You probably haven't heard, but December is the month of the phonograph record.
I just made that up.
But it is.
I've been buying a lot of phonograph records lately. Oddly, it's the fault of Mog - more specifically, it is the fault of one Mogger: Kate from Berkeley.
Last month, Kate from Berkeley found a record at a Goodwill for $1.50. The record was "The Greater Antilles Sampler" and Kate was so smitten with it that she posted news of the find and listed all 22 tracks (most of the tracks never crossed the digital divide).
I read the track list and the little notes she tagged to each track ("Don Cherry playing gamelan, gong and something called the rkan-dung? How awesome is that?").
My God, is there no better test of your reverence to the phonograph record then your willingness, in the midst of everything you could be doing, to read the 22-song track list to a record you will probably never find?
The thing is...I found it. And it's amazing.
I found it at the first record shop I visited after reading Kate's post. I found it at True Vine Records in Baltimore--a record store where hundreds of "new arrivals" sit on the filthy floor and everything is $3 and where I overheard the following remark while flipping through the blues records:
"I hate to say it dude, but I kind of hate the first few Hendrix records."
Thanks Kate. I haven't stopped record shopping since. And that's part of how I plan to observe the month of the phonograph record here at my Mog: recent acquisitions.
I've also been revisiting my tiny records - the ones that measure seven inches instead of twelve. It seems like each tiny record has a story (like how one night, for just a few minutes, I was the drummer of Babes in Toyland) and I intend to share the stories and the music.
If you're reading this (is anybody reading this?) and you love the phonograph record the way I do, don't be a stranger...December is a very important month.
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phonography is a wonderful thing... it's just... better...
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You...always with the good music..what's on your turntable?
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I love this post so much!!! Thank you! I love that December is Phonograph Record month, that should be up in the title of MoG somewhere.
Can you please keep posting your new record finds with us?
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as i speak? slates-THE FALL...
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To missjunk: That's the kind of enthusiasm Phonograph Record Month ought to inspire. I promise to observe it faithfully! I invented it! What's on your turntable?
To M. Devil: You're always reminding me of things I forgot I love...not too long ago it was Wire and now this...thanks!
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pleasure... entertainment-G of 4 is lined up & ready to rip... i'm in a nostalgic mood...
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Oh that's a good one. Pure light.
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In my book all 12 months could qualify as the month of the phonograph record. December is a perfect candidate so I'll agree with you on this choice. The gift of vinyl always goes out to a few friends around X-Mas time. The only problem is trying to shop for others and hold back on what you would like to purchase for yourself. This usually fails every year. It's always good to treat yourself to some presents also.
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Had that very problem today. went record shopping with gifts in mind but spent $3 on me for every $1 on presents. Still, the gifts are good. Got a real good one for the wife. Can't say here. She reads this thing from time to time.
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Wonderful post, as always. Looking forward to hearing about your other purchases.
(By the way, re the "does anyone read this?" question, I read every one of your posts, and they always seem so complete and self-standing that commenting would be extraneous. I feel the same way about Mark Mordue. You're definitely two of the best writers on the MOG.)
jk
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Man, thanks Jenny! And I'll throw the Mog-o-praise right back at you. I love you posts and read them all. Hey...you got any records over there?
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That Nurse with Wound reissue (Rock & Roll Station) kind of blew me away.
I have to figure out how to put things up on multiply, I guess.
How about you?
jk
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Well, I don't want to spoil future posts...but I will say this: it's a record of improvised oud music by the great Iraqi master of the oud. I just got it yesterday for $5! It was actually on my list! But now I am getting into the territory of future posts. Shhhh....
I will be incorporating Multiply into my observance of the month of the phonograph very soon!
I have never heard this Nurse with Wound business, but will seek it out...
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What a coincidence, J., I was just listening to my 45's for the first time in a long time the other day. Eric's Trip are still on the turntable :)
I love my vinyl best - laying on the floor beside the speaker looking at the sleeve, shopping for it. It's an actual ritual, as opposed to the random shuffle/push a button, never look at the artwork, etc. of today. And it sounds so good.......
