National Recording Registry

Last updated

Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech was one of 50 recordings preserved in 2002, the first year of existence of the United States National Recording Registry. Martin Luther King - March on Washington.jpg
Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech was one of 50 recordings preserved in 2002, the first year of existence of the United States National Recording Registry.

The National Recording Registry is a list of sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and inform or reflect life in the United States." [1] The registry was established by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, [2] which created the National Recording Preservation Board, whose members are appointed by the Librarian of Congress. The recordings preserved in the United States National Recording Registry form a registry of recordings selected yearly by the National Recording Preservation Board for preservation in the Library of Congress. [2]

Contents

The National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 established a national program to guard America's sound recording heritage. The Act created the National Recording Registry, The National Recording Preservation Board and a fund-raising foundation. [3] The purpose of the Registry is to maintain and preserve sound recordings and collections of sound recordings that are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. [2] Beginning in 2002, the National Recording Preservation Board has selected recordings nominated each year to be preserved. On January 27, 2003, the first 50 recordings were announced by James Billington, the Librarian of Congress. [4]

The first four yearly lists each had 50 selections. Since 2006, 25 recordings have been selected annually. As of 2024, a total of 650 recordings have been preserved in the Registry. Each calendar year, public nominations are accepted for inclusion in that year's list of selections, which are announced the following spring.

Registry title works, original or copies, are housed at the Library of Congress' Packard Campus for Audio Video Conservation. Each yearly list typically includes a few recordings that have also been selected for inclusion in the holdings of the National Archives' audiovisual collection. Recordings on the National Recording Registry that are of a political nature tend to overlap with the audiovisual collection of the National Archives.

Selection criteria

The criteria for selection are:

Inductees

The list shows overlapping items and whether the National Archives has an original or a copy of the recording.

Notes

  1. The original 25 recordings from July 24, 1933, and July 28, 1934, are preserved at the Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, New York. [9]
  2. The essay accompanying the U.S. Highball listing seems to concern the later 1958 Gate 5 recording. [16]
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 This recording is, or was made for, the soundtrack of a National Film Registry inductee.
  4. Library of Congress sources conflict regarding the Pat Bonner recording(s) in the registry. The original press release names "Schooner Bradley", [20] while the full registry list and an expanded essay name "Clifton's Crew". [21] [22] A list of available audio clips for registry titles includes both "Schooner Bradley" and "Clifton's Crew". [23]
  5. Dates listed for the Pat Bonner selections include 1952–60, [24] June 1960, [21] and June 11, 1960, [25] although the essay for "Clifton's Crew" says "the only known recording" was made August 24, 1938. [26]
  6. The class of 2022 saw a shift with the current calendar year being cited as the "induction year", as opposed to the previous year. Consequently, 2021 was skipped over. [95]

Statistics

As of 2023, the oldest recording on the list is Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville's Phonautograms which date back to the 1850s. [113] The most recent is the Chamber Music Northwest's rendition of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Ensemble from 2012. [114]

Selections vary widely in duration. The early Edison recordings, the instrumental "Rumble" by Link Wray, "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley and His Comets and the Super Mario Bros. theme by Koji Kondo each clock in at under three minutes. The Edison "Talking Doll" cylinder is only 17 seconds long and some of Scott de Martinville's Phonautographs are just as brief. Meanwhile, Georg Solti's recording of Wagner's complete Ring Cycle is approximately 15 hours in duration, [115] Alexander Scourby's recitation of the King James Bible is over 80 hours, and Lyndon B. Johnson's recordings are nearly 850 hours in length.

Two significant podcast episodes are included: "The Giant Pool of Money" from This American Life (focusing on the subprime mortgage crisis causing the Great Recession) and the Robin Williams interview from WTF with Marc Maron (before his death from suicide in 2014). [116] [117]

The Super Mario Bros. theme is the first piece of video game music to be selected for the Registry. [118] [119] [120]

Multiple entries

List of names

See also

Related Research Articles

The Soul Stirrers were an American gospel music group, whose career spans over eighty years. The group was a pioneer in the development of the quartet style of gospel, and a major influence on Soul, R&B, Doo wop, and Southern soul, some of the secular music that owed much to gospel.

