Harry Tally - Silver Heels (1906)

Harry Tally

"Silver Heels"

Victor 4579

1906

Neil Moret composition

Harry Tally was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 30, 1866. The tenor's parents were Fletcher E. and Marcella Tally (possibly "Talley").

He was a member of the Empire City Quartet. As a solo artist that he made many recordings, probably beginning with Columbia in late 1902. It seems he was exclusive to Columbia for several months.

He was versatile, covering all types of popular song, from sentimental to comic. In announcing the release of "Honeymooning" on cylinder 33299, Columbia's January 1909 supplement states, "Mr. Tally has a flexible vibrant tenor voice which he handles in an exceptionally skillful manner."

He was the first Columbia artist to cut "Mister Dooley" from A Chinese Honeymoon. It was issued on seven-inch 876. Dan Quinn cut the song for Victor on July 10, 1902. Tally's version is from late 1902.

He recorded "Pinky Panky Poo" for Columbia (this song was cut by banjoist Vess L. Ossman for Victor in February 1903). The lowest numbered Columbia disc to feature a Tally performance is "Love Me, Phoebe, Love Me." Tally's version was released on ten-inch 203; Harry Macdonough had cut it earlier for seven-inch 203. Whether Tally cut the ten-inch version in 1902 or 1903 is unknown.

He later worked for Victor and its subsidiary label Zon-o-phone, American, U-S Everlasting, Leeds & Catlin, and others.

He made three Edison two-minute cylinders. Announcing for September release his Edison debut, "My Little Coney Isle" (Standard 8483), the August 1903 issue of Edison Phonograph Monthly identifies the singer as Harry L. Tally. A second title was issued in October 1903: "There's Music In The Air" (8518)--this time he is "Harry L. Talley." A year later, the October 1904 Edison trade journal listed a third item, "Seminole" (8808) as sung by "Harry Tally." He cut the popular "Seminole" for Victor and Columbia as well.

A decade later he made five Diamond Discs with Harry Mayo, the bass of the Empire City Quartet. The November 1916 issue of Edison Phonograph Monthly reports that the two formed a team "to render tenor and bass duets, which have proved highly popular features of their programs," which suggests that the vaudeville quartet had broken up. Three of the five titles were also issued on Blue Amberol. A title issued on Diamond Disc 50394 and later, in December 1916, on Blue Amberol 3012 is "I Was Never Nearer Heaven In My Life." It would be their last Diamond Disc and last Blue Amberol.

He made his Victor debut on July 1, 1904, with three titles. He returned on July 18, 19, and 20. Perhaps his most popular Victor disc of 1904 was "Mandy, Won't You Be My Beau?" (2934). Also popular was Van Alstyne's "Why Don't You Try?" from the show The Belle of Avenue A (Victor 4593; 1905). Other Victor numbers include "Egypt" (4148, 1904), "Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie" (4551, 1906), and "Let's Go Into a Picture Show" (16283)--the first record to refer to motion pictures?