Rare Vinyl & Just Cool Records

Video Post: Horror Soundtrack Vinyl Collection Part Three

2012-02-24T18:50:00.003-08:00

Yes, I'm back again with another installment in my video post series of Horror soundtracks from my personal collection. I think I surprised myself with the fact that I had enough titles to do three videos...and actually I've got one more planned for you which will include Halloween and Horror themed music, all on devil-icious vinyl!

Unfortunately, the video storage space ran out before I could finish the last two soundtracks in the lineup: Trick or Treat and the Company of Wolves. Both of these are special in their own right, so I thought I'd talk about them below....

First up is the Trick or Treat soundtrack by the hard rock band Fastway. This music is very fitting for the film, and has a special place in my heart, if only for the fond High School memories it evokes (and I don't have many of those). The cover art on this album is so great, combining Halloween with Rock N' Roll. What more can you ask for?? Besides, with Skippy from Family Ties as our hero, Gene Simmons as the ultra-cool radio DJ and a cameo from the prince of darkness himself Ozzy Osbourne, you can't help but love this cheesy 80s film at least a little, right?

Then there's the soundtrack to Neil Jordan's beautifully shot Company of Wolves. This little gem isn't as well known as the rest, but deserves every bit of credit for its own wolf transformation scenes. Angela Lansbury perfectly plays the Grandmother in this Little Red Riding Hood story, played by the ethereal Sarah Patterson, George Fenton's music is equally as ethereal and atmospheric. This one will cost you a bit, if you can find it on vinyl and on DVD, but it's worth every precious penny.

And there you have it fellow vinyl lovers, one more view into my modest vinyl collection. Stay tuned for MUCH more to come! Keep spinning that vinyl, and if you need a few horror soundtracks to fill out your collection, check out what I have available for you in my Etsy Vinyl Shop and don't forget to pick up the coupon code from the sidebar of this page for a special discount at checkout! Enjoy!

The Stray Cats on Vinyl: Retro Rockabilly Radness

2012-02-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

It's almost unfathomable that so much sound can come out of a three piece band, but then again, The White Stripes showed us differently with just two. Now, of course everyone has heard of The Stray Cats, and Brian Setzer in particular. The purpose of this post is to celebrate their catalogue of vinyl, and perhaps alert some of you to a couple of albums you may not have known about. They are so much more than 'Rock This Town' or 'Stray Cat Strut' or even 'Sexy & 17', which are great songs, but it's what you didn't hear on the radio (or MTV in the early days) that really sets them apart from the rest, showcases their talent and timeless appeal.

The Stray Cats - Debut Album 1981

The boys relocated from Long Island to the UK at the brink of 1980 because of the Rockabilly Revival going on there. This explains why a couple of their albums are difficult to find, and why there's more of their music out there than you might know. Their self titled debut album is a UK-only release, and has more raw energy packed into its 12 songs than most groups put into their entire repertoire. Great cover art (as all of the Stray Cats albums have), it's easy to see the blood, sweat and tears that went into making it.

Stray Cats - Gonna Ball 1981

Next came Gonna Ball, (available for sale in my Etsy Shop) also a UK-only release and a damn fine album it is. Released the same year as their debut in 1981, this served as the TKO of their one-two punch. With none of the over-played hits on its track listing, this second album shows you what The Stray Cats are really made of, and just how talented they are. You'll also find this in a Japanese pressing, costing even more than the original UK pressing. But hey, it's got that cool OBI strip and Japanese characters all over it, right?

The Stray Cats - Built For Speed 1982

Then came the familiar and first simultaneous US/UK release; Built For Speed (also available for sale in my Etsy Shop) which includes some songs from the first two albums, perhaps as an introduction to the US market. And as we well know, it came around at the perfect time after the launch of MTV and the New Wave blast. Beyond a doubt, this is one hot-rockin' of a record. Even if The Stray Cats aren't necessarily your cup of tea, there is no denying their musical abilities and dance floor appeal.

Rant 'N Rave with The Stray cats 1983

Next up came Rant 'N Rave with The Stray Cats in 1983. This is probably the height of their American success, and a foretelling of their breakup only a year later. Proving that third time's a charm however, this one is packed to the hilt with foot-stompin' three-minute tunes guaranteed to put your boogie into full swing. Nary a bad song, it truly completes the trio's trio of albums in full circle. Good thing too, as they're coming near the end of their high ball flyin' success...at least as a band. Soon, Brian will take off for an extremely successful and continuous solo career, and Phantom & Rocker will make a go of it for the next few years.

The Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut EP 1983

Finally, as an after-dinner mint, there's this tasty little EP, again a UK-only release, containing two of their established hits, and two live tunes which is a nice little treat to have if you're a serious Stray Cats fans. Short, but oh-so-sweet, you can't help feeling like you're right there with the boys, gettin' all sweaty and riled up. A winner, to be sure.

After this came the album 'Rock Therapy' purely to fulfill a contractual agreement. Frankly, it has more 'billy' than rock for my taste, but if it will round out your collection, then indeed it's a must-have. Featuring a more country-blues flavor, where Setzer actually plays a banjo. If your tastes allow for this kind of flavor, by all means look for it. I'm a 1977-1983 kind gal myself, so it doesn't quite fit on my artistic palette, however I am a great fan of Brian Setzer, and this album only proves his range both as a musician and singer. Keep rockin'!

Video Post: Horror Soundtrack Vinyl Collection Part Two

2012-02-19T14:14:00.003-08:00

There are a few more selections from my Horror Soundtrack collection that I wanted to share with you, so I've made a second video blog post installment for them. Hopefully, I will get better at making these videos, and get brave enough to appear on camera, so keep a lookout for more to come. My friend Joe at Turntabling.net has alerted me to the fact that there is a burgeoning vinyl community on You Tube, and I hope to become a part of that after getting a few more videos under my belt.

Please to subscribe to my new You Tube channel, I promise to make interesting and informative video posts about all things vinyl, so there'll be something for everyone. If you have a particular record you'd like to see covered, or have any questions you'd like to see answered via video post, please feel free to let me know!

Stay tuned for much, much more to come. For now, here's my Horror Soundtrack Vinyl Collection Part Two video post. Enjoy!

Video Post: My Horror Soundtrack Vinyl Collection Part One

2012-02-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

Reluctantly, I am taking cue from the masses by creating a You Tube channel for video posts, my favorite videos and clips and who knows what else. Being famously camera shy, this is not a medium I would normally consider, however we must all get out of our comfort zone if we want to succeed in life, right?

So this is my first installment of video posts dedicated to Horror Soundtracks, featuring a selection of my most and rare and coveted titles on beloved vinyl. Keep in mind that this is the FIRST time I have ever done anything like this, so please be kind...Enjoy!

Turntable Choices For The Uninitiated Vinyl Collector

2012-02-14T19:58:00.000-08:00

Audio-Technica AT120LP

My friend Joe runs the successful vinyl blog Turntabling.net and has written a great post on which turntables work best for him, being a DJ, Audiophile, cross-country traveler and all-around music appreciator. This is a subject that I am personally overwhelmed by, not being a techie at all, and with so much out there to choose from. I thought it would be great to provide a link to this super helpful post, in the hopes that it might answer a few questions for those of you out there who may be somewhat new vinyl collectors, and are wanting to have something decent--and not overwhelmingly expensive--to play those slabs-o-wax on.

