Come Together — Vinyl, CDs, or downloads.

Come Together — Vinyl, CDs, or downloads.

The King and The Boss -- side by side.

I became the 22,445th “fan” of vinyl on Facebook.

 While talking with Jon Tonge down at Dog Ear Books in Madison, I learned a few more things…

 Reel-to-Reel is considered the best sound. So if you really want to get your retro-groove on go find one of those.

 One reason digital exploded was because digital technology contained the ability to make music smaller and smaller — first with CDs, then with MP3s – and more easily acquired.  

We want to take our music with us, plugged in while working out, studying, shopping or blogging. 

But the demand for the warm sound is coming back around. Even younger audiophiles might be weening off their Ipods.

 Old and young are pulling out old records and buying new ones. The younger set is drawn to the shapes and large design of the newer LPs.  “People who are used to CDs see the artwork and the colored vinyl, and they think it’s really cool,” says Jordan Yates, 15, a Nashville-based vinyl enthusiast. Time, Jan. 2008.

Joining a Facebook discussion analog vs. digital, I asked what my new “friends” thought of new vinyl.

Colin J. of San Francisco replied, “I still buy new vinyl while looking around for good copies of old vinyl. The key to good vinyl reproduction is stuff that was recorded before digital was used in the studios.”

Pete N. offered, “The very first CD’s back in the early 80’s sounded fairly warm and easy on the ears. The Sony/Philips intention was to get them sounding as close to vinyl as possible without the surface noise. The best sounding vinyl nowadays will usually come from well recorded analog sources which are few and far between.There are exceptions, of course.”

This cover came about in a 10 minute shoot.

At Dog Ear, Jon showed me a brand new copy of Abbey Road.  

 I just looked at this for a long time. There they go – still walking across that street. The VW Beetle in the shot belonged to the people living in across from recording studio. In 1986, the car sold at auction for $23,000 and is on display at Volkswagen Museum in Germany.

 I really don’t even have to play the vinyl, new or old. Just happy to hold them and look at them. I am easily amused. Or in minor midlife moment.

A new vinyl (either new or vintage rerelease) will cost from $20 – on up to $50. 

Live webcam of Abbey Road crossing  http://www.abbeyroad.com/visit/

Related reading…

 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1702369,00.html?iid=perma_share

So whether Vinyl, CD or MP3… Happy Listening.