Vinyl for The People Radio Show – Love and Other 4 Letter Words – Episode 4

L-O-V-E.

This episode is what I find to be a soundtrack of the ups and downs of a relationship. What’s funny is I think we all can relate to the stages of a relationship. I chose the following songs to represent my understanding. By the way, clicking the album covers will take you to Amazon to purchase the album.

Esperanza Spalding – Junjo, from the album of the same name and it immediately sets the tone for the 1st half of the show. They playful bass and the piano invoke the feelings of young love. It’s played loosely and fast-paced, but yields room for silence and quiet passages. Which demonstrate the periods of reflection one takes in the early days of a relationship, determining where it’s going.

John Coltrane – In A Sentimental Mood. It’s starting to get serious. There are profound moments and thoughts, and you start to wonder the staying power of your chosen partner in crime, but it seems pretty infallible. You’re making beautiful music.

Adele – Lovesong. If John Lennon doesn’t spell it out for you; you’re in love. The song does an excellent job professing the unyielding fealty that only a British singer could convey. If I had Lennon’s version on vinyl, it would have been on the show in place of Adele.

Isley Brothers – Hello It’s Me. Now that Love has filled the air, it can be a bit stifling. Growing pains from adapting to fit into the lives of one another, experimenting with new hobbies, foods, and people. The change isn’t why you were attracted, and the resentment of change can drive you apart. Ron Isley said it best, “don’t change, girl.” But guys should keep that in mind too.

Daft Punk – Nightvision. The introspective thoughts don’t go away, and you may wonder if you’re making the right decisions. This train of thought takes you to the second half of our show.

D-A-M-N.

Alabama Shakes – Miss You. Unfortunately for this couple, the uncertainty we left them in before the break ended the love affair. Now we reunite with them in denial. This song starts out slow but quickly ramps up the energy. There’s uncertainty in the lyrics and guitar, but the sentiment that I’m yours is made loud and clear. In the end, though, the fact of the matter is. I’m yours.

Miles Davis – So What. After the last track yielded no success, we move on to indifference, finding our subject in the heart of The Cool. Past love is just that, a fleeting memory we’ve carried on our journey to something better. Undergoing a period of self-dialogue and discovery; it’s an epiphany that our past doesn’t define our future. Cheers to new experiences.

The Weeknd – The Knowing. This track finds our subject inebriated on their favorite intoxicant. Drunk dialing. Sad, and indifferent in the midst of what could have been a good time. Melancholic memories drive the distressed guitar and pounding rhythm.

Maxwell – The Fall. After that bender from the last track, the drunk dial yields a reply in the opening verse. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album, and one that took a few listenings to appreciate all of the lyrics. I find the vinyl version has a better mix than the digital, as a result, I don’t stream this album.

Days go by slowly
I never know wholly
I see what you owe me
You never realize
That everything changes
And everything moves
And nothing is as it
Was when you lose

and our subject responds

Wait, wait, wait
Wait
Waiting for the…
Forgive me for waiting so long
For taking the time to rise and destroy
I was avoiding the thing that I…
I can’t feel you

And on that bombshell…we are right back where we started.

New/old Love…

Esperanza Spalding – One. Not lacking in love, nor haunted by its pain…our subject has discovered again that love is marvelous. That’s the great thing about love. It surrounds us, even in this time steeped in hatred, bigotry, and pretend. Love can be authentic if you let it.

I hope you enjoyed this episode of the show, and I look forward to sharing tunes with you every Monday night from 11 PM to 12 AM on 89.1 KNSJ here in San Diego, streaming at www.knsj.org, and available on your smart device using the Tune In App.

Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let me know what songs you would use to describe the phases of a relationship. I would love to read them.

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday. You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App.

Show Recordings

Don’t forget to tune in to the show live on 89.1 FM KNSJ from 10 PM to 11 PM PST on Thursday. You can stream the show at www.knsj.org or use the TuneIn App.

As always keep spinning.

Tom

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Top 5 Stylus and Record Care Products for Vinyl Lovers

(Records Anonymous meeting)

“Hi, I’m Tom and I collect records.”

“Hi Tom.”

