Crosby, Stills & Nash - Southern Cross
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mr. Music
I am continuing our new feature: Ask "Mr. Music." Now in its 23rd year of syndication (1986-2008), Jerry Osborne's weekly Q&A feature will be a regular post every Wednesday from now on. Be sure to stop by Jerry's site (www.jerryosborne.com) for more Mr. Music archives, record price guides, anything Elvis, buy & sell collectibles, record appraisals and much more. I thank Jerry for allowing the reprints.
DEAR JERRY: There is a comedy routine from the 1950s that I just can't get out of my mind.
I know it came out on a 45 rpm and is a parody of the Ed Sullivan Show. This comedian's name finally dawned on me, and it is Will Jordan.
I'd love to get a copy play it on my “Warped Records Radio Show,” which I have been doing for nearly 10 years locally on WSVA 550.
—Jim Bishop, Harrisonburg, Va.
DEAR JIM: As you likely recall, the original title of Ed Sullivan's Sunday night show was “Toast of the Town.”
Ed's distinctive style and mannerisms made him a favorite target of most impressionists. However, Will Jordan's Sullivan act was so good that Ed frequently booked him on “Toast of the Town.
One such Jordan parody routine did come out as a single in 1956, titled “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 1” backed with “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 2” (Jubilee 900). This must be the recording your mind can't discharge.
Billed as “Will Jordan Starring in a One Man Mimicry Show” on this record's picture sleeve, he lampoons other TV celebrities besides Ed Sullivan, specifically Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis; Jackie Gleason; Arthur Godfrey; Groucho Marx; Wally Cox; Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz; and Liberace.
Jordan made other comedy albums in the 1950s and '60s, but Will's most marketable product remained his Sullivan impersonation.
I spotted “Roast of the Town” recently on eBay for about $12, including picture sleeve. While not close to near-mint, it probably would meet “Warped Records Radio Show” requirements.
Congratulations on 10 years of entertaining the beautiful Shenandoah Valley!
DEAR JERRY: Thoroughly enjoyed learning how many single-letter film titles exist, 23 to be exact.
Using various movie references I can confirm all except the N-movie.
Please resolve this cinematic mystery for me.
—Jill Stillman, Hanover, Pa.
DEAR JERRY: Regarding your list of single-letter movie titles. My co-workers dispute there is a 2005 movie titled “N.” Please restore my standing in the officeplace trivia rankings!
—Jim Chandler, Fraser, Mich
DEAR JILL & JIM: “N” is a 2005 German film, an 82-minute historical documentary.
Though “N” is the complete English title, it is better known to Germans as “N wie niemand” (translation: “N as no one”).
You can find it listed accordingly on both the U.S. and German language Internet Movie Database sites.
DEAR JERRY: Did Judy Collins ever record “Wedding Song (There Is Love)”?
I used to hear it on a radio station in Mexico, and I am pretty sure that it was presented like that. Still, after looking for years, I cannot find this song by Judy Collins.
Am I perhaps mistaken about the singer's identity?
—Alfonso de Leon, Mexico City
DEAR ALFONSO: Since I also find no recording of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Judy Collins, one of two possibilities exist:
Either you have the title right and the wrong artist, or the song you recall is “Wedding Song,” a completely different song which is by Judy Collins, from her 1980 LP, “Running for My Life” (Elektra 253).
What has me leaning toward the first option is you clearly mention the complete title, “The Wedding Song (There Is Love).” Judy's “Wedding Song” makes no reference to “There Is Love.”
Three versions of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” do exist by well-known female stars: Petula Clark (1972); Captain & Tennille, featuring Toni Tennille (1976); and Mary MacGregor (1978).
There is a good chance it is one of these you seek.
Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, wrote “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” and his is the top selling and most famous version. It became a Top 25 hit in 1971.
IZ ZAT SO? Completely different than Judy Collins' 1980 “Wedding Song,” and still nothing like “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” is “Wedding Song (Song for Louis).”
