“Vinyl… Although I’m surrounded by digital media throughout my waking moments, listening to a great jazz, blues, Motown, classic rock, or pop record is a welcome respite from the disconnectedness of our time.”
“It’s an active (interactive), sensual experience. The smell… pulling the shrink-wrap off virgin vinyl, the anticipation… knowing that something new awaits your ears. The reverence… holding the disc in your hands, carefully avoiding putting so much as a fingerprint on it, balancing it over the waiting turntable, gently setting the needle on that first track, then intently listening as sounds made in New Orleans, or Memphis, Detroit, or London fill the room.
And the extra dimension to that sound that you can feel as well as hear… actual air being moved, not just zeroes and ones. It’s like the difference of looking at a picture of a Degas or Seurat vs standing in its presence.
There’s another level of pleasure in the warm familiarity of a record spun to the point of wearing out. Pops, crackles, and imperfections you can count on and grow to love more than any new, untouched version. In writing this, I’ve had a memory come up that won’t quit. My parents spinning Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life, especially “Isn’t She Lovely.”
My childhood was complicated, but the early years had a lot of true joy in them. I can think of no better indication or reminder of that pure love than the way I felt serenaded with that record spinning. My parents sang along to it as if they had written it themselves about me.
It’s funny to be invited to write about records right now. I separated from my husband 5 months ago and I let him take all the vinyl and the turntable. He deserves it. He was far more of the collector and DJ in our house and I always appreciated it. In our 20s, he lined his office walls with every Iron Maiden record to display Derek Riggs’ album art.
Aaaannnd… now this makes me realize it’s time to start my own collection. Noted. Many thanks!”
—Sarah Sharp
“Pieces” is taken from Sarah Sharp’s latest EP, “Wake” which is in stores now.
