With all of the live music being created around me, my interests also expanded to collecting other genres besides rock. The love of Blues records fed back into my own guitar playing, so the whole passion came full circle. Why is record collecting so vital? I think the key ingredient is curiosity. Walt Disney said that creation comes from curiosity. And if you have ever flipped through stacks of vinyl, you know the thrill of that moment when a cover design, batch of song titles, or an ensemble of musicians ignites your imagination. It is the pursuit of Art! There is nothing like the sound of vinyl. The music moves through the air with warmth and round tones, and it just has a human quality. I'm excited to see records are returning to the mainstream. Many of my students are collectors and musicians, and I see local shops being revived by Record Store Day events. For those Spy Vibers starting out, I urge you to look for used stereo components and speakers, rather than buying a cheap portable player. You'll notice quite a jump in sound quality! I also recommend looking for original pressings rather than new re-releases. Although there are exceptions, original pre-digital pressings usually do a better job capturing the magic vibe of the live performance in the studio. I created an archive of Vintage Vinyl images on Pinterest. Here are some highlights below. George Harrison was such a record fan, he even had a record player installed in his Jaguar XKE! Eric Clapton and the Yardbirds sign autographs at a shop. Like the old movie palaces, some record stores (like HMV) were designed to stimulate both eyes and ears with artistic care. These places were like cathedrals! Dig those listening booths! Want to find your local record stores? Check out the Vinyl District App and happy hunting! Great record collecting stories: Desperate Man Blues, Vinyl Junkies, and the Tower Records documentary, All Things Must Pass. Spy Vibe's post about the 8-Track Museum here. Family trivia: My dad produced a strange variety of albums that included DJ/comedian Don Imus and Bach recordings by Anthony Newman. My grandfather was also a composer/musician, who created work with Roger Sessions and Poet Laureate, William Meredith. One of the most interesting things I've been able to do as a musician was to create a re-mix for a song by Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band. Things do come full circle! Enjoy!
Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Avengers Comic Strips, SPY VIBE Contest, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview:Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, Trina Robbins Interview, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review, David McCallum novel, Andre Courreges R.I.P., Who's Talking on Spy Vibe, UFO Blu-ray, Avengers Pop Art Interview, Fergus Fleming Interview, Avengers: Alan Hayes Interview, Jaz Wiseman Interview, Diana Rigg BFI Interview, Casino Royale Interview: Mike Richardson, Lost Diana Rigg Interview, Honor Blackman at 90, UNCLE School