This selection is from Judy's 2005 album, “Portrait of an American Girl.”
DEAR JERRY: There is a comedy routine from the 1950s that I just can't get out of my mind.
I know it came out on a 45 rpm and is a parody of the Ed Sullivan Show. This comedian's name finally dawned on me, and it is Will Jordan.
I'd love to get a copy play it on my “Warped Records Radio Show,” which I have been doing for nearly 10 years locally on WSVA 550.
—Jim Bishop, Harrisonburg, Va.
DEAR JIM: As you likely recall, the original title of Ed Sullivan's Sunday night show was “Toast of the Town.”
Ed's distinctive style and mannerisms made him a favorite target of most impressionists. However, Will Jordan's Sullivan act was so good that Ed frequently booked him on “Toast of the Town.
One such Jordan parody routine did come out as a single in 1956, titled “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 1” backed with “Roast of the Town: Shnook Magazine TV Awards, Part 2” (Jubilee 900). This must be the recording your mind can't discharge.
Billed as “Will Jordan Starring in a One Man Mimicry Show” on this record's picture sleeve, he lampoons other TV celebrities besides Ed Sullivan, specifically Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis; Jackie Gleason; Arthur Godfrey; Groucho Marx; Wally Cox; Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz; and Liberace.
Jordan made other comedy albums in the 1950s and '60s, but Will's most marketable product remained his Sullivan impersonation.
I spotted “Roast of the Town” recently on eBay for about $12, including picture sleeve. While not close to near-mint, it probably would meet “Warped Records Radio Show” requirements.
Congratulations on 10 years of entertaining the beautiful Shenandoah Valley!
DEAR JERRY: Thoroughly enjoyed learning how many single-letter film titles exist, 23 to be exact.
Using various movie references I can confirm all except the N-movie.
Please resolve this cinematic mystery for me.
—Jill Stillman, Hanover, Pa.
DEAR JERRY: Regarding your list of single-letter movie titles. My co-workers dispute there is a 2005 movie titled “N.” Please restore my standing in the officeplace trivia rankings!
—Jim Chandler, Fraser, Mich
DEAR JILL & JIM: “N” is a 2005 German film, an 82-minute historical documentary.
Though “N” is the complete English title, it is better known to Germans as “N wie niemand” (translation: “N as no one”).
You can find it listed accordingly on both the U.S. and German language Internet Movie Database sites.
DEAR JERRY: Did Judy Collins ever record “Wedding Song (There Is Love)”?
I used to hear it on a radio station in Mexico, and I am pretty sure that it was presented like that. Still, after looking for years, I cannot find this song by Judy Collins.
Am I perhaps mistaken about the singer's identity?
—Alfonso de Leon, Mexico City
DEAR ALFONSO: Since I also find no recording of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” by Judy Collins, one of two possibilities exist:
Either you have the title right and the wrong artist, or the song you recall is “Wedding Song,” a completely different song which is by Judy Collins, from her 1980 LP, “Running for My Life” (Elektra 253).
What has me leaning toward the first option is you clearly mention the complete title, “The Wedding Song (There Is Love).” Judy's “Wedding Song” makes no reference to “There Is Love.”
Three versions of “Wedding Song (There Is Love)” do exist by well-known female stars: Petula Clark (1972); Captain & Tennille, featuring Toni Tennille (1976); and Mary MacGregor (1978).
There is a good chance it is one of these you seek.
Paul Stookey, formerly of Peter, Paul and Mary, wrote “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” and his is the top selling and most famous version. It became a Top 25 hit in 1971.
IZ ZAT SO? Completely different than Judy Collins' 1980 “Wedding Song,” and still nothing like “Wedding Song (There Is Love),” is “Wedding Song (Song for Louis).”
This selection is from Judy's 2005 album, “Portrait of an American Girl.”
Music News & Notes
Sir Paul & Ringo?
