Sounds of Alaska Volume 1

Frank Brink - Sounds of Alaska Volume 1

LP released sometime during the early 1960s

Frank Brink - narrator and producer

"SOUNDS OF ALASKA" was designed to present meaningful and outstanding impressions of Alaska. The selection of these impressions was based on their appeal to Alaskans as well as to the many visitors who might never be able to stay in Alaska long enough to know the sources from which "Sounds of Alaska" were derived.

This recording does not attempt to present a comprehensive picture, nor even the most important aspects of life in Alaska. It is not a historical account, nor does it attempt to follow a geographical, or historical pattern.

It does, however, attempt to preserve some of the feeling of old Alaska before radio, TV, and modern transportation, a feeling which is alive now only in the memories of the old timers.

It introduces to new Alaskans authentic impressions of the character of some of the people known and unknown who have either made a significant contribution to the growth of Alaska, or who have made life more colorful during their moment in the "great land".

RECORDING THE SOUNDS

All the "Sounds of Alaska" with few exceptions were recorded by the producer during more than fourteen years of travels and expeditions throughout the Territory. Nine different recorders were used. Some were powered by 125 pound gasoline generators. Others were powered by six volt wet batteries and converters. The equipment was called "portable" only because it could be moved by sheer determination. This was before the modern light weight equipment had been developed. Most of the equipment had to be carried by pack board. A.C. current frequency fluctuated constantly with the gas powered generators, and recording frequency changed every time the recorders, batteries, or converters got cold. And, since nearly half of the material was recorded during winter months, the equipment was either cold or frozen solid much of the time. Once in Kotzebue a frozen recorder shared the warmth from a bush plane nose heater. The recorders have traveled approximately 11,000 miles in airplanes and dog sleds along with reindeer meat and shee fish.

Much of the recording was done candidly in order to preserve complete naturalness even at the sacrifice of a certain amount of quality. In some cases it was impossible to keep the microphone away from generators, converters, curious uninhibited children and other natural phenomena. Consequently the listener is invited to enjoy the additional flavor they provide.

In the final phases of editing, the Don Gretzer residence became a recording studio. A bedroom was used as a control room. The living room, kitchen, and bathroom were used as narration studios. The furnace, refrigerator, and florescent lights had to be shut off to reduce background noise. Narration was repeated many times because of interrupting airplanes, automobiles, and unwitting callers. (from the liner notes)


Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. George Ahgupuk Introduces Sounds of Alaska {5:35}

2. Fairbanks, Gold Town, Big City {2:08}

3. Nome, the Gold Rush City {2:36}

4. Alaskan Dog Mushers {3:37}

5. The Legendary Alaskan Bush Pilots {7:54}

Side 2

1. Kotzebue Eskimos {3:31}

2. The Seal Islands-The Pribilofs {3:26}

3. The Breakup of Lake George {2:58}

4. Anaktuvik Eskimos {3:50}

5. Fort Yukon-Athabascan Indians {4:46}

6. Climbing Mt. McKinley {2:45}

7. Juneau, Capitol of Alaska {2:58}

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