the record collection

i finally got around to organizing my record collection, a daunting project i kept putting off. i've been collecting vinyl records since the mid 1970's when all i could afford with my allowance were 45's-i still have a few of those with my scrawly cursive handwriting on the label. could i really have been ten? ever?

there are about 1,500 LP records. there were phases where things were culled (moving from one place to another mostly-records weigh a lot) and the collection shrank...then there were the cassette days..then the cd days..then the back to vinyl days. lately, before the damnpemic, it's been the record show days, where a boatload of collectors and retailers all gather with their unwanteds in a legion hall or community centre, you pay a small fee to get in, and then hopefully find something you can't live without that they are willing to part with. i've found some interesting things at record shows. of course with the internets lots of people just sell online now. i've bought a few things online during the virus years and had them mailed to me, but it always gives me a rash thinking about records in the mail. DO NOT BEND.

  

this is my original cabinet, made for me years ago by someone who had sympathy for my obsession. it weighs about three tons without records in it, because he very nicely made it out of beautiful oak.

and here is the real reason i was motivated to reorganize...the inheritance of this cabinet, which has taken over our small living room. the two lower cupboards on either side are full, and my original cabinet is too. which is too bad, as i thought i might have an excuse to add to the collection. 

in the middle frame above the cabinet you can see where i borrowed the name for this blog: teenage head was/is a band from hamilton, ontario that my high school best friend and i followed around-we listened to that record so many times it's a wonder it's at all playable. the song 'lucy potato' is one of my all time favourites. and if the potato fits, which it seems to lately, wear it.

as i moved them all, i alphabetized and took out all the 12" singles which now live together, ready for full on living room dance parties that may occur every once in awhile.

not a 12" but great for dancing. do fries go with that shake?

alice's version of the worm. or is it the seal pup?

had enough of everything? find some music of your life, whatever the format. turn it up. turn everything else off, if only for a song or two. reality will always be there waiting for your attention✌️PHOOEY!

                                                                              🌷🌷🌷