Archeophone , the Champaign-based record label that preserves sounds from the early days of recording, has picked up two more Grammy nominations. They recognize the label’s first foray into sacred music. Illinois Public Radio’s Jeff Bossert has more.
Waxing the Gospel is a collection of hymn and spoken word recordings from the 1890’s, with a 400-page book. Those heard in the set range from the Baldwin’s Cadet Band of Boston to evangelists Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey. They were among the first to use the newest in technology, Thomas Edison’s wax cylinder phonograph, as a means for spreading their faith.
Archeophone’s project began a decade ago, and grew larger in scope as the label researched, and reached out to colleagues who regularly collect this material.
Co-owner Richard Martin:
“We collected what we could . We got a lot of instrumentals and vocals... quartets, and solos. And now we had a 2 CD set, which was very exciting. But then, it grew again.”
The release is split into commercial recordings from 1890’s ‘recording artists’ celebrity recordings from evangelists of the period, and vernacular recordings, or those made in homes, or out in the field, like ‘Sunlight’ performed by Winfield Weeden, one of several from Methodist Camp Meeting in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
On Tuesday, Archeophone netted nominations for Best Historical Album, and Best Album notes. The label has 14 nominations in total, with one Grammy win. The Grammys are February 12th in Los Angeles.