Altered Zones

Last month, the Library of Congress launched the National Jukebox, an online archive of more than 10,000 songs recorded before 1925. While sifting through the mountain of rarities, we went from feeling eager to uncover its countless unheard gems to understandably overwhelmed. And while the staff-made lists are definitely a great place to start, we thought that we'd reach out and request a playlist that's just for Altered Zones. We were extremely lucky to have gotten the library's curator of recorded sound, Matthew Barton, to make us an exotic compilation of country, blues, and ethnic music imported from Romanian, Irish, and Jewish immigrants. Read Barton's words on the playlist and stream the playlist at the National Jukebox below. --Ric Leichtung, Altered Zones

The National Jukebox's Playlist for Altered Zones