I recently quit smoking and had decided to take the money otherwise spent on smokes and spend it on restocking my vinyl. It's been 3 weeks, I've been saving up! I'll let you know how it goes.
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The ritual of it...totally. That's the magic. Or part of it.
And please do keep me posted on the restocking. What does a pack of smokes cost in Canada?
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depends - in NB, about $8. And I was probably smoking about half a pack a day....so yaaa for me!
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The exchange rate thing has me all messed up here...but here's my advice (which has worked swimmingly for my own recent restocking adventures): don't pay more than you'd pay for a pack of smokes for any single used record. An even better rule: don't pay more than half what you would pay for a pack of smokes. Now, that works here on the East Coast, where I've been spending an average of $3 to $7 on records. There have been a few exceptions...there are always exceptions.
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Yeah but I live in a small town, and pickins' can be slim for the used vinyl, unless someone I know has just gone through their collection and gotten rid of a bunch, lol. Sometimes I luck out. But there is usually a decent mix of new stuff, so here's to hoping. I'm about to head out through the freezing rain on my expedition!
ps - I should mention the poetic justice of this, as in previous desperate years I sold off lots from my collection, often to buy smokes, lol.
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Good luck!
In my early 20's I sold hundreds of records for rent money. CD's too...but that doesn't sting as much.
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hail to the vinyl! cd's will be obsolete and gone in 10 years. vinyl will be going strong.
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It's crazy but it's true!
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My turntable currently sports Elton John's Madman Across The Water. Most of my records are old semi-classics that I was only willing to spend a couple of bucks on, things I only kind of like. Used LPs: the ultimate discount format. I should try to do better. The few awesome records I have make me happy.
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My education in the “old semi-classics” was through records that cost me a couple of bucks. There was a great chain of used record stores in Minneapolis called Cheapo…it’s still around but it’s not quite as amazing…they were open 365 days a year until midnight. Each store was the size of a big box store and lit like a sports stadium. The classics were like $1.50 and when I was in high school I used to go at aroound 10 pm, buy a stack of records, then stay home from school the next day and learn.
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Cheapo = not amazing.
I have guilt regarding this topic, I have to say, having just sold the bulk of my collection to one Extreme Noise records for upwards of $300. I realized I hadn't listened to most of them in a year or so, and was moving into a smaller space so I needed the room.
After reading this, I feel as though I should have some remorse, but I don't, and I actually appreciate the records I've kept much more now than before. It's funny, too, because I used to be such a vinyl only militant. I guess I've gone and embraced the future.
All the same, I will tell you what is on my turntable: The Hal al Shedad s/t LP. The lyric sheet comes in a manila envelope and has this whole spy/terror cell thing going for it.
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Further:
Your avatar looks like a record cover. Something in an Oldham.
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Man…the manila envelope thing is great. So much room to work with a 12-inch sleeve. I Always felt like it was not taken advantage of nearly enough. I like the Secretly Canadian thing of just dropping the CD of the record in with the record itself…because you can. All the Magnolia Electric Co. and Jason Molina LPs came with a CD thrown in. I’d love to see more of that but I’d love it even more if more bands would sit down and say: Okay, we’ve essentially got a 12 x 12 envelope here, let’s not waste this opportunity. What if McSweeney’s were a record label?
As for the slimming down of your collection: you got $300 and you’re left only with the gold…what’s to feel bad about?
I’m so over the “vinyl only militant” bit, and I enjoy records so much more…
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Well, that makes me feel better.
Except that I realize I lied: it's not a manila envelope, but rather a file folder, a dossier, if you will. Anyway, it's a good record, I promise.
Also, the other day when I was supposed to be doing homework, I glanced over and saw the issue of McSweeney's that was designed to look like something that came in the mail sitting on the coffee table. Actually, I only saw part of that issue, as it was a bundle, but the part I saw was a manila envelope with the word "envelope" and the author's last names screened on it. It reminded me of old punk records, and also of a quote from Godspeed! You Black Emperor's liner notes, which I'll paraphrase here since that record apparently got sold:
...having attended the school of punk rock, some better than others...
Which made me wonder if the above could be said about some of the McSweeney's editorial staff.
In other words, I, too, have made the record label/McSweeney's/packaging parallel.
