IMPERIAL

No relation to the red R&B label, most issues on the Imperial label are 1940's releases of Bourbon's material, mostly in all-new recordings. Made in Hollywood around 1941, some of this material appears related to Bourbon's early 1940's Hollywood revue "Don't Call Me Madam". The only non-Bourbon Imperial release yet reported is by comedienne Ava Williams, who worked with Bourbon at the Rendezvous in the late 30's/early 40's; Williams confirms that these recordings were done in the early 40's.

These discs were pressed on both coasts: Hollywood and Scranton, with the latter credited to the Novelty Record Company. West coast labels (the more common) are more elaborate, black with silver print and with more extensive credits; east coast labels are black with greenish-gold print. At least one 12" disc-number 111 A/B-is known.

There seem to be three distinct groupings. First are a series of discs in the 100-118 range. Bart Howard is credited on the first two of these; since it is known that Bourbon and Howard parted ways in 193X, it may be assumed that the first four of these recordings were done before that time. Thereupon follows several different accompanists: Joey Melbourne, George Kent, Forrest and Wright (whose contribution was advertised but which has yet to surface). Label data suggests there were at least two multiple record sets. in these 100 range releases.

Next is a single 300 number, which contains rereleases of earlier material including the problematic "Strip [Tease] Queen" (q.v.). Finally is a series of a red label discs: a single 5X and an album set 500 A-F, the latter with piano by the pseudonymous (one hopes) Brenda Ughakki.

Given the lapses in numbering, it is likely that there are some unaccounted for discs; some of these were probably later redubbed on the Party Record label (q.v.) as well as numerous blank labels (q.v.).

 

Susie (Imperial 100 A) [X 2]

My Family Tree (Imperial 100 B) [X 3]

-Bart Howard, piano

 

Sarah From Saharah (Imperial 101 A) [X 4]

Man's Man (Imperial 101 B) [X 1]

-Bart Howard,piano

 

My Ace in the Hole (Imperial 103 A)

Three Guesses (Imperial 103 B)

 

Fountain of Youth (Imperial 104 A)

Tessie (Imperial 104 B)

-Label indicates this was in the set "Ray Bourbon Imperial Album No. 2

 

Take a Lay/Take a Lei (Imperial 105 A)

-East coast pressing read "Lei"; West coast pressings read "Lay"

Chief Peanut Stand (Imperial 105 B)

 

 

Sunday Ride Part 1 (Imperial 106 A)

Sunday Ride Part 2 (Imperial 106 B)

 

Gland Opera (Imperial 107 A)

To Hell With the Range (Imperial 107 B)

-Label indicates this was in the set "Ray Bourbon Imperial Album No. 2"; Joey Melbourne, piano

 

Hollywood Appendicitis (Imperial 108 A)

Hollywood Drive-In Storehouse (Imperial 108 B)

-Joey Melbourne, piano

 

Since Ivan Started Divin' (Imperial 109 A)

Mrs. Willouby Objects (Imperial 109 B)

-Joey Melbourne, piano

 

My First Piece (Imperial 110 A)

My Last Piece (Imperial 110 B)

-Joey Melbourne, piano

 

Country Ham (Imperial 111 A)

Forty Five (Imperial 111 B)

-12" disc

 

 

 

Orchids To Alice (Imperial 112 A)

Queen of the Navy/Queen of the May (Imperial 112 B)

-East coast pressings read "May" and indicate that this disc was part of the set "Ray Bourbon Imperial Album No. 2" . West coast pressings read "Navy" and credit George Kent on the piano.

 

The Piano Teacher part 1 (Imperial 113 A)

The Piano Teacher Part 2 (Imperial 113 B)

-accompanied by Forrest and Wright. This disc appears on an advertising poster of Imperial discs and states it is to be released "Oct. 13". Whether it actually was released is not known; no copy has surfaced.

 

Nero (Imperial 118 A)

Constance (Imperial 118 B)

 

Forbidden Broadcast (Imperial 300 A)

-Redub of (Western Record Co./Bourbana WR-716 B)

Strip Queen (Imperial 300 B)

- Redub of Strip Tease Queen (Hollywood Hot Shots 379)

 

The following, with piano by Brenda Ughakki, probably represent an album set:

 

Morning Part 1 (Imperial 500 A)

Morning Part 2 (Imperial 500 B)

 

Afternoon Part 1 (Imperial 500 C)

Afternoon Part 2 (Imperial 500 D)

 

Evening Part 1 (Imperial 500 E)

Evening Part 2 (Imperial 500 F)

 

Perhaps related to this series was:

 

Dinnertime Part 1 (Imperial 5X A)

Dinnertime Part 2 (Imperial 5X B)