"Yodel in Hi-Fi"
Marieluise Tichy with the 2
Rudis, 1958
This
week we return to the world of vinyl for a truly horrifying selection:
Yodel
in Hi-Fi. This is one of those albums that you would never dare
listen too, but is just too interesting not to have as part of your collection.
With the idyllic scene of traditional yodelers mixed with 1950's hipster
typefaces, Yodel in Hi-Fi combines the best of both worlds.
You have your high fidelity, stereophonic quality to please the technophile
in you and the pure Alps tones of Marieluise Tichy and company to cure
that part that needs to hear yodel music. This is what 1950's hi-fi music
was all about--being a service to all of your leisure hour needs. And those
needs (no matter how good, or bad, the music) will, of course, be made
better by the wonders of stereophonic technology. The implication being
that technology is a benevolent force that will make everything, including
the shrill echoes of alpine yodeling, more palatable and thereby enhance
your entertainment experience. You can tell the person writing the liner
notes is trying to make a silk purse out of the sows ear they have been
given. (Also, pay attention to how this copywriter lays it on extra thick
by using over sentimental clichés.) "The true Yodel is merely a
long wordless vocalise. A whole series of these would be a bit monotonous
after a while. The yodels contained here are more in the line of folk-songs.
They are very vigorous and lively. One of the many happy memories of alpine
countries (besides mountain climbing, which is fine for some people) is
hearing a group of such yodels as on the present record, on a fine sunny
morning. The joy is infectious and you find that your spirits already bursting
with life are given an extra lift by these irrepressible notes. So--close
your eyes, turn up the volume and imagine yourself high in the alps with
the fresh cool breezed tickling your face and the hot sun warming your
body while the yodelers warm the cockles of your heart."
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