This news from the BBC passed along by Wayne, an audiophile and vinyl record junkie from Tampa Bay:More vinyl records were purchased in 2009 than in any previous year since Nielsen SoundScan began compiling music sales figures in 1991.
Baby boomers have forever known the allure of vinyl, but now it has apparently become cool with the iPod generation. Wow, big cool color graphics and photos, liner notes, inserts and type everybody can read! Wait'll they discover what a good set of headphones can do for the sound.
Here are just a few reasons I'm considering buying a new turntable:
-- all those old albums in the garage that are still sitting in boxes
-- the half-price book store on Bluemound is loaded with previously loved vinyl
-- more new inventory becoming available as artists release albums and EPs
-- new turntables are actually quite affordable
-- Amazon.com has a vinyl store offering more than 150,000 titles
-- the sound quality of vinyl, scratches and and all,has never been matched
-- the Vidalias record Chuck sent me that I haven't been able to play
I'm gonna start shopping around today. Can't wait to dust off Mason Proffit's Wanted and hear "Two Hangmen" and "Buffalo" again...
or a pat mclaughlin classic!
ReplyDeleteI have never disconnected my turntable, although sad to say I did part with many good records in the late 80s when CDs first came out.
ReplyDeleteThe only advantage of CDs over vinyl is pure laziness.
Even though vinyl is enjoying a revivial it's still possible to find classic records for a few dollars. Among my recent scores are Ray Charles' Modern Sounds in C&W, and an Ike Turner instrumental record from the 60s. Much more satisfying than buying any CD.
And when you get a brand new copy of a beloved old record - I recently bought a 180 gram Music From Big Pink at Costco - that warm sound brings back beautiful memories.