The Black Circle -- June 26, 2003 - "It's Not The Nostalgia. It's The Sound."

The Black Circle

“It’s not the nostalgia. It’s the sound.”

After a decade or so of deep sales decline, vinyl is now one of the fastest growing segments of the music industry. Some chalk this up to baby boomers longing for a lost past, while others believe that youngsters with a love for novelty are driving the surge. Hogwash, of course, as any true vinyl lover knows. The bold, naked truth is that nothing sounds quite like a well-made platter of grooves.

This space is devoted to news, items, and tidbits about labels still releasing vinyl records and what they are sending our way. Additionally, MusicTAP will begin featuring vinyl reviews alongside of their current arsenal of CD, SACD, and DVD-A evaluations.

And already, I’ve said too much. Let’s get to the grits…

…Fans have been buzzing about an upcoming Classic Records release of The Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East on 200-gram vinyl. Like the original release of what many consider the Brothers’ definitive statement, this will be a two-album version of those genre-defining performances. Classic is also serving up a vinyl edition of the recent, excellent Bob Dylan Rolling Thunder live release on three LPs and will be revisiting their Led Zeppelin reissues, so keep your eyes peeled…

…On the jazz side, Classic will also be releasing both mono and stereo versions of John Coltrane’s classic Blue Train. I don’t have to tell how pivotal and terrific this jazz alum is, do I?…

…Indie rockers Modest Mouse will release their latest, Building Nothing Out of Something, on vinyl…

…I’ve been hearing raves for Classic’s release of Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me. Wondering what all that awards fuss was about? Here’s an excellent chance to tune in…

…You have noticed that the recent Who’s Next and Dark Side of the Moon re-releases are available on vinyl. Well, you have, haven’t you?…

…Steely Dan’s latest, Everything Must Go, is available in CD, DVD-A, and vinyl editions. That vinyl is a limited release, so don’t wait too long to seize a copy! Fans are already raving about this one, an unusually quick follow-up to the duo’s successful comeback, 2000’s Two Against Nature…

…Recent releases such Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief, Metallica’s St. Anger, and Blur’s Think Tank are available on vinyl. Don’t forget – Vinyl is not only a reissue medium!…

…We’ve posted two reviews covering two of the best records on the market today. One is a sterling example of a reissue; the other is a terrific example of a new release. Both give a great idea of the peaks of the current state of vinyl releases. Enjoy!…

…Been out of the vinyl trade for awhile? Wondering where to score your favorites in the format? I’d give Red Trumpet (www.redtrumpet.com) and Acoustic Sounds (www.acousticsounds.com) a look. For newer rock and indie releases, try Seasick Records (www.seasickrecords.com) or the British version of Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk), which boasts a much nicer vinyl selection than its U.S. counterpart…

…That’s all for this first edition. I’ll be spinning your way soon with more news and tidbits. Have any vinyl-related news or comments you want to toss my way? Are you a label wanting announcements posted or releases reviewed? Send me an email at grey_cavitt@hotmail.com…