An unnamed source, has said that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are ready to head into the studio. "It has been a long time since Ringo played drums on any of Paul's songs but they've decided they can work together again. They had a fantastic time in New York, and realize they still work well together. They're now getting together later in the year to work on some of Paul's new songs."
=================================
Vinyl Collective News
Here is the latest from my friend Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com- stop on by and pick up some great vinyl!
Due to a number of factors (me laid up in bed sick since Thurday and still sick today, it being spring, us having way too many records in our warehouse, and my higher than normal balances with my vinyl and cd pressing plants), I have decided to start putting together the Spring Cleaning sale to to end all Spring Cleaning sales. Every release is subject to be put on sale, test pressings will be sold, and we might dig out some out of print records, too. The sales will begin as early as tomorrow and the sales will go through the entire month of April.
It is our goal to make room for all the new records that we are having pressed. We hope to offer some insane prices on our records passing the savings onto you. I see everyday on the message board where folks are always complaining about their cash flow situation, well, this is going to be the month that you better make sure you have at least a few bucks set aside.
If you have any suggestions for a sale, we might even add a few of your ideas to our list of sales.
Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past Week
1. Jawbreaker - Etc. double LP (out of stock right now)
2. THE SIDEKICKS “So Long, Soggy Dog” LP powder blue vinyl
3. RISE AGAINST “S/T” 7″
4. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP transparent green vinyl
5. THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “New Jersey” Coffee Mug
6. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP set of both colors
7. JONAH MATRANGA/ FRANK TURNER split LP clear yellow vinyl
8. POLAR BEAR CLUB “Sometimes Things Just Disappear” LP green vinyl w/ CD
9. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP opaque yellow vinyl
10. BULLET TREATMENT “Designated Vol 1″ 7″
10. THE LAWRENCE ARMS “Apathy & Exhaustion” LP
10. Suburban Home Pick 5 for $25 Sale (CDs, Vinyl, Pint Glasses)
=================================
Michael Schenker Releases New CD / Vinyl
Gipsy Lady”, the first album from the Michael Schenker-Gary Barden Acoustic Project, will be available on CD and vinyl on May 19. Gary Barden’s vocals give the cleverly arranged songs just the touch of soul they need for full impact… The long-term Schenker collaborator wrote the lyrics virtually off the top of his head. Also on board is Michael Voss, an experienced producer, and second guitarist, who also provides background vocals. Kai Luennemann on percussion completes the team.
===================================
Second and Third Destroyer Albums To Get Vinyl Reissue
Nominal Records, the label responsible for the excellent Emergency Room Volume 1 compilation, has announced that it will be continuing to spread its love of Vancouver with two Destroyer reissues. The label will release City of Daughters and Thief, the second and third Destroyer records, on vinyl this month.
In a statement, the label explained its reasoning for the reissues, saying, “The original City of Daughters LP suffered from frequency related glitches, which caused it to skip on many turntables. The original Thief mix was never satisfying and the LP/CD was shoddily mastered into mono.”
The albums have been remixed and mastered by the original production team of Dan Bejar, Dave Carswell and John Collins at JC/DC studios, and their artwork has been reworked to fit on a fancy gatefold jacket.Tthe original pressing will only feature 1026 copies.
=================================
The Hours Album Cover
The new album of The Hours will be released on April 20th. “See The Light” is not only much anticipated because of the music, but also because the album cover art has been created by none other than British artist Damien Hirst. Both the CD and the LP cover art were designed by the artist.
An unnamed source, has said that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are ready to head into the studio. "It has been a long time since Ringo played drums on any of Paul's songs but they've decided they can work together again. They had a fantastic time in New York, and realize they still work well together. They're now getting together later in the year to work on some of Paul's new songs."
=================================
Vinyl Collective News
Here is the latest from my friend Virgil over at www.vinylcollective.com- stop on by and pick up some great vinyl!
