(2-CD set) A compilation of 40 tracks by 40 vaudeville singing and comedy acts, it is drawn largely, if without credit, from those labels, with the records having been mastered and then sonically restored. The height of vaudeville in the first quarter of the 20th century coincided with the rise of the recording industry, but that doesn't mean the eclectic entertainment form is well documented on record. Theater owners actively discouraged performers from making records, and many entertainers felt that recording material they performed would limit their stage success. Nevertheless, as time went on, more and more vaudeville stars began entering studios. Beyond the obvious enjoyment factor, the album also has historical value: many of these recordings are absurdly rare.