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September 11, 2021: 130 Albert Benzler

Albert Benzler was with the Edison company between April 28, 1904 and April 16, 1908. One of their most versatile studio artists, Benzler played orchestra bells, chimes, xylophone, piano, organ and occasionally helped out in the Edison Orchestra on violin. He usually had standard selections prepared to fill in should an artist not appear or be in poor voice. Benzler's records were usually good sellers and could always be used to fill out a supplement.

Benzler's debut recording:


During his time at Edison, Benzler made thirty-four solo recordings on bells and twenty-five on xylophone. He also re-recorded for Edison some of the popular titles originally performed by J. Frank Hopkins before 1904. Shortly after his arrival at Edison, Benzler made two recordings of bells and chimes duets with Henry Nesbit (including A Summer Dream #8956, recorded in April 1905). The only other xylophonist to appear in the Edison catalog during Benzler’s stay was Frederick W. Hager, who made one recording with Benzler of the xylophone and bells duet Blue Bell #8829, recorded at the end of 1904.

Benzler resigned from Edison to become music director for the new U.S. Phonograph Company that began producing two-minute celluloid records in 1908. By 1909, they were selling four-minute celluloid records under the Everlasting label. Benzler made ten xylophone solo and five bells solos on four-minute records. He also recorded a few piano numbers. He remained at U.S. Phonograph until 1913 when the business closed.

source: Gerhardt Cylinder Recordings
more details: Albert Benzler on Tim Crayck's Phonographs & Old records

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Lots and lots of other audio antiquities on WFMU:

Centennial Songs - The Antique Phonograph Music Program contextually presented by Michael Cumella

The Ragged Phonograph Program with Mike Haar Original ragtime, jazz, and pop music from the first quarter of the 20th century, with historical background on vaudeville-era artists

Thomas Edison's Attic The audio curator at Edison National Historic Site rummages through the archives of the legendary Edison Laboratory of West Orange, New Jersey

The Old Codger: playing 78 RPM records like they're going out of style!

Rare Oldies Radio hosted by Kitschy Mama, featuring lost songs from the 50s & 60s: Retro Obscuro with Kitschy Mama

Music from the 1920s in the January 7, 2020 episode of Continental Subway with David Dichelle

Music and other recordings of Lynda Barry in the june 7, 2020 episode of Canibal Stew with DJ ARB

and you might want to check out the Surface Noise archives with DJ Joe McGasko from 2008 and 2009