Century-Old Sounds

OKeh Records
1916-
OKeh was founded by Otto. K. E. Heinemann of Germany, who had been very active in the European trade since the turn of the century. He traveled with his brother Adolph to the United States in June 1914 to explore business opportunities in this market but the outbreak of World War I stranded him here for the duration of the conflict. So, the following year he incorporated the Otto Heinemann Phonograph Supply Company, which sold parts to phonograph manufacturers that produced the final machines. In 1918, he bought the facilities of the defunct Rex Talking Machine Corporation and entered the record business with a vertical-cut disc to avoid infringement of the lateral patent. The following year, OKeh was a leader in the switch to lateral and Victor litigated but the courts ruled the patent had indeed expired.

The name "OKeh" came from Heinemann's initials and it also referred to the Native-American spelling of the colloquial term OK, or "all right". The early labels featured a portrait of an Indian to reinforce this idea. The official name of his organization was also changed to the General Phonograph Corporation in 1919. Heinemann briefly visited Germany twice after the war but found the U.S. a much better market and returned to make it his home, eventually becoming an American citizen.

OKeh mostly issued ten-inch discs while twelve-inchers were quite rare. Its studios arguably produced the best-sounding acoustical recordings of the day, even surpassing The Big Three. Perhaps it was the spirit of German engineering? OKeh recorded much in several fields of ethnic music that the larger companies neglected. It also led the way in recording Blues, Country and Hot Jazz and sent portable studios across the country to do so when artists couldn't come to its New York or Chicago facilities. Mamie Smith was recorded as early as 1920 and that disc, "Crazy Blues", became a runaway hit. Black artists were heavily recorded and promoted by the company afterwards. Fiddlin' John Carson paved a similar path for Country music in 1923. Other OKeh greats of the decade included Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Sidney Bechet, Miff Mole, Frank Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, Clarence Williams, Joe Venuti, Eddie Lang and Victoria Spivey. The popular phonograph artists that recorded for all the other companies like Billy Murray, the Green Brothers, Henry Burr and Fred Van Epps also appeared on OKeh.

OKeh switched to electrical recording in 1926. Later that year, it was sold to Columbia Records. Columbia continued the label and even retained the same groundbreaking A&R focus for the rest of the decade. New releases dropped sharply after 1931 and the label was discontinued in 1935. However, CBS (Columbia) revived it from 1940-1945 as a budget label and then again in the 1950s mainly as an R&B outlet.
Encoded Speed: 192 Kbps

VERTICAL RECORDINGS


Rubinstein Melodie Op. 3, No. 1	(Chiaffarelli's) Polonaise
Vladimir Dubinsky	Albert Chiaffarelli
OKeh 1104-A	OKeh 1104-B
Matrix# 195B 4, Take B	Matrix# 302D 7, Take D
ca. June 1918	ca. August 1918
New York, New York	New York, New York


Faust Waltz	Love's Thoughts
Peppino and Son	P. Peppino
OKeh 1148-A	OKeh 1148-B
Matrix# 464-B, Take 2	Matrix# 465-a, Take 1
ca. November 1918	ca. November 1918
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Lots of pits.	Note: Lots of pits.


Tosca - "E lucevan le stelle" (The Stars Were Shining)	Faust - "Dio possente" (Even Bravest Heart)
George Lambert	Filippo Antonio
OKeh 7006-A	OKeh 7006-B
Matrix# 357C 16, Take C	Matrix# 354B 7, Take B
ca. September 1918	ca. September 1918
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Perhaps more pleasant with a 125 Hz turnover applied Here.	Note: Perhaps more pleasant with a 125 Hz turnover applied Here.

LATERAL RECORDINGS


Nobody Knows (And Nobody Seems To Care)	Goodnight Angeline
Jack Kaufman	Peerless Quartette
OKeh 4028-A	OKeh 4028-B
Matrix# S-7013-B g 36, Take B	Matrix# S-7026-B S(backwards) 24, Take B
ca. September 1919	ca. September 1919
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn at end.	Note: Worn. Pressing blister 0:24-0:37.


