RADIO HANNIBAL

BBC gets nostalgic on the 45 rpm record

Last week the BBC aired an hour long documentary on the 45 rpm called, The Joy Of The Single.  Like most music documentaries produced by the BBC it was well done.

Many aspects of the vintage music platform were discussed by a large group of interviewees including Graham Gouldman, Suzi Quatro, Noddy Holder, Jimmy Webb, Norman Cook and many others.  It follows the timeline of rock as well, pointing out it's resurgence in the punk scene and big comeback in the 80s before the CD eventually snuffed it out. 

Interestingly, today the single is as prominent as ever.  With digital music distribution most of the music buying public spends their money purchasing single tracks from places like iTunes.  Alas, the charm of the cover sleeve, the tactile feel of the record, the smell are all gone. 

Jack White said it best when he talked of what one has to do to play a 45.  First placing it on the turntable, then dropping the needle, the song is too short to do anything but stay right by the spinning disc.  "It's almost reverential", he posed. 

Documentary on owner of largest record collection is touching

As a bit of a music collector myself I've known about Murray Gershenz and his staggering record collection for a few years now.  His story has been told in the press and in news clips.  Now it's been made into a touching short film. 

Music Man Murray made it's debut on the Documentary Channel,  appropriately enough on Record Store Day, this past Saturday.  No worry, you can watch the entire 21 minute feature here. 

NPR's Bob Boilen shares an interview with the director Richard Parks, son of musician Van Dyke Parks.  Music Man Murray: What's A Guy To Do With A Half-Million Records?

Murray also has a website for his archive/store, Music Man Murray.  The collection is for sale as a lot but you'll see in the film that it's hard to let go. 

 

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.