During the fall semester, the Paramount Discography, an online database developed by Music Library staff, appeared as a new resource on the Electronic Library. The discography contains information about Paramount Records and three other record labels produced by the New York Recording Laboratories of Port Washington, Wisconsin: Broadway, Famous, and Puritan. All records included in the discography are in the collections of the Wisconsin Music Archives of the Mills Music Library.
As a happy coincidence, the Paramount label is currently
receiving significant attention in local publications.
The Wisconsin Academy Review contains an article
by David Luhrssen entitled “Blues in Wisconsin: The
Paramount Records Story” in its Winter 1998-99 issue.
In addition, the Winter 1998–99 issue of the Wisconsin
Magazine of History includes Sarah Filzen's article
"The Rise and Fall of Paramount Records."
The New York Recording Laboratories were active from about 1917–1932, and Paramount was clearly its premiere label. Recordings which originally appeared on Paramount were routinely and systematically issued on the other labels, although Broadway and Puritan contain unique material as well. Paramount Records has received considerable attention by collectors and scholars because of its early recordings of blues and jazz. Ma Rainey, Alberta Hunter, and Fletcher Henderson were among the important blues and jazz performers to be recorded by Paramount. Sadly, the strength of the Wisconsin Music Archives collection lies elsewhere with very few in this series of Paramount discs among its holdings. However, many of the Paramount blues recordings are available in the library as reissued on compact disc. Search MadCat for additional information.
The musical styles represented on the four labels are quite diverse. In addition to its famous blues recordings, Paramount had an "Old Time" or "Hillbilly" series, part of which was replicated on the Broadway label. Popular song and instrumental dance music was released on all the labels. Puritan offered German language recordings while Spanish music appeared on a Paramount series and Polish music on a Broadway series. Classical music, band music, and songs from musical shows can be found as well. The Wisconsin Roof Orchestra, Bill Carlson, Joie Lichter, Jack Penewell, and even the University's Haresfoot Club Orchestra are among the Wisconsin performers whose music may be found on these labels.
To search the database, locate the following URL on the world wide web: http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/MillsSpColl/paramount/