The Great White Way Orchestra Introduction Named after the famous nickname for New York City’s theater district, Broadway, The Great White Way orchestra embodied the vibrant spirit of the era’s entertainment scene. While they may not be as widely remembered as some of their contemporaries, they played a crucial role…
Author: victor@blindskeleton.one

Lyric Records
A Brief But Brilliant Chapter in Recording History Introduction In the colorful tapestry of early 20th-century recorded music, some threads shine brightly despite their brevity. Lyric Records, though short-lived, left an indelible mark on the landscape of American music during the roaring twenties. This often-overlooked label played a significant role…

Black Swan Records
Record Label of the Week: Black Swan Records In the early 1920s, the American music industry was dominated by a handful of large companies that primarily featured white artists, leaving African American musicians with limited opportunities. It was within this context that Black Swan Records emerged, distinguishing itself as the…

Rudy Wiedoeft
The Saxophone King In the glittering world of early 20th-century popular music, few figures shone as brightly as Rudy Wiedoeft, the man who brought the saxophone from the margins of orchestras to the forefront of American entertainment. Known as the “Kreisler of the Saxophone,” Wiedoeft’s virtuosic performances and innovative techniques…

The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
Fritz Lang’s “The Testament of Dr. Mabuse” (1933) picks up where its predecessor left off, diving back into the twisted world of the criminal mastermind Dr. Mabuse. Last week I reviewed “Dr. Mabuse the Gambler” (1922); this week we’re reviewing the sequel where, eleven years later, Lang brings Mabuse back…