In fact, George Gershwin and Fred and Adele Astaire's 1926 recording
of "Fascinating Rhythm" is on the new list. This song from the
show "Lady, Be Good!" is joined by such diverse recordings as
"Swanee" (1920) by Al Jolson; Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'
(1929); Sergey Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf," as recorded
by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1939; and Edward R. Murrow's Sept.
21, 1940, broadcast describing the bombing of London from a rooftop during
the blitzkrieg.
Less well known but equally significant recordings are also new to the
Registry: "Down by the Riverside" (1944) by Sister Rosetta Tharpe
showcases one of the greatest gospel singers of the time; "The Suncook
Town Tragedy" (1930) by Mabel Wilson Tatro of Springfield, Vt., is
a fine example of the vernacular music of Vermont; and Alexander's Scourby's
monumental 1966 recording of the King James version of the Bible took
four years to complete.
More recent recordings include Neil Armstrong's indelible statement from
the moon in 1969: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap
for mankind." John Williams' 1977 soundtrack for "Star Wars"
is credited with reviving symphonic film scores. With songs such as "Welcome
to the Terrordome" and "Power to the People," Public Enemy's
"Fear of a Black Planet" (1989) ushered in an era of critical
acclaim for hip-hop music. The youngest selection, Nirvana's "Nevermind"
(1991), made grunge music mainstream with its anthemic "Smells Like
Teen Spirit" and other songs of youthful alienation.
