The bizarre world of instructional LPs
Before the internet, in situations when books wouldn't quite do, a wave of LPs educated people in all manner of things. They seem more than a little eccentric to the modern listener, writes Alan Dein.
To begin with, there are no clearly defined route maps like online discographies, compilations or even fan blogs to help explore the story of the remarkable peaks, and troughs, of the instructional LP record.
With often oddball titles like Dynamic Leadership or Morse Code for Airmen - and often prefaced by the key phrase "How To" or "Hear How" or "Learn How To" - this is a genre that thrived on the LP format between the 1950s and the mid-1980s. But today, the recordings themselves occupy the twilight zone of the commercial record industry and aside from Jane Fonda's iconic 1981 Workout Record, they are titles that have slipped through the grooves of our audio social history, and out of sight.
I have a top five instructional records:
- Relaxed English by Sidney Stevens, early 1960s. Designed for French students of the English language to learn how to use idioms and slang that are socially acceptable. Stuffed with creaky expressions like "that shirt's a peach" and "hark at that beat". It is unintentionally hilarious, and beyond parody.
- The Magic of Sleep Learning by Dr EA Borton, Stanford Institute, Ohio, c 1950s. Recorded lessons scientifically selected to realise your greatest personal desires and ambitions. The accompanying booklet instructs you to "to Learn While You Sleep, and place your complete faith in the great creative power of your Sub-Conscious Mind". Sections of the record complete with scary organ backing are specially designed to be listened to through the night.
- Talking Budgerigars with Philip Marsden, 1967. Marsden was an internationally acclaimed authority on pet budgies. The highlights of the LP are the recordings of the incomparable Sparkie Williams (1955-1962), a little green budgerigar whose vocabulary reached 531 words - making the Guinness Book of Records. Back in the 50s and 60s, discs teaching budgies to talk (or parakeets in the USA) were mighty popular. An activity less fashionable these days?
- Start Slimming/Cure Blushing and Self-Consciousness by Henry Blythe, c 1970. Blythe was a hypnotist who produced his albums "in the interest of public health". The listener is instructed to "follow the spoken instructions very intently and believe that he is actually in the room with you... in spirit - a Blythe spirit".
- Keep Fit with Eileen Fowler, 1960. A true pioneer, and a mellifluous voice. She taught exercise classes to women factory workers during WW2, leading to a long career on stage, screen and BBC Radio.
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