When I have a little extra money, I buy records. When I have more extra money, I buy more records. Sometimes when I really don’t have any extra money, I pick out records I’d like to buy and then put them all back. I can do this at a record store, but I usually end up buying at least one cheap album because there’s a real person working (who I typically end up talking to) and I don’t want to disappoint them. Or I can do it on the Discogs website, where it’s easier to find virtually any album ever released. The challenge is finding a bunch of albums I want from the same vendor, putting them all in my “shopping cart,” and then deleting them without actually spending the money I don’t have.
You started in a good place when it came to vinyl, but I think all that matters is that you started, not where. In the early 70s, my first albums were The Eagles first album, John Denver's Rocky Mountain High and Jim Croce's You Don't Mess Around With Jim. Literally no one in my family listened to music other that big bands, musicals and Gilbert & Sullivan, yet somehow on the very long musical journey that continues, I found Syd Barrett and John Martyn and Radiohead and Robyn Hitchcock. I have to agree about the luxury of vinyl. There's something about the ritual of putting the record on the turntable that makes you more apt to sit and listen rather than multitask. I've listed to many an album on earbuds while walking and that's a good think, but actually taking the time to put that album on the turntable and do nothing but listen... it seems like a luxury, but maybe it's a necessity. Maybe it's one of the things that our crazy world desperately needs. XXX
Although incomprehensible to me, some people share Marge Simpsons’ indifference to the magic of music - “Music is none of my business” she'd say. 😂
For some of us music is soul-sustaining. Natural. Essential. And it doesn't require a stubborn Luddite to adhere to the ceremonial ritual of spinning vinyl. This benediction connects the spinner to the spun far more intimately than other forms of recorded music. Not close.
The neurotransmitters start boiling walking into the record store. “Oh My God! This flawless…, this still-flawless masterpiece is mine for 5 bucks?! And these too?” Bliss.
I love reading about other people’s vinyl habits. My own collection is largely comprised of scratchy gems unearthed in thrift stores, garage sales and record store dollar bins.
We were staying around the corner from Rotate This and also bought a few records there and lugged them home in suitcases! I was amazed to find that store has been operating since the 1930s!!
It's such a cool shop, isn't it? And what a fab area! I love wandering up and down Queen St W/ Ossington. So many fun little places to explore! It reminds me a little bit of Newtown, so I feel right at home.
I'm one of these people who has a great record collection but generally only listens to music in the car. D'oh! Thinking of instituting a play-it-the-first-day rule for new acquisitions.
Last time I bought or played a vinyl album was a little over 20 years ago, but I still visit record stores because I enjoy the vibe. I like to see younger people in particular make new discoveries and take chances only because of the cover art, like I did back in the dark ages of my youth. Good read as always.
Great write Emma. I am a child of the 60's and lately I have been reflecting on the Australian songs I heard growing up. Russell Morris, Billy Thorpe, Fraternity. Not in nostalgic self indulgent way, just refreshing my memory.
I am always fascinated that Charlie Daniels has the opportunity to play with Dylan and Cohen in Nashville before he became known with his own band. He was very gracious in helping MTSU with their music program.
I am surprised that Bryan Ferry isn’t a bigger thing with the current teens/twenties generation. But one of my jokes is “Slave to Love” is one song black people _never_ put on in the bedroom…
Well if you were to play Bowie's "Sorrow" in Chicago on Sunday, I would not complain! And while I'm at it, I'll take this opportunity to request -- along with songs from the new LP and from Blonde on the Tracks -- "Arms of Love" (I like your and Robyn's version even more than the original!) and one of my favorite songs of 2020: "The Soft Apocalypse."
First of all, I enjoy your writing! Second, the mention of PinUps reminded me that when I got that album in 1973, I became aware of Syd Barrett for the first time- I think Bowie wrote “Syd’s Pink Floyd” in the liner notes? So you had a pretty cool first three lps!! Any chance of a cover of a song from that Linda Ronstadt album on LFTH?? 😺
You started in the golden age of record collecting, when everyone was trading in their vinyl to replace with a shiny new cd. I’ve always said, if I could go back to that time, I would tell my 20 something self, “Buy more records!”
