RADIO HANNIBAL

Two Clevelanders Make Plans For A Vinyl Trek And Book About Youth And Records

Two young vinyl record lovers here in Cleveland are poised to write a book on why kids are returning to vinyl, the music medium of their parents.  Ben Meadors and Owen McCafferty plan to cross the country interviewing young record buyers and snapping photos along the way. Meadors will handle the photography while McCafferty will do the writing.

Their vinyl journey includes stops in their home town as well as places such as New York, Chicago, San Fransisco and Portland.  There's no set time table at this point as they're waiting for their Kickstarter campaign to reach its goal of $6,500.  They've allowed two months to reach the goal. 

I wrote of the innovative site, Kickstarter, when local musician Brent Kirby used it to fund his new album, Brent Kirby's Kickstart Project, Helping A Musician Make A Record.  Brent easily reached and surpassed his goal.  Meadors and McCafferty's is slightly more ambitious in terms of dollars. 

As with all Kickstarter projects donations come with cool rewards.  A mere $10 gets your name and a thank you in the book.  I'm springing for the $25 pledge. 

I feel close to this project.  After all, Meadors and McCafferty are Clevelanders who's musical DNA is filled with all of the greatness of Cleveland's musical past. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Searching For Vinyl Online, It's Easier Anyway

I love hunting around for old vinyl in second hand stores, antique shops, charity shops, house and garage sales.  It does have its drawbacks though.

First there's the time and cost of gas getting to these places.  Second there's the dirty factor. Your hands feel a bit grimy after a long session of hunting.  Lastly, it gets a little painful as I'm often on my knees to look through these old LPs.

So it is fun to go searching on ebay and Craigslist on occasion.  A friend of mine browses Craigslist in bed as a way of falling to sleep.  Usually the prices on ebay are a bit too steep for my blood but you can sure find some cool stuff.

How about a bunch of vintage rock LPs still sealed.  That's what I cam across last evening.  Check it out.

Hipignosis Was King When Record Covers Ruled

Over the weekend I picked up an excellent condition copy of Audience - The House On The Hill on vinyl for $3.00.  It was a steal.  My vinyl copy was stolen back in college.  I also have a CD version I'd picked up upon re-issue some years ago. 

Aside from the gorgeous music that the band and producer Gus Dudgeon gave us, there was the album artwork done by Hipgnosis.  This British design group were far and away the best at creating eye catching and innovative artwork.  You may not know of them but you certainly know their often iconic work.  

In 1979 they came out with a nice book showcasing much of their portfolio.  I bought a copy and still have it.

I wish I could leaf through it and show you some of the pictures.  Fear not, here's an unofficial site honoring them, Hipgnosis Covers.  You'll be astounded at how many familiar covers you see.  Here's a couple.