Popular Song and Dance 1912

Shelley Dziedzic

Shelley Dziedzic

Member
Every generation seems to have its own music and memorable dance crazes. Looks like I will be catapulted back into my misspent youth with the jitterbug and You Ain't Nothin' But A Hound Dog. I found this link today which addresses much of the pop culture of 1912- especially amusing were the funny dances like the Lobster Rag and the Castle Walk- and we thought the Swim, Twist, frug and Mashed Potatoes were hot stuff! The first link is an absorbing account of THE dance team of the time-Irene and Vernon Castle. The second will give a good list of popular tunes-some of which we are still crooning today-had no idea Oh You Beautiful Doll was written in 1911- and then, where would we be without Irving Berlin? Got a favorite 1912 tune?
Irene and Vernon Castle: Ragtime-Era Dancers l

Paragon Ragtime Orchestra: Recordings

Recordings for sale by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, including the critically acclaimed <i>Knockout Drops</i>
web.archive.org
 
The Maxixe (pronounced "Ma-sheesh"), named for the prickly part of a cactus, was a Brazilian dance exhibited in the US in 1910. It was not introduced to Paris until 1912 at which time it became hugely popular. Edison recorded the rythmic "rumba" type tune that accompanied the Maxixe in the US in 1914.

The Maxixe's Titanic connection is of course that it was the music which Edith Rosenbaum Russell's toy pig played when its tail was twisted. She famously soothed the frightened children in her lifeboat with the tune, playing it over and over. One wonders, however, whether the adults appreciated the monotony!
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Here it for yourself:


 
I find the music of 1912 extremely intriguing. Coming as it does near the start of the 20th century, it sits between what we consider "classical" and "modern". So - sometimes I hear jazz, sometimes I hear strictly "old-fogey".

As enjoyable and familiar as this music is, however, we of the 21st century must regard it in the light of its uncertain beginnings.

Consider: although the then-newly-evolving genre of "ragtime" sounds pleasing to our ears (both in its own right - "Alexander's Ragtime Band" - and for what it portends), it is interesting to note what L. Frank Baum wrote in 1913's "The Patchwork Girl of Oz" (one of the many sequels to his hugely successful "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"). Says one character of ragtime: "It's enough to drive a crazy lady mad."

My favorite 1912 hit?

"Lily of Laguna"

This song is #21 on the CD "Titanic: Music as Heard on The Fateful Voyage" (available from Rhino Records)

"Lily of Laguna"' is a tune of the "cakewalk" genre, the origin of which, as the American Heritage Dictionary describes, is "a promenade or walk, formerly executed as entertainment by American blacks in which those performing the most complex and unusual steps won cakes as prizes."

Yum-yum!

They don't write 'em like they used to!!!
 
Yes Shell, You caught us at our weekly Tango class, our instructor says we are doing very well - next week it's Cook's turn to lead!

p.s. Heard from Behe last week - still as objectionable as ever I'm afraid! Even tried to suggest that pink really wasn't Cook's colour for a ball gown!

Geoff
 
Sir Geoffrey penned: "Heard from Behe last week - still as objectionable as ever I'm afraid! Even tried to suggest that pink really wasn't Cook's colour for a ball gown!"

Oh, he's still upset because I made fun of that chartreuse chiffon he had on - I mean, REALLY! - Pastels are SOOO out!

In glorious Technicolor,
Cook, in a flowing lavender robe with epaulets.
 
Cook, exactly WHICH lavender robe are you wearing? I swear if Phil doesn't stop passing that damn kimono around, I'm going to be forced to tell that he wears peekaboo-lace knickers... oops.
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