Great grand dad / Blue Sky Boys -- Trench blues / John Bray -- Everybody help the boys come home / William and Versey Smith -- W Amerykańskiem mieście / Wladyslaw Polak -- African love call / Wilmoth Houdini and his Humming Birds -- Daytonin apinajuttu / Antti Swyrjäniemi -- Race between a Ford and Chevrolet / Oscar Ford -- Vr̈ssyj ̈sielta ̈ja täältä / Hiski Salomaa -- The panic is on / Hazekiah Jenkins -- Old age pension check / Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys -- New Red Cross blues / Springback James -- Army blues / David (Honeyboy) Edwards -- Junior, a Jap girl's Christmas for her Santa Claus / Willie (61) Blackwell -- Convoy / Duke of Iron -- The battle in Korea / L.W. and Harold and the Carolina Neighbors -- I'm no Communist / Lulu Belle and Scotty -- Red's dream / Louisiana Red.
Track Information:
101 Great Grand Dad / Blue Sky Boys. Mandolin,Guitar,Fiddle. English language.
102 Trench Blues / John Bray. Guitar. English language.
103 Everybody Help the Boys Come Home / Versey Smith, William Smith. Guitar,Tambourine (Drum). English language.
104 W Amerykanskiem Miescie (In an American City) / Wladyslaw Polak. Accordion. Polish language.
105 African Love Call / Hummingbirds (Musical group), Wilmoth Houdini. Guitar,Tambourine (Drum),Trumpet,Clarinet,Piano,Ukulele,Bass. English language.
106 Daytonin Apinajuttu (Monkey Business in Dayton) / Antti Syrjaniemi. Guitar,Accordion. Finnish language.
107 Race Between a Ford and a Chevrolet / Oscar Ford. Guitar,Fiddle. English language.
109 The Panic Is On / Hezekiah Jenkins. Guitar. English language.
201 Old Age Pension Check / Smoky Mountain Boys, Roy Acuff. Guitar,Bass,Dobro. English language.
202 New Red Cross Blues / Springback James. Guitar,Piano. English language.
203 Army Blues / Honeyboy Edwards. Guitar,Harmonica. English language.
204 Junior, A Jap Girl's Christmas for Her Santa Claus / Willie (61) Blackwell. Guitar. English language.
205 Convoy / Calypso Troubadours (Musical group), Duke of Iron. Trumpet,Clarinet,Ukulele,Bass,Violin,Maraca. English language.
206 The Battle in Korea / Carolina Neighbors (Musical group), L.W. Lambert. Mandolin,Guitar,Fiddle,Bass,Banjo. English language.
207 I'm No Communist / Lulu Belle and Scotty. Guitar,Fiddle,Bass,Banjo. English language.
208 Red's Dream / Louisiana Red. Guitar,Bass,Harmonica,Drum. English language.
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-LP-0652
Library of Congress.LBC 10
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Washington, D.C. Library of Congress 1978
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded 1927-62.
General:
"A bicentennial project: Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Song"; includes recordings from field and commercial sources. Program notes, includings words of the songs and biographical and discographical references (11 p. ill.) inserted in container.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
208 Tennessee Dog / Jimmie Strothers. Banjo. English language.
209 Ain't No Bugs on Me / Fiddlin' John Carson. Guitar,Fiddle,Banjo. English language.
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-LP-0946
Library of Congress.LBC 11
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Washington, D.C. Library of Congress
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Camden (N.J.), New Jersey, State Farm (Va.), Virginia, Mahonoy (Pa.), Pennsylvania, Prescott (Ariz.), Arizona, Charlotte (N.C.), North Carolina, Memphis (Tenn.), Tennessee, Jackson (Miss.), Mississippi, New York (N.Y.), New York, Chicago (Ill.), Illinois, Hollywood (Calif.), United States, California.