When I have a little extra money, I buy records. When I have more extra money, I buy more records. Sometimes when I really don’t have any extra money, I pick out records I’d like to buy and then put them all back. I can do this at a record store, but I usually end up buying at least one cheap album because there’s a real person working (who I typically end up talking to) and I don’t want to disappoint them. Or I can do it on the Discogs website, where it’s easier to find virtually any album ever released. The challenge is finding a bunch of albums I want from the same vendor, putting them all in my “shopping cart,” and then deleting them without actually spending the money I don’t have.
I love records.
You started in a good place when it came to vinyl, but I think all that matters is that you started, not where. In the early 70s, my first albums were The Eagles first album, John Denver's Rocky Mountain High and Jim Croce's You Don't Mess Around With Jim. Literally no one in my family listened to music other that big bands, musicals and Gilbert & Sullivan, yet somehow on the very long musical journey that continues, I found Syd Barrett and John Martyn and Radiohead and Robyn Hitchcock. I have to agree about the luxury of vinyl. There's something about the ritual of putting the record on the turntable that makes you more apt to sit and listen rather than multitask. I've listed to many an album on earbuds while walking and that's a good think, but actually taking the time to put that album on the turntable and do nothing but listen... it seems like a luxury, but maybe it's a necessity. Maybe it's one of the things that our crazy world desperately needs. XXX
I'm a little older than you are, and I've happily held on to most of the vinyl Ive amassed since the '80s. Are you buying mostly new or used now?
It’s a mix!
Many people take a lifetime to get to Let's Stick Together by Bryan Ferry, so, yes, you started very well!
Although incomprehensible to me, some people share Marge Simpsons’ indifference to the magic of music - “Music is none of my business” she'd say. 😂
For some of us music is soul-sustaining. Natural. Essential. And it doesn't require a stubborn Luddite to adhere to the ceremonial ritual of spinning vinyl. This benediction connects the spinner to the spun far more intimately than other forms of recorded music. Not close.
The neurotransmitters start boiling walking into the record store. “Oh My God! This flawless…, this still-flawless masterpiece is mine for 5 bucks?! And these too?” Bliss.
I love reading about other people’s vinyl habits. My own collection is largely comprised of scratchy gems unearthed in thrift stores, garage sales and record store dollar bins.
We were staying around the corner from Rotate This and also bought a few records there and lugged them home in suitcases! I was amazed to find that store has been operating since the 1930s!!
It's such a cool shop, isn't it? And what a fab area! I love wandering up and down Queen St W/ Ossington. So many fun little places to explore! It reminds me a little bit of Newtown, so I feel right at home.
Yes it is so good around there! Lots of fantastic food and bars and music and dresses - everything you could want!
I'm one of these people who has a great record collection but generally only listens to music in the car. D'oh! Thinking of instituting a play-it-the-first-day rule for new acquisitions.
But then I don't like rules... d'oh!
Last time I bought or played a vinyl album was a little over 20 years ago, but I still visit record stores because I enjoy the vibe. I like to see younger people in particular make new discoveries and take chances only because of the cover art, like I did back in the dark ages of my youth. Good read as always.
rotate shake the soul spin repeat
Great write Emma. I am a child of the 60's and lately I have been reflecting on the Australian songs I heard growing up. Russell Morris, Billy Thorpe, Fraternity. Not in nostalgic self indulgent way, just refreshing my memory.
Music is life.
I am always fascinated that Charlie Daniels has the opportunity to play with Dylan and Cohen in Nashville before he became known with his own band. He was very gracious in helping MTSU with their music program.
I am surprised that Bryan Ferry isn’t a bigger thing with the current teens/twenties generation. But one of my jokes is “Slave to Love” is one song black people _never_ put on in the bedroom…
Well if you were to play Bowie's "Sorrow" in Chicago on Sunday, I would not complain! And while I'm at it, I'll take this opportunity to request -- along with songs from the new LP and from Blonde on the Tracks -- "Arms of Love" (I like your and Robyn's version even more than the original!) and one of my favorite songs of 2020: "The Soft Apocalypse."
First of all, I enjoy your writing! Second, the mention of PinUps reminded me that when I got that album in 1973, I became aware of Syd Barrett for the first time- I think Bowie wrote “Syd’s Pink Floyd” in the liner notes? So you had a pretty cool first three lps!! Any chance of a cover of a song from that Linda Ronstadt album on LFTH?? 😺
You started in the golden age of record collecting, when everyone was trading in their vinyl to replace with a shiny new cd. I’ve always said, if I could go back to that time, I would tell my 20 something self, “Buy more records!”