Record Collecting – Then And Now
The Appeal Of Vinyl
The shelves behind me are bulging with the record collection I began building from the age of 7. Why do I keep it? What is it about a vinyl lp that subsequent technological advances have not replaced? I suppose the main tangible element is the record sleeve. I defy anyone who has re-purchased an lp in cd format to have gained the same feeling of satisfaction when looking at the "mini" version of a cover they already own in glorious 12" x 12". Or enjoyed struggling to read the lyrics re-produced in a cd booklet.
I will never dispose of my record collection, even though I began buying mainly cd’s from the mid-eighties.
Music On The Move
However, in no way do I see myself as a dinosaur, stuck in a timewarp of which I cannot escape. I have welcomed technology each step of the way. Let’s face it, it is not practical to use vinyl when you’re on the move, and I need music wherever I go. As I say, "Music Is The Best" and I have used each portable tool as it became available. I still possess numerous compilation tapes I put together from my favourite singles and album tracks over the years, and had the almost obligatory Sony Walkman on which to listen to them. I had a brief dalliance with the infamous 8-track in the 70’s, but although sound quality was favourable compared to cassettes, the general limitations soon became apparent.
So, cd’s became the first format that was totally suited to complete aural fulfilment in the home, as well as mobility. However, early portable cd players I used were prone to glitches of functionality. One I had would randomly play whatever tracks it felt in whatever order no matter which buttons I pressed!
Who’s Right? Who’s Wrong? Who Cares?
Which brings me to the present. In recent years I have lost count of the number of letters in Record Collector where an i-Pod lover has berated those aficionados of vinyl, urging them to offload their collections and accept that download has forever replaced all other formats. The next month the vinyl buff will respond with justifications why plastic will always rule and real music enthusiasts will never embrace the i-Pod. And so the comments go back and forth over subsequent months, like an ongoing "tennis match" that is forever locked at "deuce".
My point here is – why can’t we just embrace ALL good formats. The situation is a microcosm of the world today – too many people who can’t accept that others may have a different set of beliefs or values.
As I have intimated above, I love my vinyl: in fact when I find out friends or family want to get rid of theirs, I gladly go and relieve them of it and add it to my collection. Today, though, I mainly listen to music on cd, or via i-Tunes (on my PC or i-Pod). Now, despite having replaced many of my vinyl records with cd over the years, I still have a vast number that I own on record only. But now I have the vehicle to get these on to my i-Pod quickly and easily.
Music To My Ears
I use a USB turntable that plugs straight into my PC’s USB connection – and now I am the happiest person alive (gosh I’m easily pleased!!) The record is transferred directly to I-Tunes – all I need to do is type in the name of the artist and tracks. Within 30 minutes of bringing the product home I had set it up and was transferring away. Also, I can connect my cassette player into the USB turntable and transfer my old tapes across – so now the Compilation tapes I had lovingly constructed up to 30 years ago can now be restored once again, and live on my i-Pod.
By using other applications on the PC, such as Wavelab Lite, idiosyncrasies in the original vinyl, such as pops and clicks, can easily be removed before moving to i-Pod. We can now see that supporters of vinyl who used sound quality as an excuse not to change could actually enhance their listening experience through this technology.
Solutions for Everyone
In summary, the message is this. Music will never die, and the formats for listening to it can co-exist and, indeed, supplement each other. There is music on vinyl which will never probably be released on cd or download, but by mixing the various technologies – old and new – together, you can continually improve your listening pleasure.
Article author:- Raymond Winter
Classic Rock
Ever since Rolling Stone, VH1, and the like began creating top classic rock song lists, debates among enthusiasts have raged in college dorm rooms, city bars and taverns, and in cars on cross-country road trips. Of course, we all are familiar with the usuals: the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction," Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone," and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven."
However, there are tons of top classic rock songs from these same artists that are almost always ignored when these lists are compiled. Fans of these artists are certainly familiar with these songs, but the uninitiated might overlook them. The next time you and your friends are creating your own top-song list, include these gems to flex your musical knowledge muscle:
Rolling Stones, "Start Me Up": "Satisfaction" gets all the hype and has been named the number-one classic rock song by Rolling Stone magazine, but "Start Me Up" is a lot more fun and has had enjoyed longer staying power. Bursting onto the scene in 1981, this song quickly became a staple on classic rock radio, and the opening riff by Keith Richards is one of the most recognizable guitar parts in all of music.
Bob Dylan, "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues": Appearing on "Highway 61 Revisited," this classic Dylan tune is often overshadowed by the album's standout lead track, "Like a Rolling Stone." However, an argument could be made that this song is actually superior, and is a better example of Dylan's fusion of folk and rock. When Dylan sneers, "I don't have the strength to get up and take another shot, and my best friend, my doctor, won't even say what it is I've got," the weight of his exhaustion is nearly tangible.