Due to a number of factors (me laid up in bed sick since Thurday and still sick today, it being spring, us having way too many records in our warehouse, and my higher than normal balances with my vinyl and cd pressing plants), I have decided to start putting together the Spring Cleaning sale to to end all Spring Cleaning sales. Every release is subject to be put on sale, test pressings will be sold, and we might dig out some out of print records, too. The sales will begin as early as tomorrow and the sales will go through the entire month of April.
It is our goal to make room for all the new records that we are having pressed. We hope to offer some insane prices on our records passing the savings onto you. I see everyday on the message board where folks are always complaining about their cash flow situation, well, this is going to be the month that you better make sure you have at least a few bucks set aside.
If you have any suggestions for a sale, we might even add a few of your ideas to our list of sales.
Vinyl Collective Top 10 Sales of the past Week
1. Jawbreaker - Etc. double LP (out of stock right now)
2. THE SIDEKICKS “So Long, Soggy Dog” LP powder blue vinyl
3. RISE AGAINST “S/T” 7″
4. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP transparent green vinyl
5. THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM “New Jersey” Coffee Mug
6. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP set of both colors
7. JONAH MATRANGA/ FRANK TURNER split LP clear yellow vinyl
8. POLAR BEAR CLUB “Sometimes Things Just Disappear” LP green vinyl w/ CD
9. COBRA SKULLS “Sitting Army” LP opaque yellow vinyl
10. BULLET TREATMENT “Designated Vol 1″ 7″
10. THE LAWRENCE ARMS “Apathy & Exhaustion” LP
10. Suburban Home Pick 5 for $25 Sale (CDs, Vinyl, Pint Glasses)
=================================
Michael Schenker Releases New CD / Vinyl
Gipsy Lady”, the first album from the Michael Schenker-Gary Barden Acoustic Project, will be available on CD and vinyl on May 19. Gary Barden’s vocals give the cleverly arranged songs just the touch of soul they need for full impact… The long-term Schenker collaborator wrote the lyrics virtually off the top of his head. Also on board is Michael Voss, an experienced producer, and second guitarist, who also provides background vocals. Kai Luennemann on percussion completes the team.
===================================
Second and Third Destroyer Albums To Get Vinyl Reissue
Nominal Records, the label responsible for the excellent Emergency Room Volume 1 compilation, has announced that it will be continuing to spread its love of Vancouver with two Destroyer reissues. The label will release City of Daughters and Thief, the second and third Destroyer records, on vinyl this month.
In a statement, the label explained its reasoning for the reissues, saying, “The original City of Daughters LP suffered from frequency related glitches, which caused it to skip on many turntables. The original Thief mix was never satisfying and the LP/CD was shoddily mastered into mono.”
The albums have been remixed and mastered by the original production team of Dan Bejar, Dave Carswell and John Collins at JC/DC studios, and their artwork has been reworked to fit on a fancy gatefold jacket.Tthe original pressing will only feature 1026 copies.
=================================
The Hours Album Cover
The new album of The Hours will be released on April 20th. “See The Light” is not only much anticipated because of the music, but also because the album cover art has been created by none other than British artist Damien Hirst. Both the CD and the LP cover art were designed by the artist.
Collectors take vinyl for another spin in tactile music revival
By Sandra Dick
THAT couple of pounds of pocket money would be scorching a hole in your pocket, the tranny radio would be pressed to your ear and, naturally, your tiger feet would be taking you in just one direction.
Saturday mornings spent hanging out at the local record shop, flicking through thousands of albums for the hundredth time, tuning in to the latest single releases through a massive set of headphones . . . it was where a whole generation of music-loving kids got their kicks.
Hard to imagine the MP3 MySpace generation of today being able to remember their first ever download with great relish.
But for yesterday's youngsters – a growing number of them now middle aged record collectors – the joy of walking out the high street record shop swinging a 7in-square plastic bag containing the 45rpm single was a childhood rite of passage.
At home came the ritual of sliding the shiny black vinyl from its sleeve before placing it delicately on the old Decca portable record player. Tinny music would flood from the sole speaker while the sleeve notes were studied and then consigned to memory.
