Sunday 22 April 2012

Location recordings by East Midlands tape recording clubs 1959 - 1978


A selection of vintage amateur field recordings from three East Midlands tape clubs: The Derby Tape Recording Club, The Leicester Tape Recording Club and The Nottingham Co-operative Tape Recording Club.

Many of these recordings were made in the days when recording on location entailed lugging a heavy and cumbersome full-size reel to reel recorder out and about with you. Outdoor recordings were often impractical but sometimes being part of a club – pooling resources and sharing knowledge, made things a little bit easier. The appearance of affordable portable battery recorders in the early 60’s granted tape enthusiasts unprecedented freedom as to what and where they could record – a freedom which most tape club members exploited to the full. Some of these recordings were made on organised outings as part of the tape club’s programme of activities; others were made independently by individual members. This selection represents just a fraction of the recordings contained within the archives. The variety and imagination displayed here is a testament to the pioneering spirit of a dedicated group of amateurs; our forebears in the pursuit of recorded sound.

Thanks to all former tape club members, in particular; Bill and Marjory Howard, Ernie Flecknoe, Brian Hayhoe, John & Lorna Buckler, John Moule, Bruce Goodwin, Dennis Blackmore and Patrick Everest.