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/