Crates Of Vinyl

Vinyl is: Tactile Satisfaction

2012-02-16T22:50:00.003-05:00

You can't 'touch' an mp3

Concorde

2012-01-23T06:31:00.000-05:00

Technics SL-Q202 Turntable with the Ortofon Concorde and the Night Club stylus

Home is where my equipment is.

2012-01-23T06:22:00.001-05:00

The Music of Art

2012-01-02T23:06:00.001-05:00

Vinyl Xmas

2011-12-16T07:14:00.001-05:00

Headphone Guy

2011-12-14T21:05:00.001-05:00

Headphone Girl

2011-12-13T18:57:00.001-05:00

Vintage Hi-Fi Porn

2011-12-11T18:25:00.002-05:00

Absolut

2011-12-02T17:39:00.002-05:00

By Dskreet Slipmats

Sunday Afternoon Vinyl Babe

2011-09-18T18:08:00.002-04:00

Saturday Night Vinyl Vixen

2011-09-11T00:34:00.003-04:00

Back to black - The revival of vinyl

2011-08-20T18:38:00.002-04:00

ONE common trend in many Western countries, regardless of the health of their recorded-music markets, is clear: vinyl is back. Sales of LPs were up in both Britain and Germany last year. In America vinyl sales are running 39% above last year’s level (see chart). Read more HERE

Rega P25 plays "Josie" by Steely Dan

2011-08-20T01:34:00.002-04:00

Watch in (HD 1080p) for best audio

Harmony Records - Since 1956

2011-08-18T16:52:00.014-04:00

Mom & Pop record shops are a rare breed now days. Most have closed due to lack of sales, the recession or have fell victim to the ever present mega-store. Today & totally by chance, I happened upon a record shop that is not only still going strong, but has been in existence since 1956. That's a true milestone. Harmony Records is located at 1625 Unionport Rd, Bronx, NY 10462-5953 and literally within walking distance from my home. How I never knew about it is beyond me. This place has tons of vinyl sitting in crates, on the walls & just about everywhere else the owner (Glen) can fit them. I was pressed for time & only able to dig for a short while but rest assured I will return & return often. The records he has are a bit pricey compared to other vinyl shops but understandably. Rent, location & the state of music purchases is the real culprit. I will happily spend the extra $$ to help support any indie shop still devoted to selling wax. I walked out with 2 (VG+) 12" LP's. 'Planet Rock' by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, and 'Heartbeat' by Taana Gardner. If you are ever in NY I suggest taking a trip to The Bronx to visit & buy some records.

Art of the Dig

2011-08-17T20:43:00.001-04:00

Chicks 'DIG' Vinyl

2011-08-14T18:11:00.003-04:00

How To: Phono Cartridges - "What Should I Get?"

2011-08-13T17:38:00.003-04:00

A video by BadEditPro on YouTube.
These are his recommendations, not necessarily mine.

Vinyl Records - The fastest-growing music format in the USA

2011-08-11T19:13:00.004-04:00

Vinyl's growing popularity is more than just spin. Last year, 2.8 million records were sold, making the old-fashioned LP the fastest-growing music format in the United States.

Sexy Sunday - Babes & Vinyl

2011-08-07T14:02:00.001-04:00

Summer Dig 2011

2011-08-06T23:17:00.006-04:00

I went 'digging' at local garage sales today & found some great vinyl. All under $1 & with the exception of a few irreversibly damaged sleeves, the records are in VG to VG+ condition.

Other than the 4 in the photo, today's score consists of the following:

Foreigner (self titled)
Heart - Bebe Le Strange
The Animals - The Best of The Animals
Aerosmith - Gems
David Bowie - Tonight
Dion And The Belmonts - Golden Classics
Johnny Mathis - Johnny's Greatest Hits
Dean Martin - The Dean Martin Delux Set (6 LP's)
The Cars - (self titled)
Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady

Question..

2011-07-17T15:56:00.004-04:00

Modern day cowboy

2011-05-24T21:32:00.004-04:00

An 'all-in-one' digital control center with audiophile aspirations.

TEAC Reference • CR-H500NT Receiver/CD Player
See & Read more HERE

How Do I Start a Record Collection?

2011-05-18T18:55:00.001-04:00

Vinyl is back and better than ever.

"Vinyl records sound better, and it's been scientifically proven," said Adam Welle, manager of Down in the Valley. He has been collecting records for his entire life, amassing a collection of nearly 5,000 records.

How Do I Start a Record Collection?

Brooklyn Factory Still Spinning Vinyl Records

2011-05-16T21:47:00.002-04:00

In today's digital age, the vinyl record is slowly fading.
That hasn't deterred music lover Thomas Bernich, who's always had a passion for putting needle to the plastic.
He's turned his hobby into a business, setting up his own record-pressing company, Brooklynphono.

Source: NTD televisision

Lazy Sunday

2011-05-15T11:57:00.000-04:00

Damn the dust!

