some recordings for the Broadcast record label. Two records (four pieces) were released. Photo: Charles Court Broadcast label BA.66	Play
1928	Charles Court "Il Bacio" Disc is backed with "Zelda". Broadcast label BA.65	Play
November 7, 1932	'IF' by Rudyard Kipling Artist unknown This 1932 recording of a young boy was made by Phonographs Limited, Hay Street Perth. The label states "For Granny" by "Your Grandson". The reverse side of the records suggests the initials of the young boy are probably C.R.G.S.; his parents being R.G.S. and M.R.S. Your Own Voice Records were cut directly onto aluminium discs on a recording lathe built in Perth. 'Your Own Voice' Label - Phonographs Limited Perth	Play
Circa 1932	Melva Neville (contralto) - "I Love You Truly" Melva Neville (later Mrs John Wyley) appeared in The Quaker Girl (1928), The Merry Widow (1931), and Irene (1934), all in Cairns. In March 1932 in the Charters Towers Eisteddfod she won Contralto Solo, Second Grade. This recording was made in Perth circa 1932. Source not known - information wanted. Your Own Voice Records were cut directly onto aluminium discs on a recording lathe built in Perth. 'Your Own Voice' Label - Phonographs Limited Perth	Play
1933	Guildford Grammar School Choir (Junior School) "Away in a Manger" In 1933 Guildford Grammar School had this recording made of Away in a Manger by their junior school choir. Your Own Voice Records were cut directly onto aluminium discs on a recording lathe built in Perth. 'Your Own Voice' Label - Phonographs Limited Perth	Play
October 26, 1936	Official Opening of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Building, Perth. Recaudio Productions Recaudio Productions was Perth’s first commercial sound studio devoted purely to recording for all commercial purposes. It was established by Walter (Wally) Coxon in 1936. In October 1936, Recaudio Productions recorded the entire two hours of speeches made at the official opening of the MLC building. The whereabouts of these records is current unknown.
Late 1930s	Mr Johnson "In My Garden" Vocalist with piano accompaniment. Nicholson's opened their sound recording studios in c1936. Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios	Available soon
Late 1930s	Evelyn Shotter (violin) and Florence Hodd (piano) "Spring Sonata" Beethoven Recorded in the Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios, Barrack Street Perth, probably in the late 1930s. Evelyn Shotter regularly played in recitals in Perth from the late 1920s until she left for England in 1950. Florence Hodd played in recitals in Perth from about 1910 until 1953. Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios	Play
March 5, 1941	Irene Rose Abbott (soloist) Madame Rosenthal (Piano) "Lo Hear The Gentle Lark" Irene Abbott began singing publically in the late 1930s and gave many public performances, often in concerts organised by Madame Rosenthal. For example in 1938, aged 15, she particpated as a soloists in a concert in the Perth Town Hall. She performed on the radio, on both 6WF and 6WN. She was 17 years old when she made this recording in March 1941. Courtesy A. Carroll Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios Photo: Irene Rose Abbott c1941	Play
March 5, 1941	Irene Rose Abbott (soloist) Madame Rosenthal (Piano) "The Dream Of Home" IRENE ROSE ABBOTT was born in Perth on March 18, 1923. She was trained in singing by Madame Rosenthal. They were intending to travel to London to further Irene’s career when the Second World War was declared, and so they didn’t continue with these plans. Irene enjoyed performing on Stage, in Concerts, on the Radio and in Churches. She worked for Nicholsons and made regular Radio Broadcasts. In 1941 she sang in a Concert for the Army Troops in Ravenswood. Irene married Merton Roland Gray on November 7, 1942 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Colin St, West Perth. She continued to sing, but not to the same extent, mostly at Church weddings or by Special request; and always at the ‘piano sing song’ gatherings at home with her family. Irene Gray was widowed in 1968, and she died on August 29, 1983 aged 60. Courtesy A. Carroll Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios	Play
