This ain’t like any other award because it ain’t an award. This is just recordings to be preserved for all time, the recorded sounds that together might make up an aural history of the world, or, at least, as governed here, the Western World. Or at the very least the “Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry” world.
Who he (here)? : “Each year since 2002, the National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB) and members of the public have nominated recordings to the National Recording Registry. The depth and breadth of nominations received highlights the richness of the nations’ audio legacy and underscores the importance of assuring the long-term preservation of that legacy for future generations.” Fair enough and give em this, it is a lot more interesting than the Grammys. Here is the 2015 inductees plus my opinion…
“Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” (single) — Johnny Mercer (1944) – I know the Bing Crosby cover, which is much more easy going than Mercer’s blues hybrid big band original –kinda funny since the punchline is “don’t mess with Mr. Inbetween” – A
A Wild and Crazy Guy (album) — Steve Martin (1978) – A live version at the height of his stand up powers; the audience goes bonkers for a shout of “excuse me” just before he blows us away with King Tut – A
“Black Snake Moan”/“Matchbox Blues” (single) — Blind Lemon Jefferson (1928) – It’s his mojo working – A+
Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman (album) — Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, conductor; Joan Tower, composer (1999) – Completely new to me, but brass orchestrated take off from Aaron Coplan. Somewhat wonderful – A-
Joan Baez (album) — Joan Baez (1960) – So young, timeless, beautiful, serious, sublime. Maybe her best album – A
John Brown’s Body (album) — Tyrone Power, Judith Anderson and Raymond Massey; directed by Charles Laughton (1953) – You can buy it on ebay for $31.00 and not only a great director-actor, but three more great actors to boot… the grade is a guess – B+
Kiss Me, Kate (original cast album) (1949)- I saw a revival on Broadway in the 1990s. Holy moley. Cole Porter’s just about perfect music, song after song after song and a terrific book, moving “The Taming Of The Shrew” to the theatre: it is not that they don’t make em like this any more, though they don’t, it is that they don’t even understand when you explain it to them. When you say first listen to “Wicked” and now listen to “Kiss Me Kate”. Personal best? “Always True To You In My fashion” – A+
Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues (album) — Lincoln Mayorga (1968) – Master pianist who went from working with Disney to running quality jazz and classical albums label and teaching music. Pretty good stuff, try it – B+
“Mary Don’t You Weep” (single) — The Swan Silvertones (1959) – Excellent gospel band from the 50s, a huge hit – A
“My Funny Valentine” (single) — The Gerry Mulligan Quartet featuring Chet Baker (1953) – Before junk got Chet – A
New Orleans’ Sweet Emma Barrett and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band (album) —Sweet Emma and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band (1964)- The title tells it all from “Basin Street Blues” to “Bill Bailey” to “St. James Infirmary” to “When The Saints Go Marching In” –among the best versions you’ll hear not attached to Satchmo – A
OK Computer (album) — Radiohead (1997) – Karma down, already, I’ll grade you – A
Radio Coverage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Funeral — Arthur Godfrey, et al. (April 14, 1945) – History – A
Sesame Street: All-Time Platinum Favorites (album) — Various (1995) – Includes “Rubber Duckie” – A
“Sixteen Tons” (single) — Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955) – A song for the 99% – A
Songs of the Old Regular Baptists (album) — Various (1997) – Nearly exactly what you think it is – B+
“Sorry, Wrong Number” (episode of Suspense radio series, May 25, 1943) – Agnes Morehead (Endora to you, chump) overhears a murder plot – A
Stand! (album) — Sly and the Family Stone (1969) – As in stand together – A+
“Stand by Me” (single) — Ben E. King (1961) – The Drifter got it right with this prayer for solidatry – A
The Benjamin Ives Gilman Collection, recorded at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago (1893) – According to the Hollywood Reporter: “Curator for the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, made 101 wax-cylinder recordings at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. These recordings contain Fijian, Samoan, Uvean, Javanese, Turkish, Kwakiutl or Vancouver Island Indian songs and ceremonies along with recordings of other Middle Eastern, South Seas and Native American musicians and singers who performed in specially constructed “villages”.
“The Boys of the Lough”/“The Humours of Ennistymon” (single) — Michael Coleman (1922) – Irish fiddler from way back when – A
The Doors (album) — The Doors (1967) – Their best? Well, it sure has its moments – A
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (album) — Lauryn Hill (1998) – She is the female D’Angelo and she completely failed to follow this up. D’Angelo does sing on one track – A
The Vernacular Wax Cylinder Recordings at University of California, Santa Barbara Library (c. 1890-1910) – The heart of the matter, early recordings from the birth of vinyl bring long gone voices back to life – A
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ ” (single) — The Righteous Brothers (1964) – Really? You want me to review it??? – A+