<i>All Hail the Queen</i> 1989 studio album by Queen Latifah

All Hail the Queen is the debut studio album by American rapper Queen Latifah. The album was released on November 7, 1989, through Tommy Boy Records. The feminist anthem "Ladies First", featuring Monie Love, remains one of Latifah's signature songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNYC</span> New York Public Radio audio service brand

WNYC is an audio service brand, under the control of New York Public Radio, a non-profit organization. Radio and other audio programming is primarily provided by a pair of nonprofit, noncommercial, public radio stations: WNYC (AM) and WNYC-FM, located in New York City. Both stations are members of NPR and carry local and national news/talk programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifton Chenier</span> American zydeco musician (1925–1987)

Clifton Chenier, was an American musician known as a pioneer of zydeco, a style of music that arose from Creole music, with R&B, blues, and Cajun influences. He sang and played the accordion. Chenier won a Grammy Award in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Louis Blues (song)</span> 1914 Song by W. C. Handy

"The Saint Louis Blues" is a popular American song composed by W. C. Handy in the blues style and published in September 1914. It was one of the first blues songs to succeed as a pop song and remains a fundamental part of jazz musicians' repertoire. Benny Goodman, Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Bing Crosby, Bessie Smith, Eartha Kitt, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Guy Lombardo, Peanuts Hucko, Art Tatum, and the Boston Pops Orchestra are among the artists who have recorded it. The song has been called "the jazzman's Hamlet". Composer William Grant Still arranged a version of the song in 1916 while working with Handy.

<i>Adagio for Strings</i> 1938 work by Samuel Barber

Adagio for Strings is a work by Samuel Barber arranged for string orchestra from the second movement of his String Quartet, Op. 11.

<i>The Dickson Experimental Sound Film</i> 1894/95 American film

The Dickson Experimental Sound Film is a film made by William Dickson in late 1894 or early 1895. It is the first known film with live-recorded sound and appears to be the first motion picture made for the Kinetophone, the proto-sound-film system developed by Dickson and Thomas Edison. The film was produced at the "Black Maria", Edison's New Jersey film studio. There is no evidence that it was ever exhibited in its original format.

<i>Heart Like a Wheel</i> 1974 studio album by Linda Ronstadt

Heart Like a Wheel is the fifth solo studio album by Linda Ronstadt, released in November 1974. It was Ronstadt's last album to be released by Capitol Records. At the time of its recording, Ronstadt had already moved to Asylum Records and released her first album there; due to contractual obligations, though, Heart Like a Wheel was released by Capitol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm a Man (Bo Diddley song)</span> Blues standard

"I'm a Man" is a rhythm and blues song written and recorded by Bo Diddley in 1955. Inspired by an earlier blues song, it was one of his first hits. "I'm a Man" has been recorded by a variety of artists, including the Yardbirds, who adapted it in an upbeat rock style.

The United States National Recording Preservation Board selects recorded sounds for preservation in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry. The National Recording Registry was initiated to maintain and preserve "sound recordings that are culturally, historically or aesthetically significant"; to be eligible, recordings must be at least ten years old. Members of the Board also advise the Librarian of Congress on ongoing development and implementation of the national recorded sound preservation program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Diddley (Bo Diddley song)</span> 1955 song by Bo Diddley

"Bo Diddley" is a song by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley. It introduced the rhythm that became known as the Bo Diddley beat and topped the Billboard R&B chart for two weeks in 1955. The song is included on many of Diddley's compilation albums including Bo Diddley (1958) and His Best (1997). Buddy Holly recorded a version that posthumously became his 2nd highest-charting single in the UK after "It Doesn't Matter Anymore".

