Difference between revisions of "Parallel Anthology"
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== Background == | == Background == | ||
| − | The 1952 release of Harry Smith’s | + | The 1952 release of Harry Smith’s ''Anthology of American |
| − | Folk Music | + | Folk Music'' was a compilation bringing together a selection of |
Smith’s personal collection of 78rpm records. As such, it was | Smith’s personal collection of 78rpm records. As such, it was | ||
effectively a bootleg and operated under the legal radar until it | effectively a bootleg and operated under the legal radar until it | ||
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previously fluid cultural material. | previously fluid cultural material. | ||
| − | The | + | The ''Parallel Anthology'' project aims to map the public/private |
territory of Smith’s anthology and to scrutinize different levels | territory of Smith’s anthology and to scrutinize different levels | ||
of access to the material – researching details of future dates | of access to the material – researching details of future dates | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
fragments of archive manuscripts and lyrics. | fragments of archive manuscripts and lyrics. | ||
| − | + | ''Parallel Anthology volume 1'' begins the process of collecting | |
together alternative versions of tracks and makes available a | together alternative versions of tracks and makes available a | ||
small selection of public domain versions not closed down by | small selection of public domain versions not closed down by | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
tracing songs across spatial and temporal distances. | tracing songs across spatial and temporal distances. | ||
| − | A parallel collection is proposed: a new | + | A parallel collection is proposed: a new ''roots and future'' |
anthology, distributing rich material that remains open | anthology, distributing rich material that remains open | ||
| − | for use and reuse. | + | for use and reuse. |
| − | |||
== Downloads == | == Downloads == | ||
Revision as of 09:49, 10 May 2010
Out-of-copyright versions of songs from Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music
Out-of-copyright versions of songs from harry smith's anthology of american folk music
Background
The 1952 release of Harry Smith’s Anthology of American Folk Music was a compilation bringing together a selection of Smith’s personal collection of 78rpm records. As such, it was effectively a bootleg and operated under the legal radar until it was digitised, re-mastered and fully licensed in 1997.
The recordings in the anthology are those from the early days of the record industry, a time which saw the establishment of a system that fixed collectively-authored folk lyrics and melodies to individual authors in an attempt to control the flow of this previously fluid cultural material.
The Parallel Anthology project aims to map the public/private territory of Smith’s anthology and to scrutinize different levels of access to the material – researching details of future dates when compositions will enter the public domain, sourcing alternative versions of recordings, and gathering together fragments of archive manuscripts and lyrics.
Parallel Anthology volume 1 begins the process of collecting together alternative versions of tracks and makes available a small selection of public domain versions not closed down by copyright. Future volumes will collect, publish and distribute recordings whose proprietary interests have expired, along with new versions and remixes of the material collected.
The project re-envisages Smith’s anthology as a series of nodes in a larger network and employs a kind of sonic virology – tracing songs across spatial and temporal distances.
A parallel collection is proposed: a new roots and future anthology, distributing rich material that remains open for use and reuse.
Downloads
Uncle Rat Went Out To Ride (The Frog And The Mouse)
sung by Elizabeth Cronin
Recorded 7 August 1948 County Cork, Ireland
Our Goodman
sung by Thomas Moran
Recorded december 1954 Mohill Leitrim, Ireland
The Devil (The Farmer’s Curst wife)
sung by Jimmy White
Recorded 9 june 1954 Whittingham, Northumberland, England
The Cuckoo
sung by Bill Westaway
Recorded 26 may 1952 Belstone Devon, England
What Shall I Wear To The Wedding John?
sung by Aunt Fanny Rumble/Albert Collins
Recorded 6 October 1954 Tilshead, Wiltshire, England
No Sir (Oh No John!)
sung by Emily Bishop
Recorded 13 October 1952 Bromsberrow Heath, Herefordshire, England
Credits
Parallel Anthology project is launched on the occasion of the 17th Biennale of Sydney
Researcher: Matthew White
Recordings gleaned from BBC gramophone collection: 11989, 17794, 18678, 20606, 21493, 22029
