Toad Hall Records and Books turns 44: A local store known for its comic book, vinyl and tape collection turns 44 years old on Saturday. Owners say they took over the Toad Hall on the city’s east side 12 years ago on a whim. Since then, they say they’ve tried to bring it back to life and expand while still maintaining their vintage flare. “For us to make it 44, it really shows that the community has supported us for this whole time and kind of the rebuilding of not just vinyl but people getting back to the grassroots of local business,” Nick Naruz, the store’s owner says.
10 of the best turntables and record players under £500: Many of us have been tempted by the record player revival and the return of vinyl to the mainstream has led young and old to consider buying a turntable. But for those who have never owned a record player, or at least haven’t bought a new one for many years, the current technology and options on display can leave buyers in a spin. There are points to think about that even casual record enthusiasts should consider before picking up a new record player.
Eco-friendly Stir It Up turntable can help you start a new vinyl obsession: Bob Marley’s legacy lives on with the House of Marley line of audio products that are known for their principles of earth-friendliness. Their products are made from sustainable or recycled materials, and they are known for their outstanding build and sound quality. I’ve been testing the Stir It Up turntable ($229.99, www.houseofmarley.com) and while it’s feature-packed, it’s also gorgeous and sounds wonderful…Oh, and the box and packing materials are also made from recycled cardboard, and the packaging is all very well designed and substantial.
CLASSIC VINYL: priceless pressing found at back of sock drawer: That’ll Be The Day by The Quarrymen/Percy Phillips Kensington Label 1958, 78rpm shellac acetate, handwritten label, 1 copy only, owned by Paul McCartney, Value £200,000. The picture on the [left] is not exactly eye catching but it is the most valuable record of all time. The other side has a song called In Spite Of All The Danger a Lennon and McCartney doo-wop song. The Quarrymen collectively were at that time, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John ‘Duff’ Lowe and Colin Hanton. The original acetate of this recording was believed to be lost, but was eventually discovered in the home of John Lowe at the back of his sock drawer in 1981.
Streaming killed the album artist. Because so much music is available to listen to for so cheap, does it still make sense to buy individual albums? Among Santa Rosa Junior College students streaming services are the new norm. Students use apps like Soundcloud, Spotify and Apple music to get the bulk of their songs. Some of these apps even give discounts to student subscribers, further increasing their accessibility and popularity. “I prefer streaming services because it’s everywhere now,” said SRJC student Johnathan. While streaming services may be dominating the mainstream, physical copies of albums remain relevant to many people.