On the downside, the needle had a habit of jumping if you walked past in your clumpy platform shoes, within weeks it would be scratched or warped, the cover ripped by an overzealous little brother.
Perhaps no wonder the onset of the mighty and allegedly indestructible Compact Disc spelled the skip for many of our vinyl collections.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Eddy Arnold's Texarkana Baby – the world's first seven-inch 45rpm single. Yet, ironically, while the CD boom of the '90s spelled the demise of the 45rpm single and their 12in 33rpm vinyl cousins, it is the CD that is suffering a lingering death of its own at the hands of the digital age. . . and for some it's good old vinyl that is back. In fact, as World Record Shop Day looms later this month and the golden era of vinyl is celebrated with the release of The Boat That Rocked – based on a pirate radio ship in the 1970s – there are those who say they never really went away.
"Okay, vinyl nearly died," laughs Bruce Findlay, who ran independent record shops before managing bands such as Simple Minds and China Crisis in the '80s. "But now it's like someone cloned it, used the DNA and now it's back.
"Agreed, it's not the way it was when everyone had a record player and that's all you could buy. Today it's collectible and it's what a lot of people want."
Indeed, today's artists are learning to cash in on the fans' love of a classic vinyl disc.
Duffy, the Pet Shop Boys and a string of modern artists have released tracks on vinyl, aware that the ethereal qualities of digital sounds cannot match the thrill of actually "owning" a piece of music. World Record Shop Day is being marked by a string of vinyl releases from artists such as The Smiths, Joy Division and Tom Waits.
"No matter how many people are on a band's MySpace page or download their music, it's not a real measure of success," explains Kevin Buckle, boss of Avalanche Records in Cockburn Street, one of Edinburgh's longest established independent record dealers. "It doesn't really translate to how many people actually go to their concerts or buy their CDs.
"The great thing about a record is you can put it on and play it to your friends. The trouble is, kids are so used to listening to music through headphones that they hardly know what it's like to sit to listen any other way."
The other problem with vinyl is the dearth of anything to actually play it on. For as CDs took over the world, record players – and the collections of discs once lovingly catalogued, polished and played – were mostly consigned to the tip.
"I've had young kids coming in to buy a vinyl record and saying that they were going off to their grandfather's house to play it because he was the only person in the family with a record player," adds Kevin.
"Record companies are obsessed with kids and computers and mobile phones and everything they do is geared towards that. They think no-one under 25 buys music, but I get plenty of kids in the shop who want more than just a song on an MP3 player. They want badges, posters, stuff that's more tactile than just the song."
It's a rising trend for a modern "antique" which is helping ensure the survival of an endangered species – the independent record shop. Once a feature on every high street, they were hit by the rise of the record superstores such as Our Price, HMV and Virgin.
Yet, just as vinyl is enjoying a revival at the expense of the CD, small record shops insist they are holding their own as the digital revolution engulfs the music superstores that once threatened their very survival.
Today there are around 300 independent record shops trading in Britain, and around half a dozen – the oldest of them Ripping Records at South Bridge, Avalanche and Vinyl Villains in Elm Row – in the Edinburgh area.
Tommy Robertson of second-hand record shop Back Track Music in Tollcross, admits business is still a struggle but with an increasing number of people seeing the potential rarity value in vinyl, there is hope.
"Some actually prefer the snap, crackle and pop of a vinyl disc," he explains. "Others like the fact it's something solid that you can hold, and you can read the sleeve notes better than you can on a CD.
"These days it's a throwaway society. But back then there was something very real about saving your pennies and buying a particular record."
David Griffen of second-hand record and book store Elvis and Shakespeare in Leith Walk, agrees. "There's a completely different aesthetic from vinyl to CD. I get people in the shop much older than me who just come in to look longingly at the stock and touch the covers."
Author Nick Hornby touched on the fascination of vinyl among collectors in his novel High Fidelity. "They're as close to being mad as makes no difference," he wrote.
