Sent: 27 November 2017 13:30
From: Simon Goodwin
To: Janette Martin
Subject: Delia Derbyshire archive
Dear Dr Martin
I'm a student on the MA Sound Arts course at the London College of Communication (UAL). I am currently working on a creating a sound based work with the creative starting point being a response to the Her Noise archive held at the UAL Archives and Special Collection at LCC.
Among the musicians and artists referenced by the Her Noise project was Delia Derbyshire. After exploring her presence within the Her Noise archive my investigations led on from the UAL archive to focus on the Delia Derbyshire archive at the John Rylands Library. My particular interest is in the Audiovisual Recordings element of the archive.
I am interested in exploring (among other things!) the role of the archive in creating value and meaning, the transition from material to information and from thing to artifact, and also the relationships between language and sound. I am interested in the historical reappraisal of the importance of the work of Delia Derbishire, and other women involved in early electronic music.
A particular focus for me in this project has become Louis Niebur's preliminary comments on the Delia Derbyshire audio archive. As the archivist with responsibility for the Delia Derbyshire archive I would very much like to come to Manchester to make an audio recording of you reading sections from this document. The intention is that some, or all, of this recording will be included along with other spoken word elements and a range of other sonic source material in the final work.
Is this something you would be willing to consider doing?
If you have any questions do please feel free to ask me, either by replying to this email or by phone, my number is 07981 78676.
Best Regards,
Simon Goodwin
--
Sent: 28/11/2017 10:14
From: Janette Martin
To: simon@workspace.info
Subject: RE: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Copy: David Butler, markrichardayres@gmail.com
Dear Simon
Thanks very much for your email. What a fascinating project and what an unusual request! I can't see any problem in reading out Louis Niebur's track list and being recorded (though I should warn you I do have a broad Yorkshire accent!) but I have cc'd David Butler into this to double check that he does not foresee any issues. David Butler, as I expect you know, was responsible for bringing the collection to Manchester and digitising the reels. He worked closely with Louis Niebur. I've also cc'd in Mark Ayres who oversees the Delia Derbyshire Estate
If it's not an issue as far as Mark and David are concerned I'd be happy to arrange a quiet room in the Library where you can make the recording. In return I wonder whether you would write a short blog for our Special Collections explaining your project - we like to keep track of more interesting uses of our collections - see another Delia archive project here https://rylandscollections.wordpress.com/2017/03/16/finding-delian-inspiration-at-the-john-rylands-library/
Best wishes
Janette
--
Sent: 28 November 2017 11:04
From: Mark Ayres
To: Janette Martin
Cc: simon@workspace.info; David Butler
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
No problem from my point of view.
M
Mark Ayres
Twitter: @markayresRWS
--
Date 28/11/2017 18:07
From David Butler
To Mark Ayres, Janette Martin
Copy simon@workspace.info
Subject: RE: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hi Janette and Simon - thanks so much for copying me in and the project sounds really exciting and interesting.
I'm ok with this in principle albeit with something of a 'but' which is important to acknowledge!
Louis' preliminary comments are very much particular to him - they're his observations as he was listening to the tapes during the initial digitisation process back in 2007. Many of the questions that he poses in the notes have since been answered - sometimes he'll say things like 'What is this?!' - and we know the answer to that now!
The point about that is that if Janette reads the document out loud it might make it sound like she/we (i.e. the current state of play of work and research on Delia's archive) is far more uncertain about the contents of the archive than one would hope after 10 years of working with it (allowing for the fact that it's been nobody's full time job to do so!). It's a very personal document so I wouldn't want the recording to give the impression that the thoughts and questions within it are *Janette's* thoughts and questions (and there are one or two mistakes in there too!). It's very much an historical document - Louis' 'first take' thoughts and notes on an initial playback of the digitised tapes - so I would hope that your piece will make that clear Simon. In many ways, the most appropriate person to read the document would be Louis - and he might not want some or all of the document to be recorded, especially the brief moments of inaccuracy or uncertainty - the document is very much him 'thinking out loud' and so that should be made clear as it doesn't reflect the thoroughness of Louis' research or what he and we have done since.
Simon, how do you intend to frame, present or introduce the recording of Louis' comments within the overall piece? Part of me feels that there should be some contextual information about the nature of the comments, given my points above, but I'm conscious that might not correspond with the flow or tone of the piece you had in mind!
All very best,
David
__
Sent: 28 November 2017 19:43
From: Mark Ayres [markrichardayres@gmail.com]
To: Janette Martin
Cc: simon@workspace.info; David Butler
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
All good points from David.
M
Mark Ayres
Twitter: @markayresRWS
--
Sent: 29 November 2017 14:09
From: Simon Goodwin [simon@workspace.info]
To: David Butler
Cc: Mark Ayres; Janette Martin
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hello David
Thank you for the thoughtful response!