Casse Noisette (Nutcracker Ballet)	Tschaikowsky Melodies
Conway's Band	OKeh Concert Band
OKeh 4035-A	OKeh 4035-B
Matrix# S793-B	Matrix# 149-A
October 1919	1918


William Tell Overture (Part 1) (At Dawn)	William Tell Overture (Part 2) (The Storm)
Conway's Band	Conway's Band
OKeh 4205-A	OKeh 4205-B
Matrix# S-7420-B E 2, Take B	Matrix# S-7418-B 4(reversed) 3, Take B
May 1920	May 1920
New York, New York	New York, New York


William Tell Overture (Part 3) (The Calm)	William Tell Overture (Part 4) (Finale)
Conway's Band	Conway's Band
OKeh 4206-A	OKeh 4206-B
Matrix# S-7419-B 1(upside down) 3, Take B	Matrix# S-7583-B 2(reversed) 1, Take B
May 1920	September 1920
New York, New York	New York, New York
	Note: Studio sounds before start.
To listen to all parts consecutively, click HERE.


Dangerous Blues	What Have I Done
Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Band	Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds
OKeh 4351-A	OKeh 4351-B
Matrix# S-7959-C, Take 3	Matrix# S-7789-C, Take 3
June 1921	February 1921
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn. Needle dig 1:07-1:14.	Note: Very worn.


I've Got My Habits On	Muscle Shoals Blues
Joseph Samuels' Jazz Band	Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra
OKeh 4477-A	OKeh 4477-B
Matrix# 70285-C	Matrix# 70289-
ca. October 29, 1921	ca. November 3, 1921
New York, New York	New York, New York


Nobody Lied	The Sneak
Markels' Orchestra	Markels' Orchestra
OKeh 4648-A	OKeh 4648-B
Matrix# S-70722-C F 1, Take C	Matrix# S-70712-B A 12, Take B
June 26, 1922	June 1922
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.


Houston Blues	Hot Lips
Joseph Samuels Jazz Band	Tampa Blue Jazz Band (Instrumental conversation by Joe (clarinet) and Jewels (cornet))
OKeh 4663-A	OKeh 4663-B
Matrix# S-70772-B D 3, Take B	Matrix# S-70773-C C 3, Take C
August 10, 1922	August 10, 1922
New York, New York	New York, New York


The OKeh Laughing Record	The Gypsy Baron - Wer Uns Getraut
Otto Rathke (ct) and Lucie Bernardo (mezzo)	Otto Rathke with The Bohemian Orchestra
OKeh 4678-A	OKeh 4678-B
Matrix# 30590 (Parlophon/Beka Records)	Matrix# 31857 (Parlophon/Beka Records)
August 6, 1920	September 23, 1922
Berlin, Germany	Berlin, Germany


Down in Maryland	Runnin' Wild
Vincent Lopez and His Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra	Vincent Lopez and His Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra
OKeh 4772-A	OKeh 4772-B
Matrix# S-71-136-B	Matrix# S-71-138-B
ca. December 29, 1922	ca. December 29, 1922
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Crack 1/2-inch in, barely audible.	Note: Crack 1/2-inch in, barely audible. Worn.


Pay Day Blues	Wet Yo' Thumb
Harry Raderman's Jazz Band	Harry Raderman's Jazz Band
OKeh 4923-A	OKeh 4923-B
Matrix# S-71-698-B	Matrix# S-71-699-B
late September 1923	late September 1923
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


Marcheta	What Could Be Sweeter?
Rega Dance Orchestra	Markels Orchestra
OKeh 4950-A	OKeh 4950-B
Matrix# S-71-810-C	Matrix# S-71-816-B
ca. August 28, 1923	September-October 1923
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Very worn.	Note: Worn.


