Edison Blue Amberol Cylinder Records
1912-1929

So you think music hasn't sounded good since 8-Track Tapes and can't stand those silver coffee coasters or worse yet the wireless phones people now carry around with music inside? OK, that may be a bit cruel but it shows the format wars are nothing new. The cylinder record, the original and dominant format, found itself on the defensive around the middle of the first decade of the 1900s. Disc records could provide up to four minutes on two sides by 1908. That was the checkmate for cylinders but Thomas Edison couldn't let his baby go. He matched the four-minute playing time with his Wax Amberol cylinder that same year. Though cheaper than discs, it still was one-sided, bulkier and more delicate. He wanted to use the more durable celluloid but couldn't secure the rights to the material until 1912. When he did, the Blue Amberol cylinder was born. Like the Wax Amberol, it had 200 threads-per-inch and played at 160 RPM. He never gave up on the cylinder, producing them until the stock market crash of 1929 and surprisingly turning a profit on them the whole time. Yet, despite great sales the first few years they quickly became the 8-Tracks of the age and new releases slowed quickly into the 1920s. Despite this, they are much more durable than the shellac of 78 RPM records and can be found in abundance today in relatively good condition. One big design flaw though is their Powder Blank or Plaster of Paris cores, which can swell, chip and fall out in places. This can cause the celluloid to warp or crack in those spots and disrupt tracking of the stylus. Add this to the vertical nature of the recording (versus lateral) and the sound quality can be greatly diminished. This is kind of like the cartridge problems of the 8-Track Tape. Yet, when in good condition these cylinders can provide great sound and entertainment.

Encoded Speed: 192 Kbps

Just Before the Battle, Mother
Will Oakland and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #1516 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #297)
released November 1909
New York, New York

"Hi" and "Si" of Jaytown
Steve Porter and Byron G. Harlan
Edison Blue Amberol #1523
released November 1912
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Silver Bell
Ada Jones and Billy Murray
Edison Blue Amberol #1524 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #576)
released December 1910
New York, New York

The Rosary
Elizabeth Spencer and Knickerbocker Quartette
Edison Blue Amberol #1525 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #856)
released December 1911
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Darkies' Dream and Darkies' Awakening (Banjo)
Fred Van Eps
Edison Blue Amberol #1544
released November 1912
New York, New York

Abide With Me
Frank Croxton Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #1545
released November 1912
New York, New York
Note: Very worn with skips.

Silver Threads Among the Gold
Will Oakland
Edison Blue Amberol #1547 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #47)
released November 1908
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Aunt Dinah's Golden Wedding

The Golden Wedding
Golden Slippers
Old Black Joe
Hear Dem Bells
Empire Vaudeville Company
Edison Blue Amberol #1563 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #63)
released January 1909
New York, New York
Note: Worn with echo and brash volume.

Serenade
The Tollefsen Trio
Edison Blue Amberol #1570 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #1052)
released July 1912
New York, New York

Medley of War Songs

The Star Spangled Banner
The Vacant Chair
Marching Through Georgia
Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!
The Battle Cry of Freedom
Kingdom Coming
New York Military Band
Edison Blue Amberol #1574
released November 1912
New York, New York
Note: Several scratches throughout.

Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet
Joseph A. Phillips and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #1575
released December 1912
New York, New York
Note: Worn but no skips.

Heimweh
Venetian Instrumental Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #1604
September 25, 1912
New York, New York

Belle of New York March / Second Regiment Connecticut National Guard March
New York Military Band
Edison Blue Amberol #1638
October 6, 1912
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Saint Luke 23: 33-38 / Calvary
Rev. William H. Morgan / Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #1641
December 9, 1912
New York, New York
Note: Warped at beginning. Worn.

Dixie
New York Military Band & Fife and Drum Corps
Edison Blue Amberol #1648
November 23, 1912
New York, New York

Washington's Farewell Address
Harry E. Humphrey
Edison Blue Amberol #1654
1912
New York, New York

Webster's Speech in Reply to Hayne
Harry E. Humphrey
Edison Blue Amberol #1655
1912
New York, New York

Manhattan Beach and El Capitan Marches
Sousa's Band
Edison Blue Amberol #1711 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #319)
1909
New York, New York
Note: A few skips during El Capitan.

