I remember when CDs were new saying “Twenty years from now some people are going to want albums because it will be considered a purer sound”. This was not that I have the foresight of Gandalf, it was based on the theory that everything cycles every twenty years. I will admit that although I thought they would come back I am quite surprised how big Vinyl has become. You figured that a few eccentric or memorabilia collectors would be the people saying this. But the amount of Vinyl that is out there has been a big surprise.
When you go to one of the last great record stores Amoeba Records about 1/3 or more of the floor is vinyl. According to Billboard magazine Vinyl sales have gone up for 17 years in a row. in the year 2022 more vinyl albums were sold than CDs. Now I’m sure that most young people buy songs separately to keep on their phones, but collector’s or fans that want the whole album are buying vinyl. I never thought the comeback would bs so large
My Own Collection
I admit that I was never really considered myself as a collector, I just bought albums because I wanted the music. I started with 45s which are small one song per side vinyl discs. My first album I took my allowance and bought a Rolling Stones album of hit songs. After this much of my allowance went right to buying albums, basically at the time it meant outgrowing baseball cards.
The incident that really got me getting records was a great Christmas present from my Sister Sharon. Under the tree there was a real weird present. It was triangular not very heavy and was open on all three sides. When I opened it up my sister had taken 3 albums and taped them into a triangular abject. Great wrapping, I had no idea what it was. I can admit not I peaked. I rarely did this because my mom told us if you peak you get no surprise because we’re not going to replace them. Anyways this was great gift wrapping. I still remember the 3 albums. Deep Purple Burn, Bad Company debut and the all time great Dark Side of the Moon.
Once I started working every payday I would be down at a music store looking to buy music. Then I discovered used albums and really started to buy records. You would 1 or 2 new records sualluy just released and then go to the used records. The idea as you get abut 10 or more albums then you go through them and at the end keep maybe 5 to purchase. Did same thing later with CDs, used make it easier to buy many discs. I actually got every Led Zepplin CD used. You had to wait to find them because LZ discs did not stay around long.
Buying CD’s in the 80’s
Later in the late 80’s to early nineties I had a friend, Mark, who went “garage saleing” every weekend. At thit time he started finding album collections that people were getting rid of cheap and he brought me many albums that he would purchase from the host and cheap prices. He gave many albums that added to my collection. He gave me many movie soundtracks discs which many of have some value in them.
I also added to my collection when my father passed away and I got his 2-3 hundred country albums. So you see I got my music bone from my father. Now like my dad I played sports young so never got into playing music, although I have been taught guitar chords and have sat behind a drum set many times. I lived with a drummer for 1 year and his set was it the living room. I also have been to many concerts and am kind of a “Drummer Fan”.
From my father’s collection I gpt some of my best albums. He had a collection of three record packages of some of the greta country artist of this time. But I collected mostly what I consider 70’s Abum rock. Beatle, Stone, Zepplin, Deep Purpleetc. I have some greta first run albums and a couple mis printed classics, but I collected for the music.
Now with my friend’s garage sale and my dad’s albums I have a great variety. There is Big Band Swing, Blues, rock, Fushion Jazz (Al Dimeola) and 80’s new wave. Newer country and 90’s-present rock I have on CD’s.
Not in Perfect Condition
I do have the one regret and that is they have not always been stored in the best places. They were never exposed directly but they were in a storage or house closets. This means some of the covers are not in the best condition, but most are. Oh and my Moody Blues art cover s are all stored in plastic covers. Wish I and done thar with them all, oh well. For me personally I am okay because the discs are fine, and they play so I can still listen to them.
I have usually had a turntable to play them on although my last quality turntable I could not find a replacement Stylus for. So right now, I have a three-piece retro looking device. It has an okay turntable, radio and CD player in one. It plays well but I need to get a newer turntable no doubt. There is definitely some value int my collection but tht was never my reason for connecting, just a big music fan. I have Been to over 100 concerts including Stones, Sparks and Midnight Oil 4 times. Speaking of Midnight Oil the last 2 albums I bought new for the music were Kiss Me Kiss Me the Cure and Diesel and Dust from Midnight oil.
Although I love my Vinyl collection and do listen to it I admit that I buy CD’s when I buy music. Buying music has been streaky as I got older. I would go a year or more then I might make a few trips to the store then not go for a long time. Still a music fan though and still listen around the house when I am writing these pages. Music is just better than TV and I am used to noise in my house, quiet is for outside like a park or up a street into the hill neighborhood. Or in the real hills or mountains you can find quiet: