1904: Call It The Land Of Dreams / VARIOUS

The Louisiana Purchase Centennial Exposition―the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, that is―celebrated a century of American progress and westward expansion. It helped advertise ice cream cones and hamburgers but also displayed the world’s largest human “zoo,” gathering together thousands of natives from dozens of countries (as well as Native Americans) to exhibit by contrast just how far America had advanced toward achieving human perfection. A similar mentality prevailed over the inauguration of America’s takeover of the Panama Canal project the same year. These events were the background for the biggest hits of a year in which the recording industry modernized its product, most notably by introducing orchestral backing as a regular feature on vocal records. Standout tracks include “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis” by new superstar Billy Murray, the tongue-twister “Woodchuck Song” by comedian Bob Roberts, “Under the Anheuser Bush” by Collins and Harlan, and two versions each of the immortal “Sweet Adeline,” “Blue Bell,” and “Bedelia.” There’s 1904-related stage news here too: Richard Jose’s debut on Victor Records with the classic “Silver Threads Among the Gold,” Victor Herbert’s return to operetta with “Toyland” from Babes in Toyland (sung by Miss Morgan and the Haydn Quartet), and Emma Carus’ recording debut with “In Zanzibar,” a bona fide “cast recording.”