Joseph C. Smith's Orchestra - Songs Of The Night: Dance Recordings By Joseph C. Smith Orchestra, 1916-1925 (2-CD Set) - It took a violin virtuoso leading the band at an upscale New York hotel to turn the world of dance records upside down. Eschewing the cold, impersonal arrangements of military bands, Joseph C. Smith brought a warmth and intimacy to the soundtrack of the 1910s dance craze, always with taste and discipline. He reinvigorated the waltz, helped standardize the fox trot, incorporated vocal refrains, and introduced many future classics. And then, in 1925, he stopped recording. Archeophone Records is proud to make Joseph C. Smith's recordings commercially available for the fi rst time since the 1920s. Featuring 47 tracks recorded between 1916 and 1925, these two CDs and 32-page booklet tell the story of Smith's career and the innovations he pioneered. In the GRAMMY-nominated liner notes, Ryan Barna shares new biographical information on Smith and insights into the bandleader's singular contributions during the rapidly changing world of early-century dance music. The remarkable audio restorations by GRAMMY-winning remastering engineer Richard Martin bring these recordings to life.