20th Century Time Capsule
(Buddha)
What a long strange trip it's been. We've had people walk on the moon, drop atomic bombs and fight for civil rights. We've watched TV, introduced topless bathing suits and flown across the Atlantic Ocean. We've had assassinations and impeachments. We've gone from 78's to LPs to CDs with stops along the way for 8-Tracks and quadraphonic sound. There's been plenty of war and much effort directed towards peace. Before I get carried away, allow me to recommend this short audio "Time Capsule" to help you re-examine the late, great century. Buddha's audio chronicle includes choice selections from each decade of the twentieth century.
From the first promotional message on the Edison Phonograph "In My Merry Oldsmobile" in 1909 to President Clinton's speech on building a bridge all the way to the twenty-first century, this collection has well over 100 nostalgic sound clips. The list includes Reverend Billy Sunday's 1926 speech on prohibition, Gandhi's 1932 rejection of violence, the Hindenberg Disaster, Lou Gerhig's farewell to baseball, Nixon's defending himself in the famous "Checkers" speech, the Kent State shootings and many, many more events that shaped the century.
There are some musical moments wedged between events like Hitler's death and the Allied Invasion of Iwo Jima, including Duke Ellington's "Slip Of The Lip" from 1943, "Shout" by the Isley Brothers and The Fifth Dimension singing "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In." While this disc is loaded a bit more towards the second half of the century, hearing stock trader Ivan Boesky give financial advice or televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Baker apologize to their followers is more interesting now than it ever was when these things first happened.
So, if you are looking for a good copy of Lloyd Bentsen debating Dan Quayle, a Public Service Announcement telling you what to do during a nuclear attack or Johnnie Cochran putting the classic spin on OJ Simpson, this disc is for you. Better buy it quick though, all this stuff will be old news in a couple of weeks.
by Mitch Myers
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.