I myself am about to take the leap from low-grade, cheap-o 'record player' to a respectable turntable, and was so relieved to get honest advice from a trusted friend and fellow vinyl junkie. What's especially cool is that he not only talks about two different turntables, but a portable player as well!

So not to fear, fellow non-techie vinyl lover, all will be well. There is nothing wrong with playing your records on a thrift shop player (hoping that you've at least replaced the needle), or your Dad's dusty old record player from 30 years ago. Heck, I've got a 1969 console stereo (with original speakers!) modified with a new (cheap) preamp and Radio Shack player. But we all gotta grow up sometime, right?? Check out another post of Joe's about USB Turntables to help answer any questions you may have about them.

In addition to running the Turntabling.net blog, Joe is currently working on a book of WTF Album Covers that is going to be hee-larious. You can read all about it on his Facebook Page and marvel at the atrocities he has dug up from all over the world! Enjoy!

Vinyl Blog Post Series: Best Horror Soundtracks - The Monster Club

2012-02-10T20:54:00.003-08:00

Today's post focuses on The Monster Club Soundtrack, and it most assuredly is one of the most excruciatingly rare titles that I am aware of as a buyer/seller/collector of rare soundtracks on vinyl. To date, it remains the single most expensive record in my personal collection, and probably the most rare that I have ever had the pleasure of acquiring. Thus far, that is....

There are precious few soundtracks that I haven't been able to get a hold of, or have only been able to locate once or twice in the relatively short time that vinyl has re-taken over my life. This is in no way 'tooting my own horn', it's simply a testament to my tenacity and obsessiveness....or perhaps I've just been really, really lucky.

The Monster Club is an English horror-comedy film from 1981, starring Vincent Price and John Carradine as 'host and victim' respectively. It's an anthology style of movie, meaning there are three separate stories, with tie-in sections in between, sorta like Creepshow. Truly, a delightful, campy little cult flick done Hammer style (Studios, that is, not the rapper). Back in my days of selling rare and out-of-print VHS tapes, I had the Elvira hosted big box Thriller Video version of it, talk about an added bonus! Soo cool...

If you haven't seen The Monster Club, do yourself a favor and purchase a copy from Amazon or any other marketplace platform. Don't let the price deter you, because I assure you it's worth every penny if not for the film itself, then for the added bonus of the entire soundtrack as a special feature. This is the only way you will get the music from the film, I can almost guarantee that, as the vinyl pressing of it really is that rare. My copy is said to have come from a band member of The Pretty Things, who are featured on the album and in the film.

What makes the soundtrack so amazing (in my opinion), is that side one features all the rock-n-roll and New Wave tracks, while side two is almost exclusively classical and instrumental. Soundtrack veteran John Williams (yes, that John Williams of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, etc fame) composed the incidentals, rounding out the album with class.

Did I mention the album art work?? Oy! Fantastic! It has a sort of Jack Davis (Mad Magazine) look to it, brilliantly colored and expertly drawn. Pure display art in its own right. And no, my copy is not for sale, it's goin' to the grave with me if it's the last thing I own on Earth. Yeah, I really do love it that much. And hopefully, you will too.

Oh, and I almost forgot...here's a video of my favorite song from the album; B.A. Robertson's 'Sucker For Your Love'. Remember to keep your tongue firmly placed in your cheek, kids. Enjoy!

Obsessed Bliss with The Stranglers

2012-02-09T19:19:00.000-08:00

For those who know me personally, it will come as no surprise that this post is about yet another musical obsession. Not a new obsession, mind you, just one that sneaks up ever so quietly; only to grab me by the ears, mind and heart by it's clenched claws, and refuses to let go until I have exhausted my entire vinyl catalog of a particular artist or band....today's such obsession is for The Stranglers...

Being a late bloomer in almost every aspect of my life, I had of course seen The Stranglers name all over the place, and maybe unknowingly heard a track or two, but really only became acquainted with them when I happened upon the Feline album (currently available for sale in my Etsy Shop) at a local garage sale. After becoming not only obsessed, but possessed by 'Golden Brown', a track I knew I had heard a few times before but couldn't place, it was easy to see I was going to be on the hunt for more....a lot more.

Next, for me, came The Raven album, followed by IV Rattus Norvegicus, Aural Sculpture, All Live and All of the Night, Dreamtime, and La Folie (but only on CD--and we don't talk about those things here). Obviously, these are not in chronological order, nor are they in order of preference.

Christmas 2010 brought me an extra special find; Apollo Revisited which is especially difficult to find on vinyl. A glorious 180 gram 2 LP set, a gorgeous gatefold with an interview written on the inside panels. Being a live album, it of course contains some of Hugh's familiar antics with the audience, just as All Live and All Of The Night does, which I just love. The dichotomy of his raunchy cockney English with his smooth, deep and sensual singing voice is just the icing on the cake for me. Mmmmmmmm....sigh.

Favorite Stranglers song? I knew you were gonna ask me that...as common as it is, 'Golden Brown' haunts me far more than any other Stranglers track. However, 'Strange Little Girl' (also available for sale in my Etsy Shop) is also very high on the list, as is 'Midnight Summer Dream', 'All Roads Lead To Rome', 'Peaches', 'Nuclear Device', 'Cruel Garden', 'Viva Vlad' and so, so many others.

A lot of people don't care for their later stuff; Dreamtime and newer, but I really do love it all. That being said, dollars to donuts says that once I get my grubby little mitts on more of their earlier stuff; EP, Black & White, self titled, etc..I'll fall fast into another manic obsession, and will have to write about The Stranglers again. Stay tuned, won't you?

Vinyl Blog Post Series: Best Horror Soundtracks - Hellbound: Hellraiser II

2012-01-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's taken me this long to begin a blog series about some of my favorite Horror Soundtracks on vinyl. It is, after all, the reason I started this blog in the first place! Ah well, better late than never.... we begin with the Hellbound: Hellraiser II original soundtrack, in all of it's gory glory...

While the first Hellraiser film will always be my favorite of the franchise, the first sequel is definitely in the right place. We get a closer peek at those scary cenobites, there's way more blood, and good ol' Julia comes back with a vengeance, for revenge. You may not notice that the film's music is heightening your fear factor, but that's because Christopher Young is a master at his craft. It creeps in on you just exactly where it should. There are several soundtracks in my personal collection by this talented composer, which will undoubtedly find their way into future posts in this Best Horror Soundtracks category.

This album is a delightful blend of spooky incidentals and dark carnival moods, interspersed with that ultra-recognizable Hellraiser theme. An essential Halloween record, but this graces my turntable at least once a month. All. Year. Round. You could say it has a steampunk flavor, much like The Elephant Man soundtrack, which will absolutely be included in an upcoming installment of the Best Horror Soundtracks vinyl blog post series.

And now the bad news...this title is of course very hard to find--on CD and vinyl alike. Being that it came out near the end of the line for automatic vinyl release, we're so fortunate to be able to get it at all. I am very pleased to say that there is a SEALED copy in my Etsy Shop at the moment, but it won't last long. If you do decide to purchase it from me, don't forget to use the COUPON CODE located in the sidebar to the right. Then enter it on the checkout page for an extra discount.

Until next time, stay tuned for more posts in my Best Horror Soundtracks vinyl blog series, latest finds and obsessions, and everything you want to know about vinyl records. Happy Horror-ing!

