Michael Thomas' Website |
Records |
Home Page | Records | British Dance Bands | Sound Files | Contact Me |
These 5½" and
6" discs were sold by branches of Marks & Spencer (hence the
name) in the mid-1920s. The pressings were done variously by Edison Bell (catalogue 600 upwards) and Crystalate (catalogue 250 upwards) using masters from their equivalent labels (Bell and Mimosa), though some of the Crystalate-produced ones have a special matrix series starting MS-01 which is thought to be specially for Marspen (though some at least can be found on Mimosa issues). The records would have been sold for 6d each. |
This is a first attempt at a listing. Please e-mail me if you can help me fill in the gaps in any of these series.
The initial listing comes from Arthur
Badrock's research and from my own collection.
Thank you to the following who have
provided more information: Bruce
Bastin, Laura Buckley, Greg Butler, Robin Bratchley, John Culley, Bill
Dean-Myatt, Graham Farnell, Robert Girling, Barbara Hind, Charles Hippisley-Cox, Jolyon Hudson (for
dates in wax on some issues), Ken Jobling, Steve Paget, Richard Prout,
Roger Scott, Peter Winterborn.
Page last updated on:
April 07, 2024
Firstly the 200-series. These are 6" discs manufactured by Crystalate.
Confirmation of the first one would be useful, as I think the numbering starts
at 250; I think this should be 281.
Cat No | Master | Title | Labelled Artists | Recording Date |
231 ? |
E-131 MS-33 |
Hearts Of Oak To-Night You Belong To Me |
Dan Fitzroy (vocal, with piano accmp (= Maurice Elwin) Joseph Crane (= Maurice Elwin) |
Dec 22, 1925 June 15, 1927 |
250 |
E-134 MS-1 |
Union Jack Medley The More We Are Together |
Marspen Syncopators (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) Gene Kit's Dance Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Jan. 1, 1926 Jan 20, 1927 |
251 |
E-328 MS-2 |
The Merry Wives Of Windsor (Pt 1) In A Little Garden |
Marspen Military Band (= St Hilda Colliery Band) Gene Kit's Dance Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Dec 10, 1926 Jan 20, 1927 |
252 |
E-304 MS-3 |
Scotch Reels My Cutie's Due At Two-To-Two Today |
Robert Lloyd (accordion) (= Dan Wyper) Gene Kit's Dance Orchestra (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Oct 11, 1926 Jan 10, 1927 |
253 |
E-279 MS-7 |
Teddy O'Neale Pal O' My Yesterday |
Dan Fitzroy (= Ramon Newton) Richard Deane (= Dick Henderson) |
Aug 11, 1926 Jan 27, 1927 |
254 |
W-437 MS-8 |
Mike In A FIt (actually "Felix March") I've Never Seen A Straight Banana |
Nat Tyler (bells) (= Billy Whitlock) Richard Deane (= Dick Henderson) |
Mar 12, 1924 Jan 27, 1927 |
255 | MS-4 | That Night In Araby | The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) | Jan 10, 1927 |
256 |
E-299 MS-5 |
Tally-Ho ! When The Red Red Robin... |
The Marspen Syncopators (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Sep 28, 1926 Jan 10, 1927 |
257 |
E-135 MS-6 |
Nursery Rhymes Medley Alice's 'Ouse |
The Marspen Syncopators (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Jan 1, 1926 Jan 20, 1927 |
258 |
E-277 MS-9 |
In My Wild Mountain Valley Call On Mammy |
Dan Fitzroy (= Ramon Newton) Richard Deane (= Dick Henderson) |
Aug 11, 1926 Jan 27, 1927 |
259 |
E-342 MS-10 |
Maid Of Athens Memories Of You |
Dan Fitzroy (vocal) (= unidentified) Richard Deane (= Dick Henderson) |
Jan 7, 1927 Jan 27, 1927 |
260 | MS-20 | Song Of The Vagabonds | ? (= Tom Kinniburgh) | April 5, 1927 |
261 |
MS-12 W-437 |
Mary Lou Mike In A Fit (actually "Felix March") |
The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) Billy Lock (bells) (= Billy Whitlock) |
Feb 21, 1927 March 12, 1924 |
262 |
E-208 MS-13 |
Raymond, Overture Bye Bye Blackbird |
Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
March 30, 1926 Feb 21, 1927 |