2011-05-06T19:09:00.009-04:00

Other than finger prints dust is a records worst enemy. All my vinyl, both new & used gets a run through my Spin-Clean MKII before being added to the library. The Spin-Clean MKII works very well at removing finger prints, dust & other garbage from the record. Still, even after it has been cleaned dust inevitably finds its way on to the record surface. That's where the 'Hunt EDA Carbon Fiber Brush' comes in to play.

"The Hunt Brush features two rows of carbon fiber bristles with a wide felt pad in between. Unlike other felt brushes, the Hunt actually picks up dirt instead of moving it around the record. A very effective dry brush." -MusicDirect

Mine arrived in the mail 2 days ago & I have been using it on every record I spin. I think it works great, though none of my vinyl has much dust to remove. Good for every day record care between plays & wet washing.

Stereophile Recommended:
"Properly used (held with the bristles at a low angle against the approaching grooves and slowly slid off the record), these are the most effective dry record-cleaners available. No substitute for an occasional wet wash." - 10/96, Page 141, review Volume 10 #8.

Can you 'DIG' it? ...Yes I can.

2011-05-01T18:25:00.008-04:00

Yesterday I took a trip to Academy Records, 415 East 12th St, NYC. This location (1 of 3) is a vinyl only shop. I had not visited a brick & mortar record store in years. Up until yesterday all of my vinyl scores were made via eBay or other web based stores. I forgot how amazing it feels to physically dig through countless records until you find 'the one' you want. The feeling when you discover something new, even if it's old. Does that make sense? Anyway, it was a good day. I spent about 3hrs digging, walked in with a $120 spending limit & when all was said & done, I only spent $80. I used most of my time digging through the old school hip hop 12", funk & disco records. I also picked up 2 Jazz essentials.

Highlights of the dig:
Silver Convention - Save Me
Wild Cherry - Electrified Funk
Parliament - Greatest Hits, P.FUNK; Uncut Funk
Junior Walker And The All Stars - Anthology (double LP)
Various Artists - Right On! Break Beats And Grooves From The Atlantic And Warner Vaults 1967 - 1975 (double LP)
Third World - Journey To Addis
Incredible Bongo Band - 12" single. Apache /Bongolia
Steady B - 12" single - Bring The Beat Back / Cheatin' Girl
Various Artists EP - Old School Vol. 3, Nice & Smooth / EPMD
Group Home - 12" single - Supa Star
The Billie Holiday Story Vol. 1 - (double LP)
Max Roach - Percussion Bitter Sweet (Impulse Re-Issue, 180gram)

Disco Juice

2011-04-30T23:32:00.002-04:00

A playlist by Ant718 on MOG.

Classic Disco cuts played at the late night parties from The Loft, Paradise Garage & Studio 54. Listen, dance & re-live the magical era that will never be repeated.

On The Cheap: 2 channel home audio system. Under $500

2011-04-26T18:56:00.006-04:00

Buying audio gear can be confusing and daunting, with so many options & features to consider. If you are just looking for a basic system to revive your vinyl collection or just getting into vinyl for the 1st time, I have a nice 'suggested' entry level set up you should look into.

Onkyo TX-8255 Stereo Receiver $168.00
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable $214.90
CERWIN VEGA VE-5M Bookshelf Speakers $94.95

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Music in the workplace

2011-04-26T15:42:00.002-04:00

Digital vs. Analog: Which sounds better?

2011-04-25T12:41:00.005-04:00

The analog vs. digital debate has been raging for nearly three decades, and there's still no clear winner, because it's really just a matter of personal preference. Read more: HERE

Scratch DVD: Digging In The Crates

2011-04-23T19:57:00.001-04:00

From the DJ Documentary - Scratch.
DJ's like Jazzy Jay and Shadow give you the behind-the-scenes of what they go through when digging for vinyl.

The Weakest Link

2011-04-21T10:22:00.001-04:00

No matter how great the specs are, any high-end audio system is only as good as the weakest link. You can have the greatest audiophile quality power amp / preamp combination available, but if you have lousy speakers, you will never realize the full potential of the amplifier. Similarly, you can have the best amplifier (vacuum tube amp or solid state) or receiver, fantastic speakers, and a source (CD player or turntable with a good cartridge) that reveals the limitations of the recorded medium. However, if you patch it all together with mediocre audio interconnects, once again you will probably not realize the full potential of the system.

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - The Egyptian (1966)

2011-04-18T20:53:00.004-04:00

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers (Featuring Lee Morgan and John Gilmore)

Solitude

2011-04-18T08:35:00.000-04:00

Life is like a vinyl record

2011-04-17T16:30:00.001-04:00

“If you don’t like what you’re doing, you can always pick up your needle and move to another groove.”
—Timothy Leary

My recent vinyl acquisitions

2011-04-16T21:05:00.003-04:00

Blondie - Parallel Lines (180gram UK pressing)
John Coltrane - Blue Train (DMM re-issue)
King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King (200gram re-issue)
The Cars - The Cars (Mobile Fidelity Original Master Recording, 180gram)
AC/DC - Back In Black (180gram re-issue)
Boz Scaggs - Silk Degrees (Half Speed Mastered / original pressing)
KISS - Rock And Roll Over - (1st pressing w/ all original inserts) Near Mint condition!
Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak (1st pressing) VG+
Won on ebay - "lot" of 300+ 45rpms (various artists)

There are more, just forget at the moment. I have a huge "wanted" list. Slowly aquiring them all. FTW!

