In the years following World War II, a warm musical journey began as soldiers returned home and America sought to embrace a sense of normalcy. Between 1949 and 1950, Elliott "Eli" Oberstein's Wright Record Corporation in Meriden, Connecticut, proudly released a wonderful mix of budget 78 rpm records under the Varsity label. This label wonderfully preserved the talents of well-known artists and hidden gems, showcasing various genres.
Eli Oberstein's journey in the record industry before launching the Wright Record Corporation and the Varsity label is fascinating. Varsity Records was initially born as a subsidiary of the United States Record Corporation in 1939, with a mission to offer affordable music to everyone. Although the original company faced bankruptcy in 1940, Oberstein's determined revival of the label in mid-1948 came at a perfect time, coinciding with a thriving postwar economy where entertainment demand soared.
The catalog of Varsity Records is vibrant and diverse. It features everything from big band jazz, R&B, folk songs, and Broadway show tunes to those delightful novelty numbers, capturing the wonderful essence of American music during this era. As the grand big-band age gracefully transitioned, the early sounds of what would blossom into rock 'n' roll started unfolding. A shining example of this delightful diversity is Cootie Williams' orchestra, led by the talented former Duke Ellington Orchestra trumpeter. Their memorable track "I Want To Be Loved" beautifully illustrates the lingering charm of big-band jazz even as its popularity was evolving.
Varsity Records also became a cherished platform for lesser-known artists and regional talents. These talented individuals, often overlooked by the major players in the industry, found a fantastic opportunity to reach a broader audience through Oberstein's budget-friendly label. Among these acts were Jimmie McKee & Orchestra and Hugh Ashley & Orchestra. While detailed information about these artists might be limited, their presence in the Varsity catalog highlights the label's commitment to showcasing a wide array of American music.
The catalog also features intriguing performers like Taylor Duo and Barbara Brown, who may have used fun pseudonyms or unique one-off names. These artists add to the incredible mystique of Varsity Records. The little information about their careers leaves much to the imagination, inviting lore and curiosity for music historians to explore. Regarding production quality, Varsity Records was modest due to budgetary constraints. However, the quick and affordable production methods resulted in a raw and unpolished charm, adding to the historical significance of these records, which captured performances that might have otherwise been lost to time.
The catalog of Varsity Records is vibrant and diverse. It features everything from big band jazz, R&B, folk songs, and Broadway show tunes to those delightful novelty numbers, capturing the wonderful essence of American music during this era. As the grand big-band age gracefully transitioned, the early sounds of what would blossom into rock 'n' roll started unfolding. A shining example of this delightful diversity is Cootie Williams' orchestra, led by the talented former Duke Ellington Orchestra trumpeter. Their memorable track "I Want To Be Loved" beautifully illustrates the lingering charm of big-band jazz even as its popularity was evolving.
Varsity Records also became a cherished platform for lesser-known artists and regional talents. These talented individuals, often overlooked by the major players in the industry, found a fantastic opportunity to reach a broader audience through Oberstein's budget-friendly label. Among these acts were Jimmie McKee & Orchestra and Hugh Ashley & Orchestra. While detailed information about these artists might be limited, their presence in the Varsity catalog highlights the label's commitment to showcasing a wide array of American music.
The catalog also features intriguing performers like Taylor Duo and Barbara Brown, who may have used fun pseudonyms or unique one-off names. These artists add to the incredible mystique of Varsity Records. The little information about their careers leaves much to the imagination, inviting lore and curiosity for music historians to explore. Regarding production quality, Varsity Records was modest due to budgetary constraints. However, the quick and affordable production methods resulted in a raw and unpolished charm, adding to the historical significance of these records, which captured performances that might have otherwise been lost to time.
The melodies crafted by Varsity Records often resonated deeply with the era's sentiments. For instance, Les Howard's orchestra, which performed the touching French classic "La Vie En Rose," recalled memories of U.S.-French solidarity during the war. At the same time, Jimmie Lunceford's swinging version of the traditional gospel blues "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" honored the enduring struggles and perseverance of the Black American experience. Broadway influences are also wonderfully present in the Varsity catalog, with songs from the hit 1948 Cole Porter musical "Kiss Me, Kate," like "My Love" and "True to You in My Fashion," capturing the domestic tensions and evolving gender roles of postwar life. These cultural touchstones offered listeners a comforting sense of continuity amid significant change.
Track List:
- Cry Of The Wild Goose (Frankie Laine Hit)- Hugh Ashley & Orchestra- Varsity Records 282 (LR69)- See the first video above in the main article.
- Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen - Jimmie Livingston Orchestra - Varsity Records 262 (LR16)- See above just below the main article.
- La Vie En Rose - Les Howard & Malcolm Lockyer Orchestra - Varsity Records 275 (E120)
- Sam's Song by Sam Browne (vocalist) & Malcolm Lockyer Orchestra- Varsity Records 575 (E117)
- True To You In My Fashion from "Kiss Me Kate" - Barbara Brown -Varsity Records 547 (V-1085)- See above in the main article.
- So In Love from "Kiss Me Kate" by Barbara Brown - Varsity Records 547 (V1079)- Ibid.
- I Still Get A Thrill - Johnny Frank & Orchestra - Varsity Records 119 (V 1198)
- Brush Those Tears From Your Eyes - Taylor Duo & Orchestra - Varsity Records 119 (V 1060)- See above in the main article.
- Tzena, Tzena, Tzena (Israeli Folk Tune) - Paul Paine Orchestra - Varsity Records 271 (LR116)
- I Didn't Slip, I Wasn't Pushed, I Fell - Paul Paine Orchestra - Varsity Records 271 (LR114)
- I Want To Be Loved - Cootie Williams Orchestra - Varsity Records 268 (T1128)- See above in the main article.
- On The Outgoing Tide- Jimmie McKee & Orchestra- Varsity Records 268 (LR105)- Ibid.
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