For the Golden Record Curation assignment, I attempted to represent as much human diversity as possible. I took into account the geographical location, gender, race, social status, and language of the musician. I also tried to include a sample of different instruments, music with and without lyrics, and music from different time periods where possible.
These are my selections:
- “Dark Was the Night,” written and performed by Blind Willie Johnson. 3:15
- Beethoven, Fifth Symphony, First Movement, the Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer, conductor. 7:20
- Navajo Indians, Night Chant, recorded by Willard Rhodes. 0:57
- Australia, Aborigine songs, “Morning Star” and “Devil Bird,” recorded by Sandra LeBrun Holmes. 1:26
- Peru, wedding song, recorded by John Cohen. 0:38
- India, raga, “Jaat Kahan Ho,” sung by Surshri Kesar Bai Kerkar. 3:30
- Japan, shakuhachi, “Tsuru No Sugomori” (“Crane’s Nest,”) performed by Goro Yamaguchi. 4:51
- Senegal, percussion, recorded by Charles Duvelle. 2:08
- Mexico, “El Cascabel,” performed by Lorenzo Barcelata and the Mariachi México. 3:14
- Azerbaijan S.S.R., bagpipes, recorded by Radio Moscow. 2:30