The Library of Congress’ National Recording Preservation Board adds 25 more recordings to its registry. This year’s list is decidedly less rockish than years past which included the Rolling Stones, the Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix, Sonic Youth, and Nirvana. This year honors Roy Orbison, Smokey Robinson, Joni Mitchell, and Michael Jackson.
They’re right on with “Tracks of My Tears,” though. One of the best songs ever. Ever!
Full list of the 2007 additions after the jump…
1. The first trans-Atlantic broadcast (March 14, 1925)
2. “Allons a Lafayette,” Joseph Falcon (1928)
3. “Casta Diva,” from Bellini’s “Norma”; Rosa Ponselle, accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Giulio Setti. (recorded December 31, 1928, and January 30, 1929)
4. “If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again,” Thomas A. Dorsey (1934)
5. “Sweet Lorraine,” Art Tatum (February 22, 1940)
6. Fibber’s Closet Opens for the First Time, “Fibber McGee and Molly” radio program (March 4, 1940)
7. Wings Over Jordan, Wings Over Jordan (1941)
8. Fiorello LaGuardia reading the comics (1945)
9. “Call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday is Just As Bad,” T-Bone Walker (1947)
10. Harry S. Truman speech at the 1948 Democratic National Convention (July 15, 1948)
11. “The Jazz Scene,” various artists (1949)
12. “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” Kitty Wells (May 30, 1952)
13. My Fair Lady, original cast recording (1956)
14. Navajo Shootingway Ceremony Field Recordings, recorded by David McAllester (1957-1958)
15. ‘Freight Train,’ and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes, Elizabeth Cotten (1959)
16. United States Marine Band (1963)
17. “Oh, Pretty Woman,” Roy Orbison (1964)
18. “Tracks of My Tears,” Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (1965)
19. You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song, Ella Jenkins (1966)
20. Music from the Morning of the World, various artists; recorded by David Lewiston (1966)
21. For the Roses, Joni Mitchell (1972)
22. Headhunters, Herbie Hancock (1973)
23. Ronald Reagan Radio Broadcasts (1976-1979)
24. “The Sounds of Earth,” disc prepared for the Voyager spacecraft (1977)
25. Thriller, Michael Jackson (1982)