The Idol's Eye
Victor Herbert's Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #1731
released April-May 1913
New York, New York

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (Good example of poorer-quality water-based dye being substituted for acetone dye during Spring-Autumn 1913, which also caused quicker wear.)
Manuel Romain
Edison Blue Amberol #1743
March 28, 1913
New York, New York

Turkey in the Straw
Golden and Hughes
Edison Blue Amberol #1769 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #219)
released October 1909
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Italian Army March
Guido Deiro
Edison Blue Amberol #1774 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #772)
released September 1911
New York, New York
Note: Warped/rough start.

Father O'Flynn
Frank Croxton
Edison Blue Amberol #1805
November 19, 1912
New York, New York

I Love A Lassie
Harry Lauder
Edison Blue Amberol #1821 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #12501)
ca. June 1912
London, England

A Wee Hoose 'Mang The Heather
Harry Lauder
Edison Blue Amberol #1822 (re-issue of English Blue Amberol #23022)
1912-1913
London, England
Note: Badly warped with occasional skipping.

Uncle Josh's Huskin' Bee Dance
Cal Stewart and Company
Edison Blue Amberol #1866 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #83)
released March 1909
New York, New York

Love's Old Sweet Song
Venetian Instrumental Trio
Edison Blue Amberol #1886 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #754)
released August 1911
New York, New York

Marching Through Georgia
Frederick J. Wheeler (as James F. Harrison) and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #1888 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #733)
released July 1911
New York, New York

Uncle Josh in a Barber Shop
Cal Stewart
Edison Blue Amberol #1896 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #909)
ca. January 1912
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Hear the Pickaninny Band
Walter van Brunt and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #1902 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #1046)
released July 1912
New York, New York

An Easy Job on the Farm
Billy Golden and Joe Hughes
Edison Blue Amberol #1907 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #958)
released April 1912
New York, New York

I Love to Tell The Story
Edison Mixed Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #1913 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #913)
ca. January 1912
New York, New York

La Trocha Tango
National Promenade Band
Edison Blue Amberol #1922
June 18, 1913
New York, New York

Infanta March
Fred Van Eps
Edison Blue Amberol #1980 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #747)
released August 1911
New York, New York
Note: Actually, not a skip at 0:37.

When It's Apple Blossom Time In Normandy
Henry Burr (as Irving Gillette) and Elizabeth Spencer
Edison Blue Amberol #2017
released November 1913
New York, New York

Snow Deer
Ada Jones and Billy Murray
Edison Blue Amberol #2021
August 16, 1913
New York, New York

National Emblem March
New York Military Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2029 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #174)
released July 1909
New York, New York
Note: A few skips and scratches.

Waltz Caprice (Mandolin and Guitar)
Samuel C. Siegel and Roy H. Butin
Edison Blue Amberol #2060 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #316)
1909
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

'Lizabeth Ann
Albert Campbell and Henry Burr (as Irving Gillette)
Edison Blue Amberol #2095 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #942)
1911
New York, New York

I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen
Will Oakland and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2103 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #1102)
1912
New York, New York
Note: Small skip at 3:45. Worn.

The International Rag
National Promenade Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2139
1913
New York, New York

The Bonnie Blue Flag
Polk Miller and His Old South Quartette
Edison Blue Amberol #2175 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #389)
ca. November 13, 1909
Richmond, Virginia

I'm Crazy 'Bout A Ragtime Minstrel Band
Edward Meeker
Edison Blue Amberol #2230
October 28, 1913
New York, New York
Note: A few skips and scratches. Good fidelity though.

A Song of Steel
Donald Chalmers
Edison Blue Amberol #2269
January 12, 1914
New York, New York

Si Perkins' Barn Dance
Ada Jones and Len Spencer
Edison Blue Amberol #2280 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #133)
1909
New York, New York

The Poem
National Promenade Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2298
January 18, 1914
New York, New York

St. John 14:1-14:3 / A Home on High
Rev. M. C. Peters / Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #2306
November 26, 1913
New York, New York
Note: Warped and worn.