Celebrities And Their Vinyl Collections: Rodney Bingenheimer

2012-01-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

As I've said before, Rodney Bingenheimer is one of my personal heroes, and highly deserves a place within my series of posts about Celebrities and Their Vinyl Collections. This post is about the man himself and not his record collection, because he played a crucial role in the lives and careers of so many bands which are near and dear to my heart.

The film/documentary which best provides the most in-depth look into Rodney's life is The Mayor of Sunset Strip by George Hickenlooper. Poor Rodney. His life is a mix tape of glamour, glitz and girls; personal tragedies, and a slow, sad spiral into the foggy depths of shattered hopes and dreams. He makes you want to have him tucked snugly into your chest pocket while record shopping, so you can seek his approval on your purchases.

The Mayor of Sunset Strip is touching, heartbreaking, hilarious and eye-opening to say the least. Informative and sincere, this film paints a painful look into Rodney's world of corporate radio, groupies and brushes with stardom.

ROTR Vol. 1

Track Listing ROTR Vol.1

After watching The Mayor of Sunset Strip, I was so taken by Rodney's story that I set out to acquire all three volumes of his Rodney On The Roq compilations on vinyl as quickly (and economically) as I could. Sheer luck and/or persistence won out because just a short time later, I now proudly own all three, with two still retaining their original 'zines. These compilations, as a whole, are not available on CD/mp3 (legally), but we don't talk about those kinds of things on this here blog. Expect to pay $20-$40 for each vinyl volume, if you can find them.

ROTR Vol. 2

Track Listing ROTR Vol. 2

You can, however, get the Best of Rodney On The Roq on CD, but you won't get all the tracks or have the bitchin' album covers, sorry. Also, the soundtrack to the film is pretty cool, as it includes dialogue snippets from various artists celebrities in addition to some of the music in the film.

ROTR Vol. 3

Track Listing for ROTR Vol. 3

There are obvious parallels between Rodney and John Peel; not only because they both are (were) maverick DJ's, but because they nearly single-handedly propelled some of music's most important artists at a very dear cost to their private lives. It's a topic that fascinates me greatly as a music lover/appreciator, vinyl junkie and closet-case star gazer. If you're reading this blog, no doubt you are too.

Pay your respects to one of the men responsible for bringing many of your favorite glam rock, punk, post punk and new wave musical acts of the late 70's to late 80's into the spotlight by watching this little film and/or picking up these treasure records. It's important to remember where the heart and soul of this kind of music came from.

ROTR 'zine included with Vol. 1

ROTR 'zine included with Vol. 3

Celebrities And Their Vinyl Collections: John Peel's Record Box

2012-01-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

Continuing on with my theme (and latest obsession) of celebrities and their vinyl collections, today's installation is dedicated to John Peel's Record Box. This is a lovely little film highlighting important music and people from John Peel's life, and most importantly, the 100+ singles stored in a special box separate from his vast collection. Previously, I stated that I didn't want to feature celebrities who would obviously collect records, but I believe John Peel is an undeniable exception...

John Peel's Record Box Part 1

John Peel's Record Box Part 2

John Peel's Record Box Part 3

John Peel's Record Box Part 4

Throughout the film, there are a few parts that especially touched me. First and foremost, Jack White has several small segments in the film and rightly so: out of the 100+ singles in John's special box, over 20 of them are by The White Stripes. I find this incredibly telling, and amusing when Jack states, "John's got more of our records than I do". What an incredible compliment. Then there's the fact that 'Teenage Kicks' by The Undertones (John's favorite song of all time, of course) was played at his funeral, and "Teenage dreams, so hard to beat" is proudly engraved upon his headstone, as per his wishes. Lovely. This perfectly represents how music can so deeply touch our lives, our hearts and souls.

Celebrities And Their Vinyl Collections: Amoeba Helps Out

2011-12-31T19:00:00.000-08:00

In my last post, we talked about how cool it was to see celebrities with their vinyl collections, and I left an open call for anyone to add information as they saw fit. Well, I was enlightened to the Amoeba website, and a feature they call "What's in my bag?" featuring celebrities, staffers, loyal customers and the like sharing with us what they have purchased while shopping the store. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing I was looking for, so I'll highlight a few of my favorites for you...

First up, and one of my most favorite celebrities, is RuPaul! Even though most of what was in his bag were CD's, he did have two vinyl nuggets I have to mention here. What is especially fascinating to me is that they are both soundtracks, and as you all know I specialize in soundtracks in my vinyl Etsy shop! First up is the Tron: Legacy soundtrack by Daft Punk, which I will be purchasing ASAP. Just the snippet they play was enough to make me want it. Next is the second-highest-selling soundtrack of all time which of course can only be Saturday Night Fever (and can be purchased here from my Etsy Shop). He tells a lovely little story about the Bee Gees as well.

Next up, is Elijah Wood. His was the most pleasantly surprising entry because he purchased ALL VINYL! Apparently, he owns a record label, and has been buying vinyl for almost half his life. Very impressive, young Frodo.... Even though I was not familiar with any of the artists he discussed, I was captivated by his easy-going style while talking about something he so obviously loves. And THAT, is exactly why we're here, folks. Regardless of the artist, genre, style or era of music, we can all relate to the love of it, particularly the love of vinyl and all that it represents. Be sure to check out his entry.

Lastly, for this post anyway, is John Taylor & Simon LeBon of Duran Duran! OK, I know I said I wanted info about artists that weren't musicians, but again, they bought ALL VINYL! Check out John's quote under Awesome Quotes About Vinyl in the sidebar on the right side of this page. Amazing! They bring up some excellent points to buying vinyl, particularly in this day and age of mp3's.

Other noteworthy celebrities included in Amoeba's 'What's In My Bag' features are:

(click on desired name to view their segment)

-Clem Burke (just because he's the coolest and my #1 favorite drummer ever)

-Peter Murphy (although he buys only DVD's, they're mighty cool ones!)

-Henry Rollins (buys no vinyl, but hey, it's Henry freakin' Rollins!)

-Dave Grohl (buys ALL 7"s! and tells a hilarious story to boot)

...plus lots, lots more.

Thanks so much to Lisa at Rock-O-Bilia for giving me the heads up about this. Incidentally, I buy all of my poly outer sleeves from her, she has the best prices and ships super fast! You can view her blog and check out her eBay Shop. She rocks!

I'm still on the hunt for celebrities and their vinyl collections, so if you've got any info you wanna share, please don't be shy!

Celebrities And Their Vinyl Collections: An Open Call To Contribute

2011-12-29T13:54:00.000-08:00

Jack Nicholson & Angelica Huston
photo from DangerousMinds.net

This morning, while checking through the latest articles about vinyl, I found this little nugget; Colin Hanks buying vinyl with MSNBC's Kate Snow. The best thing about this is that Colin brings along his portable turntable while out on location, and buys vinyl in the local record shops wherever he is shooting a film. How freakin' cool is that? So this prompted me to write a post on celebrities and their vinyl collections, but have found precious little information on stars who really do collect vinyl. My point is not to exploit the celebrity, only to bring more awareness to the magic of record collecting as more than just a hobby, as a way of life.

