Abide With Me / All Hail The Power

Artists

Album Info

Release Date: 1913-12

Label: Cinch Record

ENGLISH BARITONE
Serial 5141
sung by Mr. Wilfred Shepherd
with Organ accompaniment.
Wilfred Shepherd is a pseudonym for the British baritone Robert Howe. Howe also recorded under the pseudonyms Maurice Benson, Arthur T. Brookes, Robert Kinnear (for the Imperial label), Alfred Newman, Tom Piper (Savanna), Robin Stone (Victory), Howard Thompson, Kenneth Walters, Walter Wilmott (Cinch) and Harold Wood (Regal).
The use of pseudonyms by musicians was widespread at the time of this recording. The phonograph had just emerged as a viable form of home entertainment, so manufacturers were scrambling for something to sell to be played on their new machines. Singers were soon a popular item. As soon as a talent emerged, he or she would be signed up to make a record. This was fine and the money was welcome, but the amount of work was relatively limited. To combat this, singers would approach - or be approached by - other companies and to avoid contractual problems, sign up using a different name. Or the original employer might say: "You know we’d pay you extra if you would record a popular ballad, something from musical comedy or a few hymns. You would have to disguise yourself though so as not to offend your more sophisticated fans. We'll attribute your singing to a mythical person and you can even choose your own alternate." Not everyone took to using a false name but a surprising number did.

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