Henry Burr
Henry Burr was the pseudonym adopted by Canadian-born tenor Harry McClaskey (1882–1941) when he began making phonograph records in 1902. The record business was then so poorly regarded that some performers thought using their real names in the new industry could tarnish their reputations. Burr's forward-sounding, nasal voice quality made him instantly recognizable on records, even in the midst of a quartet or chorus. Still, his voice blended beautifully and he was much in demand. Before 1920, he probably recorded more performances than any other artist—1200, according to estimates by the record historian Jim Walsh. Burr was a charter member of the famous Peerless Quartet, and in 1910, with the death of its founder Frank C. Stanley, he became its leader and manager. Burr frequently recorded in duet with fellow Peerless member Albert Campbell.
The following recordings featuring Henry Burr are available in the National Jukebox:
| Artist Role | Title | Description | Primary Performer(s) | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | Men of Harlech | Male vocal quartet, with orchestra | Peerless Quartet | 1912-03-28 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | Hear the pickanniny band | Male vocal quartet, with orchestra | Peerless Quartet | 1912-02-05 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | That's how I need you | Male vocal solo | Henry Burr | 1912-08-05 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | 'Lizabeth Ann | Male vocal duet, with orchestra | Henry Burr; Albert Campbell | 1911-11-23 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | Kentucky Minstrels, no. 23 | Minstrels, with orchestra | Victor Minstrel Company | 1912-09-23 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | Come to the ball | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | Henry Burr | 1911-12-06 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | Arkansas Minstrels | Minstrels, with orchestra | Victor Minstrel Company | 1911-12-11 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | Down on the levee | Male vocal quartet, with orchestra | Peerless Quartet | 1912-07-22 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | In a little while | Male vocal duet, with orchestra | Albert Campbell; Henry Burr | 1912-01-05 |
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Vocalist - Tenor vocal | I'm going back to old Virginia | Male vocal duet, with orchestra | Albert Campbell; Henry Burr | 1912-01-05 |
