As part of our attempts to get the word out about our 35,000+ vinyl record collection, I’ve been putting together a changing display in the front of the Grosvenor Room to showcase a small selection from the record collection. This month features important black artists, both locally and nationally, in honor of Black History Month.
First, we’ve got Harry Belafonte’s Calypso (1956). The first album by a solo artist to sell a million copies, the civil rights icon’s second album would spend 31 weeks at the top of Billboard’s pop album chart, as well as introducing the wider American public to calypso-styled music.
We’ve got a few selections by Charles Mingus, including The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963), considered one of Mingus’ finest works–including liner notes written by his psychologist.
Nina Simone Sings the Blues (1967), her first album released by RCA, includes her more up-tempo cover of “The House of the Rising Sun”, which contrasts to slower, possibly more well-known version off her Nina Simone at the Village Gate album.
Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain (1960), a collaboration with arranger and composer Gil Evans, was inspired by flamenco and contemporary Spanish compositions, including Joaquin Rodrigo (who wasn’t a fan of the arrangement of his piece “Concierto de Aranjuez” on the A side of the album).
A Buffalo native, Rick James’ Cold Blooded (1983) wouldn’t be his most successful album (that would be 1981’s Street Songs), but the Linda Blair dedicated lead single and title track would reach the top of the Billboard R&B chart.
Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader (1988). Not much else needs to be said about this album.
The display is likely to change throughout the remainder of the month, so check in to the Grosvenor Room to see what records are available for loan.
The Grosvenor Room: Genealogy, Local History, Maps, Music & Rare Books 