I’m hooked. So far I’m running a mid-quality Sony Bluetooth (yeah, I know…) turntable and Samsung soundbar and sub, so the output leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s a start. My collection so far:
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue
Pearl Jam, Vitalogy
Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique
Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color
Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume I and II
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Sturgill Simpson, High Top Mountain
Colter Wall, Imaginary Appalachia
Colter Wall (eponymous)
Leon Bridges, Good Thing
Leon Bridges, Coming Home
I can think of dozens of other classic artists that I’m dying to hear on vinyl now. James Brown, Elvis, Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Beach Boys, Zeppelin, Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Black Keys, the list is literally endless. This could get really expensive, really quickly.
I’m hooked. So far I’m running a mid-quality Sony Bluetooth (yeah, I know…) turntable and Samsung soundbar and sub, so the output leaves a lot to be desired, but it’s a start. My collection so far:
Miles Davis, Kind of Blue
Pearl Jam, Vitalogy
Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique
Alabama Shakes, Sound and Color
Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume I and II
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Sturgill Simpson, High Top Mountain
Colter Wall, Imaginary Appalachia
Colter Wall (eponymous)
Leon Bridges, Good Thing
Leon Bridges, Coming Home
I can think of dozens of other classic artists that I’m dying to hear on vinyl now. James Brown, Elvis, Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Beach Boys, Zeppelin, Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Black Keys, the list is literally endless. This could get really expensive, really quickly.
Dangerous hobby man…and you’re right about it getting expensive (more so from the hardware perspective in my case)…I started about a year ago. If you’re looking for suggestions I like “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. Solid lists/commentary by decade and makes for a great coffee table book.
I’ve gone down the route of tracking down specific pressings. Use Discogs.com to read the reviews on those pressings and their market place is pretty outstanding. You can also set up a list of your collection to share with other members. Their app is pretty handy as well as you can scan the barcode of an album to read reviews on the pressing and add to your collection. If you’re interested here’s my collection: https://www.discogs.com/...ipjack_50/collection
There is an older thread in here, if you can find it. I have been back in it for about 3 years now. 3 TT’s later and yeah its expensive. Crate Digging for used records does not do much for me, I tend to buy new pressings. There is a great vinyl club called Vinyl me, please. They do 3 random releases a month (Essentials, Classics, and R/Hip Hop). They have a “vault” of sorts that if you don’t like the picks, you have something else to choose from. I have been a member for about 2-3 years and, while there have been changes, I still enjoy it. They used to have a very cool forum group, but they closed it. The group got together and made a new one. Check out “Needles and Grooves”. The absolute best part of the whole experience has been discovering new artists. No way that would happen with out vinyl.
I’ve got my eye on a White Album for my Beatles loving son. It makes no sense, he has no turntable and won’t for 10 more years (if ever). Just love the packaging of vinyl, the tactiles of it.
The anniversary box set, and/or album that came out is incredible. And yes the asthetics, textures, and physical media of vinyl is part of the experience.
What’s the attraction to vinyl? Has the sound quality improved since I was a kid? Because back then it sucked.
I assume that it has.
Two things dictate sound quality - hardware and how clean the records are.
A pristine LP with a good needle, a decent turntable, a decent amp, good speakers have always sounded good. Crap has always sounded like crap
I remember hearing something about the sound quality a while ago, the basic gist of it was that yes, the sound quality has improved due to better quality vinyl in the records and better quality pressing of the records (deeper grooves, etc…) Really old records were good. then in the 70’s and 80’s things got worse, probably to try and keep up with production volumes? now they’re back to and better than what the really old records were like.
I’m hooked. So far I’m running a mid-quality Sony Bluetooth (yeah, I know…) turntable and Samsung soundbar and sub,
Anything is better than a Crosley
I don’t buy much new, hunting for bargains is half the fun. Classic rock is really easy to find. Some stores are great. There’s a really neat one in Sacramento. I’ve found good stores in VA Beach. I don’t not great around me, but sometimes there’s good stuff. I never have luck at goodwill/savers.
I never stopped, bought my first record in the mid 60’s. Through all the formats since, which I took part in too, vinyl is the only one I kept around thought. As other have said, have a clean record and good needle, and it sounds great. Better or worse, dont really care, my ears can’t tell the difference anymore. It is just fun to put on a record, listen to the entire thing as it was meant to be by the band, and check out the cover art that goes with it.
This is what you do, got to garage sales, flea markets first, you get lots of stuff there for a quarter sometimes. Then eBay and a few other sites for some great deals if you wait, and lastly old record stores. They are actually popping up all over the place now. And of course, there is the new vinyl that a lot of bands are putting music on, the 180 gram is super durable and sounds great. Just dont be in a hurry, and try out new stuff you never though you would like.
Yeah, I know. Seems the more I pay attention to and appreciate the aesthetics in day to day life, the more I hear that. Fine bourbon, a world class cigar, old leather, the smell of vanilla tobacco beard oil…maybe those hipsters are on to something, eh? But for the record, I was wearing flannel, growing facial hair, and earning a living cutting down trees long before those millennial fuckers tried it on for style.
The look and feel and sound of vinyl just can’t be replicated with any other format. It’s a different kind of sensory experience altogether.
Waiting for that 10-year anniversary edition Box of Puppies record to round out my collection.
Right now I’d have to go with whatever Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff, and Son Little are laying down. It’s pretty broad. My second would be, I guess, country-Americana, reference Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson.
Throwback 60’s soul? Blue-eyed soul? I hear these terms kicked around.
Sphere, not a big fan of Leon’s recent album. His first, mmm…so good. Check out Colemine Records/Plaidroom Records. They are focused on the new Soul resurgence. Check out Durand Jones, Kelly Finnegan, Black Pumas.
For Americana - check out the Magnolia Record club.
ETA: Also, Willie Nelson’s son, Lucas Nelson, is pure fire. I don’t even like country, but he’s going to blow up.
It’s funny you brought that up. I was talking to a close friend about you a few nights ago (I forgot it was you, but remembered I had this conversation about Leon’s first and second album with someone on this forum) and we both agreed you need your head examined. But it is an evolution from his first, and not everyone’s cup of tea.
We saw him live a few months ago. Incredible show.
I’ll definitely check them out today, thanks for the suggestions.
