While downloading albums through iTunes and streaming songs on Pandora or Spotify have become industry standards, I've also found myself drawn to the music-listening practices of yore. Over the past few years, as friends have unveiled vinyl collections in their apartments and stores like Urban Outfitters* began selling portable turntables, I realized I appreciate, and am intrigued by, the classic system. There is something about the active relationship between the art form and the listener - taking an LP out of its sleeve (after remarking on its creative artwork), placing it on a turntable, setting the needle to the appropriate groove and listening to the remarkably intense sound emitting from the speakers - that I like being a part of.
I vaguely remember my parents playing records every once and a while during my childhood, but with the advent of CDs, their turntables were casually sold at yard sales and their records were delegated to the basement with an unhopeful future. The years went by and the records sat, forgotten, in their subterranean home. Just over a year ago, while chatting on the phone with my musically-inclined Uncle Ed, who's lived in California for the past twenty-plus years, he told me I could adopt a turntable of his that was in my aunt's attic in Queens. I was thrilled (!), and on the next visit to my parent's house, I went down to the basement and began flipping through my mom's pretty stellar record collection. I thumbed through the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Sly and The Family Stone, CSNY, David Bowie and more, and happily took them over to my apartment. I was especially excited to listen to the classic bands whose music I didn't own myself. (I also took two Fisher speakers from my parent's house ... it's remarkable what you'll find in a basement!)
When I finally set my eyes on the Technics SL-B1 turntable (circa 1980) I discovered that the rubber belt had eroded over the years and was preventing the very necessary spinning action to take place. I did a little research, purchased a replacement belt online and was all set, except for one minor thing. I did not have a receiver. Due largely to my own procrastination, I waited an entire year before purchasing a receiver, but purchase one I did - through eBay - and after hooking up the speaker wires, I now have a fully functioning record player.
I guess I get a nostalgic kick out of experiencing music as it was experienced in a bygone era. However, it's also a great time to be a music fan today, as you can access music through so many platforms. More and more albums are available on vinyl (which, when purchased, usually come with a CD as well) and fans can easily download a plethora of music online. It's really neat to be able to purchase quality music from both the virtual iTunes store and the physical record store. Speaking of record stores,
Record Store Day is also attributing to the current resurgence in vinyl's popularity.
So, I'm definitely still a newbie in this area, and learning as I go along, but I have a list of albums - new and old-school - that I can't wait to get my hands on. First up on my list is a band I've become acquainted with over this past year, the incredible Fleet Foxes. I've also been eyeing some great shelves from The Container Store, so my lovely little entertainment center won't have to sit sheepishly on the floor.
*I was in the Urban Outfitters on 14th Street last winter and purchased this Aaron Morris photograph of a record store. I think the angle of the photo is really interesting and it's been hanging above my living room couch ever since ;)