Lux Interior & Poison Ivy of The Cramps
photo from DangerousMinds.net

I'm not as interested in learning about celebrities who would obviously collect records such as Bjork, The Black Keys, and the like. The article with Colin Hanks is a perfect example; here is a Hollywood film star, with famous parents, who chooses to collect vinyl because of the sheer pleasure he gets from it. If you have any celebrity stories you wish to share, or if by any stretch of the imagination a celebrity is actually reading this, I would love to read your story. I am inviting you to either write your own guest post or send me links that I can incorporate into this subject, which I am suddenly extremely fascinated by.

Check out this site which features several photos of celebrities posing with vinyl. Although few are clearly the individual's own collection, they are cool nonetheless. I particularly love The Cramps photo (which I do believe is, or was, their real collection, the Debbie Harry/Chris Stein shot (which looks real) and the Jack Nicholson/Angelica Huston photo-see above-dying to know if that really was one of their collections!

A Passion For The Passions: Moody Post Punk New Wave Deliciousness

2011-12-21T21:19:00.000-08:00

It isn't often that I come across a group I have never heard of before, particularly when that group was only active from 1978-1983. This is my most favorite time period for music, bringing the best of the 'nu-wave' angry, dark and gritty, just the way I like it.

While on a recent vinyl hunting trip, I came across a little 45 that looked interesting, and for fifty cents I thought I'd give it a shot....

This 7" was called 'The Swimmer' by a UK band called The Passions circa 1981. Ohhhhhh Mommy! I rarely get so lucky as to hit the jackpot on a guesstimation. The only clues I had were the look of the band on the back of the picture sleeve, the fact that it was dated 1981 and on a label I hadn't come across yet; Fiction Records.

What is even better about this is treasure isn't the title song--which, don't get me wrong, is great--but the B side; Some Fun is AMAZING. Have a listen...

After playing it a few times I began my research, and was surprised to have come up with as much as I did. Most of the band used to be in the London punk band The Derelicts, and were led by female singer Barbara Grogan. A little reminiscent of The Cure; Bass-heavy with jangling guitars, and darkly poppy, I'd wondered where they'd been all my life. And the fact that they split up in just five short years sorta makes it even better, they are just this capsuled little secret I have. Only you may have heard of them from their one and only hit 'I 'm In Love With A German Film Star'...

So this was great, but I wanted more, much more. Searching for one of their albums didn't take long, but brought up precious few choices. Being that I am becoming quite the obsessed vinyl junkie, I had to find something, anything on vinyl, and luckily I found not one but TWO more 7"s (Hunted b/w Oh No, It's You and Jump For Joy b/w The Story) and their debut album 'Michael & Miranda' from 1980 all for incredibly reasonable prices. Merry Christmas to me!!!

The search continues for their two other studio albums on vinyl, which has been said to be something of a challenge (I love a challenge!) but their second album, Thirty Thousand Feet Over China is available on CD which is part compilation of previously released hits, and a few new recordings. Don't you just love it when an obsession starts with just one little unexpected find, crawling around the floor of a dirty record shop? I sure do.

Holiday Album Feature #2: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer TV Soundtrack

2011-12-18T18:57:00.000-08:00

For my next installment of favorite Christmas records, I bring you the Rankin & Bass original TV soundtrack for Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer from 1964. This has got to be one of the most cherished childhood holiday memories for many people both young and old. This album features the beloved vocal stylings of Burl Ives, a Santa Claus look-alike, who also voiced the Snowman in this stop-motion animated favorite.

Included on the album is a collection of holiday favorites, intermixed with incidental music from the film. Film score composer Johnny Marks captures the essence of the Christmas Spirit with his instrumentals, combining classic themes with his original works. This isn't just a record for children, adults will be equally enchanted by its pure nostalgic nature.

For vinyl junkies, you'll want to know that the original pressing came out with the television show in 1964, and was re-released in the early 80's (shown here) with the usual 20-year-revival. I am proud to say I own an original pressing, found on one of my many record hunting excursions, and is in shockingly great shape. I think the original price tag demanded a whopping $1.29 for it, a bargain by any standards.

Stay tuned for another installment of my favorite holiday albums coming shortly. If you have a favorite you'd like to tell me about, don't be shy! Happy Holidays!

It's Official! My 1000th Vinyl Record Sale on Etsy

2011-12-14T17:47:00.000-08:00

HURRAH!!! Today marks a very cool milestone; 1000 records sold in my Etsy Shop two and a half weeks before my goal of New Year's Eve. This makes me a very proud vinyl junkie indeed, proving that the vinyl revival is in full swing, and my little shop did its part in serving up fellow vinyl junkies their much needed fixes.

Two years in the making, I have to admit I had no idea how long it would take to reach such a milestone, as Etsy has changed dramatically in the last two years. I have learned SO much, and am proud to say I am one of the most successful vinyl shops there. An unbelievable amount of hard work has finally begun to pay off, with this year's growth far surpassing last year. In the coming year, I hope my shop will continue to grow with the help of this here blog, but I certainly couldn't do it without you, dear readers and fellow vinyl junkies! So cheers to the vinyl revival! Let's make 2012 the biggest jump in vinyl sales to date. Support your local record shops and online vendors, and keep spinning those black pancakes! Viva Vinyl!

www.rarevinyl.etsy.com

Guest Post From VinylRecordSearch.com: Why Do People Keep Buying Vinyl Records?

2011-12-13T11:18:00.000-08:00

Today's guest post asks the question: Why Do People Keep Buying Vinyl Records? Excellent question indeed, with some good answers. Also, if you're looking for some old vinyl records for sale, this site provides you with a helpful search engine to assist you in building your vinyl collection. Enjoy!

Why do people keep buying vinyl records??

With more than 3 million vinyl records being sold on eBay every year, vinyl record collecting is definitely not dead! But with the rapid evolution from tapes to CDs to digital downloads, why on earth do people still continue to buy and love the large physical music medium that is the vinyl record?

The Love of the Music

Many collectors will tell you that they collect certain records simply for the love of the music. If you know any record collectors, or are a record collector yourself, then you might understand the passion that a person can have for a certain genre or artist that leads that person to want to own every release from an artist. But surely the same could be said for a music CD, right? Wrong. Music revolutions took place in the 50s, 60s and 70s, and during these periods singles and albums were released on vinyl records. This means that vinyl records represent the original masterpieces.

Nostalgia

An artist’s voice or even a few seconds of an instrumental break in a song can send you right back to a certain time in your life. As a collector, having the record available to play again and again is not only comforting, it is also like a celebration of times gone by. A song or album can trigger happy, sad or romantic memories and the fact that music can have such a magical effect on the brain is one of the reasons that collectors love their vinyl collections so much.

The Sound

People that no longer buy vinyl records might wrinkle their nose at someone that talks about that unique vinyl record sound. But, the theory of the superior record sound is grounded in science! Whilst a digital recording takes snapshots of sound waves and then tries to map out the waves based on these snapshots, vinyl records emanate analog sound waves, which are produced in their entirety. There is no guess work when it comes to a vinyl record recording. Additionally, those scratches, hisses, pops and clicks all add to the perfection of that vinyl record sound!

Vinyl record treasures

The feeling that you get when you finally find that last piece to your ultimate collection is quite indescribable. Taking a step back and viewing your collection – no matter how small or vast - can just be wonderful! Furthermore, if a record is rare and in high demand, collectors will spend whatever it takes to add that record to their collection. On the flip side this means that collecting vinyl records can bring in some huge bounties. Full record collections or even individual records can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars/euros/pounds! That is if you can part with that gem of a collection!