I’ve been collecting for about four years, and I try to keep my records in the best condition possible. With used records I’ve picked up, there is most times an improvement in condition once they’re in my collection. There are a few tools I use to keep my collection sounding and looking it’s best and I want to share those with you.

Carbon Fiber Record Cleaning Brush — Carbon Fiber Brush

Carbon Fiber Record Cleaning Brush – these inexpensive brushes remove particles (spoken pops and clicks) from your records and they get trapped in the bristles, but…how you’re supposed to clean them? At $20 they aren’t the cheapest, but neither was that 1st pressing of Corinne Bailey Rae – Corinne Bailey Rae (I paid $130 for my copy). I get a new one every year or so and move the old one to wet record cleaning duty, where it does the same job on records being added to my collection (more on that later in the post).

2. Stylus cleaning brush – these brushes are small and inexpensive, but do a great job of removing crud from your stylus; the part of the cartridge that comes in contact with the record (needle for you nonconformists).

3. Microfiber brush – these can be used dry or wet, but I only use my in wet record cleaning. I use it to get cleaning solution in to the grooves of albums, and across the entire surface by applying moderate pressure and avoiding the label. See the video below for a demo.

4. Diskkeeper Audiophile Inner Sleeves – the sleeves that most of your albums come in are paper and put hairline scratches on your precious vinyl. A few companies make sleeves for record storage and I’ve tried two, Mofi (Mobile Fidelity) and Diskkeeper. If you have picked up a Mofi album, then you have seen their sleeves. I find the Disk Keeper Audiophile Sleeve to be sturdier than the Mofi. They are the same price for a 50 pack (which doesn’t go as far and I initially thought), so there is no “more $ is better”, it boils down to preference.

5. Outer Record Sleeves – I loathe dust, I don’t really care for dusting…disdain for the former leads me to the latter. I probably wouldn’t have a record collection if I had to dust it. Which led me to using these to protect my lovelies from the elements. I went with Diskkeeper for this product too, choosing the sealing variety. They cost more than the non sealing version, but if you’re going to do something…get what you want. No fingerprints, dust or greasy fingers on my records while making a selection or passing for someone to look upon. It looks pretty spiffy too. See below.

Am I right?

I don’t really collect 45’s, but I have sleeves for them too, the same variety I use for LP’s. I made the decision to sleeve early into collecting (around 40 albums) so it wasn’t a huge investment in time or money, rather something I factor into my record buying budget for the month. My initial investment for my sleeves (100 of inner and outer, plus 25 double LP sleeves) $125. The order lasted about 9 months, mileage may vary…depending on how often you dig.

Are you ready to try these products out on some of your freshly cleaned records?

Take advantage of our introductory Record Cleaning Service special.

Includes:

Six stage wet cleaning – dust removal, two passes of wet cleaning on my VPI 16.5, ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum drying, and static removal.
Upgraded sleeves (all listed above) to include Audiophile Inner Sleeves, Resealable Outer Sleeves
Return Shipping

Contact me for more information.

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 – 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!

The Listening Chair Part 1 – This Old Eames…

I wanted an Eames Lounge Chair. I think it started with The Sims. Then I saw the one on Frazier…then again when I was choosing components for my stereo. I figured, I’m a big boy. I deserve a big boy chair. Boy, was that sticker shock big on my face. Spending money on nice things that I’m going to keep around isn’t an issue. Spending $4000+ on a chair and an ottoman…well, let’s just say I’m not there mentally yet.

These thoughts of luxury seating ebb and flow, and in my travels to San Diego I came across a specimen at one of my favorite Hi-fi shops. He offered to crate and ship his replica for $650. My mind was blown, not only were there $4k chairs to enjoy my music in; there were replicas of said chair that I could get for a fraction of the price. That rabbit hole goes and goes and eventually you’ll be in a dark alley in the garment district of a town unfamiliar, comparing subtle differences between replica manufactures. The shipping from San Diego to Honolulu was prohibitive ($300). I was again Eames-less, no prospects of contemporary furniture that would be a conversation piece to grace my listening room. Amazon, had me searching high and low for a distributor that ships to Hawaii. I’d found one, but they had the worst reviews. I stopped looking, knowing one would manifest its way into my life.

