I was a child of records. Then 8-track tapes. Then cassette. Then finally CDs. I thought I was happy with the music that was "digitally remastered" on the CDs. I never even imagined I'd be looking back.
But then my husband got me a record player a few years ago. I dragged the box of records up from the basement. Probably they were all ruined, I figured. I slipped one of the discs of vinyl out of its cardboard cocoon. Placing it onto the turntable, I switched it on and lifted the needle up, then dropped it into place.
Hissss.
It was a sound I'd completely forgotten, didn't know I'd been missing it for decades but was immediately grateful for.
Then the piano notes came bashing through, setting up a fast-paced rhythm.
"I feel the earth, move, under my feet.
I feel the sky tumbling down.
I feel my heart start to trembling,
Whenever you're around..."
Carole King's Tapestry album was the first record I bought for myself, after being weaned off the soundtrack to Mary Poppins, along with Glenn Campbell LPs, my parents' records.
What was the first vinyl record you ever bought? Or, have you never bought a vinyl record?
Never purchased a record.
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time my dad's friend gave him a cd to listen to. I was in the 8th grade and we didn't have a device to play the compilation of relaxation music.
So then the friend bought us a basic system to listen to the cd on. I remember that was the summer I fell in love with Queen and tried everything outside my comfortable R&B realm.
Fatemeh--Queen is still one of my favorites, along with old R&B.
DeleteHa! I'm glad you asked. There are so many records I remember from my childhood (John Denver; Peter, Paul, & Mary; Pac Man Fever), but I got my own first records (45s) when I was about 8 or 9. I went to the music store with my dad and I don't think he paid much attention to what I bought (or else he just had a hard time telling me no). I probably wouldn't even remember this, if it wasn't for my mother's reaction when we got home. I bought two popular songs of the early 80s - "Like a Virgin" and "Just a Gigalo." 😂😂
ReplyDeleteKatie--Your mom's reaction reminded me of when my brother got the Cheech and Chong record "Up in Smoke." That one was immediately thrown away by my parents.
DeleteI've never bought a vinyl record, but I know that hiss sound very well! I love how you wrote that part--I immediately knew what you were referring to!
ReplyDeleteKatie--You missed out on an incredible era...
DeleteI'm sure it was a 45. Probably something like Melanie's "Brand New Key." Or Dr. Hook's "Cover of the Rolling Stone." My mom had the LPs, mostly Eddie Arnold, a Charlie Pride, and the Time/Life "Treasury of Christmas" collection.
ReplyDeleteVal--I just bought a Melanie Safka LP at Half Price Books. It's a great one.
DeleteAll I wanted for my 40th birthday was a record player, and my wish came true. The best thing that has happened as a result is inheriting decades worth of music from family members. I now have more records than I know what to do with and I haven't bought a single one, but I have to say, Michael Jackson Thriller, might be my favorite...right next to Carole and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Coldplay. I loved your slice and your description of the hiss.
ReplyDeleteLiz--Ozark Mountain Daredevils. That group brings back loads of memories.
ReplyDeleteA 45, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...I wore that record out! (I think I accidentally sat on it and broke it. It was a hard lesson learned but I've never broken a record since. Scratched a few...and now I'm realizing that there's a whole generation of people out there who don't know what the expression "like a broken record" means. Oh, that hurts my vinyl record soul.)
ReplyDeleteThe first I remember proudly owning is Thriller. Most of mine are inherited since then, but the one I most delight in buying at the record show a few years back is the Traveling Wilburys. The hiss is magic.
ReplyDeleteThe first Partridge Family Album. I bought it with my allowance and listened to it nonstop for weeks. My brother had Tapestry, Crosby Stills Nash & Young's Four Way Street, Santana Abraxas, King Crimson, Cat Stevens, etc., so although my own choice was decidedly bubble gum, my big bro had my back with the really good stuff. :)
ReplyDelete