A fine xylophone solo recording, Down in Blossom Row Medley,
performed by the talented Albert Benzler.
Down in Blossom Row Medley
Company
Edison's National Phonograph Company
Cylinder #
9044
Category
Xylophone solo
Title
Down in Blossom Row Medley
Performed by
Albert Benzler
Circa
July 1905
Announcement
"Xylophone solo, Down in Blossom Row Medley, played by Albert Benzler. Edison record."
The xylophone recorded loudly and clearly on wax cylinders and was therefore
generally a "sure thing" selling well in record shops.
Albert Benzler was, very likely, the most often recorded
artist on wax cylinders - heard as an accompanist in hundreds of records,
most often as the pianist, but also playing the bells, xylophone, chimes, and organ.
In addition, he was featured dozens of times as soloist, as with this cylinder of the month
with Benzler on the xylophone.
Notice in the Edison announcement to his dealers for this recording (below)
that the tunes making up this medley had been recorded and released just prior to this
xylophone solo.
Perhaps this was a shrewd promotion of those recent records,
or the recording department was taking advantage of the music's relative familiarity
to the studio musicians, or both.
No. 9044, "Down in Blossom Row Medley," by Albert Benzler,
is a xylophone solo, with orchestra accompaniment, introducing
"Down in Blossom Row" (our Record No. 9004), "Susan Van Doozen" (our Record No. 9012)
and "On a Summer Night" (our Record No. 9021).
Particular attention is called to the orchestra accompaniment, which is
embellished to a high degree.
— June 1905 Edison Phonograph Monthly [announcing the July records]
