Grooves from the grave

Subject: Grooves from the grave
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 09:42 AM

G'day,

Particle physics has got into the noble art of retrieving and cleaning data from old gramophone cylinders and discs, according to this BBC article. There must be a folkie in there somewhere. The first test usied the Weavers 1950 vesion of the Leadbelly standard..

"I think it's hard to quantify, but it's certainly a great cultural and emotional imprint. The very first sample that we reconstructed was the Goodnight Irene song. It's thought of as a lullaby these days, but if you listen to the lyrics it's about adultery, murder and some other things. That immediately gives you the feeling for the cultural change between the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and these days."

/Twill be interesting to see what eventuates. "I'll see you in my dreams".

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: Bert
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 09:53 AM

Very interesting. I was thinking of making such a device about twenty years ago. Just one of many ideas that got shelved through lack of funding.

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 10:07 AM

G'day Bert,

I'm just too late to get Irene in to our NZ Wireless Geriatric's Session for tomorrow night. They should still have a relatively clean Weaver's version in the archives (one of the first songs I recall). Mumble... You would recall scratchy versions of all the other recordings wouldn't you?

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: Bert
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 10:18 AM

They do seem to be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut though.

I would think it should be relatively simple to do all the R&D for such a device for about $20,000.

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 10:52 AM

G'day Bert

Tweny Grand? That wouldn't buy playlunch for the team taht will undoubtedly develop for this project! Actually I've been quite impressed with some of the de-Kellog technology that's taken 'Snap, Crackle & Pop' from old recordings over the last decade - wish I could afford some to take the static out of my wireless,,,

Cheers - Sam

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: Bert
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 11:30 AM

What would you need...

1. a cheap microscope - wouldn't need to be a good one because you'd only need to scan a very small area.
2. a cheap digital camera - cheap for the same reason.
3. a tracking mechanism - an old dot matrix printer should have most of what you'd need in the way of carriage and stepping motors.

Put it all together with some software. Shouldn't take reasonable programmer more than a month or two.

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 12:27 PM

The late John R T Davis was doing Clean Up on old Jazz records thirty years ago !! AND without thousands of pounds spent on kit !!

Subject: RE: Grooves from the grave
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jul 04 - 12:53 PM

Yes I couldn't speak too highly of the work of John RT in reclaiming the sounds of old jazz and blues recordings. Also the Australian Robert Parker for his series of "Jazz Classics In Stereo" re-issues. Both these guys gave, amongst many other recordings, the 1923 recordings of King Olivers Creole Jazzband an unbelievable clarity and immediacy. This new research promises much, I'm looking forward to hearing some great old stuff.