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Elmore James, Linda Ronstadt, Everly Brothers and More Enter National Recording Registry

The Library of Congress has added 25 recordings to the National Recording Registry.
The Library of Congress has added 25 recordings to the National Recording Registry.

The Library of Congress has released its annual list of 25 “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” recordings to enter the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry. 

This years’ entrants date from 1896 to 1994; notable additions to the registry include Elmore‘s namesake Elmore James’ 1951 recording of “Dust My Broom”; the Everly Brothers’ “Cathy’s Clown” from 1960; Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son”; Linda Ronstadt’s 1974 album Heart Like a Wheel, U2’s 1987 album The Joshua Tree, and Jeff Buckley’s 1994 rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Other recordings inducted this year are the presidential recordings during Lyndon Johnson’s administration, a series of interviews with baseball legends from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Isaac Hayes’ theme from Shaft.

In order to be in consideration for inclusion into the National Recording Registry, a recording must be at least 10 years old. Inductees are determined by the Librarian of Congress and the National Recording Preservation Board, who makes recommendations and also considers online submissions. 

The (now) 400 recordings in the Registry are stored at the Library of Congress’ Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation in Culpeper, VA.

More information and the reasoning behind this year’s additions to the Registry are available on the Library of Congress website.

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