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Posted by: Cary O’Dell
Since its inception, the National Recording Registry has been about far more than just music. (Though, of course, music–of all kinds–plays an important part in the Registry.) A case in point is this 1952 recording of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas who was recorded reading his seminal prose poem “A Child’s Christmas in Wales.” …
Posted in: National Recording Registry
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
In 2005, the album “We’re Only in It for the Money” by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention” was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. Recently, we asked Dweezil Zappa–an accomplished musician in his own right–to look back at the album from a perspective that only he can give us–a son’s. …
Posted in: National Recording Registry
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
Not surprisingly, Jerry Lee Lewis (who passed away last month at age 87) was a very early addition to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. For his song “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” recorded in 1957 and added to the NRR in 2005, author Joe Bonomo wrote for the LC the following essay on/tribute …
Posted in: National Recording Registry, Recorded Sound
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
Eighty-three years ago, on October 19, 1939, the Capra classic “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” had its debut in–where else?–Washington, DC. Named by the Librarian of Congress to the Library’s National Film Registry in 1989, “Mr. Smith” is, for better or worse, as timely today as it ever was. In the essay below, the late …
Posted in: Film Essay, National Recording Registry
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
Since the start of her own illustrious career as a singer and songwriter, Grammy-winner Shawn Colvin has noted the important role that Joni Mitchell has played in inspiring and influencing her. Back in 2007, the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry welcomed Mitchell’s 1972 album “For the Roses” to its esteemed ranks. Knowing of Ms. …
Posted in: National Recording Registry, Recorded Sound
Posted by: Matthew Barton
“We took that old art off of radio and mashed it up with Stan Freberg, Mad Magazine, Bob Newhart, Bob & Ray and Sergeant Pepper.” – Philip Proctor “We skated just ahead of the needle on our first LPs and escaped just in the nick of time, diving through the hole in the center of …
Posted in: Comedy, National Recording Registry
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
Like the rest of the world, the Library of Congress is saddened to hear of the passing of the great Vin Scully. Mr. Scully passed away on August 2nd, at the age of 95. Not surprisingly, Mr. Scully is represented on the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. His broadcast of the September 8, 1957 …
Posted in: National Recording Registry, Sports
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
The Library of Congress is saddened to hear of the passing of actor, composer, director and playwright James Rado. Rado was one of the fertile minds behind the landmark 1960’s “hippie” musical “Hair.” The original cast show album “Hair” was added to the Library’s National Recording Registry in 2018. At the time of its induction, …
Posted in: National Recording Registry
Posted by: Cary O’Dell
Yes, May the Force (and the Fourth) be with you! A long time ago, in a galaxy not so far away, the great John Williams (who turned 90 years young earlier this year) was asked to compose the music for a little science fiction film named “Star Wars.” Williams did not disappoint. His original soundtrack …
Posted in: National Recording Registry