I do appreciate the status of Louis Niebur's Preliminary Comments as a'historical document'. I understand, and would expect, that knowledge has increased in relation to the archive in the intervening years.
In fact I particularly like that the document is clearly observations noted down 'in the moment' and it conveys something of the act of
listening. I like that it includes some doubt, spontaneous reaction and (value) judgements. These are, perhaps of necessity, not qualities often
present in archival documentation, at least not that generally available to the public. But, for the present, this document still serves as the
most thorough public source of information as to the contents of the audio archive.
I appreciate Louis Niebur's obvious skills and knowledge as a musicologist and historian - I am currently half way through his Special
Sound book on the BBC Radiophonic Workshop and it's excellent! I think if I was producing a documentary work it would be ideal to ask the
author to read his own document. However I'm not approaching it in that way. I want to work more with the idea of the things past and the
necessity of interpretation and reinterpretation. Also of interest to me are notions of ownership and custodianship in relation to cultural
artifacts (and history). I'm keen to work with Janette as she has a some current responsibility toward the archive and I find that an interesting
relationship.
I should say that although I have settled on a reading / readings of the Preliminary Comments as a significant, possibly primary, element of the
final work I'm really not in a position to describe in detail the final form the work will take, beyond saying it will be sound based! I am
sensitive to your (legitimate) concerns around it though and am happy to commit to include within the work the documents full title:
"Draft version of Delia Derbyshire track listings. Preliminary Comments (unedited) of Archive Louis Niebur Aug 23, 07"
I think this will provide adequate context to convey the status of the text. Hopefully this addresses your concerns but if you have further
questions please feel free to ask, I'm more than happy to try and answer.
Best regards
Simon
--
Date 29/11/2017 14:09
From Janette Martin
To Simon Goodwin
Subject: Automatic reply: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
I am away from my desk until Thursday 30 November. For collections enquiries please contact Special Collections Reader Services Team at: uml.special-collections@manchester.ac.uk
Best wishes
Janette
--
Date 01/12/2017 12:10
From Janette Martin
To simon@workspace.info
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hi Simon
Just to add once you have got David and Mark on board (it looks like progress is being made!) just get in touch to book a good time to visit Manchester.
Early January might be sensible now as my diary is very full this month
Best wishes
Janette
--
Sent: 01 December 2017 13:21
From: Simon Goodwin [simon@workspace.info]
To: Janette Martin
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hi Janette
Thanks for the email, and thanks for saying yes to being recorded reading! I'm really pleased. The accent is no problem by the way - we
all have some accent or the other...
I'm still waiting to hear back from David so don't feel I should make a definite date until I do. But I'm optimistic we will be able to go ahead
as hopefully he will feel I have addressed his concerns about the project. So in the mean time can I ask if there is any particular days
of the week that would suit you better than another? Early Jan does sound sensible.
All the best,
Simon
--
Date 01/12/2017 14:21
From Janette Martin
To simon@workspace.info
Subject: RE: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hello Simon
I don't work Fridays (well in Manchester at least!) so that is one day to avoid - other than that January is looking nice and empty at the moment - esp week beginning 15 January
Hopefully you will hear from David before too long
Best wishes
Janette
__
Date 03/12/2017 20:38
From David Butler
To simon@workspace.info
Copy Mark Ayres, Janette Martin
RE: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hi Simon,
Thanks so much for the additional details - the project really does sound splendid and I'm very excited to hear it, whatever final form it takes!
Many thanks also for being so understanding about my concerns about how Louis' draft text being read by Janette might be perceived - the explanatory text that you suggested would be a great help in that respect and so it would be much appreciated if that could be included in any accompanying text, liner/programme notes and if you can find a way of weaving it into the title of the piece without making that seem too unwieldy I'll be mightily impressed!
My one remaining concern relates to the nature of the original document and that the comments are Louis' (completely understood about the rationale behind Janette reading the notes as it addresses the relationship between an archivist and the archive they are attached to). I think it would be appropriate to contact Louis and explain to him how you are intending to use his notes and the rationale behind the project so that he's fully on board and aware of what is happening - I'm sure he would be delighted but it would also give him the opportunity to respond if you're planning on including any sections that contain a factual error, misunderstanding or confusion. If you explain the context and aim of the project to him (basically as you have done below!) then I'm certain he would be fully on board with it but I think it would be a basic courtesy just to let him know what you're planning. Louis' email address is lniebur@unr.edu
Let us know how you get on contacting Louis and that all goes well with the development of the work.
All very best,
David
--
Date 11/12/2017 15:24
From Simon Goodwin
To lniebur@unr.edu
Subject: Delia Derbyshire Archive
Dear Dr Niebur
I am a student on the MA Sound Arts course at the London College of Communication (University of the Arts). I am currently in the process of realizing, for an assignment, a sound based work which has as a starting point the Her Noise archive held at the UAL Archives and Special Collection at LCC. Among the musicians and artists referenced by the Her Noise project of particular interest to me is Delia Derbyshire. After exploring her presence within the Her Noise archive my investigations have led on from the UAL archive to the Delia Derbyshire Archive at the John Rylands Library.
