07/01/2024
Let’s talk about new vinyl….
It has its place! My shop is based on collectable vinyl record releases from the hey day of that medium. It passed (late 90’s) went to sleep (early 2000’s) and revived itself (2010’s…).
Of course my main thing is original, but, you can’t overlook re-issues!
Production qualities these days are second to none (quite often , better than the original)
Packaging and content is second to none (sleeve reproduction, inners, inserts, posters, lyric sheets etc).
Affordability is key in some cases. (Dad sends little Johnny in to buy Nick Drake “Pink Moon” for example, it’s £500 plus as an early original, or £20 to £30 as a top quality re-pop).
And don’t forget, they were all new in the first place. And the new re-issues, and actual newly recorded albums on vinyl, will be the next generations collectables of the future.
My eyes were fully opened in 2017, with the 50th anniversary re-issue of Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was then that I realised that up to that point, nobody was quite sure if vinyl was back for good or not. So previously the quality of the vinyl production, and packaging, was just a little half hearted. Like producers were thinking, the bubble will burst so,let’s not go overboard.
But at some point there was a realisation that it was back for good, real money was spent, and we now have some of the best produced output ever!
That “Pepper” re-issue is B-E-A- UTIFUL! Top quality vinyl reproduction, beautifully constructed, heavy card, laminated production sleeve, with all the right inserts, and more.
And since then, it’s only got better, throughout the genre.
Of course it’s not lost on me that we are still dealing mostly with the difference between digital and analogue output. BUT, that shouldn’t, and DOESN’T take away from one of the main attractions of the 12” (10” and 7”) format.
The interaction, and immersion, in the way we use it.
The initial thrill of the sleeve art.
The care we take in removing the vinyl from the sleeve.
The interest created in the inner or lyric sheet.
Placing that vinyl on whatever system you have. And the joy of putting that together.
Making sure the stylus is clean,
Sitting back and giving yourself to the experience, without skipping tracks, shuffling, pausing etc etc.
It’s a thing.
So. Like I said, I’m fully immersed in collectability, and originality. But if we are to keep moving forward with the vinyl resurgence, then it has to include newly pressed output too!
So let it be written, so let it be done.
