Listening to all my records

2

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  • LukinFan
    LukinFan Florida Posts: 29,121
    I need to do this. I started over the summer and then work got in the way.  

    I'm going to start it back up. 
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  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    That’s an awesome idea, man! I may do the same!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
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  • jjflash
    jjflash Posts: 5,037
    Along similar lines, somber yet entirely worthwhile, here's a blog written by a contributor to my local paper. His name is Mike Oliver and he suffers from a degenerative brain disease called Lewy Body dementia, a disease that will ultimately take his life as their is no cure. He's committed to counting down and reviewing all 678 records in his collection in alphabetical order before his life expires. I've never met Mike but the spirit he shares thru his blog is full of humanity. If you love music, basketball and/or life this may be for you:
    https://myvinylcountdown.com
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    mfc2006 said:
    That’s an awesome idea, man! I may do the same!
    I'm really enjoying it, mfc.  It gives me a chance to appreciate each an every record and also to consider those for which I truly don't see ever listening to again to be culled (that will be few as I'm pretty careful about purchasing LP's).
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    jjflash said:
    Along similar lines, somber yet entirely worthwhile, here's a blog written by a contributor to my local paper. His name is Mike Oliver and he suffers from a degenerative brain disease called Lewy Body dementia, a disease that will ultimately take his life as their is no cure. He's committed to counting down and reviewing all 678 records in his collection in alphabetical order before his life expires. I've never met Mike but the spirit he shares thru his blog is full of humanity. If you love music, basketball and/or life this may be for you:
    https://myvinylcountdown.com
    That a great idea.  I thought about doing a little review for each record but I'm still to busy with work and life in general to have time for 1,000 or so reviews!

    Also, thanks for posting the link to Mike Oliver's site.  Really sounds interesting.  One of my motivations for doing my listening project is the realization that I'm at an age (67) where mortality and loss of mental alertness will be big concerns in coming years and I want to be able to hear all this great music at least one more time (which is not say say I won't live to be 100 and hear them several times, but one never knows).

    And sad to hear Oliver has a degenerative brain disease.  When my mother was dying of "Alzheimer's" I did some reading on brain disease including one called The Myth of Alzheimer's by Peter J Whitehouse, M.D. that argues that Alzheimer's is too general a term that describes many different types of brain aging diseases and has a lot of good information about how, as best as possible, to maintain good brain health.  Despite the title and premise which sound negative, it's actually a very useful and encouraging book.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • madtowndave
    madtowndave Minneapolis, MN Posts: 4,013
    brianlux said:
    madtowndave said:
    brianlux said:
    goldrush said:
    Where do your singles fit in? Are you playing them chronologically with the corresponding album, or separately after you have finished all of the albums?

    It'd be interesting to hear your reactions to something you haven't heard for years (or not at all) as well. Does a record that you loved years ago still hold up? Or is there something you weren't blown away by originally that sounds better now?  
    I have 12" singles filed in front of the corresponding band's LP's so they get played first, then the LP's.  I decided to save the 7" 45's (which are separately boxed) for last.  I have a Project Carbon Debut that requires lifting the platter to change the belt speed, plus most of the small singles require a hole adapter, so it will be easier to listen to all of them in a row.

    Yes, one of the fun things about doing this is that I know I will hear records all the way through that I haven't heard in quite a while.  That, and already there have been some songs that I've probably heard but don't recall ever having done so like The Alarm's "Thoughts of a Young Man" and "Second Generation."

    Last night, I listened to Lauri Anderson's LP Big Science.  Great record!  But as much as I love some of the songs and find them all interesting, it's a challenging album to listen too all the way through and I was tired last night, so it felt a bit like work to sit through the whole album but I felt good about doing it.

    I've also (so far at least) been reading along with the lyric sheets when available.  That was very rewarding with the two 10,000 Maniacs LP's I have because Natalie Merchant's singing is a hard to follow on those early albums.  That was a lot of words! 

    So far, everything has held up well... but I'm only 8 records in so far.  I'm guessing this little venture may produce a few cull- but maybe not!
    I have the same turntable, and I bought a Project Speed Box so I don't have to lift the platter and adjust the belts. Well worth the money.
    Thanks, that looks helpful.  But I also noticed that places including Crutchfield and Amazon no longer carry it.  The other thing I don't like about the Carbon Debut is the annoying motor hum.  I'm saving up my dollars and looking to get something different- probably a Rega Planar 3 with Elyse 2 cartridge although I'm tempted to go with an Audio-Technica AT-LP5 with a cartridge upgrade to save some money. 
    That's odd. I have never noticed a motor hum with mine.
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  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    madtowndave said:
    brianlux said:
    madtowndave said:
    brianlux said:
    goldrush said:
    Where do your singles fit in? Are you playing them chronologically with the corresponding album, or separately after you have finished all of the albums?

