Sounds Of Carnival

Sounds Of Carnival

A vivid and immersive audio documentary recorded at the Royal American Shows, Sounds Of Carnival captures the authentic atmosphere of mid-century travelling fairgrounds, recorded by students of the Chicago Institute of Design. Rather than a traditional music album, this release functions as a living sound portrait of carnival life—blending ambient recordings, announcer calls, mechanical ride sounds, and live performance snippets.

Side A focuses on the raw sonic environment of the fair itself: the rhythmic chaos of crowds, barkers calling out attractions, and the mechanical roar of rides like the Ferris Wheel, Motordrome, and Roll-O-Plane. These recordings create an immediate sense of place, placing the listener directly within the bustling midway.

Side B shifts toward musical elements heard within the carnival space, featuring calliope melodies, novelty tunes, waltzes, polkas, and popular standards performed in a style typical of travelling shows. Pieces like Over The Waves, Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-E, and Can Can reflect the traditional repertoire of fairground musicians, while selections such as Buttons And Bows and Powder Your Face With Sunshine highlight the popular entertainment culture of the era.

The result is both nostalgic and anthropological—a sonic time capsule of American amusement culture, capturing not just the music of the carnival, but its voices, machinery, and atmosphere.

Tracklist:

Side A

1. Crowd, Merry-Go-Round, Barker
2. Outside Fun House, Animal Barker
3. Ferris Wheel
4. Motordrome Barker
5. Roll-O-Plane
6. Strange People Barker
7. Laughing Clown
8. Interviews

Side B

1. Over The Waves (Calliope)
2. Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-E
3. Cruising Down The River
4. Kansas Sunflower
5. Can Can
6. Polka
7. Powder Your Face With Sunshine
8. Italian Waltz
9. Buttons And Bows
10. Far Away Planes
11. Golden Wedding Anniversary