The 78 Project

November 21, 2012 1:56 PM

The 78 Project With just one microphone, one authentic 1930′s PRESTO direct-to-disc recorder, and one blank lacquer disk, musicians are given the opportunity to make a recording anywhere they choose. Random example: Joe Henry and Lisa Hannigan - Red River Valley
posted by swordfishtrombones (6 comments total)

I'm enjoying these.

Here's a little background on the mechanics.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:19 PM on November 21, 2012

Fantastic. I know I can record CD-quality digital audio with my cell phone these days, but it is nowhere near as magical as watching a disc or a cylinder being recorded.
posted by usonian at 2:26 PM on November 21, 2012

Nice post - thanks. Nice to see Joe Henry show up here on the blue. Do yourself a favor and listen to a flat-out brilliant song he wrote.
posted by davebush at 2:51 PM on November 21, 2012 [4 favorites]

Lisa Hannigan is also brilliant; I highly recommend her album Sea Sew. Also, her reaction, at around 3:20 to the shavings brushed from the recording process is fantastic.
posted by eustacescrubb at 2:53 PM on November 21, 2012

Oh, hell yes The 78 Project deserves an FPP!

I fell in love with this little bit they did with one of my favorites, Vandaveer, quite a few months back and always get excited when they release something new. And in case you missed being lucky enough to donate to their kickstarter, they'll still take your money and give you some goodies for it here. You should give them some, I say. The 78 Project is rad times eleventy billion.
posted by youandiandaflame at 4:29 PM on November 21, 2012

growing up on the praries, Red River Valley is one of the saddest and most haunting songs I know--as much as I love the 78 project, I love this song more. Plus, Joe Henry is fantastic.

(Here is a cover of Red River Valley that is really good with Chris Isaak and Stevie Nicks)
posted by PinkMoose at 8:17 PM on November 21, 2012 [1 favorite]