Music impresario Bruce Findlay can identify with that. "There are a lot of 'anoraks' out there, and I'm one," he laughs, after quoting the catalogue numbers of a string of rare discs off the top of his head. "The music industry is going through massive change and the demise of the superstore means record shops have an opportunity.
"What's emerging is a cottage industry with new artists working in collectives, signing to local labels and bringing out limited numbers of vinyl records to sell in these independent stores.
"I wouldn't have said it two or three years ago but if I was a teenager leaving school just now, I know what I'd do," he adds with a grin. "Yeah, I'd definitely open a record shop."
RECORD PROFITS
HAVE you got any of these in your dusty record collection?
• The BEATLES White Album (1968): The plain white cover of the first pressings carried a unique number. In November number 0000005 sold for nearly £20,000.
• THE SEX PISTOLS God Save the Queen (1977): Released on A&M records. Expect to get in the region of £13,000.
• THE ROLLING STONES 7in Street Fighting Man (US version) It recently fetched $15,200 at auction.
• A promo of JUNIOR McCANT'S King, sold for $15,000. Last month the Scottish Parliament was asked to save a Fife collectors' copy of Do I Love You (Indeed I do) by FRANK WILSON for the nation. It's expected to reach up to £75,000.
&149 Other rarities include THE BEATLES' Yesterday and Today "Butcher" sleeve (£19,250); BOB DYLAN'S The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, with extra four tracks (£17,500) and LONG CLEVE REED & LITTLE HARVEY HULL'S Stack O'Lee Blues, worth £15,000.
SOURCE: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com
THAT couple of pounds of pocket money would be scorching a hole in your pocket, the tranny radio would be pressed to your ear and, naturally, your tiger feet would be taking you in just one direction.
Saturday mornings spent hanging out at the local record shop, flicking through thousands of albums for the hundredth time, tuning in to the latest single releases through a massive set of headphones . . . it was where a whole generation of music-loving kids got their kicks.
Hard to imagine the MP3 MySpace generation of today being able to remember their first ever download with great relish.
But for yesterday's youngsters – a growing number of them now middle aged record collectors – the joy of walking out the high street record shop swinging a 7in-square plastic bag containing the 45rpm single was a childhood rite of passage.
At home came the ritual of sliding the shiny black vinyl from its sleeve before placing it delicately on the old Decca portable record player. Tinny music would flood from the sole speaker while the sleeve notes were studied and then consigned to memory.
On the downside, the needle had a habit of jumping if you walked past in your clumpy platform shoes, within weeks it would be scratched or warped, the cover ripped by an overzealous little brother.
Perhaps no wonder the onset of the mighty and allegedly indestructible Compact Disc spelled the skip for many of our vinyl collections.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Eddy Arnold's Texarkana Baby – the world's first seven-inch 45rpm single. Yet, ironically, while the CD boom of the '90s spelled the demise of the 45rpm single and their 12in 33rpm vinyl cousins, it is the CD that is suffering a lingering death of its own at the hands of the digital age. . . and for some it's good old vinyl that is back. In fact, as World Record Shop Day looms later this month and the golden era of vinyl is celebrated with the release of The Boat That Rocked – based on a pirate radio ship in the 1970s – there are those who say they never really went away.
"Okay, vinyl nearly died," laughs Bruce Findlay, who ran independent record shops before managing bands such as Simple Minds and China Crisis in the '80s. "But now it's like someone cloned it, used the DNA and now it's back.
"Agreed, it's not the way it was when everyone had a record player and that's all you could buy. Today it's collectible and it's what a lot of people want."
Indeed, today's artists are learning to cash in on the fans' love of a classic vinyl disc.
Duffy, the Pet Shop Boys and a string of modern artists have released tracks on vinyl, aware that the ethereal qualities of digital sounds cannot match the thrill of actually "owning" a piece of music. World Record Shop Day is being marked by a string of vinyl releases from artists such as The Smiths, Joy Division and Tom Waits.
