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Free 20s Jazz Collection

by: Gathacol Radio

Usage: Public Domain

Topics: free, jazz, old

A expired Copyright collection of Music

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Reviews

Reviewer: Ima Nartist - - November 12, 2020
Subject: Public Domain?

I assume that all uploaders are not lawyes, but mark items as "Public Domain" in good faith. Unfortunately, many of these tracks cause copyright claims on social media sites (no need to call them out specifically), and may not be in the public domain per recent revisions of copyright law.

The copyright office says (per this site (Feb 5, 2019) - https://blogs.loc.gov/now-see-hear/2019/02/copyright-breakdown-the-music-modernization-act/ )

"
For recordings first published before 1923, the additional time period ends on December 31, 2021.
For recordings first published between 1923-1946, the additional time period is 5 years after the general 95-year term.
For recordings first published between 1947-1956, the additional time period is 15 years after the general 95-year term.
For all remaining recordings first fixed prior to February 15, 1972, the additional transition period shall end on February 15, 2067.
"
I was under the impression that once in the Public Domain, properties could not be reverted (no ex post facto), but I am not a lawyer either. All I'm saying is beware of laws trying to "modernize" music.

Reviewer: Muzikmanz - - June 17, 2020
Subject: Играть онлайн в пасьянс паук

Есть прекрасный сайт, где можно играть онлайн в лучшие игры. Например популярная игра Пасьянс Паук - http://z-game.xyz/pasyans-pauk-igrat-onlajn-besplatno так же отлично подойдет маджонг или американский бильярд восьмерка. Мне нравятся эти игры поэтому могу вам их рекомендовать.

Reviewer: RealAnise - - January 6, 2020
Subject: Great collection, confusing titling could be better

This is an absolutely great collection. One problem with it, though, is that so many of the shortened titles are so mystifying, making it impossible to track down more info about the songs. Some of the reviews do label a lot of the mystery songs though. It's impossible to be 100% sure of what is copyright free and what isn't. Just because an artwork was created after 1924 doesn't always mean that it is NOT public domain at this point-- if you look at a list of public domain films, you will find many that certainly were made after that date. (MST3K, especially in the early years, always used as many public domain films as possible, and they never went anywhere remotely close to as far back as 1924.) That having been said, the safest thing to do is to stick with 1924 and earlier.recording dates. This shouldn't apply to non-monetized videos at all IMHO, but I didn't make the copyright laws. ;)

Reviewer: tinatiel - - May 12, 2019
Subject: Lovely! But beware copyright...

"Me And The Man In The Moon" by L'orchestre Des Ambassadeurs was published in 1928 and does not fall within the public domain (after 1923), so it will be claimed on YouTube or Twitch.

Reviewer: ragfart - - March 1, 2019
Subject: My thanks to Wayback Machine

At last the record information. I have enjoyed the search, also the social history of the bands, (that I found). I am able to claim my collection is now in the 1000"s, enjoying every moment.

Reviewer: brownstudy - - January 17, 2019
Subject: Fabulous collection

Great collection. Some reviews pointed to the original page where these tracks came from, but the page is gone.

Wayback Machine to the rescue! The full page with info on all the tracks can be found at https://web.archive.org/web/20100823082822/http://nfo.net:80/jazzage/ogg.htm

Some of the descriptions link to other pages containing more info on specific songs, artists, and some of the composers. Great little resource.

Reviewer: NewsPR666 - - January 16, 2019
Subject: Тайны госпожи Кирсановой

https://rustvcom.com/online/tajny_gospozhi_kirsanovoj_dve_nevesty_44_serija_15_01_2019_rossija_1/2019-01-15-5707 - Тайны госпожи Кирсановой. Две невесты 44 серия 15.01.2019 Россия-1

Reviewer: roynlcs - - May 31, 2018
Subject: Question about Public Domain

Anybody know how to confirm whether this music collection is public domain? I asked the Archive and they said we use at our own risk. I'd love to use some of this music for my podcast and I don't want to receive a Cease and Desist letter!

Reviewer: Hector8778 - - February 14, 2018
Subject: Good selection

Thank's for the the good music

Reviewer: LeapingKnees - - December 29, 2017
Subject: Excellent Collection

Been trying, looking through previous reviews to identify these tracks. I think that 'afghanis' mentioned by a previous reviewer could be Afghanistan by Prince's Dance Orchestra. Compare with this YouTube vid.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TlzzFHdMVM

Reviewer: Cristian1929 - - September 21, 2017
Subject: Too much filters!

