Groucho Marx, Steve Reich Recordings Entered Into National Registry
When a climate apocalypse one day destroys human civilization, at least alien archaeologists will be able to become acquainted with Groucho Marx. “An Evening With Groucho” (1972), a recording of the legendary comedian’s final one-man show, is one of the 25 recordings newly added to the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry.
In a testament to the breadth of the American cultural landscape, other newly-inducted work by Jewish artists includes Artur Schanbel’s “Complete Beethoven Sonatas,” “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” by Arlo Guthrie, whose mother was Jewish, and “New Sounds in Electronic Music” by Steve Reich, Richard Maxfield and Pauline Oliveros.
Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” “The Sound of Music” soundtrack, and The Temptations’s “My Girl” were also among the National Recording Registry’s 2018 selections. Every year, the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress chooses to accept 25 recordings that, according to their website, “showcase the range and diversity of American recorded sound heritage in order to increase preservation awareness.” Other notable Jewish works selected in recent years include “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland, “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Harry Richman and the album “People” by Barbara Streisand.
“This annual celebration of recorded sound reminds us of our varied and remarkable American experience,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden told Variety. “The unique trinity of historic, cultural and aesthetic significance reflected in the National Recording Registry each year is an opportunity for reflection on landmark moments, diverse cultures and shared memories — all reflected in our recorded soundscape.”
There was no word on whether the Maccabeat’s cover of Despacito was slated for inclusion.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and the protests on college campuses.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
