Centuries of Sound

More treasures excavated from musical history with sound curator James Errington. This time it’s 1918, the war is nearly over, but the war records are just getting into their stride, and the shockwave of this new music we’re now calling jazz is still shaking the record industry to its foundations. An exciting, turbulent year for … Radio Podcast #26 – 1918 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is a placeholder to appear on the podcast feed. For the full 4½-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 … 2025 (Preview Mix) Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is a placeholder to appear on the podcast feed. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per … 2000 Part Two – Get Me a Tape Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is a placeholder to appear on the podcast feed. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 … 2000 Part One – Let’s Go Back Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is a placeholder to appear on the podcast feed. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per … 1950 Part Two Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is a placeholder to appear on the podcast feed. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per … 1950 Part One Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is a placeholder to appear on the podcast feed. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 2024 (Preview mix) Read More »

Audio curator James Errington is joined by jazz historian Joe Moore to discuss the astonishing year of 1917, when a new music called “Jass” or “Jaz” or “Jazz” swept the world, changing it forever. A genuinely astonishing time for music, brought to life with contemporary archive sounds. You can also tune in to Cambridge Radio … Radio Podcast #25 – 1917 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. As it’s the festive season I’ve decided to use the new function on Patreon to do a couple of membership offers. Firstly I’m offering a 10% discount on all tiers, monthly and annual, just go to patreon.com/centuriesofsound and sign up with the … At The Christmas Party Hop – Christmas Records 1955-1961 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1949 Part Two – The 12″ Mix Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1949 Part One – The 7″ Mix Read More »

This Centuries of Sound mix comes courtesy of my supporters at patreon.com/centuriesofsound – join them for as little as $5 per month and get a full archive and a host of bonus material. Tracks 0:00:00 Jeff Alexander & Alfred Hitchcock – Music to Be Murdered By (1958) 0:01:36 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put A … Centuries of Sound Presents – Halloween Records from the 50s Read More »

This time James Errington is joined by John Ashlin to explore the music of 1916. While Europe lies devastated in the midst of the darkest year of the first world war, America is hotting up, with the birth of jazz and blues music imminent, while the old world of Vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley is … Radio Podcast #24 – 1916 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1948 Part Two – Move Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first half-hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1948 Part One – Something Big Out Of Something Little Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first half-hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1947 Part Two – Boptamism Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first half-hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1947 Part One – Cubana Bop Read More »

Previously at Centuries of Sound: Christmas 1902-1924: Deep Magic From Before The Dawn Of Time A Holiday Between The Wars, Christmas Records 1926-1938 A Wartime Christmas 1939-1945 If you enjoy my mixes, please consider supporting the show on Patreon for $5 per month – as well as helping me keep going, you will get access … Baby It’s Cold War Outside – Christmas Records 1946-1954 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first half-hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version either see below for the Mixcloud player, or come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for the podcast version and a host of other bonus materials for just … 1946 Part Two – That’s All Right For You Read More »

This Halloween special was first broadcast in 2022 and features music from 1927 to 1938 and also features my son Milan. To get full downloads and a host of extras, and help the show survive, come to http://patreon.com/centuriesofsound When we think of the great depression of the 1930s, the images which may spring to mind … Radio Podcast Special – Halloween Between The Wars Read More »

This Centuries of Sound mix comes courtesy of my supporters at patreon.com/centuriesofsound – join them for as little as $5 per month and get a full archive and a host of bonus material.     The 1940s was a scary time, but not really in a way that we can comfortably celebrate at Halloween. Nevertheless there … A 1940s Halloween from Centuries of Sound Read More »

It seems like an obvious thing to say that the Second World War was A Bad Time, at least it seems obvious to me. Half a decade of some of the most terrible, miserable events of all time – or more than half a decade, the last war-free mix was 1938 and even that included … 1946 Part One – Things To Come Read More »

In this first of a series of special editions of the Centuries of Sound Radiopod, I’m joined by Simon O’Dwyer of Ancient Music Ireland to talk about music from a time before we had recordings, or even music notation, and hear some reconstructed prehistoric music from his own collection and others. Simon and Maria’s website … Centuries of Sound Radiopod Prequel Special #1 – Ancient Sounds, with Simon O’Dwyer of Ancient Music Ireland Read More »

  James Errington takes you on another journey into the pre-history of recorded sound — this time joined by Cambridge 105 Radio’s own Alex Elbro to explore the music of 1915, from hot dance ragtime to South-American proto-tango, English music hall comedy and some surprising responses to the first world war. Centuries of Sound is … Radio Podcast #23 – 1915 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the four-hour version please come to centuriesofsound.com to stream, or patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would … 1945 Part Two Read More »