In The Valley Where The Bluebirds Sing
Emory B. Randolph and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2315
January 26, 1914
New York, New York

The Fourth of July Patrol
New York Military Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2325 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #1040)
1912
New York, New York

In the Heart of the City That Has No Heart
Ada Jones and Henry Burr (as Irving Gillette)
Edison Blue Amberol #2336
March 23, 1914
New York, New York
Note: Scratchy.

Humoresque
Samuel Gardner (violin)
Edison Blue Amberol #2405
June 27, 1914
New York, New York

When It's Moonlight on the Alamo
Albert Campbell and Henry Burr (as Irving Gillette)
Edison Blue Amberol #2422
June 23, 1914
New York, New York

Romance from "L' Éclair" (Harp-Zither)
Kitty Berger
Edison Blue Amberol #2433
April 2, 1914
New York, New York

La Marseillaise
New York Military Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2439 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #1145)
released October 1912
New York, New York

Massa's in de Cold, Cold Ground
Metropolitan Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #2447
Week of July 18, 1914
New York, New York

Sweet Spirit, Hear My Prayer
Marie Narelle and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2450
July 16, 1914
New York, New York
Note: Very scratchy but no skips.

Rule, Britannia
Albert Farrington and Chorus with New York Military Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2486
September 18, 1914
New York, New York

When the Roses Bloom
Elizabeth Spencer and Emory B. Randolph
Edison Blue Amberol #2497
1914
New York, New York
Note: Worn.


Blue Amberols from January 1915 onwards were dubbed from Diamond Discs and are not first-generation recordings.


Benediction of the Poignards
Edison Concert Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2543
Disc Matrix# 2518 (50154-L)
October 20 or 24, 1913
New York, New York

On the 5:15
Pete Murray
Edison Blue Amberol #2561
Disc Matrix# 3650 (50234-R)
March 12, 1915
New York, New York

Flaming Arrow
Edison Concert Band
Edison Blue Amberol #2608
Disc Matrix# 2486 (50164-R)
October 8, 1913
New York, New York

Little Grey Home in the West
Emory B. Randolph and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2635
Disc Matrix# 2981 (80228-R)
April 28, 1914
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Climbing Up De Golden Stairs
Walter van Brunt and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2714
Disc Matrix# 3682 (80386-L)
April 1, 1915
New York, New York

The Little Grey Mother
James Doherty and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2762
Disc Matrix# 4136-C (50310-R)
September 22, 1915
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Along the Rocky Road to Dublin
Premier Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #2817
Disc Matrix# 4298-C (50328-L)
November 29, 1915
New York, New York

There's A Long, Long Trail A-Winding
George Wilton Ballard and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #2835
Disc Matrix# 4329-C (50343-R)
December 10, 1915
New York, New York
Note: Very worn; it's surprising there were no skips.

Wait Till the Clouds Roll By
Walter van Brunt
Edison Blue Amberol #2849
Disc Matrix# 2936 (80081-L)
April 7, 1914
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

The Merry Whirl
Vess L. Ossman's Banjo Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #2858
Disc Matrix# 4381-C (50349-R)
December 30, 1915
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

A Love-Sick Coon
Billy Golden and James Marlowe
Edison Blue Amberol #2943
Disc Matrix# 4606-C (50374-R)
March 23, 1916
New York, New York
Note: Dubbed from the disc faster than recorded.

There's a Quaker Down in Quaker Town
Joseph A. Phillips
Edison Blue Amberol #2953
Disc Matrix# 4702-C (50356-L)
May 4, 1916
New York, New York
Note: In-studio horn bumping.