263 |
E-270 MS-19 |
Old Airs, part 2 Black Bottom |
The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
July 22, 1926 March 7, 1927 |
264 | ||||
265 |
E-164 MS-17 |
Tancredi, Overture (Rossini) How Many Times ? |
Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Feb 12, 1926 March 7, 1927 |
266 | E-128 | Come Back To Erin | George Ormer (?) (vocal) (= Robert Howe) | Dec. 18, 1925 |
267 |
E-171 MS-15 |
Waltz from "Faust" (Gounod) High-High-High Up In The Hills |
Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Feb 19, 1926 March 7, 1927 |
268 |
E-170 MS-14 |
The Toreadors' March (Bizet) Shepherd Of The Hills |
Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) |
Feb 19, 1926 March 7, 1927 |
269 | ||||
270 |
E-300 MS-21 |
Hilarity Song Of The Vagabonds |
The Melody Makers (= Stan Greening's Dance Orch.) Gene Kit's Dance Orchestra (= Buddy Rose's Dance Orch) |
Sept 28, 1926 April 8, 1927 |
271 |
E-141 MS-30 |
Melody In 'F' Hello, Bluebird |
Violin solo (= "Roger Jolly") The Melody Makers (= Buddy Rose's Dance Orch) |
Jan. 15, 1926 June 3, 1927 ?? |
272 | ||||
273 | ||||
274 | ||||
275 | E-166 | Morning Noon And Night, part 1 (Suppe) | Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) | Feb 12, 1926 |
276 |
E-150 MS-25 |
Ceylon Memories I'm Telling The Birds, Telling The Bees |
Arthur Coles (banjo) (= Senor Spa) The Melody Makers (= Buddy Rose's Dance Orch) |
Jan 20, 1926 June 3, 1927 |
277 |
E-149 MS-24 |
Rose Gavotte Blue Skies |
Arthur Coles (banjo) (= Senor Spa) The Melody Makers (= Buddy Rose's Dance Orch) |
Jan 20, 1926 June 3, 1927 |
278 |
E-143 MS-23 |
Light Of Foot, march Ain't She Sweet? |
Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) Gene Kit's Dance Orchestra (= Buddy Rose's Dance Orch) |
Jan 18, 1926 June 3, 1927 |
279 |
E-146 MS-22 |
William Tell Overture: Finale (Rossini) Honolulu Song Bird |
Marspen Military Band (= London Fire Brigade Band) Gene Kit's Dance Orchestra (= Buddy Rose's Dance Orch) |
Jan 18, 1926 June 3, 1927 |
280 |
E-458 MS-31 |
The Flowers O' The Forest Roses For Remembrance |
Tom Bingley (= Tom Kinniburgh) Richard Deane (= Maurice Elwin) |
June 14, 1927 June 15, 1927 |
281 | ||||
282 | ||||
283 | ||||
284 | ||||
285 | ||||
286 | ||||
287 | ||||
288 | ||||
289 | ||||
290 | ||||
291 | ||||
292 |
E-154 E-551 |
Come Sit By My Side, Little Darling Dreamy Devon |
Joe Crane (= S. Chester) Richard Deane (= Ramon Newton) |
Oct 14, 1927 |
293 | ||||
294 | ||||
295 | ||||
Next, the 600-series. These are
5½" discs manufactured by J.E. Hough Ltd (Edison Bell).
Cat No | Master | Title | Labelled Artists |
601 |
309 316 |
Why Did I Kiss That Girl? Home, Sweet Home |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
602 |
308 317 |
Riviera Rose John Peel (sic) |
Vocal Orchestral |
603 |
304 318 |
A Smile Will Go A Long Long Way Bohemian Girl |
Song Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
604 |
307 319 |
Turned Up Les Huguenots |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
605 |
311 320 |
It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' La Reine De Saba |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
606 |
306 321 |
Pasadena Swanee River |
Vocal (with orch accmp) Orchestral |
607 |
312 322 |
Last Night On The Back Porch Here's A Health Unto His Majesty |
Song (= Stanley Kirkby ?) Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
608 |
315 323 |
Oh Gee! Oh Gosh! Oh Golly I'm In Love Thousand And One Nights (waltz) |
vocal The Marspen Band (orchestral) |
609 |
314 324 |
When It's Night-Time In Italy Poet And Peasant |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
610 |
313 325 |
Horsey, Keep Your Tail Up Light Cavalry Overture |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
611 |
310 326 |
Maggie! Yes, Ma Faust Waltz |
