Cylinder of the Month

John Yorke AtLee (also spelled At Lee, or Atlee) was one of the first "stars" of the recording industry.   Living in Washington, D.C., a government civil servant by day, by night he plied his skill in artistic whistling, beginning in 1890, to making records for the then young Columbia Phonograph Company.

A popular novelty, whistling recorded very well on early phonographic recording equipment and the records were big sellers throughout the 1890s up through the mid-1900s.

This late recording by AtLee features his characteristic "singing" style along with whistling choruses.

To hear Our Whistling Servant Girl   — For help playing these sounds, click here.

Whistling and Vocal Solos by Mr. John Yorke At Lee (With Piano Accompaniment.) $1.00 EACH.       Mr. At Lee's records are the most musical, loud clear and distinct whistling solos ever made.   His songs with whistling choruses are faultlessly executed, and are immensely popular.

[from the United States Phonograph Co. Catalouge of Original Master Records, ca. 1900]

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