Melody Gardot – The Absence (Virgin Vinyl Sunday)

“Love me like a river does; cross the sea…love me like a river does; endlessly”

Those were the lyrics that introduced me to Melody. That was in 2007 in the basement bar of the Dolphin Striker in Portsmouth, NH. I recall the night very well, I was celebrating the fact that I had been in the Navy for 5 years.

Virgin Vinyl Sunday this week is Melody Gardot – The Absence. Her third album and one that I’ve had in my waiting to open backlog for about 6 months. After listening, I don’t know how I let it sit there unopened for so long.

I find her story to be heartwarming and a true inspiration. The same year I joined the Navy she was run over by a car while riding her bike. That accident left her unable to speak and walk. She also suffers from photosensitivity (as do I) and hyperacusis (extreme sensitivity to normal sounds). It’s amazing that she when on to record so much great music.

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Keep Spinning,

–Tom

Maryanne Ito – Living in Stereo Episode 3

I had a great time talking with Maryanne. She has been on my radar since 2009 when she was with a band called Rocket Powered Cadillac. When I went to see the band, I was invited to the show by my friend Danny who was dating the drummer, a young lady named Pinky. My reason for mentioning this is interesting. You see, Pinky and Danny have since gotten married. I served on the USS Santa Fe with him, they say the submarine community is small, but the odds of both of us being stationed here again in Hawaii were pretty incredible.

Maryanne has an album out that you can take a listen to here.

Without further adu…

Vanessa Fernandez – When The Levee Breaks (Virgin Vinyl Sunday)

I’ve been waiting for this album since I heard a whisper of it being made. I’m a pretty big Vanessa Fernandez fan and am looking forward to having her as an interviewee on Living in Stereo. So, if you’re reading this Vanessa…now you know. When The Levee breaks is a 45 RPM 3 LP album of Led Zeppelin covers. The album sounds phenomenal and my only gripe is that there isn’t more music. There are bonus songs on the vinyl version (gasp), as it should be. Take a listen to Kashmir in the video.

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John Coltrane – Coltrane Jazz

The virgin vinyl selection for this week is the follow-up album to his classic, Giant Steps. Coltrane Jazz, an album that only flows and takes the music back to a sound more like the standards. No less Coltrane in the expression, but a far cry from albums like Offering at Temple. An album which is definitively not one of my favorite things.

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Sade – Soldier of Love (Virgin Vinyl Sunday)

My love for Sade knows no limit. The only band that I have traveled cross country to see perform, and I would gladly do it again. Having seen them twice in less than 15 years I consider myself privileged. A Sade tour is as infrequent as finding a Ginger born on February 29th.

Soldier of love, their sixth studio album from the band came ten years after leaving us with Lovers Rock. Good things are indeed worth waiting for, and I’m patiently awaiting the next tour. Hopefully, I won’t have grandkids when the dates are announced.

Robert Glasper Trio – Covered (Virgin Vinyl Sunday)

For the third week in a row, VVS is a Robert Glasper album. Why may you ask? That was the sequence I recorded the videos. I can say that next week won’t be a Robert Glasper album. I love all of his albums, and I wish I had more to open. I wanted to do VVS live this week, but I’ll save that for after relocation. Covered isn’t in my top 3 of albums from the Trio, it would be if Prince would have allowed Sign ‘O The Times to be included on the album. Yes, I blame Prince.

This album covers everything from standards to baby making music, to chart-topping songs with inaudible lyrics. I can only listen to one of the songs (guess which one in the comments) if the Trio performs it. All in all a good offering and one that I will continue to enjoy. If Robert hadn’t said Sign ‘O The Times was an omitted offering, I wouldn’t know what I was missing having heard it live. I’m left wondering, who should I blame for not having that cover?

Robert Glasper Experiment – Black Radio (Virgin Vinyl Sunday)

I first heard Robert Glasper on KJAZ, 88.1 in San Diego (where I have heard many artists that have taken residency in my collection). I liked his style, but didn’t rush out to buy any albums. In preparing for a cross-country flight, I was searching for some new albums to give an uninterrupted listen. One of my streaming services (I use a few) led me to the Black Radio album. I’ve been listening ever since.

As one of my favorite artists, I’d have to say I’m pretty stoked he came to Hawaii, and with him he brought the trio. The show was originally billed as the Experiment, but that was determined to be a misunderstanding. I would have had equal excitement for either.

Without further adu…

If you like this video or want me to pick up a particular album, send me a message, tom@vinylforthepeople.com

As always, keep spinning!

Happy Birthday, Vinyl for The People!

“Today is a special day, not just any day…”, I launched Vinyl for The People a year ago today.

Hawaii Record Fair 2015 — July 26th, 2015 at the Hawaii Record Fair

Coincidentally, I also turned 33…which means I’m 6 years from retirement.

I’m very excited to be entering our second year and excited to be introducing our record cleaning service. Wet cleaning for your records utilizing a VPI 16.5 and an ultrasonic cleaner. Our inaugural cleaning package includes two stage cleaning, inner and outer protective sleeves, before and after pictures and return shipping. Excited is an understatement, because I can’t wait to clean all my new digs from my trip to California. I want you to hear what I hear from a freshly cleaned album. If you’re interested Contact me to learn more.

In addition to that I’m working on a project for release this fall…details to come.

To celebrate our first year, I made For The Love of Records:

You all have made me want to offer more for Vinyl for The People. I’m so glad for the opportunity to share something I’m so passionate about while helping the vinyl enthusiast community.

I would like to personally thank everyone that has supported Vinyl for The People. Specifically, I would like to thank the artists, record stores, and online vendors that have allowed my collection to grow, the interviewees that took time from their busy lives to share their experiences.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my friends and family for sharing the Vinyl for The People story, both online and in person.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Cheers to many more years of celebrating music.

As always, keep spinning.

-Tom

Virgin Vinyl Sunday – The Heart Speaks In Whispers

It’s been 6 years since her last album, The Sea. With no repressings of her catalog, Corinne Bailey Rae is a hard artist to pick up on vinyl for under $100. I bought a copy of her first album (self titled) and it was one of my most prized records. All of her albums take me through a range of emotions, this latest offering is no exception.

Virgin Vinyl Sunday – Sound & Color

Hello and happy Virgin Vinyl Sunday! Today, I’ve chosen Alabama Shakes – Sound & Color. Their second album, and one that gets regular play in my home. I’ve been putting the finishing touches on, “For The Love of Records”. I hope you like it. Releasing on July 26th. Enjoy!