"No matter how many people are on a band's MySpace page or download their music, it's not a real measure of success," explains Kevin Buckle, boss of Avalanche Records in Cockburn Street, one of Edinburgh's longest established independent record dealers. "It doesn't really translate to how many people actually go to their concerts or buy their CDs.
"The great thing about a record is you can put it on and play it to your friends. The trouble is, kids are so used to listening to music through headphones that they hardly know what it's like to sit to listen any other way."
The other problem with vinyl is the dearth of anything to actually play it on. For as CDs took over the world, record players – and the collections of discs once lovingly catalogued, polished and played – were mostly consigned to the tip.
"I've had young kids coming in to buy a vinyl record and saying that they were going off to their grandfather's house to play it because he was the only person in the family with a record player," adds Kevin.
"Record companies are obsessed with kids and computers and mobile phones and everything they do is geared towards that. They think no-one under 25 buys music, but I get plenty of kids in the shop who want more than just a song on an MP3 player. They want badges, posters, stuff that's more tactile than just the song."
It's a rising trend for a modern "antique" which is helping ensure the survival of an endangered species – the independent record shop. Once a feature on every high street, they were hit by the rise of the record superstores such as Our Price, HMV and Virgin.
Yet, just as vinyl is enjoying a revival at the expense of the CD, small record shops insist they are holding their own as the digital revolution engulfs the music superstores that once threatened their very survival.
Today there are around 300 independent record shops trading in Britain, and around half a dozen – the oldest of them Ripping Records at South Bridge, Avalanche and Vinyl Villains in Elm Row – in the Edinburgh area.
Tommy Robertson of second-hand record shop Back Track Music in Tollcross, admits business is still a struggle but with an increasing number of people seeing the potential rarity value in vinyl, there is hope.
"Some actually prefer the snap, crackle and pop of a vinyl disc," he explains. "Others like the fact it's something solid that you can hold, and you can read the sleeve notes better than you can on a CD.
"These days it's a throwaway society. But back then there was something very real about saving your pennies and buying a particular record."
David Griffen of second-hand record and book store Elvis and Shakespeare in Leith Walk, agrees. "There's a completely different aesthetic from vinyl to CD. I get people in the shop much older than me who just come in to look longingly at the stock and touch the covers."
Author Nick Hornby touched on the fascination of vinyl among collectors in his novel High Fidelity. "They're as close to being mad as makes no difference," he wrote.
Music impresario Bruce Findlay can identify with that. "There are a lot of 'anoraks' out there, and I'm one," he laughs, after quoting the catalogue numbers of a string of rare discs off the top of his head. "The music industry is going through massive change and the demise of the superstore means record shops have an opportunity.
"What's emerging is a cottage industry with new artists working in collectives, signing to local labels and bringing out limited numbers of vinyl records to sell in these independent stores.
"I wouldn't have said it two or three years ago but if I was a teenager leaving school just now, I know what I'd do," he adds with a grin. "Yeah, I'd definitely open a record shop."
RECORD PROFITS
HAVE you got any of these in your dusty record collection?
• The BEATLES White Album (1968): The plain white cover of the first pressings carried a unique number. In November number 0000005 sold for nearly £20,000.
• THE SEX PISTOLS God Save the Queen (1977): Released on A&M records. Expect to get in the region of £13,000.
• THE ROLLING STONES 7in Street Fighting Man (US version) It recently fetched $15,200 at auction.
• A promo of JUNIOR McCANT'S King, sold for $15,000. Last month the Scottish Parliament was asked to save a Fife collectors' copy of Do I Love You (Indeed I do) by FRANK WILSON for the nation. It's expected to reach up to £75,000.
&149 Other rarities include THE BEATLES' Yesterday and Today "Butcher" sleeve (£19,250); BOB DYLAN'S The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, with extra four tracks (£17,500) and LONG CLEVE REED & LITTLE HARVEY HULL'S Stack O'Lee Blues, worth £15,000.
SOURCE: http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com
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