Identity

Knowing who you are and where you come from is something we can all relate to, and music is a great way to understand your identity. The vinyl records that you collect will say a lot about you are and what you relate to.

We have passed through many music eras and the most popular music medium has changed significantly from generation to generation. One thing can be said for vinyl records, and that is that they represent emotion, passion and a genuine love for music.

Written by www.vinylrecordsearch.com Find your old vinyl records for sale at the best price online, with this free vinyl records price comparison.

Holiday Album Feature #1: The Ventures' Christmas Album

2011-12-11T18:03:00.000-08:00

Here begins a new series of posts I'll be doing on some of my favorite Holiday records. I have several coming up, so stay tuned because I promise they will all be very different. We'll begin with The Ventures' Christmas Album:

This is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill Christmas album. The brilliance behind it is that aside from being by the amazing Ventures, each song begins as a mega hit by other famous artists, then turns into a favorite Holiday classic. Let me explain...

Sleigh Ride begins with the opening strains of Walk, Don't Run; Snow Flakes starts as She's Not There by the Zombies; and how bitchin' is it that Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town begins as Wooly Bully?! The 'mash-up' theme of the album, released in 1965, was decades before it's time and flawlessly executed by these Surf Rock heroes. Perhaps my favorites are 'Memphis, Tennessee' by Chuck Berry cleverly disguised as 'Jingle Bell Rock' and 'I Feel Fine' by The Beatles becomes 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer'. The coolest of the cool of course is 'Frosty The Snowman', which has 'Tequila' running though it. Sheer genius! Who would have ever thought Surf Guitar Rock could make Christmas music so hip?!

I look forward to bringing you another installment of one of my favorite Holiday albums very soon. If you have some favorites of your own that you'd like to share, I'd love to hear about them!

Happy Holidays everyone, let's keep that vinyl spinnin'!

My Upcoming 1000th Vinyl Sale & Special Requests

2011-12-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

Whew! We've just passed the first week in December, and records have been flying out of my Etsy Vinyl Shop like it's the eve of December 2012, heh. Having just hit sale #956, things are looking great to hit the 1000 mark by New Year's Eve. I can't thank all of you enough who have found vinyl treasures for gifts and for yourself, and who have taken advantage of my Holiday Sale and extra coupon code here on my blog. (PSST! It's on the sidebar..)

Which brings me to my next point. This month has provided me with a couple of challenges to find specific titles requested by new and returning buyers. I love a challenge, and invite you to hit me with your best shots. Been looking for something for a long time and can't find it? Ring me up! Contact me by leaving a comment here on the blog, or you can email me at alwritetea@gmail.com. Keep in mind, I mostly deal in used vinyl at least 20 years old or better, because those are the parameters for Etsy. But my eye can't help but go over to the new vinyl to poke around as well, so let me know if there's a holy grail title you've got in mind, I'd be happy to add it to my growing list of commissioned searches.

Well, gotta run. Time to hit up one of my local record shops for a specific request. Stay tuned, there's much more to come before the fat man sings, or uh..comes down the chimney rather...HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! Be safe!

Rare Vinyl & Just Cool Records Extended Sale And Coupon Code

2011-12-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

The Holiday shopping season is well under way, and I am definitely in line to hit my 1000th record sale by New Year's as previously predicted. How exciting! You like me! You really, really like me! So in return, I have extended the HOLIDAY SALE in my Etsy Shop to run awhile longer, so everyone can take advantage of the double deal with the sale and coupon code. Remember, the coupon code does NOT expire, so if you miss the Holiday Sale, you can always get a discount by checking out my little blog here. The code is always posted in the sidebar right under my Etsy Shop sampler.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has taken the time to check out my Etsy Shop, and especially those who have joined my blog, and everyone who takes the time to read my little rants. Hopefully I have posted some helpful and interesting material for you to digest and perhaps learn from and laugh with. My goal for the New Year is to bring you much more of the same, with hopefully some guest posts from other vinyl junkies (all are welcome, just contact me!), sharing my vinyl finds and general commentary. But I promise you this, it will never be boring!

Stay tuned readers, I'm just getting started and there's plenty of places I want to go with this here blog. If anyone has anything particular they would like to learn or read about, just say the word. Have a wonderful Holiday Season, be safe, be thankful and keep playing those slabs of wax we all can't live without.

Crate Digging Etiquette Part 2: R.E.S.P.E.C.T

2011-12-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was such a great vinyl hunting day, it warrants two posts. This one is a follow up to a previous post; Crate Digging: Record Shopping With Manners. Hallelujah! There's hope for us yet! While at one of my favorite vinyl haunts I sidled up to the rack, and asked the only other shopper which direction he was going through the stacks (remember that tip from part 1?). He politely told me, then proceeded to thank me for even asking him, saying that most people never do--they just jump in. See people? I'm not just blowing smoke here, I'm actually trying to teach some of you something.

I was so shocked and grateful to have been acknowledged and thanked, it made my shopping experience even better. Combined with the 25% off sale at the local record digs, I made out like a bandit. Perhaps my reward for exercising proper crate digging etiquette, the Universe saw fit to put the most desirable titles in my path--and enough cash to pay for them!

Music Is A Mistress

2011-12-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

If you have ever been in love with, or lived with a musician, you know that music always comes first--or at least sometimes gets in the way of relationships. Being this kind of tortured soul usually wins out in the end, as it seems I have; even though I'm not a musician in the traditional sense. A successful day of vinyl hunting has brought me treasures of all sorts, and flavors of many kinds. Mmmmmmmm.....

How about we say vinyl is to music, like beautiful, sexy lingerie is to naked women. It's a-a-a-l-l-l good, right? Today, I feel truly vinyl drunk for the first time in a long time; the quality of records I have found are positively off the hook. Artists I don't find much like: Joan Jett, Buzzcocks, The Cure, Nina Simone, Black Sabbath....so far I am keeping them all, sorry to tempt you.

This is where the mistress demands attention. I know when to cherish and hang on to certain albums that come my way, because the mistress is fickle, and she'll play hard to get if she feel slighted in any way. She's also a jealous lover, so give in to her as long as she desires...

It's not often I hear an album that makes me want to be a teenager again, but I heard it today, in spades. It made me feel like if I had experienced this music 25 years ago, my life would be totally different. It made me remember how people get through their hateful work days, to blow off steam through a cranked stereo and a pair of headphones. It made every day I was sick with stress and worry about money totally worth it. THIS is why I do what I do. THIS is why I suffer. And it's all worthwhile because the mistress is sometimes generous with her affections, she wants you to feel loved. So she can tempt you further with her seductive ways, losing your soul forever in her silky depths. Right?

Spouses and significant others of fellow music lovers; do not let your hearts be troubled. We are slaves to the mistress and cannot be held responsible for our dalliances and infidelities with her. It's just the way it is. Accept it and life will be much easier. Join us and let the mistress seduce you. Resistance is futile.

Crate Digging Etiquette Part 1: Record Shopping With Manners

2011-11-30T17:44:00.000-08:00

WARNING: This post has a high snark factor! Proceed with caution...

Few things peeve me more than an encounter with a rude record nerd who thinks he's the only person in the shop. Guess what pal, you're not. And yep, I know it chaps your smelly, hairy ass that a WOMAN is invading your precious vinyl space. Tough. Deal with it. Women love vinyl too, so suck it up and move over! As you may have guessed, today's post is about crate digging etiquette. Etiquette is another word for proper manners, and if yo' mama didn't teach you any, then listen up...

