this edition of framework:afield has been produced in scotland by mark vernon, and features location recordings by east midlands tape recording clubs made between 1959 and 1978. for more information see http://www.meagreresource.com. mark’s notes on the show:

A selection of vintage amateur field recordings from three East Midlands tape clubs: The Derby Tape Recording Club, The Leicester Tape Recording Club and The Nottingham Co-operative Tape Recording Club.

Many of these recordings were made in the days when recording on location entailed lugging a heavy and cumbersome full-size reel to reel recorder out and about with you. Outdoor recordings were often impractical but sometimes being part of a club – pooling resources and sharing knowledge, made things a little bit easier. The appearance of affordable portable battery recorders in the early 60’s granted tape enthusiasts unprecedented freedom as to what and where they could record – a freedom which most tape club members exploited to the full. Some of these recordings were made on organised outings as part of the tape club’s programme of activities; others were made independently by individual members. This selection represents just a fraction of the recordings contained within the archives. The variety and imagination displayed here is a testament to the pioneering spirit of a dedicated group of amateurs; our forebears in the pursuit of recorded sound.

Thanks to all former tape club members, in particular; Bill and Marjory Howard, Ernie Flecknoe, Brian Hayhoe, John & Lorna Buckler, John Moule, Bruce Goodwin, Dennis Blackmore and Patrick Everest.

Recordings include:

Cadeby light railway / budgerigars / flamingos / fairground & fairground organ / owl / a visit to the zoo, Bill & Marjory Howard (the monkey house & sea lions) / applause from a musical concert / Leicester market / shopping hubbub / traffic / a police officer describing a  car journey in real-time / tour around a power station / train recordings / six sounds / birdsong (Harold’s land) / Leicester tape club news tape – Carillion recording trip with parabolic reflector / girls football match / countryside recordings – pigs, cows, chickens, birdsong, babbling brook / Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water, Bill & Marjory Howard / musical chairs (Derby tape club Christmas party) / Fire station – alarm, pole slide and fire engine leaving station / tour round Pirelli tyre factory, Burton-upon-Trent / clock chime / recorded bicycle ride with commentary by John Buckler / brass band, the Lord Mayor’s show, Leicester / Leicester vs Birmingham tape club 10-pin bowling tournament / cricket match with commentary and brass band / Bill & Marjory Howard talking to parrots at the zoo / Nottingham co-operative tape recording club advert, Mablethorpe / sea & seagulls / Wurlitzer organ concert / fireworks / army display / Loghborough Carillion visit, Bill & Marjory Howard / siren & radio communications / telephone exchange / bingo / East Midlands airport recording trip, Bill & Marjory Howard / ‘This is Derby’ feature by Brian Hayhoe / Bill Howard – ‘Some of the world around us’ /

Also of interest – a recent post from the London Sound Survey features an excellent programme documenting the activities of the London Tape Recording Club.

patrick 2012, framework:afield

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