Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922
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Music Reviews of Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922
Music Review: equal parts fascination and revulsion
Rating: 5 Stars
There's not too much I can say that hasn't already been mentioned in the previous review, but I felt a need to add to (or help start) the chorus of praise for this collection.
As a fan of country blues and songster material (often predating country blues) this collection has been a real eye-opener. While I've heard some minstrel material from Jim Jackson, Pink Anderson, and some early blues players, this collection shows just how much more disturbing the minstrel tradition could be.
I suppose this album is best described as bittersweet; it contains some breathtaking music in a variety of genres, (the earliest examples I've ever heard of blues, jazz, gospel, minstrelsy, and the astounding vocal groups). However, it is in some of the self-effacing subject matter where the abhorant racism of the times left its audible mark the most (sometimes making songs difficult to listen to). That said, I truly believe that this is material to be embraced and understood; so as to both appreciate the artistry of it, and to ensure that such horrendous persecution does not occur again; if approached in this light, "Lost Sounds" is a true landmark for which listeners owe Archeophone records their sincerest thanks (and/or dollars). I honestly believe that any person with interests in black music created in the U.S. over the past century, or modern history for that matter, should not be without this collection.
It never ceases to astound me how something so beautiful can be quite so disturbing at the same time, but I'm so thankful I have had the chance to be disturbed at all.
Music Review: for audiophiles and history buffs only.
Rating: 3 Stars
if like me, you are fascinated with sound, and find it mind-boggling to put on a pair of headphones and hear the voice of someone who was alive in 1891 coming back to life right in your ears, then this 2 disc set is for you. if you are simply looking for a purely rewarding musical experience, then this set is probably not for you. understandably, all the stuff recorded before roughly 1910 has very, very poor sound quality. it is the fascination with the mere existence of these sounds that is the thrill, not the tunes themselves. the post 1910 tracks have basically good sound quality for the most part, and there is a wide variety of styles, all pre-blues, except for the last song of disc 2, w.c. handy's memphis blues band playing their legendary "st louis blues," which is still part marching band, part vaudeville, as much as it is blues. elsewhere you get gospel, singing quartets, folk tunes, classical, opera, orchestras, jazz, and 2 spoken word tracks (one by then heavyweight boxing champion jack johnson, and one by booker t. washington). you also get a lot of novelty tunes (i repeat a lot of novelty tunes), especially on disc one. i don't know if these novelty numbers actually passed for funny back in the day, but they wear pretty thin pretty quick to the modern sensiblity. anyway, fascinating for lovers of history, or collectors of old-time audio, but will not fulfill your wildest musical dreams i am afraid.Music Review: Deserving of Recognition
Rating: 5 Stars
First of all, congratulations to Archeophone Records and Lost Sounds for winning the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album. Hopefully this recognition will allow the music and its message to be more widespread.
Again, not much can be added to what has been written; the significance of this CD cannot be overlooked. I've been fortunate to have been exposed to a wide variety of music since childhood, but Lost Sounds is unlike anything I had previously heard. It's a great piece of history that offers a new perspective on music as a whole. I still can't get over the fact that some of these recordings have survived over one hundred years - despite the disposable age we seem to live in.
No matter what your musical tastes, Lost Sounds deserves a listen - especially to the history aficionado.
Music Review: Interesting
Rating: 4 Stars
This is not my favorite of my many compilations of early American recordings but it does have some very interesting stuff on it. A better comp in my opinion is Roots N' Blues,The Retrospective(1925-1950). Now thats a great overview of early americana. But still, Lost Sounds has its merits. The songs that have very rough reproduction actually give the CD a haunting quality. If you want to go way back to the dawn of the recording industry like I did then you will not be disappointed but if you want something a little more listenable, then go w/ the Roots CD. Hope that was helpful to somebody...Music Review: Lost Sounds
Rating: 1 Stars
Very, very poor sound quality;almost inaudible. Sorry I purchased CD. Do not buy!