    It'd be interesting to hear your reactions to something you haven't heard for years (or not at all) as well. Does a record that you loved years ago still hold up? Or is there something you weren't blown away by originally that sounds better now?  
    I have 12" singles filed in front of the corresponding band's LP's so they get played first, then the LP's.  I decided to save the 7" 45's (which are separately boxed) for last.  I have a Project Carbon Debut that requires lifting the platter to change the belt speed, plus most of the small singles require a hole adapter, so it will be easier to listen to all of them in a row.

    Yes, one of the fun things about doing this is that I know I will hear records all the way through that I haven't heard in quite a while.  That, and already there have been some songs that I've probably heard but don't recall ever having done so like The Alarm's "Thoughts of a Young Man" and "Second Generation."

    Last night, I listened to Lauri Anderson's LP Big Science.  Great record!  But as much as I love some of the songs and find them all interesting, it's a challenging album to listen too all the way through and I was tired last night, so it felt a bit like work to sit through the whole album but I felt good about doing it.

    I've also (so far at least) been reading along with the lyric sheets when available.  That was very rewarding with the two 10,000 Maniacs LP's I have because Natalie Merchant's singing is a hard to follow on those early albums.  That was a lot of words! 

    So far, everything has held up well... but I'm only 8 records in so far.  I'm guessing this little venture may produce a few cull- but maybe not!
    I have the same turntable, and I bought a Project Speed Box so I don't have to lift the platter and adjust the belts. Well worth the money.
    Thanks, that looks helpful.  But I also noticed that places including Crutchfield and Amazon no longer carry it.  The other thing I don't like about the Carbon Debut is the annoying motor hum.  I'm saving up my dollars and looking to get something different- probably a Rega Planar 3 with Elyse 2 cartridge although I'm tempted to go with an Audio-Technica AT-LP5 with a cartridge upgrade to save some money. 
    That's odd. I have never noticed a motor hum with mine.
    I've read up on it it's it's not common but also not uncommon.  Kind of a crap shoot.  A great turntable as long as you're lucky enough to get one that doesn't hum.  Mine is usually not loud enough to notice but at time is which is when it is really a drag on the listening experience.  Good TT's are a lot of bucks, so I hold out for now.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    I recently decided to do the logical thing and reorganize all my rock vinyl records instead of having punk and shoegaze etc. separated so listening through them all is progressing a bit differently (and more logical, really).

    I'm currently on Bowie and just digging Bowie so much right now.  And I just picked up the excellent Parlophone reissue of Hunky Dory, further sweetening the experience!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Guy Dudebro
    Guy Dudebro Posts: 1,483
    I had a thought to do exactly this; listen to one cd or record per day all the way through my whole collection. Then I did the math and realized that I'd literally be dead by the time I finished and that got me depressed enough to consider start getting rid of some of this stuff.... :|
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    Guy Dudebro said:
    I had a thought to do exactly this; listen to one cd or record per day all the way through my whole collection. Then I did the math and realized that I'd literally be dead by the time I finished and that got me depressed enough to consider start getting rid of some of this stuff.... :|
    That is actually part of my motivation do do this "listening project".  Once I listen to something, I tell myself to honestly answer this question: "Will I ever listen to this again, or is there some other reason (sentimental value) to keep this?"  If not, into the record section of my wife's store it goes.  I have to admit though, so far, few have left the herd.

    I've been culling my books lately as well.  That's a tough one, partly because I have so darned many, and partly because pretty much every book I have is something I acquired with the full intention of reading or at least browsing or referring back to it.  And I will definitely, beyond a shadow of a doubt, will ever be able to read all the book I have in this house, not to mention the thousand that make up my book business inventory.

    Finishing listening to all my Bowie records has been a sad event.  I keep thinking, "How is it that David is no longer with us?"  :frowning:
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    edited October 2018


    I just finished listening to the last of the 10  Larry Coryell albums I have in my collection.  Coryell was such an amazing guitarist and I'm so glad to have  gotten to see him perform  in three very different configurations- with a high powered jazz/rock fusion trio, in an acoustic trio performance with Laurindo Almeida and Sharon Isben that blended many styles, and in a straight up jazz trio with Ray Brown and Art Blakely. 

