The Lost World of the LP: The Essay

[Old Grumpy]

It isn’t being kept artificially alive, it is booming because some people actually want vinyl. Lots of young people . And they are spending their hard earned because they actually like the vinyl experience.



I’m really struggling to see the problem. Actually, I’m not, because there isn’t one.

I don't think compactists see a problem, they (most of whom probably grew up with vinyl) were very pleased when CDs came out (for all the reasons explored above), and have a problem understanding what the attraction of vinyl now is.

OG

[teamsaint]

I don't think compactists see a problem, they (most of whom probably grew up with vinyl) were very pleased when CDs came out (for all the reasons explored above), and have a problem understanding what the attraction of vinyl now is.

OG

Personally, I only buy used vinyl now, and infrequently.

But actually understanding or trying to understand the reasons for its success isn’t difficult, and is a better approach than dismissing the tastes of others as fads.
Or another way to approach the phenomenon , instead of the put downs, ( not you OG !) is to celebrate the enthusiasms of others, even if we don’t share them.

Its a really positive development ,in cash terms, for an industry we all depend on for our music. £100m plus into the UK industry this year.

[Old Grumpy]

Personally, I only buy used vinyl now, and infrequently.

But actually understanding or trying to understand the reasons for its success isn’t difficult, and is a better approach than dismissing the tastes of others as fads.
Or another way to approach the phenomenon , instead of the put downs, ( not you OG !) is to celebrate the enthusiasms of others, even if we don’t share them.

Its a really positive development ,in cash terms, for an industry we all depend on for our music. £100m plus into the UK industry this year.

[pastoralguy]

Well, I've been quite quite forceful in my support of cd over vinyl and, yes, if that's how people want to spend their money then so be it. If, (WHEN!), Mrs. PG and I win the lottery I certainly would buy a fabulous turntable but only to play vinyl that's not made it to cd.

[Bryn]

Personally, I only buy used vinyl now, and infrequently.

But actually understanding or trying to understand the reasons for its success isn’t difficult, and is a better approach than dismissing the tastes of others as fads.
Or another way to approach the phenomenon , instead of the put downs, ( not you OG !) is to celebrate the enthusiasms of others, even if we don’t share them.

Its a really positive development ,in cash terms, for an industry we all depend on for our music. £100m plus into the UK industry this year.

If someone wants to release a digital recording DACed back to analogue, then issue it pressed onto vinyl, fine. However, if that is the only format made available, then not fine at all. That is sheer vinyl fetishism, as I see it.

[teamsaint]

If someone wants to release a digital recording DACed back to analogue, then issue it pressed onto vinyl, fine. However, if that is the only format made available, then not fine at all. That is sheer vinyl fetishism, as I see it.

Isn’t it just a marketing and sales decision ?

[Bryn]

Isn’t it just a marketing and sales decision ?

No, not just. It's also vinyl fetishism. It severely restricts both marketing and potential sales.

[teamsaint]

No, not just. It's also vinyl fetishism. It severely restricts both marketing and potential sales.

In the absence of any evidence, our views are just opinions. I happen to think that a business explanation looks more likely, even if it is a flawed one. But then again, they might have made a profitable decision.

It isn't unusual to produce a premium edition of a product first, to maximise revenue from the core market, before bringing out a cheaper mass market product. This might still happen with the Feldman.

[Dave2002]

It isn't unusual to produce a premium edition of a product first, to maximise revenue from the core market, before bringing out a cheaper mass market product. This might still happen with the Feldman.

Mass market and Feldman are, I would submit, not words which go in the same sentence.

I wait to be proved wrong.

[Bryn]

In the absence of any evidence, our views are just opinions. I happen to think that a business explanation looks more likely, even if it is a flawed one. But then again, they might have made a profitable decision.

It isn't unusual to produce a premium edition of a product first, to maximise revenue from the core market, before bringing out a cheaper mass market product. This might still happen with the Feldman.

The thing is, I have the evidence, by way of email correspondence with the musician behind the release. He made it quite clear that the decision was based on his devotion to vinyl, notwithstanding that he makes extensive use of digital processing in his own performances. He has no intention of releasing the recording in any other format. Someone will probably make digital transfers fro the LPs at some stage and bootleg them. I will make do with two FLUX recordings, plus that of the Ives Ensemble and a private one of a live performance by the Smith Quartet.

[teamsaint]

The thing is, I have the evidence, by way of email correspondence with the musician behind the release. He made it quite clear that the decision was based on his devotion to vinyl, notwithstanding that he makes extensive use of digital processing in his own performances. He has no intention of releasing the recording in any other format. Someone will probably make digital transfers fro the LPs at some stage and bootleg them. I will make do with two FLUX recordings, plus that of the Ives Ensemble and a private one of a live performance by the Smith Quartet.

Thanks for that.interesting stuff.