Country Blues > Super Electrical Recordings!
Dust to Digital: The Harry Smith B-Sides Boxset
Stuart:
--- Quote from: DerZauberer on August 05, 2020, 07:55:12 AM ---
--- Quote from: Suzy T on August 03, 2020, 07:56:54 PM ---I see they omitted the songs that have racist lyrics. While I understand why they did this -- nobody wants to hear the N word -- it's too bad in a way.
--- End quote ---
I think this is a missed opportunity. We're talking historical documents here, these pieces should be seen in their relevant context, they are the way they are should form part of the story - with carefully written liner notes of course, to highlight the reasons why and how to see take them today.
--- End quote ---
I agree. Omitting the songs does not omit the racist context in which they were composed, sung, recorded, played on the Victrola or broadcast over the air, etc. It also omits the question, "Why was this considered acceptable?"
I'm not suggesting that the collection be used as a "teaching moment," just that attempts to sanitize the historical record do not change history--what really happened and why--as others have pointed out.
dj:
--- Quote ---I agree. Omitting the songs does not omit the racist context in which they were composed, sung, recorded, played on the Victrola or broadcast over the air, etc. It also omits the question, "Why was this considered acceptable?"
I'm not suggesting that the collection be used as a "teaching moment," just that attempts to sanitize the historical record does not change history--what really happened and why--as others have pointed out.
--- End quote ---
I think Archeophone Records does a good job of handling this issue. In the notes to their recent set on minstrel show music, At The Minstrel Show, there's the following:
"Archeophone Records hopes to prompt study and conversation about early recorded sound and its social and cultural significance. This sometimes means that our reissues must not shy away from presenting disturbing though historically important material. Archeophone believes that if we neglect the offensive parts of our history, we will fail to learn from it."
TenBrook:
Here's a recent New Yorker article from Amanda Petrusich on Harry Smith with more details on the 'The Harry Smith B-Sides Boxset' project:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/10/05/harry-smiths-musical-catalogue-of-human-experience
Stuart:
Thank you, Lew. It's an interesting article.
Stuart:
"How to Handle the Hate in America’s Musical Heritage" - NY Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/14/arts/music/anthology-of-american-folk-music.html
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