Duet Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
612 |
305 327 |
Felix Kept On Walking Soldiers' Chorus ("Faust") |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
613 |
332 335 |
When Will The Sun Shine For Me? Drink To Me Only |
Vocal Cornet solo (= Ken Jones) |
614 |
330 336 |
Do Shrimps Make Good Mothers? Drinking |
Vocal Trombone solo (= James Douglas) |
615 |
333 337 |
Riley's Cowshed Mu Pretty Jane |
Vocal Cornet solo |
616 |
331 338 |
You're In Kentucky, Sure As You're Born Rule Britannia |
Vocal Orchestral |
617 |
238 328 |
The Laughing Jazz Drummer Parade Of The Tin Soldiers |
Song (= Charles Penrose) Orchestral |
618 |
329 341 |
I Was A Fool The Arrow And The Song |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
619 |
334 339 |
Gigolette Sir Roger De Coverley |
Vocal Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
620 |
289 345 |
Santiago Sahara |
Waltz Fox Trot |
621 |
126 359 |
Silver Threads Among The Gold Sahara |
Song (= Walter Linton) Song |
622 |
291 356 |
Washington Post March Driftwood |
Band (= London Military Band) Fox Trot (= Velmar Dance Orchestra) |
623 |
210 352 |
Narcissus Driftwood |
Fairy Bells (= Bernard Santley) Song (date in wax 16-12-25) |
624 |
208 342 |
Stephanie Gavotte In A Monastery Garden |
Fairy Bells (= Bernard Santley) Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
625 |
218 343 |
Over The Waves Ogo Pogo |
Concertina (with piano) Orchestral or fox trot |
626 |
139 353 |
Ten Little Nigger Boys From One Till Two |
Nursery Rhyme (= Ernest Wellbeloved) Song |
627 |
140 347 |
Old Mother Hubbard Chili Bom Bom |
Nursery Rhyme Fox trot |
628 |
288 357 |
Amoretten Tanze What'll I Do? |
Band (= London Military Band) Waltz (= Velmar Dance Orchestra) |
629 |
219 358 |
Rubinstein's Melody In F What'll I Do ? |
Concertina (= Ernest Rutterford) Song |
630 |
290 363 |
Coon Band Contest Go 'Long Mule |
Band (= London Military Band) Fox Trot (Edison Bell Dance Orch, with vocal duet) |
631 |
285 346 |
Alice Where Art Thou? Why Did You Call Me, Wonderful One? |
Band (= London Military Band) Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
632 |
284 344 |
Rastus On Parade Secrets (waltz) |
Military Band (= London Military Band) Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
633 |
287 354 |
Anvil Chorus Has Anyone Seen My Pom? |
Band (= London Military Band) Song |
634 |
217 355 |
Donau Wellen Dream Daddy |
Concertina (= Ernest Rutterford) Song |
635 |
220 361 |
Faust Waltz All Alone |
Concertina (= Ernest Rutterford) Song |
636 |
115 360 |
Irish Jigs, part 1 California |
Band (= H.M. Irish Guards Band) Song |
637 |
116 362 |
Irish Jigs, No. 2 Beautiful Bird, Sing On |
Band (= H.M. Irish Guards Band) Song |
638 |
367 376 |
In Sunny Spain Show Me The Way To Go Home |
Xylophone solo (= Billy Whitlock & orch.) Orchestral with vocal chorus (= Edison Bell D.O.) |
639 |
372 374 |
Welcome Little Stranger Tea For Two |
Laughing Song (= Billy Whitlock) Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
640 |
368 375 |
Cuddlesome I Want To Be Happy |
Xylophone solo (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
641 |
388 390 |
Tears And Smiles Simon The Cellarer |
Song Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) |
642 |
382 389 |
Will Ye No Come Back Again ? Mother Dear |
Song |
643 |
381 387 |
Scottish Emigrant's Farewell After The Storm |
Song |
644 |
370 386 |
Think Of Me Tea For Two |
Xylophone (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song |
645 |
369 385 |
On A Moonlight Night (waltz) Show Me The Way To Go Home |
Xylophone solo (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song (= Tom Barratt ?) |
646 |
371 384 |
The Twins Shanghai |
Laughing Song (= Billy Whitlock) Song |
647 |
383 373 |
I Want To Be Happy Laughing Nigger |
