In 2009, BBC World Service Radio commenced production on a series of programs called 'Save Our Sounds'. Involving contributions from professional producers and amateurs, the aim was to create a collection of both rare and exotic soundscapes from as many countries as possible. Glen Clifford was already well placed to make a significant contribution, not only being a former radio presenter and advertising producer, but also having then lived in Asia for four years; and in that time, taking his digital audio recorders to seven nations across Asia.

[C]  "I'm standing outside this temple and there are these black-faced deities staring at me, as if this is my day of judgment; the threatening rhythm of constant drumming is almost shaking the ground... The parade starts and as the horns increase their pitch, a travelling hawker appears, calling 'Mantou, mantou, buy dumplings now' ... Suddenly it occurs to me that we may both be committing some grave offence by being there, with me running recorder under one arm, the other arm holding microphones, warding off the approaching deities with a double-headed stereo threat... I start thinking: The next segment in the series is on 'Taiwan Sound Trucks,' - those annoying little blue vehicles that wake us up in the weekend, the mobile sound making machines that become horrendously intrusive come election time - and yes, sell dumplings... Standing there thinking future logistics, I wonder if working beside politicians could be as scary as alongside the deities... Don't laugh... These are the thoughts of many long-term expats"...

Clifford, talking about the recording of 'The Buddha's Birthday,' the first segment made for 'The Streets of Taipei' soundscapes. If what he does seems a little strange or faddish, consider the following: The first mobile tape recorder (1954) was marketed as a device for making 'Family Sound Albums'; - recording music was the last idea Philips, its maker, had in mind. It was thought we would all be good boys and girls, and not copy friends' music collections - or record songs off the radio. These Sound Albums were to document baby's first words, sounds of local marching bands, festivals and other types of gatherings. Although it turned out that most people preferred to illegally copy their friends music collections, many Family Sound Albums were indeed created, lost and years later, found again. We see these today, in the form of letter-cassettes; - more on this later. But what is it about people, such as Clifford, who prefer to record history with a concentration on sound, rather than video or the still image? Clifford answers with the attitude of 'Why not,' placing sound in equal importance and relationship to vision, but adds -