Death Is Pretty Final, I’m Collecting Vinyl
It’s a good thing I got so much writing done yesterday because I’ve gotten fuck all done today.
The phrase of the day comes from one Michael Stipe: “Death is pretty final, I’m collecting vinyl.”
After all the cajoling, nagging, and prodding from one Mr. Mark Saleski, I’ve finally taken the plunge and ordered a turntable. That’s right, boys and girls, I’ve joined the Vinyl Revolution. Pretty cooh, huh?
Not only did I follow his lead and buy a turntable, I even followed his advice and ordered the model he recommended from the dealer of his choice: North Country Audio. I better never hear him whine about no one listening to him ever again.
At the risk of making his head swell just a little too much, he was right about the dealer. The folks at North Country are incredibly friendly and went out of their way to emphasize their pledge of service before and after the sale. I’m pretty happy right now.
So I’m getting a turntable, but that only gets you so far. The turntable is the tool. You need the media. In other words, I have to go record shopping. Now we’re really having some fun. I have ordered four records:
- Mudcrutch: I ordered the Mudcrutch vinyl because of the ravings of one Mr. Tom Johnson. Talk about value here: The Mudcrutch LP comes with not only with the record but also with a CD, and not just any CD. You get a CD created with the same master that was used to create the vinyl. Very nice.
- R.E.M. - Accelerate: I’ve been in an R.E.M. phase, of course, and there are many who have decried the “loudness” of this record. I’ve noticed it myself. Jacknife Lee and the jagoff that mastered this record created a dynamicless wonder with this one and it’s a shame because the music is just too fucking good. I’m looking forward to hearing the music.
- Norah Jones – Come Away With Me: I swear I didn’t get this for the album artwork! What a perfect record of dynamic beauty. Saleski didn’t push this one so much of remind me of it. I listened to the album at work today on my iPod. I can’t wait to hear the record.
- Mark Lanegan – Bubblegum: This is probably my second favorite Lanegan record and I’m excited to have this on vinyl. Again, this is an album that has dynamics to it. It’s going to be amazing.
So this is the lot of the Fanboy: I’ve found yet another way to blow my earnings on musical purchases. Those four are just the beginning. Guster’s Ganging Up On the Sun is available on vinyl. So is the classic, landmark, irreplaceable Muddy Waters’ Folk Singer. I’m sure someone, somewhere has a copy of Otis Rush’s Right Place, Wrong Time and I intend to find it.
It’s a real expensive can of worms I’ve opened here.
Filed under: Tags: Guster, Mark Lanegan, Norah Jones, Otis Rush, R.E.M., Tom Petty
cajoling? nagging? prodding? whining?
yeah, you just wait till those first 30 seconds of “Don’t Know Why”.
I have the Mudcrutch CD, but considering I don’t have a decent stereo and the fact I live in the middle of Hell (great to melt those platters!), I’m not into vinyl anymore.
Although, I do wish I’d saved all my original Tom Petty, Zeppelin, Tommy Bolin, Pink Floyd, and Cheap Trick albums. Yes, I said Cheap Trick. Wanna make something of it? Do ya? DO ya?
no argument on the Cheap Trick joanie. they were great and they still are!
You forgot the most pertinent piece of information: what you bought! Once we get into a new house, probably sometime next year, and get a decent system, I would probably like to get a turntable - I’ve got a small collection of vinyl that I’ve picked up over the years “just cuz” that I would love to hear. I don’t have the slightest clue what I’d be looking for.
And, yeah, Cheap Trick still rules - Rockford is incredibly fun for a band that’s been around 30+ years.
It’s funny, had you said a ‘record player’, I would have known immediately what you got.
I saw ‘turntable’ and immediately imagined Josh breaking down a tweak scratch. The comedy value in that image is worth the misassociation of the terminology.
I agree with Tom, what type did you buy?
hah!!! dj jazzy hathaway!
now there’s a funny thought.
I got a MUSIC HALL MMF 2.1.
Assholes.
long-time reader but first-time commenter — love your blog. kind of your neighbor, too; i’m based out of tupelo.
anyways. i LOVE all things vinyl, so i thought i’d pass along this beauty i found.
the next best thing to having a turntable is having your vinyl on your ipod, imho. i got a vinyl archiver for about $200 (from sharper image, which is — for better or worse — no more). this is pretty close to the one i have.
of course the prices range, so you can always find one cheaper or more expensive.
mine is super-easy to use and i love having all of my vinyl on my ipod. it’s wicked to hear those delicious little pops and sparks on your ipod.
ok. obviously i love vinyl and ipods too much. but again, just thought i’d pass along some info. keep up the great work!
Mark Saleski says CT is cool so I feel a little more than validated! Woo hoo!
Seriously, I was a fan of theirs long before they hit mainstream radio. I’d call and pester the stations to play them and all the DJ could say was, “who?” It was like that back when U2 first hit America, too. Of course, I ended up abandoning U2, but never, ever would I forsake Cheat Trick. Ever. No way. NEVER.
Mark Saleski is also a clown, so don’t go all KG “I’m Certified” on us.
who ya gonna listen to? mr. been listening to Cheap Trick since the 70’s or Captain Working Too Much Curmudgeon over here?
ya, ya…we’re “wrong”
whatever.