Performers:
Smith, Fairley, Thomas and Smith
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Love is a song (Lonnie Johnson)--That's all right, baby (Mose "Clear Rock" Platt)--Two Menominee flute songs (John Okimase)--Little Sarah (James Rachel, John Estes)-Going to Richmond (Jimmie Strothers)--Come back to me in my dreams (Bill Monroe)--Marira, Marira (Lydia Mendoza y Cuarteto Mendoza)--If one won't, another one will (Carter Family)--Joe Bowers (J. C. White)--Renewed love blues (Little Buddy Doyle)--Your small and sweet (Segura and Herbert)--You are a little too small (Carolina Tar Heels)--Lily Monroe (Uncle Alex Dunford)--Midnight on the stormy deep (Blue Sky Boys)--The married man (Emry Arthur)--Emily (Sam Manning)--Three nights in a bar room (Wade Mainer)
Track Information:
103 Two Menominee Flute Songs / John Okimase. Flute.
102 That's All Right / Moses Platt. English language.
101 Love Is a Song / Lonnie Johnson. Guitar. English language.
208 Three Nights in a Bar Room / Mountaineers (Musical group), Lost John Ray, Wade Mainer. Guitar,Fiddle,Banjo. English language.
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-LP-0921
Library of Congress.LBC2
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Washington, D.C. Library of Congress 1976
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Wilkesboro (N.C.), North Carolina, Grafton (Wis.), Champagne (Ill.), Galax (Va.), Atlanta (Ga.), Georgia, New Orleans (La.), Louisiana, Fayetteville (Ark.), Arkansas, Camden (N.J.), New Jersey, Chicago (Ill.), Illinois, State Farm (Va.), Virginia, Memphis (Tenn.), Tennessee, San Antonio (Tex.), New York (N.Y.), New York, Sugarland Prison (Tex.), Texas, Keshena (Wis.), United States, Wisconsin.
General:
"A bicentennial project: Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Song"; includes recordings from field and commercial sources. Program notes, including words of the songs, and bibliographical and discographical references (10 p. ill.) inserted in container. Edited by Richard K. Spottswood.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Steamboat whistle blues / Roy Acuff -- Marching to Utah / Rese Thompson -- Railroad Bill / Frank Hovington -- The Moore girl / A. and J. Baxter -- Jim Crow blues / Cow Cow Davenport -- Rambling love / Dick Reinhart -- Down in the bottom / Gabriel Brown -- Dear Okie / Doye O'Dell -- ZrobiA goral krzyz. na czole / ZespqoA Gqorali Giewont -- Barney McCoy / Uncle Alec Dunford and Fields Ward -- Emigrantsvisa / Otto Magnusson -- Hay nazanem yarer / Reuben J. Baboyan -- Dzieci w krateczki / WAadisAaw Polak -- Poor but ambitious / The Bamboo Orchestra, featuring Wilmoth Houdini -- O gero Amerikanos / D. Perdicopoulos -- Pesni o Dovbushe / Artistic Village Touup.
Track Information:
101 Steamboat Whistle Blues / Crazy Tennesseans (Musical group), Roy Acuff. Guitar. English language.
102 Marching to Utah / Rose Thompson. English language.
103 Railroad Bill / Frank Hovington. Guitar. English language.
104 The Moore Girl / Jim Baxter, Andrew Baxter. Guitar,Fiddle. English language.
105 Jim Crow Blues / Cow Cow Davenport. Piano,Cornet. English language.
106 Rambling Lover / Dick Reinhart. Guitar. English language.
107 Down in the Bottom / Gabriel Brown. Guitar. English language.
108 Dear Okie / Doye O'Dell. Guitar,Fiddle,Bass,Accordion,Trumpet,Hawaiian guitar. English language.
201 Zrobil Goral Krzyz Na Czole / Zespol Gorali Giewont. Bass cello,Violin. English language.
203 Emigrantsvisa / Otto Magnusson. Accordion. Swedish language.
204 Hay Nazanem Yarer / Reuben Baboyan. Armenian language.
205 Dzieci W Krateczki (Children in Squares) / Wladyslaw Polak. Accordion. Polish language.
206 Poor But Ambitious / Bamboo Orchestra, Wilmoth Houdini. Guitar,Piano,Violin,Clarinet. English language.
207 O Gero Amerikanos / D. Perdicopoulos. Guitar,Violin,Bouzouki. Greek language.
208 Pesni o Dovbushe / Artistic Village Troup. Flute,Hurdy-gurdy. Ukrainian language.
Local Numbers:
FP-RINZ-LP-0945
Library of Congress.LBC 6
Publication, Distribution, Etc. (Imprint):
Washington, D.C. Library of Congress 1977
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Athens (Greece), Greece, Fresno (Calif.), Sweden, Galax (Va.), Virginia, Los Angeles (Calif.), California, New York (N.Y.), New York, Dallas (Tex.), Texas, Charlotte (N.C.), North Carolina, Frederica (Del.), Delaware, Saint George (Utah), Utah, Chicago (Ill.), United States, Illinois.
General:
"A bicentennial project: Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Song"; includes recordings from field and commercial sources. Various performers. Program notes, including words of the songs, translations, and bibliographical and discographical references (12 p. ill.) inserted in container. edited by Richard K. Spottswood.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
You can't live with 'em (and you can't live without 'em) / Mattie, Marthie and Minnie --Don't do that to me / Wilmoth Houdini --Granny get your hair cut / Dutch Coleman --Hello world doggone / John McGhee --Hard rocks in my bed / Bumble Bee Slim --All I've got's gone / Ernest V. Stoneman -- My next door neighbor / Jerry McCain and his Upstarts -- Wujjko politykan / Ewgen Zrukowsky --Poor man, rich man (Cotton mill colic no. 2) / David McCarn --I'm gonna take it easy / Gabriel Brown --Kill that nigger dead / James (Butch) Cage and Willie Thomas --Mississippi road / J.B. Lenoir -- Over the hills to the poorhouse / Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs --Key to the bushes blues / Bessie Tucker --Collector man blues / Walter Roland --Workers' appeal / The Tiger.
Track Information:
101 You Can't Live With 'Em (And You Can't Live Without 'Em) / Mattie, Martha and Minnie (Musical group). Bass,Fiddle,Guitar,Banjo.
102 Don't Do That to Me / Felix's Krazy Kats Orchestra, Wilmoth Houdini. Bass,Ukulele,Piano,Clarinet,Trumpet,Percussion instruments.
103 Granny Get Your Hair Cut / Dutch Coleman. Guitar.
104 Hello World Doggone / John McGhee. Guitar.
105 Hard Rocks in My Bed / Bumble Bee Slim. Bass,Piano.
106 All I've Got's Gone / Dixie Mountaineers (Musical group), Ernest V. Stoneman. Fiddle,Guitar,Banjo,Harmonica.
107 My Next Door Neighbor / Jerry McCain and His Upstarts, Jerry McCain. Bass,Piano,Percussion instruments,Harmonica,Electric guitar.
"A bicentennial project: Library of Congress, Archive of Folk Song"; includes recording from field and commercial sources." Program notes, including words of the songs and bibliographical ad discographical references (10 p. ill.) inserted in container. Performer(s): Various performers. Production notes: Recorded 1929-65.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
"Harmonica" Phil Wiggins, "Bowling Green" John Cephas, John Jackson, James Jackson, Bill Harris; Conrado Rosales, Chocolate; Hollis "Flash" Lashley Blues Workshop; Salvadoran Music; Ex-Tempo Singing Workshop, Caribbean, Trinidad And Tobago, Calypso
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, June 25, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, June 25, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 3, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
PROPHECY; IMAGE GOSPEL; SOCA AND CALYPSO MUSIC 1 OF 4
Track Information:
101 Gospel / Prophecy (Musical group).
102 Soca and Calypso Music / Image (Musical group). Saxophone,Trombone.
Local Numbers:
FP-1987-CT-0397
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, June 24, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Calypso Pan Music / Trinidad Steel Band (Musical group). Steel drum (Musical instrument).
102 Ga Music / Odadaa! (Dance company). Drum.
103 Blues / Bill Harris. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-1987-CT-0398
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, June 24, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Soca and Calypso Music / Image (Musical group). Saxophone,Trombone.