First of all, I am not what you would call a raging feminist, but I am all for equality. Equality for everyone regardless of sex, race, color or creed. I don't know who decided that record collecting was a BOYS club, but I'm here to tell you times have changed. It never ceases to amaze me when I come in contact with some jerkface who wants to swing his dick around and think that a mere female couldn't POSSIBLY know ANYTHING about records. Thankfully, this doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Guys, are you honestly going to tell me that if you met a woman in the vinyl section of your favorite music store, that you wouldn't try to chat her up?? Puh-leeeze.

Remember the old saying, 'Judge not lest ye be judged' (or something like that)? Well it totally applies to collecting records too. In an earlier post, I advise against being a record snob: A Short List Of Do's And Don'ts For Record Collecting because it just aint pretty. Collecting vinyl is as much for sharing as it is for personal gratification, so be nice. You never know who might have-or know where to get-some holy grail record you happen to be looking for.

Another proper, courteous behavior while crate digging is to leave at least one row if not two between you and the person next to you. If you're just joining the rack, ask the person on either end which direction they are going, and start at the opposite end or go behind them. If there's just too many people at the racks, go to another section and come back when it thins out. Few people look through every single record available (I do!), so it won't take but a few minutes before you can get your greasy mitts in there.

People, my point here is that regardless of knowledge base, history or which set of genitalia you have between your legs, record shopping is meant to be a highly enjoyable experience. Don't ruin it for others by being a selfish know-it-all, because you DON'T know it all. Can't we all just play nice in the sandbox without flinging turds at each other?

Rant over.

Seven Inches of Heaven Part 2: A Tasty Oingo Boingo 3 Track Rarity

2011-11-28T17:41:00.000-08:00

As promised, this post is dedicated to my latest 7" treasure; an Oingo Boingo 3 track rarity featuring 'All The Pieces' b/w 'Cruisin' and 'Lap of Luxury'. From what I have learned, they are outtakes from the Good For Your Soul album, and incredibly difficult to find. This is no doubt a bootleg pressing (limited to 200 pieces supposedly), which is something I don't often condone. However, for the shockingly low price the seller was asking, I could not pass it up. Then I played it. O.M.F.G. There are several Oingo Boingo songs at the top of my favorites list, but All The Pieces just kicked the shit out of all of them. Listen up:

Uh huh. What did I tell you? Gave me a six foot boner too. Don't you just love it when little gems like this somehow make their way into your life? I know I would still be blissfully ignorant if I hadn't come across this amazing track, but my life is definitely the better for it. I simply can NOT stop playing it.

'Cruisin' is a hard one to find too, but it is on You Tube as well and I'll include it at the bottom of this post. Whoever is responsible for putting these three tasty little tracks together on delicious green vinyl should be mighty proud of themselves. In fact, I'm considering purchasing another copy, because at the rate I'm going, this little beauty, will wear out sooner than later. You're welcome!

Jumping On The BLACK FRIDAY Bandwagon

2011-11-23T20:44:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for making it back from my Seattle road trip in one piece. The horrific combination of rain storm, high winds and holiday traffic caused this trip to be the most stressful and physically challenging ever. Whew. That being said, I did pick up some tasty vinyl finds for you, including several of my best selling titles and a few special treats. Everything will be listed by tomorrow afternoon for your perusal, and my Black Friday sale will go into effect on Friday morning at 8 AM PST.

Soooo, what this means for YOU, dear readers, is an extra special coupon code which is to be applied at checkout for additional savings beyond my BF sale. Inconceivable! I will run this sale & coupon code thru DEC. 4th, so you'll have plenty of time to get in on the extra savings. Well, it's just my way of thanking you for taking the time to read my little vinyl blog, as well as celebrating it and promoting it too. So without further ado....here is your coupon code: BLOGREADR. You can enter my Etsy Vinyl Shop via this link, or by clicking on any album cover and/or link on this blog. Psst! Here's a tip: This coupon code will not expire, so feel free to use it anytime you like. Oh yeah.

Enjoy your T-Day, everyone. I'll be back after the holiday with a rockin' new post featuring a rare Oingo Boingo 7" which is my latest obsession. Stay tuned!

ROAD TRIP! Seattle Bound...

2011-11-21T20:08:00.000-08:00

Dear fellow vinyl junkies, do not despair! I have not fogotten about you. I have been amassing a collection of Christmas records to tempt you all with, and getting them listed in my Etsy Shop. Tomorrow I head off for a road trip to Seattle, in search of as many just cool records as I can get my grubby little mitts on. I will have a full report for you by Wednesday, in plenty of time before you engorge yourself with triptophan (turkey, that is), or pass into a pumpkin pie induced coma. You are the first to know that I will be having a Black Friday Sale starting on Friday morning! And just because I wanna see who's paying attention, I will post a SPECIAL COUPON CODE for my blog readers only that will reward you with an extra 10% off any purchase in addition to the discounted prices from the sale. What am I, crazy?? Yup.

So stay tuned, my little bloggees, look for the new post on Wednesday, but the sale/coupon code will not go into effect until Friday, so hold yer damn horses...

Seven Inches Of Heaven: My Newfound Love Of The 45 Record

2011-11-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

OK kids, get yer minds outta the gutter. Even though I admit the title of this post is intentionally provocative, it's all vinyl, all the time in this here blog....

I have never really been a collector of those tiny records containing 2-4 songs each called singles, 45's, seven inches-or 7"s-, and we did not have very many of them in my household when I was a child. Growing up in the 1970's and 1980's, it was more about the album itself. In fact, I can only think of a few titles we had, and they were all my Mom's disco stuff, or Hall & Oates. Yes, well... It wasn't until I bought my first Adam and the Ants album that I received my first 45, which was included with the Kings of the Wild Frontier or Prince Charming album, I forget which. But I'll never forget what it was; 'Stand and Deliver' with Adam dressed in full highwayman gear, brandishing two pistols into the air and that damn sexy sneer on his face.

As I've said before, I stopped collecting records for about 25 years before heading full blast into it again, this time for good. The 12" album still holds the most magic for me, but recently I have found myself enamored with these tiny records, particularly rare and limited pressings of mostly punk rock, Brit Pop and just plain strange bands, provided they possess the almighty picture sleeve or are pressed on colored vinyl. It goes without saying that these tend to be the most expensive and hard to find, but I love a challenge.

There is something special about 45's that I find difficult to put into words. Maybe it's just their sweet size, or that you can just collect your very favorite songs. However, there's no denying they are a very cool part of vinyl history, and actually some of the most expensive records out there. It goes without saying that the most rare and expensive tend to be the Beatles, Elvis and Northern Soul just to name a few. But as any true crate digger knows, sometimes we get lucky at a garage sale, thrift store or it's actually passed down to you from a family member. Lucky!

It's good to see new artists pressing singles today, keeping the love for the 7" alive. Jack White has of course been perhaps the biggest contributor, with some of the White Stripes 45's going for hundreds of dollars apiece. Wow. Love to get my hands on one of those carrying cases too...

Anyhow, at least with vinyl size doesn't matter, it's all good. Maybe you'd like to take a look at some of the 45's available in my Etsy Shop. I plan on actively looking for more of these pint sized platters for myself, and for you. Stay tuned!