HiFi Love

2011-04-16T17:02:00.001-04:00

Record Store Day 2011

2011-04-15T19:38:00.006-04:00

If you care at all about music and art? If you want to know what is happening culturally? RUN, don't walk to your local, real RECORD STORE and absorb the heart and soul and the vibe of a community. The music scene of any town will revolve around the RECORD STORE as the center of the universe. Go find some treasures!

- Jon Berger (owner, Broadtime)

http://www.recordstoreday.com

Vinyl Records, 180/200 Gram Vinyl & Reissues: What are they?

2011-04-11T10:57:00.004-04:00

VINYL RECORDS

Vinyl records are able to capture the purest quality of recorded music in true form. This is possible because the initial recording is captured on an analog source (usually tape) for the ultimate in High Fidelity sound, it is then pressed onto virgin vinyl. Analog recordings capture the bottom end (or bass) while adding sweetness to the high end (or treble) better than any digital recording ever could. Analog systems are still commonly used before they are digitally transferred to CD. This means that the sound then is altered in the transfer process when CD's are produced. The word fidelity means accuracy and faithfulness. High Fidelity sound is faithful to the original sound made by the artist, capturing maximum accuracy of what was intended for the listener to hear. Vinyl records capture those sounds for the ultimate High Fidelity listening experience!

180/200 GRAM Vinyl LP

These vinyl records are produced with 180 or 200 grams of high definition premium grade virgin vinyl. This is a higher quality audiophile pressing than the typical vinyl record of 100-120 grams. These limited edition LP's are manufactured with the hi-fi enthusiast in mind. A 180 or 200 gram LP is sometimes also referred to as an audiophile pressing, there is a higher bass response and an even warmer High Fidelity sound. 180 or 200 grams LP's are typically manufactured in limited amounts and are considered collectables, commanding a higher price.

VINYL REISSUES

Typically, a vinyl reissue is a repressing of an original LP, usually extracted from the recording's master-tapes. In some cases, reissues are remastered to lower surface noise and improve overall sonics. Reissues help preserve the music of an original recording, especially when original LPs become unavailable or can no longer be found. Reissues can be pressed on a variety of thickness from 150 gram to 200 gram and offer a great opportunity for records collectors to own many classic recordings.

These definitions are from soundstagedirect.com

April 16th 2011 is Record Store Day, and it's really important. Here's why.

2011-04-10T20:33:00.004-04:00

Read WHY RECORD STORE DAY MATTERS

"Essentially, RSD is like Mother’s Day – it doesn’t hurt to show some appreciation once a year. You’ll miss them when they’re gone."

Words of wisdom from a 6 year old

2011-04-10T17:55:00.006-04:00

The following is a post from the Tumblr blog: Audiophile Life

Words of wisdom from a friend’s 6 year old daughter on the difference between a Lee Morgan album on LP and CD. Brilliance on display.

“I don’t like the small one. The big one is prettier and you can see the man’s face. Why would anyone want the small one?”

I have no idea why Jasmine, I have no idea!

Original post is HERE

My Audio Gear: Rek-O-Kut Disc Stabilizer

2011-04-09T18:31:00.027-04:00

I have a new addition to 'My Audio Gear". This particular item iv'e had my eye on for a long time. Mostly due to curiosity and above all, skepticism. I did the usual web based research, read customer reviews and any other info I could obtain.

Sometimes a simple tweek can make all the difference. Such is the case with the Rek-O-Kut Disc Stabilizer.

Description:

Rek-O-Kut designed the DISC STABILIZER to work with both modern, vinyl records and answer the needs of vintage record collectors. The heavy tracking forces used on 78s can cause internal disc vibrations that reduce clarity and color the sound. The mass of the DISC STABILIZER presses the disc firmly to the turntable's platter, thus dampening vibration. Most similar devices are designed for modern LPs only.

Design objectives:

The mass must be more than that of largest disc played

The footprint must be smaller than that of most record labels

Its profile must prevent contact with arm's headshell

The mass must not cause undo wear to the turntable's bearings

To protect fragile shellac or glass records, the handle must be easily and firmly graspable

This is the original Rek-O-Kut product and not a low-cost copy or "B" stock. It is made of precision-machined brass, and finished with a "chrome" coating.