Joy to the World
The Carol Singers
Edison Blue Amberol #3029
Disc Matrix# 4960-C (50380-R)
August 30, 1916
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Beneath a Balcony
Vess L. Ossman's Banjo Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #3067
Disc Matrix# 4939-C (50427-R)
August 22, 1916
New York, New York

Put On Your Slippers and Fill Up Your Pipe (You're Not Going Bye-Bye Tonight)
Ada Jones
Edison Blue Amberol #3123
Disc Matrix# 5160-C (50398-L)
November 20, 1916
New York, New York
Note: Slight skip, heavy scratching.

One, Two, Three, Four
Waikiki Hawaiian Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #3153
Disc Matrix# 5273-C (50455-R)
January 9, 1917
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Shall We Gather At the River?
Metropolitan Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #3160
Disc Matrix# 5294-C (80355-R)
January 16, 1917
New York, New York
Note: Played at 159 RPM. Worn.

Mo-ana - Hawaiian Waltz
Jaudas' Society Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #3235
Disc Matrix# 5172-C (50425-R)
November 23, 1916
New York, New York
Note: Warped at start and end.

America, Here's My Boy
George Wilton Ballard
Edison Blue Amberol #3239
Disc Matrix# 5514-C (50433-R)
April 19, 1917
New York, New York

The Sunshine of Your Smile
Jaudas' Society Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #3259
Disc Matrix# 5365-C (50459-L)
February 15, 1917
New York, New York

Pozzo
Frisco "Jass" Band
Edison Blue Amberol #3303
Disc Matrix# 5601-C (50464-L)
June 4, 1917
New York, New York

Some Sunday Morning
Ada Jones and Billy Murray
Edison Blue Amberol #3351
Disc Matrix# 5720-C (-)
July 31, 1917
New York, New York

Jazbo Jazz
Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band
Edison Blue Amberol #3554
Disc Matrix# 6199-C (50505-L)
June 4, 1918
New York, New York

Jazzin' Around
Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band
Edison Blue Amberol #3572
Disc Matrix# 6225-C (-)
June 13, 1918
New York, New York

I'm Sorry I Made You Cry
Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band
Edison Blue Amberol #3585
Disc Matrix# 6198-C (50521-L)
June 4, 1918
New York, New York
Note: Slight warping at start and end.

General Pershing March
Imperial Marimba Band
Edison Blue Amberol #3603
Disc Matrix# 6205-A (50491-R)
June 6, 1918
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Jazz De Luxe
Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band
Edison Blue Amberol #3610
Disc Matrix# 6224-C (50541-R)
June 13, 1918
New York, New York

I'm Waiting For You, Liza Jane
Arthur Collins and Byron G. Harlan
Edison Blue Amberol #3623
Disc Matrix# 6333-C (50565-R)
August 27, 1918
New York, New York
Note: A few small skips.

I'm Always Chasing Rainbows
Harvey Hindermeyer
Edison Blue Amberol #3646
Disc Matrix# 6344 (80447-L)
September 3, 1918
New York, New York
Note: Very worn.

Hawaiian Nights
Waikiki Hawaiian Orchestra with Louise and Ferera
Edison Blue Amberol #3656
Disc Matrix# 6209-A (50815-R)
June 7, 1918
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

The Worst is Yet to Come
Billy Murray
Edison Blue Amberol #3673
Disc Matrix# 6474-C (50502-R)
November 22, 1918
New York, New York

Zampa Overture - Part 1
American Symphony Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #3685
Disc Matrix# 5864-B (80390-R)
November 1, 1917
New York, New York

A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Ernest Hare
Edison Blue Amberol #3690
Disc Matrix# 6479-C (-)
November 26, 1918
New York, New York
Note: At his first session for Edison.

What's This?
Jazzarimba Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #3719
Disc Matrix# 6539-C (50609-L)
January 2, 1919
New York, New York

Heart-Breaking Baby Doll
Arthur Fields
Edison Blue Amberol #3801
Disc Matrix# 6753-C (-)
April 29, 1919
New York, New York
Note: Very worn with stripped groove (skips) at start.