    So anyway, through all his many various albums, Coryell covered a world of guitar territory.  So many great stand outs there, including this amazing number Larry composed for his album, Bolero

    "6th Watch Hill Road"




    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • njnancy
    njnancy Posts: 5,096
    This is such a cool idea and so interesting to read about your journey through your collection brian. And also interesting to read about others doing the same. I wish that I had taken better care of my albums. A good many of those I acquired in my teens and early 20's are scratched to shit. 

    My mom has a well kept collection of 45's and 78's that are Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, etc. 

    Just find this thread so interesting. I'll continue to read about your experiences. 
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    njnancy said:
    This is such a cool idea and so interesting to read about your journey through your collection brian. And also interesting to read about others doing the same. I wish that I had taken better care of my albums. A good many of those I acquired in my teens and early 20's are scratched to shit. 

    My mom has a well kept collection of 45's and 78's that are Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, etc. 

    Just find this thread so interesting. I'll continue to read about your experiences. 
    I'm glad you're enjoying it, Nancy.  :smile:

    My wife has several records that she's had for a long time and are really beat up and she knows how finicky I am about my stereo equipment (partly due to my nature, but also very much having to do with wanting the components to last as long as possible).  So I went on eBay and bought an old all-in-one school record player for the beaters.  It's a lot of fun actually because we can throw them on, not worry about condition too much, and just let them play.  There's even something nostalgic about that "scratchy old record" sound.  Lots of fun!

    I'm a good ways into the rock section C's right now with Cream's Wheels of Fire up next.  Getting closer to my Dinosaur Jr and J Mascis and Lou Barlow related stuff (all filed together) and that will be a blast... and will take a while.  28 records, two of which are double LP's.  I hope my wife isn't sick of them by the time they've all played, lol!

    Oh, and the double vinyl re-issue of Dinosaur's Ear Bleeding Country due to arrive any day now too!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    Listening to Neil Diamond's great Classics; The early Years this evening.  I'm once more reminded of what a great song writer Diamond is, penning such classics as "I'm a Believer" and "Red, Red Wine".  Fantastic!

    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    So tonight, nearing the end of the "D's", it was this monstrous album.  Two LP's, 4 sides, one looooong jam.  Filed under "D" because J is in it and we all know what J is all about, right? 

    Even at reasonable volume, my ears are now ringing more than normal.  Three or four minutes of uninterrupted feedback at the end will do that.   :-) 


    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • goldrush
    goldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,819
    brianlux said:
    So tonight, nearing the end of the "D's", it was this monstrous album.  Two LP's, 4 sides, one looooong jam.  Filed under "D" because J is in it and we all know what J is all about, right? 

    Even at reasonable volume, my ears are now ringing more than normal.  Three or four minutes of uninterrupted feedback at the end will do that.   :-) 


    That is a beast of a record!
    Did Ear Bleeding Country arrive in time for the ‘D’s?
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  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    goldrush said:
    brianlux said:
    So tonight, nearing the end of the "D's", it was this monstrous album.  Two LP's, 4 sides, one looooong jam.  Filed under "D" because J is in it and we all know what J is all about, right? 

    Even at reasonable volume, my ears are now ringing more than normal.  Three or four minutes of uninterrupted feedback at the end will do that.   :-) 


    That is a beast of a record!
    Did Ear Bleeding Country arrive in time for the ‘D’s?
    Yes, at the exact right time!  It was weird because it show up like it was right on the beat! 
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • ConorKavanagh
    ConorKavanagh Ireland Posts: 1,148
    Ear Bleeding Country is a great compilation but you can't beat the original records. My favourite one of theirs has to be Where You Been, though.
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  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,671
    ConorKavanagh said:
    Ear Bleeding Country is a great compilation but you can't beat the original records. My favourite one of theirs has to be Where You Been, though.
    Where You Been was my break through album for Dinosaur Jr.  I had read about them in Michael Azerrad's excellent book, Our Band Could Be Your Life.  I love most of the band Azerrad wrote about in that book but hadn't been familiar with Dinosaur Jr so I check them out.  Att the time, what I heard of them sampling on YouTube didn't work for me.  But then when I noticed Henry Rollins raving about them in some of his books so I figured maybe I had overlooked something.  So I picked up a CD copy of Where You Been and noticed right off that it was really something different.  At first, I didn't care for J's voice at all but after three or four listenings, it began to grow on me (and now I love it!).  Not long after that, I became a full-blown Dinosaur Jr. fanatic!
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • njnancy
    njnancy Posts: 5,096
    You are making progress! I like your commitment! 

    I don't know the last band you listened to but I'm glad that you enjoyed it. :smile:

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