Doing this performance "soto-voce," as he would have done in his work for early radio, Irving's brother Jack does a great job on this obscure novelty song recorded on January 13 of 1927 at the Gennett studios using their new
electrical equipment. The song was written by Louis Breau (co-wrote "Humming" and "On Hilo Bay") and Billy Hueston (co-wrote the classic "Chinatown My Chinatown" in addition to "Jimbo Jambo"). According to
a trade paper at the time the song had been performed by the Happiness Boys, Van and Schenck, and Eddie Cantor, though
this seems to be the only record made of the tune. Jack's accompanist on this record, Belle Brooks, was his brother's wife though I don't know whether Belle was married to Irving this early. The spoken vignet in the middle of
the record is a highlight. The record from which this was sampled had been played more than a few times by its original owner, but there was enough life in it to get a decent sample after scratch removal.
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