Sound Waves
I had a wonderful lesson the past two weeks on object impermanence, the gift of music, the gift of giving, and the importance of remembering your past, but utilizing life’s lessons for moving forward. The morning show radio host of the CBC, Mr. Matt Galloway, reminded the audience in mid-April that it happened to be record store day. Now, I love records, I have always loved listening to music. All kinds! My album collection includes classical, jazz, blues, folk, rock (both kinds, heavy and metal), and several other genres too. But, I had never heard of record store day. Moreover, I was a bit surprised when Mr. Galloway suggested that everyone go out and buy a vinyl record. Why did he say that I wondered? It just so happens that I am moving again, and I decided that the time had come to cull my vinyl collection, which I had accumulated diligently from the age of seven until the age of thirty give or take a few years. That is about the time the cd era began to take over the market.
The first record I ever remember owning was a Johnny Cash album, titled MEAN AS HELL. That was followed by the Beatles, HEY JUDE. I still have both of them. However, if one tried to play them, the scratches and other imperfections, would I suspect, make for an uncomfortable listening sensation. It has been said by proponents of vinyl that they produce a “Warm,” listening experience. I do not know why an adjective best used to describe ambient temperature is often applied to vinyl records, but warm is not the word I would choose; a more appropriate word might be worn. I took my three boxes of vinyl records to a shop in order to share my warm experience, with others. The motivation would be to lighten my load of music, support the local record store as Galloway suggested, and donate the proceeds. A three part harmony perfectly performed. Happily, all went according to plan, and I even managed to recycle my old stereo equipment, which included a cassette deck from the 1980’s.
At first there was the normal separation anxiety, after all, the story of my life was in those records, and the stories of relationships I have had with others; for you see, many of the records belonged to a friend of mine who died, and the records were a gift to me from his parents. I had visited the store several times over the past three years, and I had a “Warm,” feeling each time I entered. The owners have a picture of the Dalai Lama on their store front window. After I had been handed my cash, the store owner said, “keep your vinyl,” he added, “records sound better and they cannot be replaced.” His partner asked if I had anymore. Clearly, records are in demand again, twenty years ago you couldn’t give them away. I decided to look into this a bit, and found the following story on NPR from four years ago. http://www.npr.org/2012/02/10/1466976...
I was amused when the host asked the two experts on recording the money question, cd or vinyl, and both of the guests responded with laughter. I think it is wonderful that there are small businesses that are recycling music, it is much better than filling our earth with more waste, but there should be some myth busting done here. Vinyl does not reproduce a superior quality of sound, the experience is different. If the tactile touching of the disc, placing a needle on the record, and then getting up to change the record over, pleases your senses, then go out and buy a vinyl recording. They do wear out however, be advised. I decided to purchase a micro-system; the salesman said it was better than a Bose. I love it! I asked him the money question, cd or vinyl? After a lot of qualifiers, including such things as, you must have the most expensive equipment available, he too said vinyl sounds better. I note that vinyl is being reissued in small batches. I saw an Allman Brothers vinyl record in the electronics showroom, the same one I let go last week, and Led Balloon are ponying their reissue on vinyl. I still have a Sony Walkman, maybe I will play one of those records I traded on cassette. Not likely.
Cheers.
The first record I ever remember owning was a Johnny Cash album, titled MEAN AS HELL. That was followed by the Beatles, HEY JUDE. I still have both of them. However, if one tried to play them, the scratches and other imperfections, would I suspect, make for an uncomfortable listening sensation. It has been said by proponents of vinyl that they produce a “Warm,” listening experience. I do not know why an adjective best used to describe ambient temperature is often applied to vinyl records, but warm is not the word I would choose; a more appropriate word might be worn. I took my three boxes of vinyl records to a shop in order to share my warm experience, with others. The motivation would be to lighten my load of music, support the local record store as Galloway suggested, and donate the proceeds. A three part harmony perfectly performed. Happily, all went according to plan, and I even managed to recycle my old stereo equipment, which included a cassette deck from the 1980’s.
At first there was the normal separation anxiety, after all, the story of my life was in those records, and the stories of relationships I have had with others; for you see, many of the records belonged to a friend of mine who died, and the records were a gift to me from his parents. I had visited the store several times over the past three years, and I had a “Warm,” feeling each time I entered. The owners have a picture of the Dalai Lama on their store front window. After I had been handed my cash, the store owner said, “keep your vinyl,” he added, “records sound better and they cannot be replaced.” His partner asked if I had anymore. Clearly, records are in demand again, twenty years ago you couldn’t give them away. I decided to look into this a bit, and found the following story on NPR from four years ago. http://www.npr.org/2012/02/10/1466976...
I was amused when the host asked the two experts on recording the money question, cd or vinyl, and both of the guests responded with laughter. I think it is wonderful that there are small businesses that are recycling music, it is much better than filling our earth with more waste, but there should be some myth busting done here. Vinyl does not reproduce a superior quality of sound, the experience is different. If the tactile touching of the disc, placing a needle on the record, and then getting up to change the record over, pleases your senses, then go out and buy a vinyl recording. They do wear out however, be advised. I decided to purchase a micro-system; the salesman said it was better than a Bose. I love it! I asked him the money question, cd or vinyl? After a lot of qualifiers, including such things as, you must have the most expensive equipment available, he too said vinyl sounds better. I note that vinyl is being reissued in small batches. I saw an Allman Brothers vinyl record in the electronics showroom, the same one I let go last week, and Led Balloon are ponying their reissue on vinyl. I still have a Sony Walkman, maybe I will play one of those records I traded on cassette. Not likely.
Cheers.
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