Song Song (= Billy Whitlock) |
648 |
403 411 |
Hot Stuff Sally's Come Back |
Bells & Orchestra (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song |
649 |
404 412 |
Kanu Stanit, Jig Toy Drum Major |
Bells, with Orch. (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song |
650 |
405 413 |
Spoof March Seminola |
Bells, with Orch. (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song |
651 |
406 414 |
The Wenbley Wobble Why Don't My Dreams Come True? |
Xylophone (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song |
652 |
407 415 |
Step It Out I'm Happy When I'm All Alone |
Xylophone (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Song |
653 |
408 416 |
On The Alert I'll Take Her Back (If She Wants To Come Back) |
Xylophone (= Billy Whitlock) Song |
654 |
340 417 |
Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming Oh, Darling Do Say "Yes" |
Orchestral (= Royal Orchestra) Duet |
655 |
394 396 |
How Do You Do? Father And Son |
Song Comic Song (= Billy Whitlock) |
656 |
283 348 |
Pal Of My Dreams Beautiful Kaala |
Song Hawaiian guitars |
657 | |||
658 |
249 250 |
Cock-A-Doodle-Doo Dickery Dickery Dock |
recitation (= Stanley Kirkby?) |
659 |
247 248 |
Girls And Boys Come Out To Play Johnny Shall Have A New Bonnet, &c |
Nursery Rhyme (= Stanley Kirkby) |
660 | |||
661 | |||
662 | |||
663 |
418 430 |
I've Got A Real Daddy Now Maritana, selection part 1 |
Duet (= Tom Barratt & Will Thompson) Orchestra (= Crown Orchestra) |
664 |
420 428 |
Maritana, selection part 2 Everybody Loves My Baby |
Orchestra (= Crown Orchestra) Duet |
665 |
429 431 |
Hay, Hay, Farmer Gray Maritana, selection part 3 |
Duet Orchestra (= Crown Orchestra) |
666 |
419 421 |
Save Your Sorrow Maritana, selection part 4 (Wallace) |
Duet Orchestra |
667 |
426 442 |
Evening Echoes Moonlight And Roses |
Bells (= Billy Whitlock) Duet |
668 |
424 444 |
Agility Ukulele Lady |
Xylophone (= Billy Whitlock) Duet |
669 |
432 443 |
Drink To Me Only When You And I Were Seventeen |
Song Song |
670 |
440 446 |
Jolly Old Pals Ukulele Lady |
Xylophone (= Billy Whitlock's Combination) Orchestra (= Edison Bell Dance Orch.) |
671 |
435 445 |
At Dusk Paddlin' Madelin' Home |
Hawaiian Guitar (= Segis Luvaun) Orchestral (= Edison Bell Dance Orch.) |
672 |
436 449 |
My Eve (waltz) Rose Marie |
Hawaiian Guitar (= Segis Luvaun) Orchestral (= Novelty Orchestra) (date in wax 23-3-26) |
673 |
451 457 |
Sunny Havana Rubenstein's Melody In F |
Song Violin Solo (= C. Essen) |
674 |
454 464 |
If You Knew Susie The Last Rose Of Summer |
Song (= Stanley Kirkby) 'Cello Solo (= Anthony Pini) |
675 |
453 458 |
I'm An Airman Raff's Cavatina |
Song (date in wax 11-5-26) Violin Solo (= C. Essen) |
676 |
452 459 |
Yes, Sir, That's My Baby Spring Song |
Song Violin Solo (= C. Essen) |
677 |
455 463 |
Araby Cradle Song |
Song 'Cello Solo (= Anthony Pini) |
678 | |||
679 | 439 | Prancing | Hawaiian Guitar (= Segis Luvaun) |
680 | |||
681 |
460 470 |
Handel's Largo Honey I'm In Love With You |
Violin Solo (= C. Essen) Song |
682 |
437 473 |
London (fox trot) Oh, Boy What A Girl |
Hawaiian Guitar (= Segis Luvaun) Duet |
683 | |||
684 | |||
685 | |||
686 | |||
687 | |||
688 | |||
689 |
235 236 |
Laughing P.C. Brown Silly Old Billy |
Song (probably Billy Whitlock) |
690 |
434 483 |
Sunny Hawaii Valencia |
Hawaiian Guitar (= Segis Luvaun) Orchestra |
691 |
439 487 |
Moana Waltz Valencia |
Hawaiian Guitar (= Segis Luvaun) Vocal |
692 | |||
693 | |||
694 | |||
695 |
474 484 |
Always (I'll Be Loving You) Recollections Of Scotland, part 1 |
Song Concertina |
696 |
485 491 |
Recollections Of Scotland, part 2 Tin Can Fusiliers |
concertina Orchestra (= Edison Bell Dance Orch.) |
697 |
475 490 |
She May Be Ugly Picador |
Comic Song (= Billy Whitlock) Orchestral (= Edison Bell Dance Orch.) |