Late 1940s	Signor G. Magistro (Spanish Guitar) Two pieces (4:21) Giuseppe Magistro was born in Messina Sicily in 1899. He arrived in Fremantle in 1924. Giuseppe (Joseph) Magistro is first mentioned in the newspapers in February 1928 as part of a musical program held at the Italian Club. The attached recording of two guitar pieces was made in the late 1940s. Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios Courtesy G. Emery Photo: Guiseppe Magistro (Spanish guitar)	Play
Late 1940s	Signor G. Magistro (Spanish Guitar) Three pieces (5:00) In the early 1930s Frederici (mandolin) and Magistro (Spanish guitar) played on several musical broadcasts over radio station 6WF, including several Community Concerts broadcast from the Perth Town Hall. The attached recording of three guitar pieces by Magistro was made in the late 1940s. Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios. Courtesy G. Emery Photo: Frederici (mandolin) and Magistro (Spanish guitar)	Play
December 22, 1946	North Perth Congregational Choir "Hymns to Music" Sung by the North Perth Congregational Choir - under the direction of Henry R. Howard. Howard (later Sir Harry Howard, Lord Mayor of Perth) managed Phonographs Limited in Perth, and later Wyper Howard. Australian Broadcasting Commission	Available soon
July 19, 1948	Judith Phillips (Voice Of The School) Judith Phillips rehearsing a school choir. In 1949 Judith Phillips was described as an Elocutionist and Speech Specialist. Two sides - Nicholson's Sound Recording Studios	Available soon
circa1949	The Tales of Hoffmann "Legend of Kleinsach" Stage production recorded in the theatre, probably on a wire recorder using a single microphone and transferred to acetate disc by Vodex. Unknown theatre Unknown cast Recorded by Vodex - 2nd Floor 7 Howard St.	Play
1948 - 1949	M.E.R. Goudge Bros and Crew were "Radios Repair Specialists" in Victoria Park from December 1948 to May 1949. They had begun as the "New Enterprise Radio Service" in 1943. Goudge Bros ceased business circa 1953. Goudge Bros & Crew Recordings. 871 Albany Rd. Victoria Park	Available soon
August 1951	Ailsa O'Neill - Pianist (Young Australia) Schumann: "The Prophet Bird" (Excerpt) 5:09 This young artist was recorded in Perth by the A.B.C. on August 27, 1951 for broadcasting on 6WN on September 7, 1951 at 11.30 am. The recording was made on a 16 inch transcription disc, to be played at 33 1/3 rpm with a standard (78 rpm) stylus. Ailsa O.Neill is playing The Prophet Bird - Schumann (Time 12'15") This was before Lp technology had arrived. Courtesy the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television Australian Broadcasting Commission	Play
December 1951	Frank Evans (Down Your Street No. 14) David Moore interviewing Frank Evans (Sound Effects Officer at the ABC.) 7:44 Recorded on December 4, 1951 in Perth Western Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Commission for broadcasting on 6WF on December 10, 1951 at 10.30 p.m. Sixteen inch acetate record cut at 33 1/3 r.p.m. Courtesy the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television Australian Broadcasting Commission	, Play
c1953	Till The End Of The World - Backed with "Wreck of the Old 97". Wally Hadley's Hoedown Band This four-piece band was formed by Wally Hadley who played banjo. Goldtone Recordings was established with its prime purpose to record music suitable for square dancing. The recordings were used at the Scudder Square Dance Club. The style is similar to Western Swing. 10 Irwin Street was the location of the IRWIN SCHOOL OF DANCING (1945), DAY-SCUDDER DANCE STUDIO (c1948 - 1953), FAIRBANKS-SCUDDER STUDIO (1953 - c1954) Goldtone Recordings, (Fairbanks-Scudder Dance Studio) 10 Irwin Street Perth	Play
c1953	Wreck of the Old 97 - Backed with "Till The End Of The World" Wally Hadley's Hoedown Band This four-piece band was formed by Wally Hadley who played banjo. Goldtone Recordings also recorded other occasions, such as weddings, etc. They recorded the consecration of Bishop Rafferty in St Mary's Cathedral; copies of which were sent to the church archives in Rome and in Perth. Goldtone Recordings was established by a partnership of William (Bill) Hornidge and Robert (Bob) Scudder. They used a Grundig tape recorder and a recording lathe made by Bill Hornidge. Also see above. Goldtone Recordings, (Fairbanks-Scudder Dance Studio) 10 Irwin Street Perth	Play