Recordings sound saturated with too many filters!

Reviewer: shaysreblog - - July 19, 2017
Subject: very good

I can't believe how good the selection of music, and the sound quality is.

Reviewer: movieman63 - - July 6, 2017
Subject: GREAT MUSIC

The titles make little sense, Just off the top of my head maybe 90 or 95% of these are in the public domain. The music is certainly better than anything on 2017 radio. The music on 2017 radio is not worth the cost of registering a copyright . It is so terrible. 2017 music should be public domain one hour after publication

Reviewer: Rose Eyre - - May 2, 2017
Subject: Oh yeah

Fabulous! What a gem! This Jazz Collection is fantastic.

Reviewer: elshano - - November 27, 2016
Subject: I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate

Forgive me if, one, this is a repeated notice and two, if I'm mistaken. However, I'm 99.9% sure that what is listed by ragfart as "I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate The Cotton Pickers Brunswick 2338-A 1922" is in a fact a much later recording by Mugsy Spanier of the same title, in 1939. Here's a YouTube version of the latter for comparison, though anyone familiar knows the recording quality and style cannot be the former:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmr4N1U0TkA

That said, thank you Gathacol Radio, for this wonderful collection. You probably know of Radio Dismuke. This playlist would fool me into believing of get this wonderful station that features 20's and 30's music, on at present.

Reviewer: brenda75 - - August 5, 2016
Subject: Thank you for sharing

Thank you so much for sharing these amazing pieces

Does any one knows if i am allowed to use parts of these songs as samples in my original compositions?

as these songs were published in the U.S. before 1923 therefore do fall in public domain music.

Reviewer: CineCola - - May 14, 2016
Subject: Incredible!

I love it! I love every track.
I suppose we are lucky to even have them in any way, but I am naturally frustrated by not knowing the title of some of the tracks I have never heard before. The one labelled as "afghanis" is fascinating. It seems like such a memorable melody, yet I have been unable to find any info on it. If anyone knows more about the tune, please get in touch!

Reviewer: Andrés Holguín - - May 2, 2016
Subject: Thank you!

It is really great to find these jewels. The quality of the audio is superb; it is really difficult to find such a good quality collection.

Reviewer: TysonTraveler - - August 28, 2015
Subject: "Shanghai Express"

This a a great grouping of music. Love it! Thanks. I have a song that I am desperately trying to find the composer or band. It is in the movie Shanghai Express, and is when Marlene Dietrich and Anna May Wong are on the train listening to the Gramophone. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Reviewer: laqueasha - - October 2, 2014
Subject: Somebody Stole My Gal

I am looking to use this song in a short film but I'm unclear as to whose recording it is. I Shazam-ed the song and it popped up as "Somebody Stole My Gal" composed by Leo Wood, but there is no more info about the recording. I would like to obtain official rights to the song (and it says "public domain" but I'm skeptical that this is actually the case that I can use it without any licensing). If the person who uploaded this collection or anyone else who might have more information on the recording "stolmgal" track 111 (03:09 play time). Please let me know! And if you know if "public domain" really means free to use in all replications.

Thanks!

Reviewer: iattp - - July 9, 2014
Subject: Amazing Grace is not from the 20s

Howdy everyone. This is an excellent collection, but I do believe the amazing grace file is actually a recording of a brass band. A good brass band they are, but I recognize the sound and the recording. Probably one in Germany or America. You might want to have that checked, as the arrangement might not be copyright free.

Otherwise, GREAT!

Reviewer: oldmusicfreak - - June 16, 2013
Subject: Nice

Im glad there other 1920's jazz freaks out there. Ive liked that music since I was a kid and thought I was weird or something.But Im happy to see more of us around. This stuff is really good. Thanks.

Reviewer: Alec Daniels - - November 8, 2012
Subject: Really Love to time travel.

I've been a fan of Jazz for awhile but this is the best collection I've heard so far for stuff from the 1920s.

Only thing I wish was that the .ogg versions also had a big compressed pack like the MP3 versions

Reviewer: NoSpillBlood - - November 6, 2012
Subject: Great material, skillfully presented.

Thank you for posting this. It's a real trip back in more than one way. Personally, it reminds me of hours spent poring over those L.R. Docks catalogs of jazz reissue albums 40 years ago now.

Reviewer: dieselpunk - - October 30, 2012
Subject: Great collection

Many great tunes here. I wish i knew what all of them were. I can tell the previous reviewer that 4or5x is by King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band. The two great versions of Palesteena are a Wurlitzer Band Organ and Bob Crosby's Bobcats. Thanks!

