Vintage Vinyl

MAY 9 – HELD OVER THROUGH JULY 22, 2011
VINTAGE VINYL from the Wittliff Collections

THIS EXHIBIT WAS ON THE LIBRARY'S FIRST FLOOR

Drawn from the growing holdings of over 1,400 vinyl LPs and 45 rpm singles spanning the many popular music styles of Texas and the Southwest, Vintage Vinyl from the Wittliff Collections presents rare releases from well-known artists like Willie Nelson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Doug Sahm, as well as from offbeat artists such as Lester Bangs, Joe “King” Carrasco, and the Legendary Stardust Cowboy. Some of the genres covered include Texas-Mexican border music, rhythm-and-blues, Cajun accordion, singer-songwriter, and beerhouse parlor jive.

One particular strength of the vinyl collection is Willie Nelson, who is a genre unto himself. At the Wittliff Collections, you can go all the way back to Willie’s beginnings in recorded music, listen to his first record—self-released in the Pacific Northwest in 1957—and a 1955 demo for Sarg Records out of Luling, Texas. Examples of both records are on display in this exhibit. For more, see the online list of the Willie Nelson Recording Collection.

In addition to vinyl, the Wittliff also holds an extensive CD library of music from Texas and the Southwest. Any title from the music collection is available to listen to in the reading room, Monday – Friday, 8:30–4:30. All the titles are either in the Alkek Library's online catalog or in the process of being cataloged. Call 512.245.2313 with any inquiries, or make a research appointment online. 

[above] "When I Sang My Last Hillbillie Song," 1955 demo for Sarg Records by Willie Nelson