My Rek-O-Kut Disc Stabilizer in action

Features:

Designed for both modern LPs and 78's

Diameter accommodates small records (2-5/16")

Adds to mass of rotating system to reduce flutter

Dampens resonance of disc under play

Mass couples disc under play to platter

Permits easier play of warped vinyl

Mass: one-half kilogram (1.1 Lbs)

Helps prevent slipping

Large grip handle

Art. Love. Music.

2011-04-08T14:19:00.001-04:00

My Audio Gear: Ortofon Concorde DJ S Phono Cartridge & Stylus

2011-04-07T11:02:00.015-04:00

**Note: None of my equipment is considered High End but it serves my needs.

In my previous post about "My Audio Gear" on Mar 3rd, 2011, I mentioned that I picked up a new Phono Cartridge & Stylus with the turntable I purchased. Well, here it is: The Ortofon Concorde DJ S.

Ortofon CC DJ S Technical Data:

Output voltage at 1000 Hz, 5cm/sec. 6 mV

Channel balance at 1 kHz 2 dB

Channel separation at 1 kHz 23 dB

Channel separation at 15 kHz 15 dB

Frequency range at - 3dB 20-20.000 Hz

Frequency response 20-18.000 Hz + 3 / - 2 dB

FIM distortion at recommended tracking force, DIN 45.542 < 1%

Tracking ability at 315Hz at recommended tracking force 80 µm

Compliance, dynamic, lateral 9 µm/mN

Stylus type Spherical

Stylus tip radius R 18 µm

Equivalent stylus tip mass 0,6 mg

Tracking force range 2,0-4,0 g (20-40 mN)

Tracking force, recommended 3,0 g (30 mN)

Tracking angle 20°

Internal impedance, DC resistance 750 Ohm

Internal inductance 450 mH

Recommended load resistance 47 kOhm

Recommended load capacitance 200-600 pF

Cartridge colour, body/stylus Blue/Blue

Cartridge weight 18,5 g

Replacement stylus unit DJ S

An depth look at the Ortofon DJ S by BadEditPro

Official Ortofon DJ S webpage

Ortofon DJ Cartridge Brochure PDF

Analog and Digital Recording explained

2011-04-01T17:17:00.009-04:00

When CD's were first introduced in the early 1980s, their single purpose in life was to hold music in a digital format. In order to understand how a CD works, you need to first understand how digital recording and playback works and the difference between analog and digital technologies.

Click HERE to learn the difference between Analog and Digital Recordings

Anime music love

2011-03-31T12:04:00.001-04:00

"Miles Davis - Kind of Blue Deluxe 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition" @ Pop Market

2011-03-29T10:46:00.007-04:00

180 Gram blue vinyl LP
2 CDs + 1 DVD
Perfect bound, 60-page 12”x 12” book
Memorabilia envelope
Large foldout poster + six 8x10 photos

Order here:
"Miles Davis - Kind of Blue Deluxe 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition" @ Pop Market

How to: Record Grading 101

2011-03-16T16:36:00.006-04:00

This is my 2nd "How To" post about vinyl. This post covers grading the condition of your records.

"Nothing is more important in determining the value of your records than their condition! Yes, their relative rarity and demand is important, but a collector or dealer will pay much more for a record in Near Mint condition than one in Very Good Minus condition."

The following Grading guidelines are based on
Goldmine Grading for Records:

MINT or M : Perfect! This record looks like it has just left the manufacturer, with NO flaws what so ever. It looks as though it had never been handled. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains. No stickers address labels, writing on the covers or labels. No tears or seam splits. No wear to the cover or record period! Age of the record has nothing to do with it.

NEAR MINT or NM : this record appears virtually flawless A very minor scuff and very little else can appear on the vinyl. It should play without any noise over the flaw. The flaw is very hard to see. The cover looks as close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Minor impressions to the cover (due to the outer edge of the vinyl resting inside) may be acceptable, however the artwork is be as close to perfect as can be.

EXCELLENT or EX or VG++ : minor scuffs which are only slightly visible. There may be more than a few scuffs and NO Scratches COVER: Artwork is still as close to perfect as can be. Some impression to the cover (minor outer ring wear) but no ink wear! Some slight creases to the corners, but not wrinkled and obtrusive to the eye. The corners can show white (where the artwork pasted slick was) meaning, slight wear. No seam splits or writing on the cover or taped repairs can make this grade.

VERY GOOD PLUS or VG+ : record shows wear, surface scuffs. The vinyl still has a great luster, but the flaws will be noticeable to the naked eye. If the flaws don't cause any surface noise, the vinyl can still make the VG+ grade. COVERS: A virtually clean cover, but may have small writing on it.The artwork looks clean with slightly more aging. The back of the cover usually gives away the age of the cover. Flat white paper will be somewhat yellow yet no stains or mildew from water damage. Some minor wear to the seams or spine, but no tears or holes popping through. The corners will be slightly dog eared yet no crackly bends, defacing the artwork. In essence, a VG+ cover should have no more than 3 flaws mentioned.

