Library’s registry of ‘audio treasures’ spans generations of U.S. recordings
Narrowing new additions to 25 a year must be a daunting task
What do ABBA, Gene Autry, Lily Tomlin and The Notorious B.I.G. have in common?
On the surface, it might not seem like much.
But this week, the Library of Congress announced its 25 recordings selected as “audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time” in the National Recording Registry – and all four made the cut.
In a press release, the Library of Congress noted these choices were “named 25 recordings as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage.”
The list is a fascinating one, spanning the decades of history, from 1919 to 1998. The Library notes the recordings “range from the recordings of the all-black 369th U.S. Infantry Band led by James Reese Europe after World War I, to defining sounds of jazz and bluegrass, and iconic recordings from pop, dance, country, rock, rap, Latin and classical music.”
In fact, in chronological order, here are the recordings selected to be included in the 2024 National Recording Registry:
• “Clarinet Marmalade” – Lt. James Reese Europe’s 369th U.S. Infantry Band (1919)
• “Kauhavan Polkka” – Viola Turpeinen and John Rosendahl (1928)
• Wisconsin Folksong Collection (1937-1946)
• “Rose Room” – Benny Goodman Sextet with Charlie Christian (1939)
• “Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer” – Gene Autry (1949)
• “Tennessee Waltz” – Patti Page (1950)
• “Rocket ‘88’” – Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (1951)
• “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” – Perry Como (1957)
• “Chances Are” – Johnny Mathis (1957)
• The Sidewinder – Lee Morgan (1964)
• Surrealistic Pillow – Jefferson Airplane (1967)
• “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers (1971)
• This is a Recording – Lily Tomlin (1971)
• J.D. Crowe & the New South – J.D. Crowe & the New South (1975)
• Arrival – ABBA (1976)
• “El Cantante” – Héctor Lavoe (1978)
• The Cars – The Cars (1978)
• Parallel Lines – Blondie (1978)
• “La-di-da-di” – Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (MC Ricky D) (1985)
• “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – Bobby Mcferrin (1988)
• “Amor Eterno” – Juan Gabriel (1990)
• Pieces of Africa – Kronos Quartet (1992)
• Dookie – Green Day (1994)
• Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
• Wide Open Spaces – The Chicks (1998)
The recordings join a select list – there are only 650 titles on the National Recording Registry. However, the Library of Congress’ recorded sound collection itself includes nearly 4 million items.
We love the diversity of artists and works included this year, giving representation to a wide slice of America. It must be an incredibly challenging task to determine each year what to include.
And, readers, that raises an interesting question: If you could choose a recording to include on this registry, what would it be, and why? Let us know – send a letter to the editor at letters@yumasun.com.