<i>Only Visiting This Planet</i> 1972 studio album by Larry Norman

Only Visiting This Planet is a Christian rock album recorded by Larry Norman in 1972. The album was selected as the second-best album in CCM Magazine's The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. In April 2014 the album was announced as one of 25 sound recordings inducted for 2013 into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, that preserves as "cultural, artistic and/or historical treasures, representing the richness and diversity of the American soundscape", making it the first Christian rock album chosen for the registry.

"Wang Dang Doodle" is a blues song written by Willie Dixon. Music critic Mike Rowe calls it a party song in an urban style with its massive, rolling, exciting beat. It was first recorded by Howlin' Wolf in 1960 and released by Chess Records in 1961. In 1965, Dixon and Leonard Chess persuaded Koko Taylor to record it for Checker Records, a Chess subsidiary. Taylor's rendition quickly became a hit, reaching number thirteen on the Billboard R&B chart and number 58 on the pop chart. "Wang Dang Doodle" became a blues standard and has been recorded by various artists. Taylor's version was added to the United States National Recording Registry in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What the World Needs Now Is Love</span> 1965 single written by Bacharach & David

"What the World Needs Now Is Love" is a 1965 popular song with lyrics by Hal David and music composed by Burt Bacharach. First recorded and made popular by Jackie DeShannon, it was released on April 15, 1965, on the Imperial label after a release on sister label Liberty records the previous month was canceled. It peaked at number seven on the US Hot 100 in July of that year. In Canada, the song reached number one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caldonia</span> Jump blues standard

"Caldonia" is a jump blues song, first recorded in 1945 by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. Although credited to Fleecie Moore, his wife at the time, Jordan is the actual songwriter. The song was a hit for Jordan as well as several other musicians.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNYC-FM</span> Public radio station in New York City

WNYC-FM (93.9 MHz) is a non-commercial public radio station, licensed to New York, New York. It, along with WNYC (AM), is one of the primary outlets for WNYC branded programming provided by the non-profit New York Public Radio (NYPR).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Film Registry</span> Selection of films for preservation in the US Library of Congress

The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB's inception in 1988.

The Clarinet Concerto is a composition for solo clarinet and orchestra by the American composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich. It was commissioned by the Arlene and Dr. Milton D. Berkman Philanthropic Fund for the clarinetist David Shifrin, to whom the piece is dedicated. The concerto was first performed by Shifrin and twelve members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in Alice Tully Hall on September 12, 2003.