VERY GOOD or VG : this record is a record that is good enough. They are not really going to look very good, but it will STILL play very good. there will almost always be some surface noise when they are played. The Dynamics should still be excellent, overpowering the surface noise. A VG record will appear well have been played but still have some luster. VG covers will look worn, used. There may be some seam splitting . There will be some ring wear, where the ink has begun to wear off. Giving the cover a look of snow falling. If the artwork looks snowy all over, it is less than VG condition. There may be some writing on the cover (still, no Large letters in magic marker). It will look aged and more yellowish due to contamination's in the air (sometimes looking like cigarette smoke). Still it should be decent.

GOOD or G : A good record will look very well played, dull, grayish and possibly abused. However a Good record should still play. It will have distractingsurface noise. Such as crackle that is continuous or some hiss. Will also have some loss of dynamics caused from grooves being worn. It should play without any skips or any obtrusively loud pops or repeated clicks, caused by deep scratches. Good means that it will play with some form of decency, so one can still enjoy the music even though you can still hear noise caused from the wear. A Good cover will have just about everything wrong with it. It will have seam splits (possibly taped repaired, but only with scotch tape. No duct tape or masking tape repairs. These are big turn offs. May have magic marker writing on the cover but still if they are in huge letters, it is a big turn off.In essence, the cover will looked virtually trashed, but some artwork will still be noticed. If the artwork is worn, it is POOR and the cover is worthless.

On a scale from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Perfect) the above gradings are equivalent to:
MINT - 10, Near Mint - 8, Excellent - 7, Very Good Plus - 6 , Very Good - 5 , Good - 2

Film Preservation in the Digital Age

2011-03-16T14:41:00.004-04:00

A slight shift from my usual audio related posts, here is a link to the MoMA web page with a feature on Film Preservation in the Digital Age.

Steve Kay, owner of Vintage Vinyl

2011-03-16T11:15:00.002-04:00

50Hz / 33rpm

2011-03-09T16:46:00.002-05:00

How To: Get The Most From Vinyl Records

2011-03-07T18:38:00.005-05:00

This will be the 1^st in a series of ‘How To’ video posts about vinyl. I have discovered some great videos on YouTube that have either refreshed my knowledge or taught me something I never knew. Even if you’re an experienced vinyl enthusiast or just starting out, I recommend watching as they are sure to enhance the experience.

My Audio Gear - Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable

2011-03-03T15:36:00.024-05:00

*Note: None of my equipment is considered High End but it serves my needs.

Last time I posted anything about "My Audio Gear" was JANUARY 13, 2010. In that post I mentioned that I was in serious need of a turntable upgrade. Fast forward 1 year & 2 months later.. Say hello to my new Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable.

But Wait, There's More!.. Not only did I upgrade to a snazzy new turntable, I also picked up a new cartridge & stylus to compliment it. More about that in my next update. For now you can take a look at Don Lindich’s Sound Advice Blog post to learn more about the

Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB Turntable : A real find at $200!

Specifications*

Click HERE to view. File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat

Slow And Steady: Vinyl Survives

2011-03-02T19:55:00.006-05:00

In recent years some headlines have cast an increase in sales for vinyl LPs — once considered a casualty of the CD era — as something like a beacon of hope for the struggling music industry. The reality isn't all that rosy. Though vinyl sales grew by 14% in 2010, according to Nielsen SoundScan, they still counted for less than one percent of the year's total album sales.

Listen & Read more HERE

Hoerboard Scomber Mix

2011-02-25T07:28:00.004-05:00

The Hoerboard Scomber Mix is designed to make all your turntables, CD-players and mixers fit perfectly into a great looking workstation. The DJ booth consists of two units, needs less space than the hoerboard Classic and makes you more mobile with your own personal workstation. The top deck is made from CNC-designed MDF material and is fixed to a laser-cut powder-coated steel support. Both unit surfaces are available in several glossy or matt colors.

How to find the right online radio service for you

2011-02-23T08:25:00.003-05:00

“Your iTunes library may be extensive, but it can’t offer intelligent recommendation engines, access from any location, or the ability to stream millions of songs from the cloud…”
1/31/11 in Details Magazine How to Find the Right Online Radio Service For You

Endangered species

2011-02-17T08:49:00.012-05:00

Barely a minute into a conversation with Lou Russell and you can hear melancholy in his voice. When asked to describe the state of Lou’s Records, the iconic Leucadia record store that Russell’s owned and operated for more than three decades, he uses words and phrases like “descent,” “decline” and “downward slope.”
Read more HERE

8-Track Tapes Belong In A Museum

2011-02-16T16:58:00.002-05:00

Today — when you can literally take your music anywhere — it's hard to imagine a time when that wasn't possible. So, if you're old enough, cast your mind back 40 years or so. Remember 8-track tapes? In the 1960s and early '70s, they were the way that millions of Americans took their music with them. Now, a museum devoted to the obsolete format is open in Dallas, Texas. ~More HERE