James Errington takes you on another trip into the ancient history of recorded sound, this time joined by Cambridge native Liam Higgins to review the music scene on both sides of the Atlantic in 1914, the year the lights famously went out all over Europe. This episode includes for the first (and hopefully the last) … Radio Podcast #22 – 1914 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the full nearly four-hour version please come to centuriesofsound.com to stream, or patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This … 1945 Part One Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the full nearly four-hour version please come to centuriesofsound.com to stream, or patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This … 1944 Part Three Read More »

Another adventure back into the early days of recorded sound with James Errington, this time joined by Cambridge 105 Radio’s Maciek Pawlikowski to listen to some of the sounds of 1913, the year of the short-lived hot dance ragtime craze, led by the first all-black orchestra and the couple who brought the foxtrot to prominence. … Radio Podcast #21 – 1913 Read More »

The D-Day landings of the 6th of June 1944 are much too big a story to be covered in the middle of a mix. New recording technology, a wider variety of coverage, and the hoarding and preservation instincts of generations of historians, amateur and professional, have resulted in an unprecedented amount of material being available, … D-Day – Tuesday 6th June 1944 Read More »

More time-travel to the early days of recorded sound with James Errington. This time we find out about the interminable history of musical snobbery, hear some immensely beautiful, surprisingly thick Edison diamond discs and hear what Al Jolson and Billy Murray are up to. Centuries of Sound is an independent podcast without any advertising, and … Radio Podcast #20 — 1912 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first hour of the mix. For the full 3-hour version please come to centuriesofsound.com to stream, or patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show … 1944 – Part One Read More »

Merry Christmas Centuries of Sound Followers! This is a mix of original Christmas-related records and radio broadcasts from 1939 to 1945. It’s also available as a compilation CD for supporters on Patreon here – https://www.patreon.com/posts/76151409 0:00:00 Bernard Herrmann – Snow Ride (1942)0:00:41 Bing Crosby – White Christmas (1942)0:03:48 Jimmy Durante – Clip from Christmas Show … A Wartime Christmas 1939-1945 Read More »

MP3 download | Patreon | Apple | Mixcloud | Spotify | Castbox | Stitcher This compilation of Christmas recordings spans the early years of electronic recording, the explosion of radio, sound films and newsreel, the end of the roaring thirties and the great depression. I’m presenting this in two formats — a mix, which is … A Holiday Between The Wars, Christmas Records 1926-1938 (The Mix) Read More »

In this festive edition of Centuries of Sound, audio curator James Errington is joined by his son Theo to check out some Christmas records from the years 1902 to 1924. We have choirs, carols, brass bands, and of course a selection of bizarre novelty Christmas wax cylinders for your Christmas evening listening. MP3 download | … Christmas 1902-1924: Deep Magic From Before The Dawn Of Time (The Radio Show) Read More »

  At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. Please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible without my supporters on there, so please consider signing up or sharing this with someone who … Christmas 1902-1924: Deep Magic From Before The Dawn Of Time (The Mix) Read More »

In this very special episode of Centuries of Sound, sound curator James Errington plays a selection of Halloween-themed recordings from the acoustic recording era, prior to 1927. Be ready for ghosts, skeletons, vampires, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, “The Goose Bone Man” and Mr Halloween himself, Aleister Crowley Centuries of Sound is an independent podcast … Radio Podcast – Halloween Special #1 (1902-1926) Read More »

This mix is also available as a compilation for Patreon supporters here and at Bandcamp here. I make Centuries of Sound on my own in whatever scraps of time I can find. Please help me find more scraps by supporting the project (and get a load of extra content too!) When we think of the … Halloween Between The Wars – Original Recordings 1927-1938 Read More »

Beginning Halloween Week at Centuries of Sound, here’s a mix of Halloween-themed music and spoken word recordings from the pre-electrical era. This mix is also available in compilation format – to supporters on Patreon, and on the Centuries of Sound Bandcamp page 00:00 Aleister Crowley- The Call Of The First And Second Aethyr (Ca. 1920)01:21 … Hallowe’en Dance: Original Recordings 1902-1926 Read More »

Time travel through audio history with James Errington, this time joined by Cambridge 105’s own Kasia Wozniak to listen to the sounds of 1911, featuring Eastern European émigrés Al Jolson, Irving Berlin and Sophie Tucker; the future president of Poland playing some Chopin; scat singing 15 years before it was supposedly invented; a story about … Radio Podcast #19 — 1911 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the first half-hour of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the twelth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 12 — December + Closing Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the eleventh section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 11 – November Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the tenth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 10 – October Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the ninth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 9 – September Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the eighth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 8 — August Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the seventh section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 7 – July Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the sixth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 6 — June Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the fifth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 5 – May Read More »

At Centuries of Sound I am making mixes for every year of recorded sound. The download here is only for the fourth section of the mix. For the full 4.5-hour version please come to patreon.com/centuriesofsound for downloads and a host of other bonus materials for just $5 per month. This show would not be possible … 1943 Part 4 – April Read More »