This charming number, written by Anne Caldwell in 1911, features each member of the quartet in turn performing a separate vignet at a public callbox in New York. This is take 1, recorded for a Columbia 12-inch disc in March of that same year
(the second take was made six months after this one), and it is actually quite entertaining once you get past the corny bit at the beginning. The last bit about placing a race track bet is a highlight - the ever-present Arthur Collins does that
part, and it is a unique characterization for him! Also of interest is Henry Burr's imitation of a drunk - it's quite good, and makes one wonder what other characterizations he could do. The personnel of the Columbia Quartet at this time, in
order of the verses they sing on this record, is John Meyer (bass), Albert Campbell (high tenor), Henry Burr (lead), and Arthur Collins (baritone). The disc has some noise in the groove, but it's not too bad, and it responded decently to noise
reduction treatment.