About two months ago I met Johnathon, he’s an interesting guy. He is a DJ’s, and proprietor of Your Enthusiastic Upholsterer. Similar to myself he’s a sailor, but is preparing to retire with 20 years of service. I’m not the only service member with the entrepreneurial itch, which is a good thing. Our first conversation consisted of all the key areas; Cars, music, hobbies…but then he said, Eames. “What was that you said?” I was salivating with the possibility of filling my room with a locally sourced chair (manifestation is a motherfucker).

A couple of weeks later Johnathon came to the house, and we had a listening session. One the both of us enjoyed immensely and yielded a familiar result for myself…but Johnathon (in the style of Kevin Hart), “he wasn’t ready”. Music has moved me in ways inexplicable since I was a child, and I’ve come to have a deeper relationship with it as I’ve grown older. I completely understand his response.

IMG_5748 (1) — Johnathon shares his thoughts on Facebook

That’s some humbling shit. I know how I feel when I’m listening, but sharing that with someone else is a rare and highly appreciated treat. I digress…the title of this post is “Sitting on Purple Rain…” My new listening chair; dubbed Purple Rain in honor of Prince is coming soon. Thanks to Your Enthusiastic Upholster. This is going to be a multi part post, and I’m looking forward to sharing the progress with you.

Before

Comment below and let me know what you think.

Thanks.

The secret life of a submariner

I’ve been in the Navy for 13 years, and have had the opportunity to travel (to mostly 3rd world countries) and expand my view of the world. Music is what has kept me grounded during my time away from home. When I have only my brothers beside me, and we are surrounded by the ocean…there was only music to connect me to the outside world. To cause memories to traverse the depths and stir parts of my thoughts that there is no stimuli for onboard.

The lady and I at the 2016 Submarine Ball

Running Vinyl for The People comes second to being the Leading Culinary Specialist on a Hawaii Based Los Angeles Class submarine. My time is stretched pretty thin, as I like to spend as much time cultivating the relationship with my lady as possible. She’s a business owner so, gladly she understands. And moreover, she supports my dream and for that among other things I’m extremely grateful.

Collecting records started for me in 2007. I was living in Portsmouth, NH and watching Reign Over Me. The first time I can remember seeing Adam Sandler be serious. It made me cry, and not being in the mood for tears…I thought, “I want some records”. So, I went and picked up a Neumark USB TT. No albums though. I went to Best Buy, (yes they sold records) and picked up Lily Allen – {The album with Fuck You}, and went home. I must have played that album 3 or 4 times before I headed to Bullmoose Music in downtown Portsmouth. I got distracted by the bar and never made it to Bullmoose, I had smoked my last cigarette; which led to the tobacco shop…which had records. Ever since that day they just manifest themselves into my life. That’s a piece my vinyl story.

What’s yours?

So I got some speakers

“Hey do you need help getting those home?”

They gave me a demo pair to take home…they don’t fit in to a convertible too well. Enter the serious audiophile…”Hey, do you need help getting those to your house.” I had just me this gentleman, moments ago. He wasn’t affiliated with the shop, just a regular customer. We talked about tubes (a story for another post), and how long he had been collecting and how is wife was supportive of the hobby (she’s a rare one, huh?). I took him up on his offer. We carefully put the speakers that were 2/3 as tall as I am in his cavernous volvo sedan, and he followed me the 8 miles to my house.

Having someone to help me set them up, and talk about the audio was nice, we sat and listened for a while…

I took him to my project studio and a completely different audio conversation started taking place. “You make music too!” I told him I dabbled around, and played a few tracks I had been working on. He was floored, and offered to give me some recordings he had made on 2” tape and put on CD. We saw one another at the shop more than a few times before I relocated to Hawaii, but I never got those recordings from him. Sadly.

L-O-V-E.

D-A-M-N.

Show Recordings

Includes:

Six stage wet cleaning – dust removal, two passes of wet cleaning on my VPI 16.5, ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum drying, and static removal.

Upgraded sleeves (all listed above) to include Audiophile Inner Sleeves, Resealable Outer Sleeves

Return Shipping