listening to Elvis

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

In this modern age of MP3's, ipods and portable media you could be forgiven for skipping the odd track that you don't really like... But should you?

I remember back in the day you bought Vinyl records, the experience went a little something like this:-

1. You went to a shop, you browsed the LP's, now these things were 12 inches long (obviously before metric) a picture on the front of these babies was massive and could be a deciding factor when buying (shallow I know).

2. You took you purchased Item home in a big bag waiting in anticipation of what you might hear!

3. You got home, you removed the disk which was protected by a dust cover sheet (usually white) sometimes their was a poster included inside, I remember buying double dynamite which was a double album which had a poster of Elvis from flaming star

4. You held the black vinyl in your hand a flipped it over both sides checking to see if there were any scratches or dust.

5. you placed the disk onto your player and set the correct speed 33RPM. Before you put the needle to the record you got your dust cleaner, applied it gently to the vinyl giving it the once over, just to make sure the needle wouldn't jump unexpectedly.

6. you could here the needle drag across the plastic briefly before the music played, I used to lay on my bed and listen to the whole side before carefully turning over the LP and playing the other side.

That's how I got to hear and learn Elvis songs, NO I didn't like every song, but I listened to a whole side, took the rough with the smooth and some of those songs I didn't like grew on me (some didn't).

I'm not against ipods or MP3 Players per se, but believe that there is a disadvantage to being able to skip to the next track in a heartbeat if you don't like the intro. I have an Ipod and love it to bits I have 170 Elvis Albums on it which can be anywhere in the world with me which is a fantastic achievement.

I miss the rituals of the vinyl age, it seems like everything is done on-line these days, you can buy one track and ignore the rest, you are sat at home looking at a computer screen without interacting with human beings. I used to save my money and look forward to the journey going to town, going to a record shop that only specialised in records, leafing through the albums talking to other customers etc.

I sometimes wonder if concept albums like 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' by The Beatles would have been the success it was back in 1967 in a modern era, 'Sgt Peppersl' told a story and each song could be considered an Important piece of the puzzle?

[jak]

I certainly miss the experience of holding lp's in my hand and admiring the artwork.Sadly they are just to inconvenient anymore.I havent looked at my vinyl in years.My once beloved cd collection is also fading from my favor.The sheer ease and convenience of mp3's has won me over.I drive 1 hour to work each way,5 days a week.Most of my time listening to Elvis is during my commute.I just installed a nice component stereo system in my truck.I purchased a nice cd player with a bit of a twist.It accepts a flash drive right into the face.I went out and got a 16gb flash drive.I go to the pc and copy over a few dozen lp's onto the flash drive that's no bigger than my pinkie finger.No more cd cases.No more cd's all over the vehicle getting scratched.The cd's and vinyl look good on a shelf and that's about it for me.At least after I rip the cd's to my hard drive.Of course my car stereo has a remote so I can skip the songs i dont want to hear

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

The ease of modern technology is great, my ipod plugs into my car too

I do miss vinyl (but only when I think of it through misty eyes)

[Teddy]

I miss the anticipation upon hearing the first crackle of the needle and rainy days spent staring at the sleeve of a cherished LP.
Vinyl records were such fragile things to handle that it encouraged you to care more about the musical content too.
I'm using the past tense here, but I do still get mine out from time to time.

It's wonderful being able to take thousands of songs around with you in your back pocket now, though mp3 isn't all bad.
The bizarre thing is that whenever I buy a CD these days I stick it straight into iTunes and never touch it again

[Pacerstar]

The ease of modern technology is great, my ipod plugs into my car too

I do miss vinyl (but only when I think of it through misty eyes)

I haven't progressed to ipods and mp3s yet. I still have all my vinyl records;
but, I do play cds mostly now.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I miss the anticipation upon hearing the first crackle of the needle and rainy days spent staring at the sleeve of a cherished LP.
Vinyl records were such fragile things to handle that it encouraged you to care more about the musical content too.

That's what I mean, you hear the first crackle and then you listen intently. You had to look after Vinyl in a way that you don't have to with MP3's etc.

I have only bought songs off itunes of modern artists, I just don't think I have got anything tangible for my money, just some random MP3 file I might accidentally delete

[STUD]

MP3s and Ipods are great for kids nowadays. However, when you've grown up with records, tapes and CDs, it's hard to let them go. My generation was the tape and CD generation. I have a great appreciation for records as my mother collected them throughout her life.

[Unchained Melody]

CD's have always been the way for me, and even they seem to be fading with ipods and mp3 players, but CD's will always be my thing.

[TotallyInsane]

I haven't progressed to ipods and mp3s yet. I still have all my vinyl records;
but, I do play cds mostly now.

I think we need to get with the times and get us one of them IPOD thingys!!

The first time my youngest son saw one of my albums - he brought it in the living room and said "mom, what is this....a big CD"? Just cracked me!!

[david72]

I listen to elvis music on my ipod I have the studio masters alternate takes live recodings rehershals etc. My ipod is full of elvis the best singer ever.

[debtdbruno]

Can't believe how daft I was, when I left my ex I left all my vinyls behind

Deb

[ForeverTheKing]

I don't have vinyls and listen CDs...but now sure MP3 is the best,especially when I'm not at home

[elvislina]

I love Cd's, They Rock
MP3's Ipods are the one for me

[Elisabeth]

I listening to cd's but i have vinyl.

[mistymorning]

mostly cds , while driving mp3 player, and I have downloaded some songs to my cell phone.

[Pacerstar]

I think we need to get with the times and get us one of them IPOD thingys!!

The first time my youngest son saw one of my albums - he brought it in the living room and said "mom, what is this....a big CD"? Just cracked me!!

I totally agree! LOL! But, right now, learning this pc is about all I can handle!!

[moody-blues67]

I love cds. Just bought a mp3 player the other day.

[SleepyJack]

I missed out on the whole vinyl experience.... first thing I owned was a little radio/cassette player.I was delighted when CDs turned up.... there was no worse feeling than when one of my precious Elvis cassettes got "eaten" by the cassette player. For collecting though i have to say there is something fantastic about vinyl..those big beautiful covers are just great to look at and hold. I`m on the verge of joining the iPod generation though...any day now i`ll get me one of them little fellas!!

[Pacerstar]

I missed out on the whole vinyl experience.... first thing I owned was a little radio/cassette player.I was delighted when CDs turned up.... there was no worse feeling than when one of my precious Elvis cassettes got "eaten" by the cassette player. For collecting though i have to say there is something fantastic about vinyl..those big beautiful covers are just great to look at and hold. I`m on the verge of joining the iPod generation though...any day now i`ll get me one of them little fellas!!

Yeah, I know I will, too. I am curious. But, technology is moving so fast
nowdays that I know by the time I get into the ipods and mp3 players, there
will be new things and I will still be behind! LOL!

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

I voted for: I love Cd's, They Rock