Jethro Tull - Artist Biography

2011-02-15T16:27:00.015-05:00

Jethro Tull was a unique phenomenon in popular music history. Their mix of hard rock; folk melodies; blues licks; surreal, impossibly dense lyrics; and overall profundity defied easy analysis, but that didn't dissuade fans from giving them 11 gold and five platinum albums. At the same time, critics rarely took them seriously, and they were off the cutting edge of popular music since the end of the 1970s. But no record store in the country would want to be without multiple copies of each of their most popular albums (Benefit, Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, Living in the Past), or their various best-of compilations, and few would knowingly ignore their newest releases. Of their contemporaries, only Yes could claim a similar degree of success, and Yes endured several major shifts in sound and membership in reaching the 1990s, while Tull remained remarkably stable over the same period. As co-founded and led by wildman-flautist-guitarist-singer-songwriter Ian Anderson, the group carved a place all its own in popular music. ~Read more HERE

Jethro Tull Playlist (60 videos)

'80s Pop Classics (Videos)

2011-02-15T13:53:00.004-05:00

'80s Pop Classics - A collection of 23 music videos from the 1980s
Playlis created by videostar on Vevo

Vevo scrobbles too. Just sign up & link your vevo profile with your last.fm acct. It's free!!

exfm: The Web Is Your Music Library

2011-02-15T11:35:00.005-05:00

exfm is a new music discovery service that works as a browser extension for Chrome.
Read the interview with Charles Smith, Founder and COO of exfm on Hypebot HERE

For all you last.fm users, exfm also scrobbles!

Punks Jump Up - Blockhead

2011-02-15T07:40:00.004-05:00

Punks Jump Up - Blockhead (Official Kitsune)
The duo Punks Jump Up are Joe & David. A part English, part Swedish, London based duo whose rebel sound began in 2002.

More HERE

7 Free Music Playlists for Valentine’s Day

2011-02-12T07:01:00.005-05:00

via Mashable...
If music be the food of love, the eternally headphoned set should hypothetically be stocked up with sweethearts come Monday.
CLICK HERE

1959 - Year in Music

2011-02-12T06:38:00.006-05:00

Favorites and notable songs from albums, EPs and singles first released in 1959. (probably the greatest year ever for jazz recordings.)

Tracks will only play 30sec previews unless you are an Rdio subscriber.
A Free Trial is available on rdio.com and for all you Last.fm users Rdio does Scrobble.

Ear Wars: Biology of Music

2011-02-09T19:25:00.006-05:00

How do our brains know what to do with music? Is the ability to distinguish music part of human DNA?
Listen to the 5th instalment of Ear Wars: Biology of Music

For Car Cassette Decks, Play Time Is Over

2011-02-09T19:19:00.005-05:00

FOR all of you who were planning to pack up your oldies tapes and go shopping for a 2011 car, there is bad news: you’re too late. According to experts who monitor the automotive market, the last new car to be factory-equipped with a cassette deck in the dashboard was a 2010 Lexus.
Read the rest of the NY Times article HERE

Chicks dig records

2011-02-08T13:20:00.005-05:00

Browse the entire archive of Chicks dig records over at lpcoverlover.com

VU

2011-02-05T00:56:00.002-05:00

VU meter Wiki

When was the last time you replaced your needle?

2011-02-05T00:27:00.001-05:00

Soundcheck : Ear Wars

2011-02-04T22:12:00.005-05:00

From New York's public radio, WNYC 93.9
Ear Wars, a series on hearing and the human ear.
Listen HERE

Blowing the Fuse: 31 R&B Classics That Rocked the Jukebox in 1957

2011-02-03T13:03:00.006-05:00

(1957 Seeburg L-100 Jukebox)

"When was the last time there was a year like 1957 -- on the charts, that is? Germany's Bear Family label has created an amazing series in their Blowing the Fuse project. Each volume features chart and jukebox sellers of all stripes of R&B" Read more & Listen HERE

VHS art.

2011-02-03T09:30:00.004-05:00

VHS by Hollis Brown Thornton

Prints available by clicking here

ARTIST STATEMENT:
"VHS represents outdated things that are still around—like ideas or beliefs that no longer serve their original purpose—and the difficulty we sometimes have getting rid of them. And, the movies—they're our way of telling stories, our modern myths and heroic adventures."

Long live the compact audio cassette.

2011-02-02T20:36:00.015-05:00

These and many more images from the days of analog cassette can be found by visiting tapedeck.org

New York: New Wave/No Wave/Mutant Disco

2011-01-30T19:42:00.007-05:00

New York: New Wave/No Wave/Mutant Disco: A playlist by sadsongssaysomuch on MOG

"There was a golden moment between 1973 and 1978 when Punk/New Wave/No Wave and Mutant Disco all kind of fused and became a part of the same scene. The venues were The Mercer Arts Center, CBGBs, Max's Kansas City, Studio 54 (after the heyday, when Mike Stone was running the place and Kenny Carpenter was the DJ), Roseland, Hurrah, The Ritz, Irving Plaza, Great Gildersleeves and even the Lone Star Cafe. It was a time when all the barriers came down and a great time to love clubbing. These are my memories of that time." ~sadsongssaysomuch

Listen to it by clicking HERE

Gramophone

2011-01-30T15:48:00.001-05:00

Harry James - Back Beat Boogie (1939 )

2011-01-30T15:39:00.003-05:00

LastFM Album Quilt (defunct)

2011-01-29T23:26:00.005-05:00

My last.fm album quilt.