102 Afro-Cuban Music / Cubanakán (Musical group).
103 Blues / John Cephas, Phil Wiggins. Guitar,Harmonica.
104 Blues / John Jackson, James Jackson. Guitar.
Local Numbers:
FP-1987-CT-0435
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 3, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Gospel / McCollough Kings of Harmony. Trombone,Guitar.
102 Calypso Pan Music / Trinidad Steel Band (Musical group). Steel drum (Musical instrument).
Local Numbers:
FP-1987-CT-0441
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 4, 1987.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, August 10, 1996.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, August 10, 1996.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
JOHN JACKSON, JAMES JACKSON; HOLLIS "FLASH" LASHLEY AND BLACKBIRD, KENDRICK SHEEN, EMLYN ROSEMAN, JUNE CHARLES, EXTEMPO BLUES, TRINIDADIAN EXTEMPO; TAPE 3 OF 5
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, June 25, 1988.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
HOLLIS "FLASH" LASHLEY, KENRICK "BLACKBIRD" SHEEN; FOUR ECHOES, EDWARD BAILEY, WILLIAM EVANS, WILLIE GREEN, CHARLES JOHNSON, JAMES NELSON, JAMES STEIN, GLEN TAYLOR TRINIDADIAN EXTEMPO; GOSPEL; TAPE 3 OF 4
Recorded in: Washington (D.C.), United States, July 2, 1988.
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. Some duplication is allowed. Use of materials needs permission of the Smithsonian Institution.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
The Cook Labs records, which date from 1939-2002, document the activities of audio engineer Emory Cook and his label Cook Labs. The contents include business records, materials relating to recording artists, photographs, and production materials, as well as phonograph records, master recordings and unpublished recordings produced by or associated with the Cook Labs label. The collection also contains two interviews conducted with Emory Cook in 1990: one by Jeff Place and one by Anthony Seeger and Nicholas Spitzer. There are several physical objects relating to Cook Labs including a bag of powdered vinyl, a binaural playing arm, and a condenser microphone.
Scope and Contents note:
There are two primary components of the Cook Labs records: the records, master tapes and other audio recordings, and the related paper files.
The Cook Labs records contains about 150 of the 200 released Cook recordings, and 739 master tapes. In addition, there are 330 unpublished tapes.
The the paper files include acquisition materials; business correspondence; recording reports; various production notes on records produced; news articles both about and by Emory Cook and Cook Labs; copyright, licensing, and trademark materials; photographs, correspondence, contracts, and other materials relating to recording artists; production materials for each Cook Labs release; and other miscellany. Many contracts are signed by both Cook Labs and the artist. Correspondence is primarily between business associates.
Two interviews were done with Emory Cook in 1990: one by Jeff Place and one by Anthony Seeger and Nicholas Spitzer; both interviews are included in the Cook Labs records.
There are several physical objects relating to Cook Labs including a bag of powdered vinyl, a binaural playing arm, and a condenser microphone.
Arrangement note:
Many of the items in this list have been assigned an accession number, and like materials have been grouped together to create seven series:
Series 1: Business Papers, 1939-1990
Series 2: Recording Artists, 1949-1981, bulk 1950-1959
Series 3: Photographs, undated, 1957
Series 4: Production files, 1948-1995, bulk 1952-1963
Series 5: Objects, undated, 1908-1964
Series 6: Audio Interviews, 1990
Series 7: Audio Recordings
Biographical/Historical note:
Emory Cook (1913-2002) is widely regarded as a highly influencial audio engineer. Born and raised in Albany, New York, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1932. After his discharge in 1934 he obtained his degree from Cornell University and began working for Western Electric in the Audio Engineering Force. During World War II, while still at Western Electric, Cook supervised the creation of a fire-controlled radar "Trainer," for which he received a Commendation from the Service.