'Tain't Nobody's Bus'ness If I Do	Achin' Hearted Blues
Clarence Williams' Blue Five	Clarence Williams' Blue Five
OKeh 4966-A	OKeh 4966-B
Matrix# S-71-928-B D 1, Take B	Matrix# S-71-797-a A 3, Take A
October 1923	August 1923
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Extremely worn. Some stripped threads.	Note: Extremely worn. Some stripped threads.


Garter Snake Blues	Christmas Mornin' Blues
Victoria Spivey	Victoria Spivey
OKeh 8517	OKeh 8517
Matrix# 81583-C A-1(or 7)	Matrix# 81584-A A-1
October 28, 1927	October 28, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Very worn.	Note: Very worn.


Sweet Emmaline	Log Cabin Blues
Clarence Williams' Washboard Five	Clarence Williams' Washboard Five
OKeh 8572	OKeh 8572
Matrix# 400620	Matrix# 400621
April 18, 1928	April 18, 1928
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


Stop For The Red Light	The Rattlesnake Coils Before He Strikes
Reverend J. M. Gates (Assisted by Deacon Leon Davis & Sisters Jordan and Norman)	Reverend J. M. Gates (Assisted by Deacon Leon Davis & Sisters Jordan and Norman)
OKeh 8622	OKeh 8622
Matrix# 402046 A-7, Take 1	Matrix# 402048 A-61, Take 1
August 3, 1928	August 3, 1928
Atlanta, Georgia	Atlanta, Georgia
Note: Very worn with lamination cracks. Only Take B listed as released in DAHR.	Note: Very worn.


Paducah	Four or Five Times
Chocolate Dandies	Five Little Chocolate Dandies
OKeh 8627	OKeh 8627
Matrix# 401218-B	Matrix# 401221-A
October 13, 1928	October 13, 1928
New York, New York	New York, New York


Where Shall I Be?	I Am Happy in Jesus
Sara Martin - Sylvester Weaver - Hayes B. Withers	Sara Martin - Sylvester Weaver - Hayes B. Withers
OKeh 8661	OKeh 8661
Matrix# 80700A A-1, Take 1	Matrix# 80703A A-3, Take 1
April 6, 1927	April 6, 1927
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Large lamination cracks halfway in. Very worn.	Note: Large lamination cracks halfway in. Extremely worn.


Lonesome Road Blues	The Wreck on the Southern Old 97
Henry Whitter	Henry Whitter
OKeh 40015	OKeh 40015
Matrix# S-72-168a	Matrix# S-72-167a
December 10, 1923	December 10, 1923


There's Nobody Else But You	Lovey Came Back
Vincent Lopez and His Hotel Pennsylvania Orchestra	Vincent Lopez and His Hotel Pennsylva(in)a Orchestra
OKeh 40035-A	OKeh 40035-B
Matrix# S-72-289B, Take B	Matrix# S-72-104D, Take D
January 1924	November 1923
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Very worn.	Note: Very worn. Band name misspelled on label.


Big Boy!	Oh Baby
The Lanin Orchestra	The Lanin Orchestra
OKeh 40111	OKeh 40111
Matrix# S-72-511 a	Matrix# S-72-510 B
ca. May 8, 1924	ca. May 8, 1924
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


Country Fair Polka	My Lisa
Danubia Municipal Band	Danubia Municipal Band
OKeh 40138-A	OKeh 40138-B
Matrix# ?	Matrix# ?
ca. 1924 ?	ca. 1924 ?


The Little Black Mustache	Goin' to Have A Big Time Tonight
Vernon Dalhart	Vernon Dalhart
OKeh 40638	OKeh 40638
Matrix# 74151-B, Take 1	Matrix# 74152-a, Take 1
April 1926	April 1926


Rain	Black Maria
Arnold Frank and His Roger's Cafe Orchestra	Arnold Frank and His Roger's Cafe Orchestra
OKeh 40896	OKeh 40896
Matrix# 81324 B-2, Take 2	Matrix# 81325 B-8, Take 2
September 9, 1927	September 9, 1927
Minneapolis, Minnesota	Minneapolis, Minnesota