Led Zeppelin, "Since I've Been Loving You": The band's "Whole Lotta Love" had defined the new heavy blues sound by the time "Stairway to Heaven" arrived. However, in between the release of those two songs, the band recorded "Since I've Been Loving You," which could be the blusiest song of their catalog. The first half of the song is rooted in Robert Johnson, but by the time the song ends, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page add their own signature screeches and solos.
Of course, all music lists are subject to the opinions of those creating them. And while a few songs are---and should be---always included among the top classic rock songs of all time, there are so many excellent songs to choose from, it seems narrow to think that there isn't room for more. Be sure to check out these songs from three of the top artists in rock music, and then branch out even further to discover even more tunes worthy of inclusion in anyone's rankings. And remember to have fun first; arguing over lists has its place, but don't forget to just enjoy the music as well.
Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about classic rock, please visit Oldies Music Site for current articles and discussions.
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Roxy Music
In 1972, an album appeared on the UK scene that captured the attention of many music fans. The album was eclectic and presented a significant departure from the common musical styles of the day. While the rest of the music world was slipping into the common early 1970's folk theme, the self titled album debut of Roxy Music was very, very different. Roxy Music drew its influences from all over the musical spectrum. These influences were on display in a brilliant debut and it truly did make music history.
Of course, not all of the work of Roxy Music should be spoken about in a historical sense.
In 2001, the entertainment industry saw a legendary band re-unite for a very successful tour. That band was Roxy Music and they are an enduring fixture on the music scene that has been around since 1972. Yet, despite their longevity, the Roxy Music discography is not as well known as other bands. Actually, that is not an entirely true assessment as Roxy Music achieved a solid degree of popularity in Europe. However, it did not have the significant worldwide appeal that other Euro bands achieved.
The Unique Sound
To a degree, Roxy Music did not receive all the credit it was due in terms of the band's influence on other bands. This is somewhat surprising since a number of legendary punk rock and new wave bands such as Devo consider Roxy Music to be one of their many influences. Then again, maybe it should come as no surprise since the type of music Roxy Music produced pre-dated the punk/alternative movement by many years. This is somewhat bittersweet - yet common - component of many band biographies; being ahead of one's time sometimes leads to not getting the credit one deserves. For many years, this was the curse of the Roxy Music discography
Bryan Ferry's Contributions
Bryan Ferry was the front man of the band who was a major factor in making Roxy Music popular. No, Bryan of Roxy Music was not the only reason for the aforementioned success. The other principle members (Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and Paul Thompson) all contributed greatly to the popularity of Roxy Music. However, it would be fair to say Bryan of Roxy Music was by far the most influential member of the band. This is because he was the primary architect of the musical direction the band took. It was this specific musical direction that allowed the band to connect with its audience.
The Comeback
That is why the group was able to reform quite successfully many years after their original 1983 breakup. In 2001, the Roxy Music concerto returned to the stage for a very well received tour. (The Roxy Music DVD chronicles these performances) Some doubted that the band would be a hit after such a long absence but those doubts were quickly quelled when the tour started. The reunion of Roxy Music has turned out to be an ironic new chapter in the group's history as the acclaim that had been denied them for so many years was finally achieved. This just proves that in the music world truly anything can happen.
Marcel van Brienen is a senior ezine article writer, and editor for an online community of experts on Gemzies.com. This article is written together with one of our Roxy Music fans of the Roxy Music Gemzies. This Gemzies page is an Online Roxy Music Community where fellow fans can share, rate and find websites, videos photos, books and news.
We have got some interesting content on Bryan Ferry, Brian Eno, and Phil Manzanera. We invite you to visit and join our Roxy Music Gemzies.
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Revolver vs Abbey Road
Between 1966's Revolver and 1969's Abbey Road (the last album The Beatles recorded) there was Sgt. Pepper, Magical Mystery Tour, The White Album, Yellow Submarine, & Let It Be (although it wasn't released until 1970, it had already been recorded.) It's truly incredible how much great music The Beatles recorded in such a short period of time.
This article compares Revolver and Abbey Road. Both are truly great albums. For me, neither is quite as great as The White Album & Sgt. Pepper but that doesn't make me appreciate either of these albums less, as they are truly remarkable even 40 years later.
I think Revolver is a more consistant album mostly because "Yellow Submarine" is a better track than "Octopus's Garden." The songwriting on Revolver is at an incredibly high level. Songs like "Eleanor Rigby," "Here, There And Everywhere," "I'm Only Sleeping," & "For No One" show The Beatles to be at the peak of their game.
On the other hand, Abbey Road is a more cohesive album. It does, after all, have the medley on side two where the songs all blend together. It's also The Beatles most "modern" sounding album (mostly because it was their only album recorded on the new 8 track studio at Abbey Road.)
And it's not like Abbey Road doesn't have great songs too. How about "Something," "Come Together," "Here Comes The Sun," & "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" just for starters.
So, in the end, what would be my choice if I had to choose just one or the other? I think I would have to go for Revolver because of it's slightly higher level of songwriting and that it's just a more adventerous album (see: "Tomorrow Never Knows.") This decision is in no way a put down of Abbey Road, it's just that Revolver is that good!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnny_Moon