Like so many other services and features once provided, last.fm no longer supports this widget.

Mortal CyN

2011-01-22T14:21:00.005-05:00

A playlist by Ant718 on MOG

A small selection of my girlfriend's favorite trax.
Listen to it by clicking HERE

I want my MTV!

2011-01-10T16:08:00.006-05:00

I want my MTV! A playlist by Ant718 on MOG

Yet another 80's mix. Songs from the day's when MTV actually played music videos and not reality shows or what ever crap is on that station now.
Listen to it by clicking HERE

2011

2010-12-31T20:23:00.001-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Santa Is Not Real (A Christmas Playlist)

2010-12-22T17:11:00.005-05:00

Tracks will only play 30sec previews unless you are an Rdio subscriber.
A Free Trial is available on rdio.com and for all you Last.fm users Rdio does Scrobble.

Paradise Garage and The Loft, not Studio 54

2010-11-05T13:04:00.001-04:00

The Ramones - Pet Sematary

2010-10-29T15:07:00.002-04:00

A Freakin' Halloween List

2010-10-21T18:43:00.009-04:00

Tracks will only play 30sec previews unless you are an Rdio subscriber.
A Free Trial is available on rdio.com and for all you Last.fm users Rdio does Scrobble.

The top 25 spots for unique vinyl and CDs, from San Francisco to Boston to...

2010-09-15T17:18:00.002-04:00

The Best Record Stores in the USA

Old Friends

2010-09-13T22:46:00.007-04:00

I revisited two classic albums today. Strange Days by The Doors & 77 by Talking Heads. Released 10yrs apart, these albums are masterpieces. Musically and lyrically every song on each is a gem. Listen to them from start to finish and see if you do not agree.

Blondie - Live @ Nokia Theatre Times Sq. NYC. Aug 31st 2010

2010-09-03T18:09:00.006-04:00

Click HERE for photos & video

The infection known as human.

2010-08-27T04:52:00.002-04:00

'Man, do not pride yourself on superiority to animals; they are without sin, and you, with your greatness, defile the earth by your appearance on it, and leave the traces of your foulness after you.'
-Fyodor Dostoyevsky

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona; July 10, 1942 – May 16, 2010)

2010-05-16T19:33:00.007-04:00

"As you pass beyond the veil of death and leave behind this vale of tears
Your glory we shall not forget. Your lyrics ever in our ears.
Master poet and storyteller, elf child yet of stature great,
Poseurs and pretenders many, you always did them out-rate.
The loyal flock you leave behind shall e’er remember your soaring flight
From Rainbow’s end to Heaven and Hell. Now pass in peace to eternal night."
~Posted by Mick The Wiz

Arch Enemy - Tyrants of Evil 2010 (complete show)

2010-01-26T19:51:00.007-05:00

Having the video of the show is great but being there was incredible.
I will not miss them when they come to New York again.

Arch Enemy - Nokia Theatre Times Sq. - Jan 22, 2010
All videos were uploaded by loginkill and can be found on his channel.

My Audio Gear - 1’s and 0’s - JVC XL-Z411

2010-01-13T18:56:00.039-05:00

*Note: None of my equipment is considered High End but it serves my needs.

In my previous blog post I introduced you to my turntable. Since that posting I have received my new stylus and have also come to the realization that it is time to upgrade poor Loretta. I will go into detail about that in another post another time. For now I will introduce you to the 1st of my Digital media players.
Back in the mid 80's to early 90's Compact Disc players were all the rage. Even CD walkman were popular. Almost everyone owned a home player. There were many to choose from and I owned 2 prior to the one I currently have, paying close to $400 for it with money that I had saved from working a summer job. I also remember doing some serious research on it and found that for the price (in 1989) it was a fantastic player and well worth the money. I took a trip to 6th Ave Electronics in Manhattan with a friend and $400+ dollars in my pocket. When I arrived home I was the proud owner of a JVC XL-Z411 Compact Disc Player.

