#11 – Why Vinyl?

There’s a definite difference of opinion about listening to music on vinyl or digital. Of course I listen to digital, and I enjoy the crystal clear sound it delivers. But I am human, and fallible. I appreciate the world is not a perfect place and I like things that have “soul”. A record that crackles is telling it’s own story of the life it’s had as well as the delivery of music. I prefer to read a second hand book with dog-eared corners and scribbles on the pages. I prefer an old pot or plate with a chink in it than a perfect identical clone from Ikea. It’s the way it should be. It’s proper. It’s real. Life isn’t perfect, and we kid ourselves that it is. There is no right or wrong way to listen to music, there is just YOUR OWN way of listening to music.

Here are some reasons why old second hand record collecting is a genuine passion

There are several reasons why second-hand records can be fun:

1. Nostalgia: Second-hand records often have a history and a story behind them. They can evoke memories of a bygone era and bring back a sense of nostalgia.
2. Discovery: You never know what gems you might find in a second-hand record store. You might come across a rare or hard-to-find album that you’ve been searching for, or discover new artists and music genres that you’ve never heard before.
3. Physical Experience: There’s something satisfying about physically flipping through stacks of records, examining the artwork and reading the liner notes. It’s a tactile experience that you can’t replicate with digital music.
4. Sound Quality: Many audiophiles believe that vinyl records offer a warmer, richer sound than digital music. Second-hand records may have some scratches or wear, but that can add to the character and authenticity of the music.
5. Collecting: For some people, collecting second-hand records is a hobby and a passion. It’s a way to build a personal music library and create a physical representation of their musical tastes and interests.
6. I guess this is the clincher for me…. It’s the first way I ever listened to music. Of course I had hundreds of cassettes in the 80s, still have lots to this day! I have more CDs than you can shake a stick at! I love them, and listen to them often. But there’s a charm and nostalgia about vinyl records. It’s nothing to do with audiophile sound quality, but everything to do with what it is, what it represents and what it means to others of a similar age. When you shared a musical experience it was invariably via a record. It was sitting in a darkened room with your mates, maybe a few cans of beer, a packet of Walkers salt and vinegar crisps, a pack of Silk Cut and another of Marlboro Lights cigarettes, stories of bands, adventures, girls, cars, dreams and innocence. I miss 1980s Jim, and one way to commune with him is through these old records.