Reviewer: jazluvr - - November 24, 2010
Subject: Key to Titles and Artists above

All of the songs shown can be found at this site

http://nfo.net/jazzage/ogg.htm

Reviewer: danfhall - - June 13, 2010
Subject: Some more information.

I have barely scratched the surface of these impressive recordings, and am very grateful for them. However, I would agree with a previous reviewer that more information would be helpful. The track 'kentuckb' for example is "Kentucky Blues", recorded by Fess William's Royal Flush Orch. on April 22nd 1929. Information on some of the tracks is provided here: http://nfo.net/jazzage/ogg.htm

Reviewer: dimitriskats - - October 4, 2009
Subject: Nice music BUT Copyright exists

http://www.archive.org/iathreads/post-view.php?id=267544

Reviewer: pickford82 - - September 20, 2009
Subject: Extremely valuable!

I've downloaded this collection of music recently and enjoy it very much. It's great! It contains both well-known jazz standards and some rare stuff. I am fascinated by the Roaring Twenties, and this music allows me to feel the spirit of the epoch. Yes, all these tracks are very old, however, many of them are not just some "museum pieces" - they are highly enjoyable as they are, despite their considerable age. My only complain is that the uploader didn't give the full names of the songs. I'd love to get more info especially since I am still new to jazz and some of these contracted titles make no sense to me.

My favorites from this bunch are: Alexander_Wheres_That_Band, Bennie_Moten_Kater_St._Rag, Washingtonians-Tishomingo_Blues, Hot Mama (!), Dippermouth Blues, Washboard Wiggles, llagoose, onlygirl, Ole Miss rag, nickleodeon, dix1step, Eubie Black's compositions etc.

--------
Update

Full names and credits for some of the tracks here:
2to2 = My Cutie's Due from Two to Two Today
Alexander, Where's That Band? - Parham-Pickett Apollo Syncopators, 12-1926, Chicago, Illinois
4or5x = Four or Five Times (duh! I like those funny "drunken" vocals, I wish I knew who these performers are...)
cushfoot = Cushion Foot Stomp - Clarence Williams
dippermo = Dippermouth Blues
dix1step = Dixie Jass Band One Step
japsand, jsandman = Japanese Sandman
kentuckb = Kentucky Blues
nevrknew = Never Knew - Paul Whiteman
newbaby = I Found a new baby
omissrag = Ole Miss Rag (W.C.Handy)- Handy's Orchestra Of Memphis, 9-22-1917, NY
otpump = The Old Town Pump (Albert Von Tilzer) - Handy's Orchestra Of Memphis, 9-22-1917, NY
singusin = Sing You Sinners - Duke Ellington, 1930, vocal by Irving Mills
sugarft = Sugar Foot (King Oliver-Louis Armstrong)

Please help identify hotmama, nickleodeon, pastime, llagoose and onlygirl! These compositions are amazing, but so far I have failed to find out anything about them. Jazz buffs must be familiar with them.

Reviewer: Osprey Therian - - August 31, 2009
Subject: Credits for "Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia"

amdubin over at YouTube has uploaded a video of this song playing on his Radiola 47 - and it sounds great. According to his posted information:
Isham Jones: "Sentimental Gentleman From Georgia"
Victor 24099 (recorded in Camden, NJ on 8/17/32 in Jones's first Victor session). Eddie Stone sings the vocal chorus.
Commenters add:
"This was recorded at Victor's Camden studio. The original master remains nearly flawless, and if you're able, locate a re-recording...hearing it is like walking back in time. The speed and precision of this orchestra is astounding. Do a fox trot to this one. You'll get your heart rate elevated."
"Isham Jones Big Band from 1932 on Victor. Jones recorded primarily for Brunswick from 1924 - 1931, then switched to Victor with a largely enhanced Band, and hotter arrangements. Gordon Jenkins (of Frank Sinatra fame in the early 1950's after Axel Stordahl) is Jones Orchestrator for all the Victor Sessions and this period not to mention te Full Audio Spectrum sound of the "New" Othophonic Process, which helped to sell this Radiola/Elecrola Combo. Great sound and Fidelity."

Reviewer: johnorford - - October 16, 2008
Subject: worth an hour or so

I'd warmly recommend some time spent listening to these - and I've not heard the half of them yet. Eubie Blake (who lived to ninety-six and said "If I'd known I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself), Bennie Motens and Erskine Tate are all worth your time. There's a fine Dippermouth with a strong tuba - if you like mostly New Orleans jazz, here it is.

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