The Vinyl Cabinet

Believe it or not, I do have a blogging schedule, though obviously sticking to it is another matter entirely.  In practice it’s inconsistent with posts going up later than intended and many a week going without a post altogether. None of the album or song essays I’ve been working on are ready to be seen yet, but I didn’t want another Sunday to go by without a post. With that in mind, I’ve decided to answer the questions listed in this video by XElizabethMartinez on YouTube and give you folks a little glimpse into my vinyl collection.

1. Most beat up record you own and explain why you bought it.

The most beat record I own is not one I bought myself. I received Beatles ’65 for my birthday a few years ago along with a bunch of other new and used albums. The condition of the record itself is fine, but the sleeve is literally held together by scotch tape. If you look at the photo you can see the record peeking out from the bottom of the sleeve, because each side is so worn.

One of the most beat up records I’ve ever bought is the Monkees’ Greatest Hits. It’s not in the worst shape ever, especially in comparison to Beatles ’65. However, the spine is frayed and the sleeve shows other signs of taking a beating over the years. As for why I bought it, well, frankly, it was cheap and at that point I still didn’t have any Monkees in my vinyl collection. So, it was mostly spur of the moment.

2. First record that comes to mind when you think about your childhood.

The first records that come to mind when I think about my childhood are one that I actually can’t show, because I can’t get to my mother’s vinyl collection. My mother has a Janet Jackson 45 for Nasty/The Pleasure Principle and I used to listen to it a lot as a kid. She also bought a double LP for my brother and me to listen to with nursery rhymes and other kid friendly songs. Unfortunately I don’t remember what it’s called.

In terms of what in my collection brings up childhood memories, I chose two singles, Bobby Brown’s “Every Little Step” and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” I’ve loved both of those songs since I was a little kid and just had to have them when I found the vinyl.

3. Show me a record that you bought and instantly thought, “why the frick did I buy this thing?”

So. Surfer Girl and The Best of the Beach Boys Vol. 2. The day I bought these I bought a big pile of records; including the singles I mentioned in question two. I have no idea what possessed me to buy these two. The only possible explanations I can think of are 1) I saw “Little Saint Nick” in the track list and that sold me or 2) similar to the Monkees’ Greatest Hits, I figured my collection needed them in it. Why didn’t I just hold out until I found a good copy of Pet Sounds? Hell if I know.

4. Best thrift store find ever.

One day while at a nearby secondhand store I happened upon two versions of the soundtrack to the Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit and instantly knew I had to have them. The deluxe edition’s box has some rips, but I figured I wouldn’t be able to find it anywhere else for so little money and jumped on it. Beyond the packaging and an extra record there isn’t much difference between the box set and the standard edition. I probably didn’t need to buy both of them, but it was another of those spur of the moment things and all I saw was Hobbit. Logic be damned.

5. What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever found in a record?

I’ve never found anything in my own collection. I mentioned my mom’s collection and whenever I’d listen to the Janet or nursery rhyme record (or sometimes even without listening to them) I would flick through all of her vinyl. I’d spend hours pulling them out and staring at them, which I’m sure, eventually grew into my tendency to aimlessly roam CD sections and libraries. Anyhow, she had many of the records since she was a kid/teen, so some have Led Zeppelin related doodles from before she disowned the band. Another thing that sticks out about her collection was her copy of Bella Donna by Stevie Nicks. I don’t think it has doodles or anything, but I just remember really liking the sleeve as a kid.