25 Recordings Destined For National Registry

Davie Bowie, Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, The Eagles, Richard Pryor, Talking Heads and N.W.A. are just a few of the artists whose work has now been marked for preservation by the Library of Congress.

The Library has named 25 audio recordings to be inducted to its National Recording Registry, a compendium of sound recordings that will be preserved as representative of America's cultural, artistic and historic treasures. Ranging from rock, pop, jazz, classical, gospel and musical theater to radio broadcasts and comedy albums, the recordings have been recognized as vital to our nation's audio legacy.

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said, "This year's exciting list gives us a full range of sound experiences. These sounds of the past enrich our understanding of the nation's cultural history and our history in general."

With this year's additions, the Registry now numbers 475 historic recordings - just a small part of the Library's collection of recorded sound numbering nearly three million items.

National Recording Registry additions

1.  The 1888 London cylinder recordings of Col. George Gouraud (1888)

2.  “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (singles), Manhattan Harmony Four (1923); Melba Moore and Friends (1990)

3.  “Puttin’ on the Ritz” (single), Harry Richman (1929)

4.  “Over the Rainbow” (single), Judy Garland (1939)

5.  “I’ll Fly Away” (single), The Chuck Wagon Gang  (1948)

6.  “Hound Dog” (single),  Big Mama Thornton (1953)

7.  “Saxophone Colossus,” Sonny Rollins  (1956)

8.  The Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds, announced by Vin Scully (September 8, 1957)

9.  “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” Marty Robbins  (1959)

10. “The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery,” Wes Montgomery (1960)

11. “People” (single), Barbra Streisand (1964)

12. “In the Midnight Hour” (single), Wilson Pickett  (1965)

13. “Amazing Grace” (single), Judy Collins  (1970)

14. “American Pie” (single), Don McLean  (1971)

15.  “All Things Considered,” first broadcast (May 3, 1971)

16. “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars,” David Bowie (1972)

17. “The Wiz,” original cast album (1975)

18. “Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975),” Eagles  (1976)

19. “Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha,” Gunter Schuller, arr. (1976)  

20. “Wanted:  Live in Concert,” Richard Pryor  (1978)

21. “We Are Family” (single), Sister Sledge (1979)

22. “Remain in Light,” Talking Heads (1980)

23. “Straight Outta Compton,” N.W.A (1988)

24. “Rachmaninoff’s Vespers (All-Night Vigil),” Robert Shaw Festival Singers  (1990)

25. “Signatures,” Renée Fleming  (1997)