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Category: Recorded Sound

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From the National Recording Registry: The Everly Brothers “Cathy’s Clown” (1960)

Posted by: Stacie Seifrit-Griffin

This week brings great sadness to rock fans everywhere and especially to those of us who work with the National Recording Registry. On Saturday August 21, Don Everly passed away at the age of 84, and today Rolling Stones’ drummer Charlie Watts joined him. Both The Everly Brothers and Rolling Stones are honored in the …

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From the Recording Registry: “The Girl From Ipanema” (1963)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Added to the Library’s National Recording Registry in 2004, “The Girl From Ipanema” is recalled by writer/musician Glenn Zottala. Astrud Gilberto In the 1960s–a very turbulent time in America–Stan Getz released “The Girl from Ipanema.” This became a huge hit both nationwide and worldwide. Who would have thought such gentle lyrical music would catch the …

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY BENNETT!

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

As the great Tony Bennett turns 95 today, the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry, with the assistance of Bill Christine, looks at at the making of his signature hit, 1962’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” By 1953, George Cory and Douglass Cross, who had met while pulling their stateside Army duty during …

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From the National Recording Registry: “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard (1968)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

One of country music’s most iconic songs, by one of its most legendary artists, named to the Library’s National Recording Registry in 2015, is recalled by scholar Rachel Rubin. When Merle Haggard released “Mama Tried” in 1968, it quickly became his biggest hit. But, although in terms of broad reception, the song would be shortly …

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From the National Recording Registry: “16 Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

Tennessee Ernie Ford’s legendary crossover hit, “16 Tons,” added to the Library’s National Recording Registry in 2014, is remembered here by author Ted Olson. In 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford (born Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13, 1919, in Bristol, Tennessee) was an established recording star who could claim several major country hits as well as …

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From the Recording Registry: “Wichita Lineman” by Glen Campbell (1968)

Posted by: Cary O’Dell

The great American songwriter, Jimmy Webb, who has written everything from “Up, Up and Away” to “MacArthur Park,” is, not surprisingly, represented on the Library’s National Recording Registry via his great composition “Wichita Lineman,” first recorded by Glen Campbell in 1968.  With the help of Kent Hartman, the Library today takes a look back at …