In the late 1940's, convinced he could do better than what was on the market, Cook began experimenting with making his own audio equipment. Cook Laboratories was started in 1945 when he developed a new cutting head to be used in record production. Future development of equipment brought about the discovery that he could record frequencies as high as 20,000 hertz, more than any other recording company at the time. He cut a record of piano and organ music to demonstrate this discovery, and took it to the 1949 Audio Fair in New York. When he demonstrated the record with the hopes to sell the recording equipment, he found that people were much more interested in buying the record itself. Shortly after, Sounds of Our Times, later called Cook Records, was born.
Cook Records collected many different sounds and was mostly aimed at the devoted high-fidelity listener. Cook believed that hearing was a sense often overlooked by people, and he wanted listeners of his albums to be able to hear things they might otherwise miss. In a New Yorker profile by Daniel Lang in 1956, Cook claimed that hearing was "always being kicked aside in favor of sight… There's a time and a place for everything, and that includes sound." In order to encourage listening, he put out many albums full of everyday sounds, such as Voice of the Sea, an album of noises of the ocean and Eye of the Storm, recorded during a thunderstorm. One of the most successful albums was Rail Dynamics, an album of steam trains pulling in and out of a station.
Cook Records also produced traditional music albums from its plant in Stamford, Connecticut. The label produced everything from organ music to folk, flamenco guitar, calypso and steel band. Cook had little interest in name musicians and instead searched high and low for anything he thought might be an interesting contribution to his label. He even invited listeners to send in their favorite sounds, some of which he eventually recorded.
Cook had such a large interest in Calypso music that he set up a second pressing plant in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. There he pressed calypso and steel band music for both a Trinidadian and American audience, and most albums sold well in both countries.
In addition to the wide range of music Cook recorded, he was also an inventor. It was Cook who first came up with the idea of pressing records with powdered, rather than solid, vinyl, a technique he dubbed "microfusion." This technique not only saved money, but cut out many of the traditional crackles and pops associated with records.
He also developed the binaural system of recording and playing records, which he thought was superior to the more commonly used stereo method. Binaural was more precise than stereo, and it required placing two microphones six inches apart, approximately the space between two ears, during the recording. It was then played back with a special two-needle playing arm. Binaural recordings were thought by Cook to best duplicate the original sound.
Emory Cook died at the age of 89 in 2002 after a long hospitalization.
Shared Stewardship of Collections:
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage acknowledges and respects the right of artists, performers, Folklife Festival participants, community-based scholars, and knowledge-keepers to collaboratively steward representations of themselves and their intangible cultural heritage in media produced, curated, and distributed by the Center. Making this collection accessible to the public is an ongoing process grounded in the Center's commitment to connecting living people and cultures to the materials this collection represents. To view the Center's full shared stewardship policy, which defines our protocols for addressing collections-related inquiries and concerns, please visit https://folklife.si.edu/archives#shared-stewardship.
COOK RECORDINGS - NUMERICAL LISTING:
001 20,000 Cycle Demo (1949) COOK00001
002 Night Rain and Surf COOK00002
003 Specimen Heart Beats COOK00003
004 Katydids, Frogs and Forrest Birds
E101 Grenada Stories and Songs (1957-58) COOK00101
E102 Amazon Sound: Yacu River Tribes (Rituals and Rites) (1954) COOK00102
E103 Music of St. Lucia (1953) COOK00103
E104 Rada (1958) COOK00104
E105 JOSE RAMON FORTUNE AND OLGA MAYNARD Nancy Stories (1956) COOK00105