Book Review: The Trouser Press Record Guide by Ira A. Robbins

2011-11-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

Originally published in 1983, The Trouser Press Record Guide: The Ultimate Guide To Alternative Music (4th edition 1991) packs a punch for those of us who prefer the sprawling wilderness of the post-punk era to today's paltry offerings labeled as 'new music'. With a focus on the often unknown bands, to the well-known within the Punk, Post-Punk, New Wave and otherwise alternative bands from all over the radar. Robbins and his crew offer highly opinionated, but detailed information, providing much more insight than the usual fare given in a typical issue of Rolling Stone.

The added beauty of the book is the additional info of vinyl releases for each band, as, if you remember, the majority of popular (and not so popular) music ceased to be pressed on vinyl when the almighty CD began its reign at the end of the 80's. Leaving vinyl production (mainly) to the rare artist who insisted on a vinyl pressing or special vinyl-only release.

I am not in the habit of posting pre-written material for my blog, however, the following review by Timothy P. Young sums it up pretty well:

"What makes this book great isn't the reviewing they do (concise and well written, always) but rather the fact that Trouser Press provides histories for each band befrore jumping into their material, and traces the progression of bands through their careers... If you want to understand the individual formations of bands, their original vision, how and why they changed and a full critical accounting thereof, buy the Trouser Press Guides."

If you would indeed like to purchase this buried treasure of the alternative dark ages, Amazon currently has it available for a price suitable for all budgets here: The Trouser Press Record Guide 4th Edition . Ira Robbins has since published a 5th edition called The Trouser Press Guide to 90's Rock: The All-New Fifth Edition 1997 of course including the 'influential' bands of the 90's Grunge movement. And you can bet your most valuable record I will be purchasing The Trouser Press Guide to New Wave Records for myself this Christmas.

Trouser Press began as a fan-zine in 1974-1984 publishing 95 issues featuring rare interviews, reviews, obscure photos and much more in its 10 year life span. Highly recommended.

Guest Post Open Call To Vinyl Enthusiasts

2011-11-10T13:10:00.000-08:00

In my ongoing effort to network with other vinyl enthusiasts, I'd like to extend an open call to anyone who would like to do a guest post here on my blog. The choice of topic is entirely up to you provided it pertains to vinyl in some way, can be of any word length, voice and style you choose. This is not to say I've run out of ideas already! I would just love to give someone a chance to voice their opinion, or offer knowledge and/or experience within the delicious world of vinyl record appreciation.

I'd also love to hear from any record store owners who perhaps have vinyl sales statistics they would like to share, or observations on your vinyl-buying customers. Who are the people you see buying vinyl? If you sell other items besides vinyl, what is the ratio of vinyl-to-other items and how much, if any, of an increase have you seen in recent times? What is the ratio of old/used vs. new vinyl purchases, and how many records do you offer in your shop?

Additionally, any online vinyl sellers who would like to participate are more than welcome. How long have you been selling records online, and what genres do you prefer to sell, if any?

Of course, links to your website or store information will be posted along with your article. I want to make this as much of a win-win situation as possible, so don't be shy!

Feel free to contact me via this blog or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/justcoolrecords) and let's network! My hope here is to provide quality information for any and all people who love vinyl records. Spread the word, share the knowledge and TURN IT UP!

A Short List Of Do's And Don'ts For Record Collecting

2011-11-06T19:21:00.000-08:00

In my ongoing effort to provide helpful information regarding the special care and feeding of your record collection, I realized there are a few tips to mention which have not been previously covered here yet. The following is just a short, go-to list to file away in your memory banks after spending this month's budget on your latest acquisitions. Please feel free to comment and add some suggestions of your own...

DO:

-Handle your records by the outer rims only as much as possible. Even if your hands are freshly washed, you will still leave a greasy fingerprint on the record from the natural oils in your skin.

DO:

-Use cotton or natural fiber cloths to clean your records. When a cloth needs washing, let it air dry naturally or put in the dryer without a dryer sheet. A dryer sheet can leave a residue on your records, requiring them to need a repeat cleaning.

DO:

-Store your records away from extreme temperature fluctuations. Common and well-used areas in the home are best, as they will be climate controlled and the most evenly tempered. Think of your records as little living, breathing beings. They want to be comfortable too!

DO:

-Keep track of the approximate use of your needle. Needles vary greatly in quality and sound production, and they all have a life span. To keep your records sounding their best, replace needles according to each manufacturer's specifications.

DO:
-Keep records within its inner sleeve when not in use. It's just good practice and will help to keep them clean.

DON'T:

-EVER clean your records with a paper product of any kind. Paper is made from wood, and wood will put fine scratches on your vinyl. If done repeatedly, it will damage the grooves and lower sound quality.

DON'T:

-Over-clean your records. Using a velvet or micro fiber brush each time you play a record is fine provided it needs it. But save cleaning with solvents to a minimum and only when the record really needs it to remove fingerprints and other foreign materials.

DON'T:

-Keep store price tags and stickers on the album covers--particularly older, used records if you care about preserving them. The glues used on the stickers will become more difficult to remove as time goes on, and will most always take the top layer of the cover off with it. Remove stickers slowly and carefully, using Q-Tips and alcohol if necessary.

DON'T: -Assume your friends and/or family know how to handle your records with care. If you're reading this blog, it is my educated guess that you want to learn how to care for your records properly. So if preserving your vinyl's condition is important to you, don't let your drunken friends get their meat-hooks on your little babies.

DON'T:

-Be a vinyl snob. It makes the rest of us look bad. We are all on this planet to learn, share and love. Give of your knowledge freely and you will be richly rewarded. Don't discriminate by overshadowing some one's personal vinyl journey by pretending you know more than everyone else. You just might be surprised....

And there you have it. A few little tips to keep in mind while amassing an impressive record collection. As always, there will be much more to follow, so I hope you'll join me in upholding the vinyl standards.

Easy Album Cover Repairs: Split And Unglued Seams

2011-11-04T11:52:00.000-07:00

How many records have you passed up because of split or unglued seams on the album covers? Well no more, I say! Check out my latest article on How To Repair Split And Unglued Seams On Album Covers for super easy tips to put an end to those nasty splits. Your collection will thank you for it, not to mention kick up its value a few bucks. Sweet, huh?

This is just one of several articles I have written and plan on writing for fellow record sellers and collectors who join me in KEEPING VINYL ALIVE. Whatever damage we can eliminate and prevent, the better the future of 'our preciouses'.

Now if I only knew how to repair split and broken records, THAT would be something! Anyone got any ideas?? I encourage anyone with related blogs and websites to contact me, and let's share links. Networking is what it's all about, so bring it on!

Condition, Condition, Condition: Dirt vs. Damage on Vinyl Records

2011-11-03T00:34:00.000-07:00

Just as location is everything to a brick-and-mortar shop and real estate, condition is pretty much everything to vinyl records. In my latest article, How To Determine Dirt vs. Damage On Vinyl Records I mention a few key points to consider before purchasing a used or vintage album. Most of this will be old hat to seasoned collectors, but this is aimed at the new or casual record collector who may be unaware of some things to look for.