The size changes to 6" at this point | |||
698 |
497 499 |
Barcelona Magic Moments |
Orchestral |
699 |
498 432 |
My Irish Home, Sweet Home Celestina |
Song Celesta Solo |
700 |
501 542 |
My Irish Home, Sweet Home (waltz) Blue Danube Waltz |
Orchestra Orchestral |
701 |
500 533 |
Valentine (one step) The Elves Picnic |
Orchestral Celesta Solo |
702 |
502 537 |
Bobadilla Before Love Came |
Orchestral Song |
703 |
504 535 |
The Two Of Us Fascinating Mary |
Orchestral Song |
704 |
534 539 |
Waiting For You, Sweetheart Then I'll Be Happy |
Song Orchestra |
705 |
507 538 |
I Don't Care What You Used To Be If I Could See You Smile |
Song Orchestral |
706 |
536 541 |
Pretty Little Japanese Susie Was A Real Wild Child |
Song (= Stanley Kirkby (baritone, with orch accmp)) Orchestral, with vocal chorus |
707 |
506 540 |
Far Away Days Wanna Go Back Again Blues |
Song Orchestra, with vocal chorus |
708 |
545 552 |
The Boating Song (Mendelssohn) I'm Knee-Deep In Daisies |
Elite Orchestra Tom Downey (vocal) (= Tom Barratt ?) |
709 | 568 | You Forgot To Remember | Arthur Jephson (vocal) |
710 |
560 568 |
The Gout C.U.R.R.A.N.T.S. |
Jimmy Watson (song) (= Billy Whitlock) The Viviens (vocal duet) |
711 |
561 573 |
The Tree Maiden I Never See Maggie Alone |
Jimmy Watson (song) (= Billy Whitlock) The Viviens (vocal duet) |
712 |
562 572 |
Eastern Star Oh, Charlie, Take It Away |
Xylophone Solo (= Billy Whitlock) The Viviens (vocal duet) |
713 |
563 570 |
Gollie Jig Let Me Call You "Sweetheart" |
Xylophone Solo (= Billy Whitlock) Waltz Song |
714 |
559 ? 589 ? |
Faust, waltz
? I Wonder Where My Baby Is To-Night (Fox Trot) ? |
Elite Orchestra
?
See 718 (and note) below) Palace Dance Orchestra ? |
715 |
565 576 |
Twinkling Star Honey Bunch (fox trot with vocal chorus) |
Sam Lander (Xylophone, with orch accmp) (= Billy Whitlock) Palace Dance Orchestra |
716 |
566 571 |
Belle Gavotte Meet Me At Twilight |
Sam Lander (bells) (= Billy Whitlock) Randolph Sims (vocal) |
717 |
567 574 |
Baby Rose Always (I'll Be Loving You) |
Sam Lander (bells) (= Billy Whitlock) Tom Downey (vocal) |
718 |
559 589 |
Faust, waltz I Wonder Where My Baby Is To-Night (Fox Trot) |
Elite Orchestra Palace Dance Orchestra |
Note: You will see that the details for 714 & 718, above, are the same. 714 is shown as above in Arthur Badrock's files, but I actually have a copy of 718 in my own collection here. Confirmation of what is on 714 would be very useful. Note also there are two versions of 719 reported, below. | |||
719 |
544 557 |
Spring Song (Mendelssohn) Lonesome And Sorry (fox trot) |
Elite Orchestra Palace Dance Orchestra |
719 |
544 614 |
Spring Song (Mendelssohn) Lonesome And Sorry (fox trot) |
Elite Orchestra Palace Dance Orchestra |
720 |
590 600 |
That Certain Party (fox trot) The Whistling Scot |
Palace Dance Orchestra James McInnes (vocal, with piano accmp) |
721 |
591 601 |
Chinese Moon (fox trot) Says I To Him, Says I |
Palace Dance Orchestra James McInnes (vocal, with piano accmp) |
722 |
592 602 |
My Carmenita Sometimes I Think I Love Maggie |
Palace Dance Orchestra James McInnes (vocal, with piano accmp) |
723 |
593 603 |
Am I Wasting My Time On You? Keep Your Eyes On Mr. McKay |
Arthur Jephson (vocal) James McInnes (vocal, with piano accmp) |
724 |
604 605 |
Jack & Jill; Little Miss Muffett Mary Mary Quite Contrary; Little Boy Blue |
Nursery Rhyme |
725 |
556 |
Air (Molique) Good Night |
Julian Vincent (violin) Randall Newcombe (baritone) |
726 |
543 594 |
Doctrinen (waltz) Sometime |
Elite Orchestra Randall Newcombe (baritone) |
727 | |||
728 | |||
729 | |||
730 | |||
731 | |||
732 |
555 595 |
Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto (slow mvt) The Road To Loch Lomond |
Julian Vincent (violin) Randall Newcombe (baritone) |
733 | |||
734 | |||
735 |