106 Afro-West Indian Cultural Practices (1957-58) COOK00106
107 ESCOLA DE SAMBA DE BRAZIL The Boli, The Cocolute, and Brazil (1957-58) COOK00107
901 Steelband Jump Up Boys Town, Tropical Harmony, Silvertone COOK00901
904 THE ESSO STEEL BAND Esso Steelband of Bermuda (1958) COOK0904
906 LORD MELODY Lord Melody Sings Calypso (1958-59) COOK00906
911 TOM CHARLES AND HIS SYNCOPATER ORCHESTRA Fete for So! (1959) COOK00911
914 LORD MELODY Again! Lord Melody Sings Calypso (1957-58) COOK00914
916 Calypso Cross Section Young Killer, The Mighty Bomber, Small Island Pride, The Mighty Wrangler (1957-58) COOK00916
920 THE MIGHTY SPARROW King Sparrow's Calypso Carnival (1959) COOK00920
927 LORD MELODY Calypso through the Looking Glass (1959) COOK00927
928 CLARENCE CURVAN His Drums, His Orchestra COOK00928
930 Belly to Belly Clarence Curvan, Johnny Gomez, Tom Charles, Fitz Vaughn Bryan (1960-61) COOK00930
931 LORD MELODY Lord Melody, 1962 COOK0931
1000 TITUS MOODY DDDs of Binaural (1952) COOK01000
1011 The Christmas Music Box (1950) COOK01011
1012 Music Boxes of Long Ago (1950) COOK01012
1013 CHARLIE MAGNANTE Accordion Pops Concert (1954-55) COOK01013
1014 CHARLIE MAGNANTE AND LaVERGNE SMITH His and Hers (1954-55) COOK01014
1020 SAM ESKIN Sam Eskin's Songs of All Time COOK01020
1021 GROUPE MI-O Un Ti Bo (1958) COOK01021
1022 LAVINIA WILLIAMS' GROUPE FOLKLORIQUE Haiti Confidential (1958) COOK01022
1023 The Ramayana (Hindu Ceremony) (1961) COOK01023
10120 Music Boxes, Carousels, and Hand Organs (01012 and 05010) (1950-53) COOK10120
10248 The Voice of Mexico Gustavo Zepoli, Trio Leones (01024 and 01080) (1954) COOK10248
10251 SEAN McGONIGAL AND ST. COLUMCILLE'S UNITED GAELIC PIPE BAND Kilts on Parade (01025 plus solos) (1950-53) COOK10251
10271 CARLOS MONTOYA AND THE JOSE GRECO TROUPE Fiesta Flamenca (selections from 01027 and 01028) (1952) COOK10271
10289 CARLOS MONTOYA Montoya (selections from 01028 plus) (1952) COOK10289
10301 EDWARD AND JOSEPH VITO The Harp (selections from 01030 and 01031 plus) (1951-54) COOK10301
10326 Cafe Continental Ruth Welcome, Dick Marta, and Anita Ast (selections from 01026 and 01032) (1951-52) COOK10326
10350 Nickelodion and Calliope (selections from 01035 and 05010) (1950-53) COOK10350
10500 REGINALD FOORT The Theater Organ COOK10500
10501 MICHAEL CHESHIRE Pipe Organ in the Mosque (selections from 01050 and 01051) (1952) COOK10501
10523 REGINALD FOORT Percussion and Pedal (selections from 01052 and 01053) (1952) COOK10523
10545 REGINALD FOORT The Organ at Symphony Hall (01054 plus) (1954) COOK10545
10579 REGINALD FOORT Foort Pops (selections from 01057 and 01058) (1956) COOK10579
10646 NEW ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON Tempo Vivace: Symphonic Masterpieces of Dance & Theater (selections from 01064 and 01066) (1955-56) COOK010646
10657 NEW ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON Two Classical Symphonies: Mozart Symphony No. 40, Beethoven Symphony No. 5 (01065 and 01067) (1955) COOK10657
10659 NEW ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON Two Classical Symphonies: Mozart Symphony No. 40, Haydn Symphony No. 100 (01065 and 01069) (1955-56) COOK10659
10683 NEW ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON Modern Orchestral Textures (01068 and 01063) (1955) COOK10683
10850 RUPERT Cook LabsEMENDORE BAND Le Jazz Trinidad COOK10850
10867 Before and After Willie Rodriguez (selections from 01086 and 05007) (1953-54) COOK010867
10889 RED CAMP Horizontal & Upright & Downright & Dunright (01088 and 01089) (1954) COOK10889
10890 The Castiliane Johnny Gomez Band, John Buddy Williams Band, Girl Pat Steel Band, And Grand Curacaye String Orchestra (1956) COOK10890
11312 BRUCE PRINCE-JOSEPH AND HUFSTADER SINGERS The Forgotten Pedal Harpsichord and Hufstader Singers (01131 and 01092) (1953) COOK11312
11815 TONY ALMERICO'S PARISIAN ROOM BAND AND LIZZIE MILES Clambake on Bourbon Street (1954-55) COOK11815
50130 Tour of Cook Labs COOK50130
70889 RED CAMP Popular Piano and Combo COOK70889
80134 LUIZ BONFA Waterfall: Guitar COOK80134
80417 MARIMBA ORCHESTRA Waterfall: Children's Music COOK80417
80680 NEW ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON Waterfall: Symphonic COOK80680
XX1 Audio Follies Sampler COOK00XX1
XX2 Calypso Jazz Sampler COOK00XX2
Series 10 Cook Series 10 COOK_Series10