It Was Only a Sun Shower	Among My Souvenirs
Seger Ellis	Seger Ellis
OKeh 40952	OKeh 40952
Matrix# 81902	Matrix# 81903
December 7, 1927	December 7, 1927


I Must Be Dreaming	'Taint So, Honey, 'Taint So
Joe Venuti & His New Yorkers	Joe Venuti & His New Yorkers
OKeh 41051	OKeh 41051
Matrix# 400706B	Matrix# 400707A
May 25, 1928	May 25, 1928
New York, New York	New York, New York


Ol' Man River	Wa-Da-Da
Bix Beiderbecke and His Gang	Bix Beiderbecke and His Gang
OKeh 41088	OKeh 41088
Matrix# 400994A	Matrix# 400995A
July 7, 1928	July 7, 1928
Chicago, Illinois	Chicago, Illinois
Note: Worn.	Note: Small lamination crack. Worn.


I Loved You Then As I Love You Now	Dream House
Seger Ellis	Seger Ellis
OKeh 41127	OKeh 41127
Matrix# 401229	Matrix# 401228
October 16, 1928	October 16, 1928


She Only Laughs at Me	I Faw Down An' Go Boom!
Fred "Sugar" Hall and His Sugar Babies	Fred "Sugar" Hall and His Sugar Babies
OKeh 41183	OKeh 41183
Matrix# 401530A	Matrix# 401553C
January 14, 1929	January 24, 1929
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Worn.	Note: Worn.


The Wedding of the Painted Doll	The Toymaker's Dream
Sam Lanin and His Famous Players	Sam Lanin and His Famous Players
OKeh 41215	OKeh 41215
Matrix# 401735B A-2	Matrix# 401736C A-1
March 22, 1929	March 22, 1929
New York, New York	New York, New York


True Blue Lou	My Song of the Nile
Seger Ellis	Seger Ellis
OKeh 41290	OKeh 41290
Matrix# 402883B	Matrix# 402884C
August 26, 1929	August 26, 1929


Some of These Days	When You're Smiling
Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra	Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra
OKeh 41298	OKeh 41298
Matrix# 402943	Matrix# 402947
September 10, 1929	September 11, 1929
New York, New York	New York, New York
Note: Lamination crack to center. Worn.	Note: Lamination crack halfway to center. Worn.


Loveless Love	Papa's Gone
Fred Gardner's Texas University Troubadours	Fred Gardner's Texas University Troubadours
OKeh 41440	OKeh 41440
Matrix# 404099A	Matrix# 404100A
June 9, 1930	June 9, 1930
San Antonio, Texas	San Antonio, Texas
Note: Extremely worn.	Note: Extremely worn.


Chinese Break Down	In the Shade of the Parasol
Scottdale String Band	Scottdale String Band
OKeh 45103	OKeh 45103
Matrix# 80603B	Matrix# 80604B
March 1927	March 1927


Dixie	I'm Satisfied
Earl Johnson and His Dixie Entertainers	Earl Johnson and His Dixie Entertainers
OKeh 45129	OKeh 45129
Matrix# 80462 B-5	Matrix# 80465 B-2
February 1927	February 1927
Note: Worn, but sounds good.	Note: Worn with lamination cracks throughout, but sounds good.


Medley - Scottische	Rye Waltz
Bob Skiles Four Old Timers	Bob Skiles Four Old Timers
OKeh 45211	OKeh 45211
Matrix# 400500B A1, Take 2	Matrix# 400501B A1, Take 2
March 13, 1928	March 13, 1928
San Antonio, Texas	San Antonio, Texas
Note: Worn.	Note: Very worn.


Spanish Rag	Kohalo Rag
Herschel Brown and L. K. Sentell	Herschel Brown and L. K. Sentell
OKeh 45484	OKeh 45484
Matrix# 402368A, Take 1	Matrix# 402369B, Take 1
March 19, 1929	March 19, 1929
Note: Record is in great condition. In the groove, you can even see each beat of the spoons. Perhaps they were too loud for the microphone?

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