Nora Bayes Together And Alone CD

Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth were considered the leading couple in vaudeville during 1909-1912. Although their marriage only lasted five years and they only recorded three duets, they were warmly remembered as a couple for many decades. They introduced "Shine On, Harvest Moon," but ironically never recorded it. This double CD has their duets, all of Bayes' solo recordings from 1910-1917, all of Norworth's recordings of 1910-1911, and a strong sampling of the rarer titles that he recorded in England during 1914-1916. The 51 selections on this double CD include the earliest version of "Over There," two renditions of "You Can't Get Away from It" (a tribute to ragtime), and a variety of obscure vaudeville numbers. It concludes with a previously unissued tape from 1950 in which Norworth talks a little and performs "Shine On, Harvest Moon." Overall, the recording quality is more than excellent for the period and the solo routines of Bayes and Norworth show their appeal. As is usual with an Archeophone release, the 32-page booklet is full of information and photos. Highly recommended to collectors of early vaudeville. ~ Scott Yanow

Recording information: London, England (03/07/1910-??/??/1950); Los Angeles, CA (03/07/1910-??/??/1950); New York, NY (03/07/1910-??/??/1950).

Personnel: Nora Bayes (vocals); Jack Norworth, Gertrude Lang, Irving Fisher (vocals).

Liner Note Authors: Allen G. Debus; Allen G. Debus.