Pueblo chieftain., 1921-11-05
THE MANUFACTURE OF JAZZ

Love Nest and "Whispering," which
were distinctly of this order, were
only two out of dozens of songs mar
keted the same year. But these other
songs sold moderately well, in spite OF
their lack of charm, probably because
they offered something new and be-
cause of their attractive covers. a
good cover contains the titIe of the
song in large, clear print and an eX-
tremely simple design. A wholly black
cover with the title in large white let
ters has achieved great popularity,
while yellow is also pat to attract the
attention of the public.
SONGS THAT SELL ON THEIR
LOOKS
There arc some songs, known to the
trade ~ counter songs" which sell
altogether on the merits of their COW
ers. They are so lacking In appeal
that no one expects tho buyers to sing
them. yet some Of them have achieved
Il sale OF more than 200, 900 copies,
much to the sratified amazemcnt OF
the publishers. The Counter song
may be anything from II foN-trot to II
sentimental ballad. but it is always
something which has cost the song
factory very littlc-probably not more
than $50. paid to some povert y-;trickCn
hack.
Tho "namc cover" featuring the
author of the song and sometimes in
Guiding his likeness. is temporarily ou;
of fashion, for it has been found that
with the exception of one or two IA
miiar names like Ernest X. Ball and
Irving Berlin. tho name OF tho writer
on cover is merely waste OF print.
The public does not SEQ IL. Further
more, AZ has been intimstcd, names
are handled rather carelcssly by song
factories.
staff writer's" says one song writ
or, put their names on many numbers
which they may have heard only once.
The staff writer thinks he is entitled
TO Il split on the royalties and author
ship for introducing the writer to a
publisher. Some houses make it a
practice to sign everything with stand
ard names which they attach to every
thing. Many writer's who arc in with
tho publishers buy up songs outright
for few dollars and turn them in as
their own work. There was very
popular war song that made a great
deal of money for Il couple OF follows
who signed II, but as u matter of fact
they bought it outright from a poor
fellow who needed "A little coin right
away. Another big hit OF several years
ago was the work OF "A staff arranger.
who sold tho thing to man who
placed it ON Il royalty basis"
In one case a young amateur song
writer sold Il melody and lyrics to "A
soug-producing plant for $50. Tho firm
published the song. and it became very
popular believing that he had been
deliberately deceived as to Its real
value, the young man brought suit for
an accounting, and the number has
been withdrawn from the market pend
ing developments.
Most competent song writer's, how
ever. have the suEacity to ally them
selves with song factories and not to
wander about attempting o soil their
products 10 chance acquaintance.
They, realize that Jazz has passed into
the hands of American industry. and
that the independent, carcfrcc days OF
Tin Pan Alley arc over. The old
fashioned brownstonc houses. on that
famous mclodic thorofarc otherwise
known as West Twenty eighth strCctl
are now silent. and of the valiant rag
time brigade that once made their Old
walls CULVER with noisy melody. unlv
"a few personalities have survived tho
subsA tuition Of modern industrial
methods for what they chose to call
art Chief among thcsa survivors ia
the Singing Walter of Niger Mikes
dive iii 1cil street. who. success fully
bridging the chasm, now owns "a $500.
600 residence on Fifth avenue his own
thcatcr and his own Jazz factory lie
is Irving Berlin.