Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-09-05
Many Deceived
Between Voice and
Machine Recital

FIOOdDly a uuLuOeF OIL people WHO
attended the recital given Wednes-
day night by Miss Marie Morrisey
and Mr.. Reddick at the City hall
we're at first puzzled and disappoint-
ed when they discovered a phono-
graph cabinet occupying the center
of the stage. They felt that they had
been beguiled into going to hear a
charming singer and a clever pianist
and naturally thought that they had
been imposed upon.
They hardly were treasured when
Mr.. Reddick appeared on the stage
and commenced to talk about repro
duction." Re Creation" and other
like matter. 1t finally became appar-
ent that the photograph was at least
to receive assistance from the singer
but even then the mental outlook
was not exactly bright.
Mr.. Reddick explained that the
purpose of the recital was. to illus
trate that Thomas A. Edison. after
years Of work had achieved his ideal
to perfect > musical instrument
which would actually Re-Create mu-
sic so perfectly that the Recreation
would be indistinguishable from the
original.
This was a broad claim but it was
established before the evening was
over for Miss Morrisey actually stood
beside the New Edison Photograph
and sang in unison with MIR. Edison's
Re-Creation-so-c alled-of her own
voice. This would have proved little
as her voice might easily have over
balanced the tone of the instrument
swallowed it up-so to speak: but
Miss Morrisey did more-or, to be
accurate, less. She paused from time
to time, apparently at random and
permitted her Re- Created voice to be
heard alone. This gave an oppor-
tunity to compare one with the other
and it is no more than just to state
that there was no observable differ
ence in tone quality.
There must have been a slight diff
ference in volume when Miss Nor
risey stopped singing but 1t was not
noticeable for the voice which came
from the cabinet was round and luc-
ious with all the vibrant, pulsating
quality of that which came directly
from Miss Morrisey's, throat. It was
only by watching the singers lips
that one could be sure when she sang
and when she did not t.-.,...- ..
Mr.. Reddick offered similar COM
PARSONS with his instrument playing
in direct comparison with the Re-
Creation of his own performance.
This proof was very convincing. II
it were not another proof was offered.
After Miss Morrisey had commenced
to sing one number the lights were
turned out-ostensibly so that the
audience could not watch the sing
er's lips. -st.
1t did not seem difficult to deter
mine in the dark when the singer
sang and when she did not. The
writer was pretty sure about it him
self until the lights were turned on
again and it was discovered that
Miss Morrisey was not on the stage
at all and that the New Edison alone
had been heard. So
The program also included Re-
Creations Of a piano solo, a delightful
number by a concert orchestra and q
charming rendition Of Aloho Oe by
Miss Frieda Hempel. Thus all types
OF musical sound were heard.
Music such as. Mr.. Edison has given
to the world 10 especially gratifying
ana inspiring in these times and 1t is
interesting to know that several
thousand New Edisons, especially an
cased in durable field. cabinets were
furnished to the boys in camp and
'over there" without proft to Mr..
Edison.
The recital was arranged by G. =.
rcunlnr Adv sa.s -. ~