Series 30 Cook Series 30 COOK_Series30
Series 60 Cook Series 60 COOK_Series60
Series 70 Cook Series 70 COOK_Series70
Series 80 Cook Series 80 COOK_Series80
Series 90 Cook Series 90 COOK_Series90
Series 100 Cook Series 100 COOK_Series100
Series 300 Cook Series 300 COOK_Series300
Series 301 Cook Series 301 COOK_Series301
Series 302 Cook Series 302 COOK_Series302
Series 303 Cook Series 303 COOK_Series303
Provenance:
The Smithsonian Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections acquired the Cook Labs Records in 1990, when Emory and Martha Cook donated their company records to the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. Anthony Seeger, then Director of Smithsonian Folkways Records, received a call from Mr. Cook in the summer of 1989 offering to donate the Cook label to the Smithsonian. Dr. Seeger visited him in August of that year to view the contents of the collection, and the Smithsonian received custody of the collection in May 1990. In return for the donation from Mr. Cook, the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage agreed to keep the record titles available and to store the papers in the archives.
Restrictions:
Access to the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections is by appointment only. Visit our website for more information on scheduling a visit or making a digitization request. Researchers interested in accessing born-digital records or audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies.
Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
Topic:
Popular music -- 20th century -- United States Search this
116 Jarama Valley / Abraham Lincoln Battalion, Pete Seeger, Tom Glazer.
119 John Hardy / Lead Belly. Accordion.
121 Libra / Mary Lou Williams. Piano.
122 Scorpio / Mary Lou Williams. Piano.
106 Happy Land of Canaan / Lord Invader.
105 Te We / Lord Invader.
101 Where Jonah Gone / Lord Invader.
102 10,000 to Bar Me None / Lord Invader.
104 Me One Alone / Lord Invader.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-10RR-0273
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: New York, United States.
General:
CDR copy- Disc 393
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
101 Deep Blue Sea / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
102 Que Bonita Bandera / Pete Seeger. Banjo. Spanish language.
103 Aimee McPherson / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
104 Tangents / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
105 Poisoning the Student's Minds / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
106 42 Kids (frag.) / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
107 Teacher's Blues / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
108 Ragaputi Raga / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
109 The Black Fly / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
110 Wimoweh / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
111 Michael, Row the Boat Ashore / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
112 Going Down the Road Feeling Bad / Bill Broonzy. Guitar. English language.
113 Mama, Look at Bubu / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
114 Ananais / Bill Broonzy. Guitar. English language.
115 A Soldier's Prayer / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
116 John Henry / Bill Broonzy. Guitar. English language.
118 In the Evening When the Sun Goes Down / Bill Broonzy. Guitar. English language.
117 I'll Sing You a Love Song / Pete Seeger. Banjo. English language.
119 Study War No More (Down by the Riverside) / Pete Seeger, Bill Broonzy. Banjo,Guitar. English language.
Local Numbers:
FW-ASCH-7RR-5040
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Recorded in: Chicago (Ill.), United States, Illinois.
General:
CDR copy- Disc 465
Restrictions:
Restrictions on access. No duplication allowed listening and viewing for research purposes only.
Collection Rights:
Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections. Please visit our website to learn more about submitting a request. The Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections make no guarantees concerning copyright or other intellectual property restrictions. Other usage conditions may apply; please see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for more information.