By the Babbling Brook (Whistling and Singing)
Lewis James and Sibyl Sanderson Fagan
Edison Blue Amberol #3807
Disc Matrix# 6769-C (80503-L)
May 6, 1919
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

I Love To Be A Sailor
Glen Ellison
Edison Blue Amberol #3866
Disc Matrix# 6876-C (50631-L)
July 17, 1919
New York, New York

Carolina Sunshine
Vernon Dalhart and Chorus
Edison Blue Amberol #3915
Disc Matrix# 6886-B (50595-R)
July 24, 1919
New York, New York
Note: Abrupt start by studio engineer dubbing from the Diamond Disc.

Lucille
The All Star Trio
Edison Blue Amberol #3952
Disc Matrix# 6985-C (50628-L)
October 17, 1919
New York, New York

Dardanella
Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra (Bal Tabarin Orchestra)
Edison Blue Amberol #3965
Disc Matrix# 7107-C (50637-R)
January 13, 1920
New York, New York
Note: Played at 158 RPM.

Flanagan's Night Off
Ada Jones and Steve Porter
Edison Blue Amberol #3992
Disc Matrix# 7041-C (50745-R)
December 3, 1919
New York, New York

Bow-Wow
Wiedoeft-Wadsworth Quartet
Edison Blue Amberol #4049
Disc Matrix# 7253-C (50696-L)
March 31, 1920
New York, New York

Alexandria
Max Fells' Della Robbia Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #4059
Disc Matrix# 7171-C (50656-L)
February 20, 1920
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

A Young Man's Fancy
Lenzberg's Riverside Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #4095
Disc Matrix# 7359-C (50679-R)
May 20, 1920
New York, New York
Note: Dig at 0:16. Skip at 2:48.

Mississippi Bound
Al Bernard
Edison Blue Amberol #4116
Disc Matrix# 7423-B (50785-L)
June 24, 1920
New York, New York

Amorita
Lenzberg's Riverside Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #4137
Disc Matrix# 7314 (50696-R)
May 20, 1920
New York, New York

Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere
Green Brothers' Novelty Band
Edison Blue Amberol #4150
Disc Matrix# 7457 (50700-L)
July 22, 1920
New York, New York
Note: Played at 164 RPM. Good example of being able to hear the Diamond Disc phonograph being started and stopped for this cylinder dubbing.

Bonnie Brier Bush March
Conway's Band
Edison Blue Amberol #4154
Disc Matrix# 7308-G (50712-R)
June 1, 1920
New York, New York

Feather Your Nest
Lenzberg's Riverside Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #4166
Disc Matrix# 7537 (50711-L)
September 21, 1920
New York, New York

Love's A Magic Spell; Snyder, Does Your Mother Know You're Out? (Yodels)
George P. Watson
Edison Blue Amberol #4170
Disc Matrix# 7502-B (51530-L)
August 13, 1920
New York, New York

Margie
Max Fells' Della Robbia Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #4220
Disc Matrix# 7642-C (50717-L)
November 19, 1920
New York, New York

April Showers
Club de Vingt Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #4455
Disc Matrix# 8262-B (50875-R)
October 20, 1921
New York, New York
Note: Good example of being able to hear the Diamond Disc phonograph being started and stopped for this cylinder dubbing.

Monastery Bells
Henry W. Lange (piano)
Edison Blue Amberol #4510
Disc Matrix# 8315-C (50898-R)
December 13, 1921
New York, New York
Note: Good example of being able to hear the Diamond Disc phonograph being started and stopped for this cylinder dubbing.

Burning Kisses
Dave Kaplan's Melodists
Edison Blue Amberol #4893
Disc Matrix# 9537-C (51352-R)
May 28, 1924
New York, New York
Note: Skip at 0:15. Worn with 120,000 corrections!

Yearning (Just For You)
Billy Wynne's Greenwich Village Inn Orchestra
Edison Blue Amberol #5002
Disc Matrix# 10249-C (51519-L)
March 9, 1925
New York, New York
Note: Worn.

Breakfast in Bed
Harry Lauder
Edison Blue Amberol #23017 (re-issue of Wax Amberol #12277)
ca. January 1911
London, England

The Kilty Lads
Harry Lauder
Edison Blue Amberol #23059
ca. 1911
London, England

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