Non Sequitumblr

Awesome.

garymelvin:

I was going through my computer, looking for files that could be gotten rid of and such, and I came upon a project I did for my grandmother a couple of years ago. She had kept a stack of old homemade records that belonged to my grandfather, and she asked me to transfer them to CD for her, which I happily did. When I say “homemade,” that’s exactly what I mean: my grandfather had a phonograph recorder which he used to record things off the radio and family gatherings/conversations via microphone.

The audio I’m posting here is a radio performance of an old song, “Bell Bottom Trousers.” There wasn’t an exact date on the record, but based on what else was in the album of records, I place it somewhere around 1945. Yup, home recording existed back then.

Aside from the sentimental value, check out the talent and skill of the performers — that’s some seriously tight vocal harmonies and phrasing. That was one take, without auto-tune or other editing capabilities, performed live on the radio. Yes, people used to know how to sing and play very well together without the use of technology.

Also, if you listen through to the very end, you’ll hear my grandfather come on and talk about how pleased he is that his phonograph recorded is working better after some tinkering. And that’s my grandmother calling him to the store… I dare you to listen and not get a big smile on your face.