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Category: Recorded Sound

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When Shawn Found Joni

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. …

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From the National Recording Registry: “Singin’ the Blues” (1927)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Ninety-five years ago today–February 4, 1927–Frankie Trumbauer and his Orchestra with Bix Beiderbecke headed into the studio to lay down their classic “Singin’ the Blues.”  “Blues” was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2005.  In the essay below, the Library’s own David Sager recounts the making of a legendary recording. “Singin’ …

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Let’s visit “Alice’s Restaurant” (1967)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

For many, it has become as much of a Thanksgiving tradition as turkey and dressing.  Arlo Guthrie’s immortal recording “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre” was added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry in 2017.  Not long after, music journalist Hank Reineke kindly wrote about it for the Library.  In honor of this holiday, we share …

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From the Recording Registry: “Born to Run” (1975)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BOSS!  In honor of Bruce Springsteen’s birthday today, author Tyler Hayes pays tribute to Springsteen’s legendary album “Born to Run,” added to the National Registry in 2003.  Two albums into his career, Bruce Springsteen’s music trajectory was not set to contain notoriety. He was on a path that would soon see …

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Remembering Sarah Dash: Labelle and Beyond

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

The Library of Congress is very saddened to hear of the passing of Sarah Dash, powerhouse vocalist, true diva and onetime member of the group Labelle.  Earlier this year, after Labelle’s legendary “Lady Marmalade” was added to the Library’s National Recording Registry, the LC spoke with Ms. Dash about her remarkable hit and career.  Our …

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From the Recording Registry: Booker T. Washington’s Atlanta Exposition Speech of 1895

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Today, on the anniversary of Booker T. Washington’s historic Atlantic speech, we look back at the recording Washington made of it in 1908, so that his words would not be lost to history.  Professor Jacqueline M. Moore does the honors for the recording added to the National Registry in 2002. Booker T. Washington’s 1895 Address …

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From the Recording Registry: United Sacred Harp Musical Convention in Fyffe, Alabama (Sept. 12, 1959)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Sixty-two years ago today, a group of talented singers gathered in Fyffe, Alabama, to recording a remarkable, one of a kind album utilizing “shape-note singing.”  The Library’s own Matt Barton examines the resulting recording that was named to the Library’s National Registry in 2010. “If you don’t like it [Sacred Harp singing] you had better …