References

  1. 1 2 "How do I nominate a recording to the National Recording Registry? - Ask a Librarian". ask.loc.gov. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 "Current Registry". The Library of Congress. November 3, 2006. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  3. "Overview". The Library of Congress. November 16, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
  4. Blair, Elizabeth (January 27, 2003). "Preserving the Sounds of America's Culture". NPR . Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 "Frequently Asked Questions". The Library of Congress. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  6. "Edison cylinders chosen for National Recording Registry". Edison National Historic Site. National Park Service. December 22, 2004. Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  7. "2002 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  8. Melton, Larry. "Ragtime compositions on piano rolls" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  9. FDR Audio Recordings-FDR Presidential Library & Museum
  10. Rives, Timothy. "General Dwight D. Eisenhower's D-Day radio address to the Allied Nations (June 6, 1944)" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  11. "2003 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  12. "O. Winston Link Productions". owinstonlinkrailwayproductions.com. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  13. "Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen". Presto Music. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  14. Winds in hi-fi., U.S.A.: Mercury, 1959, OCLC   4287434 , retrieved July 2, 2022
  15. "2004 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  16. "U.S. Highball" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  17. "2005 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  18. "Mamie Smith and the Birth of the Blues Market". NPR . November 11, 2006.
  19. "The Impact of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings'". NPR.org. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  20. "Librarian of Congress Names 50 Recordings to the 2005 National Recording Registry". The Library of Congress. April 11, 2006. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  21. 1 2 "Registry Titles with Descriptions and Expanded Essays". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  22. "Clifton's Crew" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  23. "Listen to Registry Titles". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Complete National Recording Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  25. "2005". Library of Congress. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  26. "Clifton's Crew" (PDF). Library of Congress. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  27. "B.B. King, Sonic Youth Added to Library of Congress List". BMI.com. April 17, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  28. "2006 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  29. Logue, Susan (May 15, 2008). "Jackson, Reagan Added to National Recording Registry". VOA News. Voice of America. Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
  30. "2007 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  31. "NYC Mayor LaGuardia's Legendary Radio Readings". NPR.org. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  32. "2Wesleyan Recording Accepted Into National Registry". The Wesleyan Connection. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  33. "2008 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  34. "2009 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  35. "R.E.M.'s Radio Free Europe | Studio 360". WNYC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  36. "Phonautogram". WNYC .
  37. "2010 National Recording Registry". Library of Congress .
  38. "Library of Congress Selects De La Soul Album for National Registry | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News". WNYC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  39. "2011 – National Recording Preservation Board". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  40. "Gabby Pahinui and the Hula Medley". WNYC .
  41. Jackson, Blair (May 25, 2012). "Cornell '77 Enshrined for the Ages". dead.net. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
  42. 1979: A Year in Music: World Cafe: NPR
  43. "2012 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  44. "Will Rogers: Bacon, Beans and Limousines". WNYC .
  45. Library of Congress Adds Glass Opera, Van Cliburn to Recording Registry|WQXR Blog|WQXR
  46. "Leontyne Price and A Program of Song". WNYC .
  47. Leontyne Price – A Program of Song – RCA – Presto Music
  48. "2013 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  49. "Library of Congress Beefs Up Recordings Collection, but Watch Out for That Barber". April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  50. Making Fun of the Kennedys|Studio 360|WNYC
  51. Christian rocker Larry Norman recognized as an American musical treasure – Music-World
  52. "Celia Cruz and Johnny Pacheco: They Invented Salsa". WNYC .
  53. "2014 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  54. "The Boys of the Lough". WNYC .
  55. ""Sorry, Wrong Number"". WNYC .
  56. Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues
  57. Inductee's Gallery|Library of Congress
  58. National Recording Registry Adds Joan Tower's Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman|WQXR Blog|WQXR
  59. "National Recording Registry Recognizes "Mack the Knife," Motown and Mahler". Library of Congress. March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  60. "2015 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  61. Ellett, Ryan. "Destination Freedom, 'A Garage in Gainesville' and 'Execution Awaited' (September 25; October 2, 1949)" (PDF). Library of Congress.
  62. "Clara Schumann and the LOC". WNYC .
  63. "Clifton Chenier and the Bogalusa Boogie". WNYC .
  64. "2016 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  65. Wilson Pickett's 'In The Midnight Hour'-Inside the National Recording Registry-WNYC
  66. Don McLean's 'American Pie'-Inside the Recording Registry-WNYC