December 1, 1953	Verona Rees - Soprano. Leah Sharp - Piano. Vera Rees - Violin. "Bird Song at Even Tide" In the mid 1930s and early 1940s Vera Rees regulartly played in concerts and recitals broadcast on the ABC (6WF). Vera Rees was leader of the Perth Symphony Orchestra in the early 1930s, and became deputy leader when Mr. Vaughan Hanly assumed the leadership in 1938. She took over as first violinist during World War II. In 1949 she led the Perth String Orchestra. Verona Rees gave recitals at several Theosophy meetings circa 1950. Disc backed with "I Love Thee" (Grieg). Verona Rees - Soprano Leah Sharp - Piano Recorded by DELPHI DISCS Telephone BJ 1240	Play
1954	Anchor Parade Advertisements (I and II) on radio stations 6PM and 6AM. Sponsored by G. Wood and Son; manufacturers of Anchor Brand Food Products. Audex Royal Acetate disc. Radio Stations 6PM 6AM	Play
1957	The Harmonikings "El Relicario" P and A Parade (radio program) Grand Final 1957 Members were Noel Marshall, Frank Monro and Roy Cooper Their average age was 22. The group was formed in Perth c1955 before moving to the East to explore the opportunities there. In an interview it was said "They practised for 25 hours a week, had a wide repertoire, and did their own arranging. They would take a number they liked, play the melody, and then work out the chords." They also appeared on Australia's Amateur Hour in December 1957.	Play
August 22, 1957	Bevan Newman's Group (Jazz) - "Cheek To Cheek" (14a)_ Bevan was a higly respected local pianist; highly respected in music circles. The disc is backed with "Bernie's Tune" by The Ron Morey Quartet (11c) Recorded at the W.A. Amateur Dance Band Concert in The Capitol Theatre, Perth on a Pyrox tape recorder with a Ronette microphone. Then transferred to acetate disc by Symphony and Swing Recordings. Courtesy T. Smith. Symphony and Swing Recordings, 75 Stirling Highway, Nedlands was established by Malcolm McDonald.	Play
August 22, 1957	The Ron Morey Quartet (Jazz) - "Bernie's Tune" (11c) Ron Morey was a founding member of the Perth Jazz Society; an A.B.C. announcer, and JazzWriter of ArtsWest Magazine and writer for the Perth Jazz Society Magazine. Disc is backed with "Cheek To Cheek" (14a) by Bevan Newman's Group. Recorded at the W.A. Amateur Dance Band Concert in The Capitol Theatre, Perth on a Pyrox tape recorder with a Ronette microphone. Then transferred to acetate disc by Symphony and Swing Recordings. Courtesy T. Smith. Symphony and Swing Recordings, 75 Stirling Highway, Nedlands was established by Malcolm McDonald.	Play
August 22, 1957	The Ron Morey Quartet (Jazz) - "Mountain Greenery" (11a) Disc is backed with "I'm Beginning To See The Light" (11b) Ron Morey played valve trombone See above. Courtesy T. Smith. Symphony and Swing Recordings, 75 Stirling Highway, Nedlands was established by Malcolm McDonald.	Play
August 22, 1957	The Ron Morey Quartet (Jazz) - "I'm Beginning To See The Light" (11b) Disc is backed with "Mountain Greenery" (11a) See above Courtesy T. Smith. Symphony and Swing Recordings, 75 Stirling Highway, Nedlands was established by Malcolm McDonald.	Play
October 22, 1957	The Governor Speaks The Governor Sir Charles Gairdner announces Miss Western Australia 1957, Julie Macfarlane. Artistry Recording Studios, Perth	Play
Late 1950s	Information is wanted about the Bale Sound Studio	Available soon
circa 1960	P.L.C. Choir Recorded by Martin Clarke of the Martin Clarke Recording Studios. P.L.C. is Presbyterian Ladies College of Peppermint Grove, W.A. Martin Clarke went on to establish the Clarion Record Label in 1962. Martin Clarke Recording Studios	Available soon
Saturday July 3, 1965	Final Quarter W.A. v V.F.L. (excerpt) Station 6PR cut some acetates (disc records) of the final quarter of some significant football matches in the 1950s and 1960s (and possibly earlier). Only a sample of a commentary is included here. There is a project underway to collect and preserve these rare commentaries. Copies will be given to the WAFL. If you can assist with any such recordings (disc, tape or wire) please contact Peter Cutler on 0447 771 585 or email peter_cutler@yahoo.com 6PR-TZ-CI Radio Centre 340 Hay St. Perth W.A.	Play
April 20, 1967	Hi-Volt Football Preview Introduction to the program. The Whitford's Broadcasting Network comprised 6PM, 6AM, 6KG and 6GE. Whitford's Broadcasting Network	Play