After 21 years she still sounds wonderful. Not many people can tell the difference in sound quality from one CD player to the next but when you listen to the JVC XL-Z411 you notice immediately how crisp and accurate the sonic detail is. Seriously, I was lucky to have landed this player back in 1989. I like it so much that I never use my CD-ROM drive to play discs anymore and as with my vinyl, I manually scrobble the tracks I play to my Last.fm profile. (Universal Scrobbler)

AudioProz say's:
Single disc very high quality player. This unit plays bad and damaged discs perfectly. Best error correction.(better than fanciest machines)

My Audio Gear - DUAL 1212 Turntable

2010-01-10T05:42:00.053-05:00

*Note: None of my equipment is considered High End but it serves my needs.
In this age of Digital media, iTune's, iPod's and music on demand services such as Last.fm and Spotify most people listen to music on a pair of tiny ear buds or streaming from their computers. Gone are the days of owning individual pieces of equipment such as a stereo receiver, record player/turntable, cd player and a pair of speakers. I too got caught up in this trend and abandoned my home stereo several years ago. All of my equipment has been stashed in a closet and collecting dust. This is about to change.
In a previous blog post I bragged about a new diamond stylus I purchased. Upon arrival I will have the ability to do something I have not done in almost 10yrs, play a vinyl record. The next step is to dust off my stereo equipment & hook it all up again. My equipment is not all that impressive but it works 100% and I love it. I will be showcasing each piece in a separate blog post, this being the first. Starting with none other than my favorite and most recently acquired piece.

My Loretta
By the summer of 2008 I had the vinyl itch again but my turntable which had been sitting in my closet for more than 10 years was no longer functioning. I also did not have a proper cartridge and stylus for it and money was tight. So my other option was to find a second hand player at a flea market or thrift shop. Then one warm summer morning at work while looking for a parking spot I noticed a dark brown plastic dust cover sitting on top of a garbage can. I thought, "No way" and after investigating further it was like I had found gold. Someone decided to throw away their old record player. I had no idea if it worked but it was in good condition physically so I grabbed it and put it in my trunk. When I arrived home I plugged it in and gave her a test run. SHE WORKS!! I was thrilled. The only issue is the stylus was on its last legs. It literally fell off after a few plays. The cartridge was in working order though. It has a Pickering XV-15 625E Hi Fi cartridge.
The turntable is rather old and made in Germany by a company called DUAL and the model is 1212.

Here she is in action...

Specifications:
3 Speed (33.33/45/78 RPM),
Cue Control, Idler Wheel Drive
Motor:
4 Pole, Single Phase Induction Type
Platter:
Non-Magnetic, 4 pounds
Wow & Flutter: +/- 0.12%
Rumble: (S/N Ratio)
Weighted: > 50dB
Unweighted: > 42 dB
Tonearm:
Balanced on all three axes.
Extremely low mass and precision, friction free.
Cartridge:
Removable Headshell, can use any 1/2
inch cartridge with a weight of 1-8 grams.
Tracking Force: 0-5.5 grams

Years Manufactured: 1968-70'
Price (New): $90.00 (USD)

I have named her after my sweet friend who lives in Singapore.
Her name is Loretta.

Ravenous!

2010-01-08T17:26:00.005-05:00

With exactly 2 weeks to the day my ticket to mayhem has arrived.

Finally, I get to see the Divine Queen of Metal in the flesh.

My Audio Gear - Pickering D625 (Stylus)

2010-01-07T13:02:00.011-05:00

GENUINE PICKERING D625

I have had my eye on this replacement stylus for over a year now.
Final cost $87.95 (US) (I paid too much, I know)
Looking forward to spinning my vinyl again. Its been to long.

Back In The Day - New York Subway Graffiti

2010-01-06T23:49:00.002-05:00

Arch Enemy at the Nokia Theatre Times Square. Jan 22, 2010

2009-12-31T21:29:00.011-05:00

I am going to see Arch Enemy at the Nokia Theatre Times Square. Jan 22nd 2009

Via TicktMaster; Your tickets will be mailed to your billing address and delivered no later than 48 hours before the event in a plain unmarked white envelope.

R.I.P. Lou Albano (1933 - 2009)

2009-10-16T14:12:00.008-04:00

Louis Vincent Albano (July 29, 1933 – October 14, 2009) was an American professional wrestler, manager and actor. With an over-the-top personality and a penchant for boisterous declarations, "Captain" Lou Albano was the epitome of the antagonistic manager that raised the ire of wrestlers and incited the anger of spectators. Throughout his 42-year career, Albano guided 15 different tag teams and four singles competitors to championship gold.

Wiki

The Machine Girl (2008)

2009-10-04T18:32:00.001-04:00

While seeking revenge for her little brother's murder, Japanese schoolgirl Ami (Minase Yashiro) loses an arm to yakuza villains. Her plight prompts a pair of friendly mechanics to furnish our heroine with a butt-kicking machine-gun prosthesis. As the determined Ami sacrifices more limbs, she receives stronger and deadlier upgrades in this outrageous gore-filled slasher from director Noboru Iguchi.

Pinball Number Count

2009-09-21T12:48:00.002-04:00

"Pinball Number Count" segments began appearing on Sesame Street in 1976. The music was composed by Walt Kraemer with vocals by The Pointer Sisters. Animation was directed by Jeff Hale.