In 1889, eight-year old Ludwig Koch received an Edison cylinder and made the first recording of a bird ever, the white-rumped shama. Since then, field recording has been a practice that’s helped shape our understanding of the natural world, preserving histories and spreading wonder across the globe. Droll Yankees Inc. was a Rhode Island-based record label that produced such field recordings, usually of classic New England things: ponds, frogs, birds, lobstermen in conversation, humor, folk songs, and “true yankee dialect.”

Rhode Island’s a small state where everyone knows everyone, so we’ve been surprised to learn that few remember the label, which had offices in both Foster and Providence. To remedy this, we’re collecting the discography and related materials with plans to digitize everything for public appreciation and education—we’ll do some mix of a physical exhibition, pop-up listening stations, loans, and getting things digitized and online. If you have a Droll Yankees record to donate, please reach out!

This Just In: An Event!

What Cheer Record Club
at Myrtle in E.P.
Saturday April 19, 2025
12:00 – 5:00, Free

134 Waterman Ave (Google Map)
East Providence, RI, 02914

What Cheer Providence is hosting their Record Club at Myrtle; a place to shop, trade, and talk music. The event is from noon–5:00 PM, and is free.

At their own risk, What Cheer has asked OPEN to spin Droll Yankees LPs for an hour at 2:00 PM, and perhaps talk about them a bit live on a microphone. The bar will be open; this spot’s got great mocktails, too.

All Items in the Archive
Spring 2025

  • DY-10, 1962, LP, Aus Tirol

  • L2, 1962, LP, Barn Talk

  • DY-107, 1966, 7", Barnyard Animals

  • DY-14, 1963, LP, Birds On A May Morning

  • DY-7, 1961, LP, Cape Codder And Down Easter

  • DY-4, 1962, LP, Capt. Nickerson And The Tug Gaspee

  • DY-201, 1969, LP, Deep Sea Fisherman: A Trip On The Dragger "Roann" Out Of Point Judith Rhode Island

  • DY-201, 1962, 7", Evening On Mt. Stratton

  • DY-102, 1962, 7", From Across The Briny Ocean

  • DY-9, 1961, LP, Never Trust a Skier and Other Songs Sung in the Alpine Inn

  • DY-M-3, 1964, 7", Song Sparrow

  • DY-104, 1973, 7", Songs Of The Clippers

  • DY-16, 1964, LP, Songs Of The Forest

  • DY-M-1, 1963, 7", Spring Morning

  • DY-106, 1965, 7", Steamtown

  • DY-3, 1961, LP, Stories For Gentlemen

  • DY-2, 1962, LP, Swearing In The Bushes: A Shocking Record For Men

  • DY-M-2, 1964, LP, The Brook

  • DY-22, 1969, LP, The Edge Of The Meadow

  • DY-18, 1966, LP, The Farm

  • DY-21, 1969, LP, The Frog Pond

  • DY-109, 1969, 7", The Green Mountain Railroad

  • DY-15, 1963, LP, The Sea At Castle Hill / The Alexander Hamilton Of The Hudson River Day Line

  • DY-103, 1962, 7", Sounds Of The Sea

  • DY-17, 1964, LP, The Swamp In June

  • DY-17, 1964, LP, The Swamp In June (Repress; color cover)

  • DY-23, 1979, LP, The Vocally Versatile Mockingbird

  • DY-19, 1967, LP, Will Holmes' Horse

  • DY2, 1962, LP, Oakum Bay And Other Songs Of Old Castine