[Dixielandjazz] Milneburg

[Bill Haesler]

Nita Hemeter wrote:
>    Did you play Milneburg Joys?  Named after Alexander Milne whom the
> famous Milneburg resort was named. Many of the early jazz musicians took the
> "Smokey Mary Train" out to the resort to perform.   Alexander Milne is
> buried at the St. Louis #1 Cemetery along with Marie Laveau, the vodoo queen of NO.

Dear Nita,
Perhaps you, and some other DJMLers, may wonder why the title for this 1923 tune appears to be misspelt.
The first recording of this Rappolo-Mares-Morton composition was made for Gennett by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings on 18 July 1923
and issued on Gennett 5217.
When it was released in late 1923 the (presumably) intended "Milneburg Joys" title was printed on the Gennett 5217 label as "Milenberg Joys".
(As a matter of interest, they misspelt the joint-composer Leon Roppolo's name as Rappolo.)
In mid 1925, when the side was re-released on Gennett 3076, copyrighted, and published by Melrose Bros Music the misspelt name was retained.
All subsequent 1920s recorded versions of the tune used the "Milenberg Blues" spelling.
So what do collectors/discographers do in a case like this?
We stick with the name on the original label.
However, the thought occurred to me years ago that, perhaps, New Orleanians Leon Rappolo, Paul Mares and Ferdinand 'Jelly Roll' Morton deliberately altered the spelling at the time of the 1923 NORK recording.
Very kind regards,
Bill.