CALL NUMBER: T3825:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Aragon years (part 1) PERIOD COVERED: 1932-1981 RECORDED: North Vancouver (B.C.), 1981-03-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Mr. Reusch discusses background: birth; education; musical experience, Saskatchewan and Vancouver, 1932-1942; radio experience, Alberta and Vancouver, 1942-1948. Formation of Aragon Recordings, 1945, fall, with Reo Thompson, Rea Peverley, and G.C. Peverley. Market for recordings and transcription service for radio stations. First recordings of Scottish bagpipe music performed by William Barrie. Reusch takes over Aragon 1948. Records pressed in Oakland, California. Servicing of equipment. Recording of "My Home by the Fraser", written and sung by Keray Regan (real name Oscar Frederickson). Recording of "Bluebird on my Windowsill" sung by Elizabeth Clarke. Singing style of country & western performers. Financing of Aragon Recordings. Remodelling of space rented at 615 W. Hastings St., 1945. TRACK 2: More on the remodelling of space at 615 W. Hastings St. Working conditions. Canadian Customs office problems with payment of duty on imported Aragon records. Bob De Camillis accordion course on records, ca. 1954-64. Aragon Enterprises Ltd registered as limited company, 1954. Most or all of the master discs destroyed. Aragon Enterprises staff: wife, Dorothea A., and daughter Lynne. Lloyd Stump ran Aragon, ca. 1959-61. Dick Lazenby assistance on and off about ten years. 1952 Reusch bought out other partners. Financing of recording sessions. Royalty arrangements. Union involvement in the music industry. Post-Aragon royalty/distribution arrangement between London Records and Jack Herschorn. CALL NUMBER: T3825:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Aragon years (part 2) PERIOD COVERED: 1932-1981 RECORDED: North Vancouver (B.C.), 1981-03-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Post-Aragon management by Jack Herschorn (Can-Base Studios and Mushroom Records). Competition from other recording studios: Ambassador; Bill Ward; Harry Kovish; Walter H. Shinnick. Recording techniques: cut two discs at the same time, one master and one for playback. The 45 rpm disc hole story. Competition from Vanatone, early 1950s, had pressing plant. Set up own pressing plant on Burrard St. Male vs. female recording artists, e.g.: Juliette; Lucille Starr; (Mrs. Bob Regan); Petrie Sisters; Gloria Weston (Pat Morgan's wife); Mellow Maids; Anne Little. Arrex = custom records. Story of; Piero Orsatti opera singer of 1912 who made one record in 1955. Outstanding musicians recalled, particularly the Rhythm Pals. Failures that may have been successes discussed. Reusch's musical preferences: did not like country and western. TRACK 2: New recording studio, 1234 W. 6th Ave: planning, design, construction. Distribution part of Aragon sold, 1965. First recordings at 6th Ave. studio: religious recordings. History of Ara-Mac (for Scottish music) label and some of the groups on this label. History of Ark Records (Aragon Kiddies series) by Bob Hutton. Switch from 78 rpms to LPs and 45 rpms. Promotional techniques. London distributorship. Direct-to-disc recording techniques and technology in 6th Ave. studio: all vacuum tubes; sound quality rated high. Disposal of Aragon; reasons for and purchase by Jack Herschorn. CALL NUMBER: T3825:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): The Aragon years (part 3) RECORDED: North Vancouver (B.C.), 1981-03-16 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses: summary of his career; present day (1981) recording activities and Mushroom Records (1234 W. 6th Ave) activities; technological changes in sound recording; never recorded his own musical group. (End of interview)