  67. Richard Pryor's 'Wanted: Live in Concert-Inside the National Recording Registry-WNYC
  68. Renée Fleming – Great Opera Scenes – Decca: E4457602 – Presto Music
  69. "2017 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  70. "2018 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  71. Cyndi Lauper, Neil Diamond, Jay-Z Music Inducted Into National Recording Registry| Hollywood Reporter
  72. Nina Simone and Ritchie Valens Songs Added to National Recording Registry – The New York Times
  73. Jay-Z's 'Blueprint' Named to National Registry, Along With 'Schoolhouse Rock', 'Superfly', Nina Simone and More-MSN.com
  74. Members Of The 2018 National Recording Registry Class Announced: NPR
  75. "National Recording Registry Class Produces Ultimate 'Stay at Home' Playlist". Library of Congress. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  76. "2019 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  77. National Recording Registry Inducts Classics by Dr. Dre, Mister Rogers, Cheap Trick — Variety
  78. Abbess Hildegard of Bingen – A feather on the breath of God|Presto Classical
  79. Selena's 1990 album is inducted into the National Recording Registry|Univision
  80. Dr. Dre's 1992 Classic 'The Chronic' Inducted Into Library Of Congress|HipHopDX
  81. Jennifer Higdon – Recordings by Work Title
  82. "2020 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  83. Janet Jackson, Louis Armstrong, more voices that 'shaped our culture' join National Recording Registry : USA Today
  84. The Sounds of America: The Harder They Come – BMP Audio
  85. The Sounds Of America: 'Late For The Sky' – 1A
  86. The Sounds of America: "Rainbow Connection" – BMP Audio
  87. Schuessler, Jennifer (March 24, 2021). "Janet Jackson and Kermit the Frog Added to National Recording Registry". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  88. Srauss – Four Last Songs – Philips: 4110522|Presto Classical
  89. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole's Famous Medley Added to National Recording Registry|Hawai'i Public Radio
  90. Flaco Jimenez album 'Partners' added to National Recording Registry at Library of Congress – San Antonio Express-News
  91. Library of Congress Inducts 10 BMI Musical Works into National Recording Registry|News|BMI.com
  92. Barnes, Mike (March 24, 2021). "Music from Janet Jackson, Connie Smith, Nas, Jimmy Cliff Enter National Recording Registry". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  93. The Sounds of America: Flaco Jiménez’s Partners album – BMP Audio
  94. National Recording Registry adds its first frog (Kermit) and its first podcast – Washington Post
  95. "View Registry by Induction Years". Recording Registry. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  96. "2022 National Recording Registry inductees". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  97. Disneyland Ride's Iconic Song Added to National Recording Registry – ComicBook.com
  98. "National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Journey and More in 2022". Library of Congress. April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  99. 'Perfect rock song' among 25 titles added to National Recording Registry – The Mercury News
  100. Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Bonnie Raitt added to National Recording Registry : NPR
  101. Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest Albums Archived in Library of Congress|Pitchfork
  102. "National Recording Registry's new additions: Marc Maron, Alicia Keys and more". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  103. Ink, Radio (April 13, 2022). "WNYC Recordings Go Into National Registry". Radio Ink. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  104. "New Items Added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry | All Of It". WNYC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  105. "Sounds of America: Robin Williams and Marc Maron". 1A. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  106. "2023". National Recording Preservation Board. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  107. The Sounds of America: ‘Pale Blue Dot’|1A
  108. The 2023 Sounds of America|1A
  109. 'Gasolina' is first reggaeton hit in National Recording Registry|NBC News
  110. Concerto for Clarinet and Chamber Orchestra – Ellen Taaffe Zwilich|Chamber Music Northwest: David Shifrin|Delos Productions
  111. David Shifrin & Friends - Delos: DE3423|Presto Music
  112. "National Recording Registry Inducts Sounds of ABBA, Blondie, The Cars, The Chicks, Juan Gabriel, Green Day, The Notorious B.I.G. and Lily Tomlin". LOC.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  113. Rosen, Jody (March 27, 2008). "Researchers Play Tune Recorded Before Edison". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  114. "National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Madonna, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Daddy Yankee". Library of Congress. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  115. "Why Sir Georg Solti's 'Ring Cycle' Recording Remains An Enduring Part of His Legacy". Opera Wire. October 21, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  116. Smith, Troy L. (April 13, 2022). "Wu-Tang Clan, Robin Williams and Hank Aaron's 715th homerun call added to National Recording Registry". Cleveland.com. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  117. Pedersen, Erik (April 13, 2022). "9/11 & FDR Tapes, 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Alicia Keys Album, Ricky Martin Hit & More Added To National Recording Registry". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  118. "National Recording Registry Inducts Music from Madonna, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Daddy Yankee". Library of Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
  119. "Mario, Mariah, Madonna added to National Recording Registry". Associated Press. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  120. The Sounds of America: The Super Mario Bros. theme song|1A
  121. 50th Anniversary Edition of Love 'Forever Changes' Coming – Noise11.com music news
  122. Love: Forever Changes (Collector's Edition)|PopMatters
  123. New York Philharmonic|Programs: Season 1943–44