As most of us know, condition varies greatly in records, particularly those pressed from the mid to late 1970's thru the 1980's which were thinner and less sturdy than older records of the 1950's and 1960's. Additionally, everyone's opinion of 'VG+' is different too, as we don't all bow to the Goldmine standards of record grading. But I think it's fair to say we have a similar threshold when it comes to the average collector. Grading rare and expensive records is another matter, perhaps for another blog post. Stay tuned for more newsworthy and interesting tips regarding vinyl records in future posts and articles. I am in it for the long haul...join me, won't you?

How To Preserve and Protect Your Vinyl Record Collection

2011-11-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

Over the years, people have asked me all kinds of questions regarding records. Again, I must reiterate that I am by no means an expert. However, that being said, you know I've got my opinions and love to share them with you. Please take a look at KEEPING VINYL ALIVE: How To Care For Your Record Collection for some basic tips on how to keep your slabs-o-wax in great shape now and forever. Soon, this will be followed by a few more specific articles for record care such as; how to determine damage vs. dirt, fixing/cleaning album covers, record toting and more. If there is a particular topic you would like to read about regarding records, please feel free to let me know!

Collecting records has become one of my very favorite hobbies, as well as a lucrative side business. When I first began to sell records, I didn't realize it could be so satisfying and educational at the same time. My only hope is that someday I'll devise a way to reach a wider audience and continue to recruit new vinyl collectors. No disrespect to 'old' vinyl collectors of course, as I could be classified as an 'old' vinyl collector myself. What I mean to say by that is I took a 25 year 'break' in collecting records by getting caught up in the CD generation (although it took me until 1992 to purchase my first CD). Before downloads and mp3's took over, I sold rare and out-of-print soundtracks (mostly) and did very well until the change. Which is when I decided to try my hand at vinyl, with much trepidation, because I assumed record collectors were infinitely more discerning than CD buyers. But in fact, it seems that I am the pickier one for the most part.

Anywho, fast forward a few years and literally 1000's of records later, I find myself wanting to share my knowledge with others who may be reluctant to spend their hard earned money on yet another musical format. Newbie collectors, I salute you, and assure you that any money spent on records is a wise investment. Guys, chicks dig it and this gives you the golden opportunity to use that ancient pick-up line, "Wanna come over and check out my record collection?" And gals, trust me, guys think it's really hot when we can hold our own in this arena. Heavy up!

How To Package a Vinyl Record for Mailing

2011-10-31T19:38:00.000-07:00

As you may well know by now, I sell records. Buying, selling and collecting records is one of my greatest passions and I am grateful to have them in my life each and every day. A lot of people ask me how I ship these records, particularly because I specialize in rare titles that can be quite expensive. Believe me, there are plenty of tools out there, and like with most things, you need the right tool for the right job.

My friend Joe who runs Turntabling.net asked me to write a guest blog post for his site, explaining the details of this very thing. Please read How To Package A Record For Mailing and let me know what you think. Do you have any additional questions? Are there any details that need to be made more clear? I would love to know your thoughts if you are just getting into vinyl and want to preserve it properly when shipping, or are looking for helpful storage tips for your personal collection. There are several things to think about when beginning a vinyl collection; condition, how to evaluate damage, how to clean records (and covers!) safely and more. All will be covered in future posts here, so please stay tuned!

I do not claim to be an expert by any means, however I have been successfully selling records for almost five years with precious few mishaps. In fact, I will soon hit the magic number of 1000 record sales in my Etsy Shop. My goal is to hit this number by New Year's Eve of this year, which is a very real possibility. You will see a post devoted to the roller coaster ride of online selling very soon. Fasten your seatbelts...

If you are a fellow record seller or vinyl enthusiast, I would love to hear from you. As the upswing of the vinyl revival continues to grow, I am happy to be a part of it and network with others of like minds. Don't be shy, I don't bite, and I enjoy promoting other vinyl sellers and collectors too.

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Horror Album of the Month Two-Fer

2011-10-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome readers, welcome to the first installment of my favorite Horror Album of the Month! In honor of Halloween, I'll be featuring not one, but TWO titles for you to feast upon. So let's get cracking...

Up first is the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 soundtrack from 1986. It just doesn't get much better than this, and I am so fortunate to have it in my collection because it has never LEGALLY been released on CD and can be quite difficult to find on vinyl.
Any soundtrack which features The Cramps is of course all right in my book and this one doesn't disappoint. The lineup of bands on this album reads like my dream list: The Cramps, Oingo Boingo, Lords of the New Church and Concrete Blonde. Hooo-weee! But the tasty little gem I'd never heard of before is 'White Night' by Torch Song and produced by William Orbit (oooohhh, no wonder I love it so much!). Another surprise is 'Strange Things Happen' by Stewart Copeland, which sounds very much like Timbuk 3 who are also featured on the album. I love that nearly every band gets two tracks here and honestly, they are all GREAT! Very rock-n-roll.

Side One:

Good To Be Bad - Lords of the New Church
Goo Goo Muck - The Cramps
Haunted Head - Concrete Blonde
Life Is Hard - Timbuk 3
White Night - Torch Song

Side Two:
Strange Things Happen - Stewart Copeland
Over Your Shoulder - Concrete Blonde
Shame On You - Timbuk 3
Mind Warp - Lords of the New Church
No One Lives Forever - Oingo Boingo

Something about the cover look familiar? That's right, it's loosely based on The Breakfast Club cover, a hilarious tribute to the demographic of the film. Somehow I think Chop Top and Claire just might get along....NOT!

After much deliberation, I have decided to go with a post-punk rock subgenre theme here for my first Horror Album of the Month post. The second half of my one-two punch is the Return of the Living Dead Soundtrack from 1985. Again, one toughy of an album to get on vinyl but I managed to get my claws on a copy, which is available for purchase here and I must share a personal experience about it with you....

Hubby and I were celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary, and as his gift to me he purchased ROTLD on the spawn of hell marketplace which begins with an 'e'. After much an-ti-ci.....pation it arrived about ten days later BROKEN IN HALF. My smile quickly turned upside down as I furiously emailed the seller, demanding a refund and berating them for their shoddy packing job. With the refund, I immediately purchased another copy which had miraculously turned up again on fee-Bay and I waited with bated breath. The day finally came when my mailman handed me the package....again BROKEN IN HALF. Seriously. Two copies of the same ridiculously rare record were destroyed. Un-freaking-believable. People, have you read my article on How To Package A Record For Mailing??? Sigh. Anyway, third time definitely IS a charm when I again received a refund for the SECOND broken ROTLD record to purchase the third which was safely delivered into my awaiting clutches at last.

Oh, P.S. and by the way, yes, I have kept the other two damaged records because I cannot bear to toss them out. So they rest in my vinyl graveyard where I hold a midnight vigil for their lost, poor souls twice a month. Feel free to pay your respects by making a donation to their vinyl resting place via the donation button located on the right side of this page. ; )

So in case you didn't know, here is the amazing track listing for the album, again featuring one of my favorite bands The Cramps. R.I.P. Lux, we love you!

Side One:
Surfin' Dead - The Cramps
Partytime (Zombie Version) - 45 Grave
Nothing For You - TSOL
Eyes Without A Face - The Flesheaters
Burn The Flames - Rory Erickson

Side Two:
Dead Beat Dance - The Damned
Take A Walk - Tall Boys
Love Under Will - The Jet Black Berries
Tonight (We'll Make Love Until We Die) - SSQ
Trash's Theme - SSQ

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!