A particular focus for me has become the Preliminary Comments text you produced on your observations during the initial digitization process of the audio archive in 2007. I hope to include a recording of readings from this text within my work. My intention is that some of this recording will be included along with other spoken word elements and a range of other sonic source material in the final piece. I have approached the archivist with responsibility for the Delia Derbyshire archive, Janette Martin and she has kindly agreed to be recorded reading your text. I am interested in ideas of ownership and custodianship in relation to cultural artifacts and I was keen to work with Janette because of her current responsibility toward the archive.
Janette helpfully referred my request to David Butler and Mark Ayres to check if they foresaw any issues with me using your text in my work. David raised a couple of concerns, including my desire to have someone other the documents author (yourself) reading it, which I explained as outlined above. He was also concerned that the document represents your initial observations and that many of the questions that you pose in the notes have since been answered. I made it clear that I appreciated the documents status as a 'historical document' and understood that knowledge has increased since then. I explained that I particularly value that the document is clearly observations noted down 'in the moment' and that it conveys something of the act of listening. I like that it includes some doubt, spontaneous reaction and judgement. Often these qualities are not present in archival documentation or at least not that generally made available to the public.
In response to the concerns raised by David I have undertaken to include within the piece the full title of the notes: "Draft version of Delia Derbyshire track listings. Preliminary Comments (unedited) of Archive Louis Niebur Aug 23, 07". I believe that the title will do a good job in helping to contextualize the text. I will also ensure to use it in any explanatory material I produce.
David was kind enough to give me your email so I could contact you before going ahead to see if you had any questions or concerns with my proposed use of your text that I could address. Do please let me know.
Finally I just wanted to mention that I am currently reading your book Special Sound and am finding it a fascinating read - so thanks for that!
Best Regards,
Simon Goodwin
--
Date 11/12/2017 15:24
From Louis Niebur
To Simon Goodwin
Subject: Automatic reply: Delia Derbyshire Archive
Thanks for your email. I am on research sabbatical through January 2018 and will be checking my email less frequently than usual.
For advising issues, please email Dr. Larry Engstrom (engstrom@unr.edu). For any other Music Department related issues, please email department chair Peter Epstein (pepstein@unr.edu).
Thank you,
Louis Niebur
--
Sent: 11 December 2017 15:37
From: Simon Goodwin [mailto:simon@workspace.info]
To: Janette Martin
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
Hello Janette
I have emailed Louis Niebur as suggested by David Buttler and am currently waiting to hear back, I gather he is on sabbatical so he may take a little while to respond. In the mean time I'd like to go ahead and make an arrangement with you to do the recording.
If you are available on the 15th or 16th of January they are both good for me. Or alternatively the Tuesday of the preceding week (9th)?
Let me know if any of those suit you.
Best wishes,
Simon
--
Date 12/12/2017 10:33
RE: Delia Derbyshire archive CRM:030400000078
From Janette Martin
To simon@workspace.info
Hello Simon
Just sent you a meeting request for 15 Jan - hope that works. Late for a meeting so in haste!
All best wishes and merry Christmas
Janette
--
Date 12/12/2017 18:54
From: Louis Niebur
To simon@workspace.info
Hi Simon,
Please, call me Louis. I have no problem with you using the preliminary comments this way. I'm so sorry about all the typos! It's been quite a while since I looked at it, and its a bit of a mess, and filled with so much uncertainty. If only I'd had time to investigate some of the more mysterious questions I had! I hope someone has or will have the time to do this. Most of my questions resulted from my own quirky, inadequate knowledge of random music, which does make it an incredibly subjective document. Good luck, and please keep me posted on your progress. I'd really like to read what results from your project! Thanks,
Louis
--
Sent: 14 December 2017 17:35
From: Simon Goodwin
To: Louis Niebur
Cc: David Butler
Subject: Re: Delia Derbyshire Archive
Hi Louis
That's great, I'm really glad you're okay with my using your text. I will copy David Butler in to this email to let him know.
I've now arranged with Janette Martin to record her next month. I will definitely let you how the project turns out in the end!
Many thanks,
Simon
--
Date: 16/12/2017 22:49
From: David Butler
To: simon@workspace.info
Subject: RE: Delia Derbyshire Archive
Hi Simon - really glad to see that you've got Louis' blessing for the project - that's extremely reassuring so please do forge ahead and I'm very excited about hearing the final piece when it's complete!
AVB,
David
The Bible Room John Rylands Library ManchesterSpecial Collections Reading Room John Rylands Library Manchester
