MP3:
Nubbin (15:04)
In 1997 I created a CD called "Lucas & Friends Discover A World Of Sounds," which consisted of found audio collaged in funny, interesting, and poignant ways. Shortly after the CD came out, I received a cassette in the mail from someone named Jim Doherty from Chicago. It was a copy of a tape he had, which his typewritten letter described to me thusly:
"You mentioned in your interview people using tapes as recorded letters. Well here's one that was passed on to me by someone who found it on the floor of a commuter train. It was one of those little 3 inch reels that came in a box with the "to" and "from" spaces printed on the back so you could mail it. Although the opening is quite mundane, please persevere for a satisfying conclusion. Recording date unknown."
Now, my best guess as to the date would be 1964, not only because of the 3" reel format, but also because at the end of the tape the speaker refers to a trip she wants to take to "Expo," which I think was most likely Expo '64 in New York. I'm also guessing from her reference to a drive she took to Whistler Mountain that she's from somewhere in British Columbia.
I've never gotten in touch with Jim about this, to see if the tape actually had the "to" and "from" filled out on the box. I ended up just calling it "Nubbin." It's been posted on the Lucas & Friends MySpace page for awhile, but I figured it might get a few more appreciative ears here.
- Contributed by: Pea Hix
Media: 3-inch reel tape
Date: circa 1964?
"Expo" would be Expo '67, the Montreal World's Fair (fitting in with the Canadian reference), which continued for a second, lamer, year in 1968.
The 64-65 New York World's Fair was called (wait for it)... The New York World's Fair.
Posted by: woid | April 26, 2007 at 12:55 AM
wow...what a segue.
Posted by: Dan | April 26, 2007 at 10:05 AM
I'm wondering if maybe it might even be Expo '86, which would be a better fit with the British Columbia reference. Maybe using archaic equipment at a World's Fair was a bold ironic statement?
Posted by: james | April 26, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Also: This would have made a much more interesting "Mrs. Doubtfire"
Posted by: james | April 26, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Okay. The woman is in Windsor, Ontario. (Or possibly 'Darling' is there.) She is absolutely, 100%, most definitely talking about Expo '67 in Montreal, what with the St Lawrence and Gaspe mentions.
Posted by: james (again) | April 26, 2007 at 10:28 AM
"Don't forget I love you, darling." Jeez, how could anybody forget this? WOW!
Posted by: phillyradiogeek | April 26, 2007 at 02:12 PM
Weird how she got all hot and bothered and then started talking about the flowers. EEEWWWW!
Posted by: Pete | April 26, 2007 at 04:18 PM
incredible, it's like a jekyll and hyde moment captured on tape
Posted by: strictly kev | April 26, 2007 at 06:35 PM
I think, though obviously I can't be sure, but it sounds to me as if this was a tape for her husband who is in jail. It seems to me to be an explanation for the middle of the tape and also the detail mundane items. Perhaps convicts has access to tape machines in the 60's? I don't know but it would clear up some confusion.
Posted by: davej | April 30, 2007 at 02:27 AM
He's not in jail is he if he's walking to catch the train into the office and she's worried about the cold. He's married and he's given her the push. She can't let go. Especially not with her legs.
Posted by: The Listener | May 23, 2007 at 08:36 AM
hehe wow. I could not stop laughing so much when it suddenly turns into something er...a bit less mundane.
Haha. great.
Posted by: HitMe WithIt | June 15, 2007 at 07:19 AM
Very interesting. But is it 'real'? Pea has invented seemingly old home-made tapes before.
Posted by: James | July 02, 2007 at 12:19 PM
If it's not real, it's been kicking around as a fake for a while. This was online a few years ago on some random mp3 site labeled as "dirty_talk!!!.mp3" Never thought I'd hear it again!
Posted by: mason | July 10, 2007 at 04:08 PM
hi, rest assured, it's real... i certainly couldn't manufacture something like this... and yes, for a long time it was posted as "dirty talk" on my friend jason's mp3it.com site. it's the exact same mp3 as this one, i had just come to call it "nubbin" instead, in the meantime.
Posted by: pea hix | July 12, 2007 at 11:19 PM