3rd episode of ‘Drop the Biscuit’

These magic machines (the Voice-O-Graph was probably the best known) were very popular in penny arcades of the 1940’s and 50’s, and like photo booths, they gave players a little something to walk away with. For about thirty-five cents, a songbird in training (or just a kid being a kid) could record a song or a short message.Two minutes was all that technology granted in those days, and voices were laid down on a six-inch cardboard record that kids could then play at home. Believe it or not, a lot of real-life crooners put voice to permanent record this way—before they knew they were real-life crooners!

The International Mutoscope Company manufactured the last recording booth coin-ops in 1968. When portable cassette recorders caught on in the 70’s, the booths started to lose their novelty value. Besides, it was embarrassing when the whole arcade overheard your so-very-unlike-the-King Elvis impression.

Just like a photo booth, you’d plonk your coin in the slot, but instead of posing for some snaps, you’d start speaking.

The idea was that those who were travelling could send a voice message from the location they were visiting – a bit like a sonic postcard!

Tracklisting…….

1.The Damned New Rose

2.Hamilton Bohannon The Fat Man

3.Dillinger C.B 200

4.Bob fuller 4   I Fought The Law

5.The Rolling   Stones I’m A King Bee

6.Elvis Presley   Crawfisch (Pilooski Edit)

7.The Edsels   Do You Love Me

8.Throbbing Gristle   20 Jazz Funk Greats

9.Elvis Costello   (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea

10.The Last Poets   Mean Machine Chant

11.Hank Marr Tonk Game

12.Doctor Alimantado   Best Dressed Chicken In Town

13.Grinderman No Pussy Blues

14.MGM Studio Orchestra, Judy Garland & Adolph Deutsch   I’m an Indian, Too

15.Kanka, MC Oliva  Dizzy Dub

16.John Baker Space Workshop MQ LP48/4

17.Linton Kwesi Johnson Dread Beat An’ Blood

18.Ric Cartey Scratching On My Screen

19.Andre Williams Sweet Little Pussycat

20.Phil Upchurch Combo You Can’t Sit Down (Parts 1 & 2)

21.Simple minds Changeling

22.Four Tet  Castles Made Of Sound

23.Viv Albertine Still England