21 of 27

Vinyl

Write now Article Tools

Vinyl is definitely better, but only if you are past a certain age. You see vinyl records became a huge part of your memories if you grew up with them. Your first slow dance may have been to a smoochy number crooned on vinyl and accompanied by little crackles and bumps.

The scratches became a memory etched both into the record and into your soul. Each time you pick up an old favorite and dust it off you can feel your memories in the grooves and when you place it on the turn-table you can relive them like a soppy old romantic.

What is 'best' is not always that which is obviously superior in superficial ways. No doubt if I had been born at a later date I wouldn't understand about the older generations love of a large piece of round vinyl which is difficult to transport and which takes up room to store. However, there is something special about the tactile quality of records. The way you have to carefully handle them like something precious and smooth over their ridges with a soft cloth before use.

I have Cd's now as well as records. The Cd's are all over the place. I like them, but forget them easily. If someone came in to my home and moved my records then I would know straight away. I would worry and look around until I found them and then carefully store them back in their rightful place safe and sound.

Despite the faults that have developed on records after parties, thus making a few jump where they shouldn't, I value them much higher than I do my Cd's. Cd's you can copy with ease. They are not special individually. The Cd itself is just a medium with which to play you music.

Vinyl is much more than that. Each record is significant and can never be replaced to hold the same etched in memories, crackles and little warps where they were stood too long in the sunlight in 1975 or where they have a scratch caused by your lover who grabbed you for a smooch and knocked the record players arm across the record in their passion.

Once in a blue moon a guest at my house will spot my records and ask to see them. They may have only 'popped around for a few moments' but will end up staying for at least two and a half hours as they get excited going through my collection.

Then we have to put the music on to play and people sing and dance, even the shy ones. They laugh at the photographs on the front covers of Mick Jagger pulling faces and read out the words to the songs printed inside the double album covers.

People who you would have previously though stuffy prance around the room to Rainbow or The Drifters and suddenly everyone loves Abba again. People who have never heard proper old jazz and the blues before gape open mouthed at Bessie Smith and Howlin Wolf and live in the moment of the original recording where you can hear the crowds clap and shout.

As new technologies take over vinyl has been ousted out and has become rare. That which is rare usually becomes valuable. I intend to hang on to my records and continue to use Cd's as convenient and ultimately disposable, unlike my records which still hold pride of place at my house.

Learn more about this author, Heidi Marie Fleetfoot.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Which is better, vinyl records or CDs??
We want to hear your view. Write now!