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Well, nothing obscure - just 2 classics I wanted on vinyl: Metal Circus, Husker Du Down, The Jesus Lizard
And Joe Lally's release - From There To Here. I've always liked his bass-playing, didn't really realize how much until Instrument came out. So I figured what the hell. It's seeming to be one of those things I'll have to listen to a few more times before I can really form an opinion. I do like it. The guy can't sing, that's for sure - I guess that's why he is always "talking" his way through lyrics. Or maybe it's just his style. Kinda like a political Lou Reed, as opposed to sappy Lou? The bass is up front and warm-sounding, just the way I like it.
As I was listening to my new Jesus Lizard album, I was thinking of how revved up they get me, and that if one were to ask me, I wouldn't have ever listed them as a favorite band. But it dawned on me Friday night that I am long-overdue for playing with a band again, and that of anything, I would want us to kinda sound like The Jesus Lizard. Or have the same feel, rather.
And just now I looked at your previous posts and saw the bit about Yow - apparently we are in synch! (first Slint, now this)
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I work behind the scenes at a record store, upstairs and away from the customers. Typically, our LP's are kept in the basement. When I’m bored, I’ll wander down and pay a visit to the used ones, say hello and see if anything unusual has popped up. Oh sure, I'll check ‘em when they’re being priced out upstairs, but it’s more fun to see LP’s in the racks. Anyway, tomorrow I’ll wander down and tell them you’ve dedicated December to their existence. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it as much as I do.
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To Kristiana:
Down and Metal Circus...awesome. I still remember the first time I heard Jesus Lizard. Their live album, Show, was playing at a club as my band was setting up (I was a little late to those guys). That bass...that was what I kept thinking. Lally is another great bass player...and I love his Fugazi songs - he was so completely different from anybody else in that band. I'd like to hear his new record. Perhaps I'll pay a visit eMusic...
All this talk about Yow reminds me that I never posted my interview with him...it was supposed to be part of the Slint package...
To Lau: Good to see you! And please say hello to the records in the basement.
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Yeah, I talked to the records, they said to get yer furry ass over here and shop 'til you drop. Oh and while I was down there I found an instructional LP on creative writing on Folkways (with the booklet, by the way) for $1. I don't think Pete Seger is on that one.
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All Folkways records...especially the children's records (I still have"The Young Composers Orchestra," which I think I got with you on a trip to Tower in like 1996)...should be purchased and shipped to me immediately.
Love, Jeff
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The Lally album is nice heavy vinyl too ;)
How about The Edges? While I was buying this the guy at my local record store (who has worked there since I was in junior high I believe - anyways, a looooong time) said I would probably like them. Anybody heard it?
I also told Eric (record store guy) about Mog. He's yet another writer, and probably has some funny insights to add. If he's not on here soon I'll have to go kick his butt.
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7" records are, quite possibly, my favorite form of music. I don't know what it is, really, but something about them is just so much fun.
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Indeed...working on a couple of 7" posts now. What's on your turntable?
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yay! for the month of the phonograph. my record collection is by no means huge but it's diverse and i pretty much love it all. most of my stuff is fairly typical... suzanne vega, leonard cohen, lots of jazz, more dolly parton than is healthy, and bits of contemporary stuff. but some of my favorites are the odd-ball finds that i've bought simply because it seemed like something i'd never come across again. a perfect example being "provacative percussion." the liner notes, written in 1959, describe the album as being "the most unusual record you have ever put on your turntable." i've needed a new needle for weeks, and as a result i haven't been using the turntable - but after reading these posts i'm buying a needle tomorrow and i too will celebrate the month of the phonograph!
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This is fantastic news! Welcome aboard. And good luck with the needle hunt. Keep in touch!
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Great post. I love all my old phonographs. I was estatic when my stepmom offered me her turntable. The speakers suck but thats an easy fix. Now I can listen to my Seals and Croft, my Queen, Eagles, Steve Miller, Joe Walsh and all the others that enveloped my teenage years.
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sniffff, aaahhhh i can smell the musty album covers from here.
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Just dusted off my Dad's record player and a stack of his albums. Good stuff :)