Re: [ARSCLIST] Long-term/preservation audio

[Steven Smolian <smolians@xxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, many of them appeared as 78s, 45s, LPs, cassettes, etc., and I've
been assembling a collection of them.  I'm presently at over 7,000 items, so
far with half listed in a spread sheet.

Example: Our local high school issued an Audio Yearbook in 1962.  A number
of my pals are included as is a clip from the earliest recording of one of
the rock bands spawned by this class.  I still go to hear the band reunions.

I think I've tracked the "Firestone Christmas Record" annual phenomenon to
Goodyear Tires, Columbia SA which issue predates any of the US ones.

There's a variety of carillon music put out by the major bank in many large
towns and small cities.  Banks used to have carillons the way churches have
bells.

At least one appliance manufacturer had a paper 33 with verbal instructions
attached to its new washing machines.  I kept the record but, in this case,
have not been seeking the rest of the package.

A whole bunch of people issued records to aid hunters- duck calling, etc.  I
have one group where I think you plugged the record player into your pickup
lighter socket and played the appropriate call while sitting in your blind
at the ready.

There have been many oral history LPs related to various events and causes.
I understand that for the 100th anniversary of the US Red Cross is now on
CD.

Many schools and summer camps issued LPs of their camp songs, reviews,
Broadway musicals with less-than-famous casts, etc.

Though there may be doubts about the technical proficiency of the performers
and technicians, this group nonetheless serves as an audio time machine to
cultural and social activities and attitudes which, though they seem
unimportant when made, take on considerable interest with the passage of
time.

etc.

Of course, I'm not sure where I'd draw the line if offered the entire
archive of a busy karaoke bar.

Steve Smolian .



----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Richter" <mrichter@xxxxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 10:50 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Long-term/preservation audio


> At 03:36 AM 7/5/2003 -0500, Brandon Burke wrote:
>
> >I obviously can't disagree with this argument altogether but, were you to
only
> >select one, by what process would you choose a lone representative
> >recording of
> >each of these songs?  Is a recording recorded at a campfire in Omaha,
Nebraska
> >in 1954 more 'authentic' than one performed by a group of girls in
Brooklyn in
> >1978?  Seems to me that there's a legitimate case for preserving a number
of
> >interpretations.  It is, after all, modern folk culture.  It goes without
> >saying
> >that no one has the funds to preserve everything, so I'm not suggesting
some
> >sort of W.W.A.D.? (What Would Asch Do?) theory, but there are some
serious
> >issues involved in deaccesioning recordings of this nature.
>
> Oh, I would not make the selection - at least not willingly. If I had to
do
> so, I'd establish some criteria for selection and limit the process to
> perhaps one, but more likely two or three. It is the idea that there is
> some compelling interest in preserving everything which is anathema to me.
> There are many reasons for that reaction; one is that since we cannot
> preserve all, there is no sense in preserving any. The archivist who
> insists on the impossible will have to deal with the threat of doing the
> possible - nothing at all.
>
> Judgement must be used in spending limited funds and finite time on
> preservation of what approaches infinite material. I believe the archivist
> of audio material could take the lead of those preserving historic sites
> and buildings. Every hovel has a history and some day a former resident
may
> prove to have been a pivotal figure. But that possibility does not ensure
> that it is worthy of protection from the march of progress. Our criteria
> will be different in part because preserving one recording does not impede
> development; however, the resources used for our noble objective will not
> be available for other, lesser ones - such as preserving buildings or
> providing pre-natal care to the needy or books for the lending library.
>
>
> Mike
> mrichter@xxxxxxx
> http://www.mrichter.com/