A true icon of the rock and roll world has passed away. Bo Diddley was reported to have suffered from heart failure, and passed away at his home in Archer, Florida, at the age of 79.

His trademark guitar rhythms have influenced generations of rockers, notably The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Animals. My favorite Bo songs are “Who Do You Love” and “I’m A Man.”

Mo’ on Bo:

www.bo-diddley.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo_Diddley

www.modernguitars.com

Every year, the Library of Congress adds to the National Recording Registry. They select 25 recordings that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” to preserve for all time.

Here’s the list of recordings the NRPB, the Library’s National Recording Preservation Board, selected for the 2007 National Recording Registry. It’s great to see some of my favorite artists on this list, of which I’ve bolded below.

(In chronological order:)
“The First Trans-Atlantic Broadcast (March 14, 1925)
“Allons a Lafayette,” Joseph Falcon (1928)
“Casta Diva,” from Bellini’s “Norma”; Rosa Ponselle, accompanied by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus, conducted by Giulio Setti. (Dec. 31, 1928 & Jan. 30, 1929)
“If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again,” Thomas A. Dorsey (1934)
“Sweet Lorraine,” Art Tatum (February 22, 1940)
Fibber’s Closet Opens for the First Time, “Fibber McGee & Molly” radio program (March 4, 1940)
Wings Over Jordan, Wings Over Jordan (1941)
Fiorello LaGuardia reading the comics (1945)
“Call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday is Just As Bad,” T-Bone Walker (1947)
Harry S. Truman speech at the 1948 Democratic National Convention (July
15, 1948)
“The Jazz Scene,” various artists (1949)
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” Kitty Wells (May 30, 1952)
“My Fair Lady,” original cast recording (1956)
Navajo Shootingway Ceremony Field Recordings, recorded by David McAllester (1957-1958)
“‘Freight Train,’ and Other North Carolina Folk Songs & Tunes,” Elizabeth Cotten (1959)
Marine Band Concert Album to Help Benefit the National Cultural Center (1963)
“Oh, Pretty Woman,” Roy Orbison (1964)
“Tracks of My Tears,” Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (1965)
“You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song,” Ella Jenkins (1966)
Music from the Morning of the World,” various artists; recorded by David Lewiston (1966)
“For the Roses,” Joni Mitchell (1972)
“Headhunters,” Herbie Hancock (1973)
Ronald Reagan Radio Broadcasts (1976-1979)
“The Sounds of Earth,” disc prepared for the Voyager spacecraft (1977)
“Thriller,” Michael Jackson (1982)

Can you imagine how difficult it can be to preserve our nation’s aural history?

Official Website of the Library of Congress: www.loc.gov

This DVD is a fascinating look behind the board, inside the studio, and into the heart and soul of the music we all know and love. Again I have to say, if you’re really into collecting music, this is a historical document and a must have for any fan of classic rock, R&B and jazz. Tommy was there, in the right place, at the right time, making music magic for over fifty years.

Tom Dowd achieved many outstanding technical high points during his distinguished career in the music business as recording engineer, arranger and producer. His work with Atlantic and Stax Records is legendary, as is his pioneering work with eight-track recording.

‘Tom Dowd & the Language of Music’ features appearances by the Allman Brothers Band, Eric Clapton, Les Paul, Ray Charles, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aretha Franklin.

Here’s a short list of some of my favorite hit songs & albums that Tom Dowd produced & recorded:

Singles:
“Walkin’ the Dog” by Rufus Thomas
“Good Lovin” by The Rascals
“Mr. Bojangles” by Jerry Jeff Walker
“Son Of A Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield

Albums:
Disraeli Gears & Wheels Of Fire by Cream
The Allman Brothers Band at Fillmore East & Eat A Peach
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs by Derek & the Dominoes
461 Ocean Blvd. by Eric Clapton

In addition to the artists I’ve already mentioned, Dowd has also recorded and worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Joe Turner & the Ravens, The Clovers, Ruth Brown, Clyde McPhatter, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the Coasters, Bobby Darin, Ben E. King, Booker T. & the MG’s, Wilson Picket,
Otis Redding, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Chicago, Pablo Cruise, Rita Coolidge, Collin James, Tommy Bolin, Delaney & Bonnie, Diana Ross, Eddie Money, Meatloaf, Phil Collins, Tina Turner, Primal Scream, Popa Chubby and Tinsley Ellis.

The official website contains an amazing discography at: www.thelanguageofmusic.com