Nothing beats the richness of sound only a vinyl record can deliver. This Section is dedicated to Vinyl recordings, both the humble 7" 45rpm and the 12" Singles are here along with the 33rpm Albums. You'll also find helpful hints on protecting and extending the life of your records.
HANDY HINTS ON RECORD CARE
There are some very simple steps to take to care for your vinyl records. Apart from the
obvious but often forgotten tip of not leaving them in direct sunlight or near anything hot, that is. When we inspect used records, the first track on both sides is usually the worst because people hold the record by it's edges but fingers come in contact with the grooves allowing for an extra build-up of body oil which hardens when dry, causing the needle to 'jump' all the time.
* Keep your fingers off the grooves of track one as much as possible.
* Clean your records once every 6 months with a commercial cleaning fluid.
* Always use a lint-free dust cloth to wipe excess dust from the surface.
* Store away from sunlight and heat, ideally packed together in an upright position.
* Old records improve with the use of a vinyl restorer. Problem is it never dries so...
* Wash your records with soapy water and dish washing liquid on a lint free cloth.
* Never write your name on the cover or label with pen or felt tip - reduces their value.
Write your name or put a number or symbol on the inside of the cover if you feel
branding your property is necessary. This way, Dealers will be more interested in buying your old records for re-sale.
These few tips will prolong the life of your records. The vinyl restorer actually reduces
a high level of the surface noises so the hassle of washing it off after a period between
24 hours and 7 days with detergent is worth the effort.
Here's Some Interesting Label Designs From "Down Under"
Globally, the music, artists and labels may be the same, but Regionally, things may
not be the same. Here's some "Down Under" Label designs issued in Australia and New Zealand.
Creme Of The Vinyl's - QUADRAPHONIC SOUND
The development of the sound recording techniques followed the path of other areas of discovery, like Aviation. From the crude cyinders to the 10" 78's in mono, records soon advanced to 7" discs at 45rpm and 12" discs at 33rpm and then with two channels of stereo sound - also called Hi Fi.
Then in the late 1950's early 1960's, in separate research, RCA of America and EMI of Britian, pushed the envelope further and introduced a superior stereo sound. RCA called it Living Stereo and then Dynagroove while EMI called it Studio 2.
Needless to say, both Research Teams kept up their search for even better quality sound reproduction systems and EMI's Studio 2 was replaced with a revolutionary 4 channel system tagged Phase 4. This was still played on 2 speaker stereos but the Recorder Player Division of EMI soon introduced 4 Speaker Systems and called the new technology Surround Sound. Hollywood had achieved the same effect not just with Sound but pictures and called it "Cinerama" and "Panarama"
It didn't take long for the technique to be fine-tuned and re-branded Quadraphonic. America's CBS developed it's own version and called it Quadraphonic SQ.
This was the vinyl record's finest hour but it didn't take on with the masses quickly enough to become the Industry "Standard" or "Norm" for record production before that quantum leap took place that produced the Compact Disc. Even at the time of
the Quadraphonic launch, Philips was working on, and succeeded in producing Video Records. A 12" vinyl record produced the same Audio Visual experience as Video Tapes. It never got off the ground commercially at the time (late 1960's).
QUADRAPHONICS( Q & SQ Systems)
We're working backwards here, starting with Quadraphonics and working our way back through Phase 4, Studio 2 and Dynagroove - Living Stereo. Digitals and 35mm Film are separate topics and we will look at them later.
Produced by Enoch Light with guest guitartists Vinnie Bell, Al Caiola, Don Arnone & Al Casaqmenti.
Tracks: Classical Gas, Sugar Blues, Over The Rainbow, Stage Fright, Moonlight In Vermont, Chicken-A-La Swing, Chardae, Galloping Guitars, Raindrops Kepp Falling On My Head, Guitar Boogie, All The Things You Are, Paganini's 24th Caper.
Artistsalso featured in clude Dick Hyman, Jule Ruggiero, Ronnie Zito, Derek Smith and Phil Kraus. Excellent program presented in true Quadraphonic sound.
TONY MOTTOLA- Warm, Wild & Wonderful
(Project 3 Quadraphonic / 4 Channel) L 33045Q. 1973 (nz). Format vinyl Lp
Produced by Enoch Light with guests The Now Sound.
Tracks:This Guy's In Love With You, Do You Know The Way To San Jose?, Dream A Little Dream With Me, With A Little Help, Scarborough Fair, Watch What Happens, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Kites Are Fun, Cry Me A River, Goin' Out Of My Head, Love In Every Room, I Found Love.
Features the songs of Jim Webb, Paul Simon, Burt bacharach & Hal David, John Lennon & Paul McCartney and Michel Legrand.
Tracks:Superstar, I Don't Know How To Love Him, Windy, Volare, Yesterdays/Yesterday, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Love, Something, Spanish Harlem, Spinning Wheel, Wichita Lineman, Fly Me To The Moon.
The start of a selection of popluar hits presents as instrumentals to display the range and depth of the newly launched Quadraphonic System.
ANDRE PREVIN - TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture
Conducts the London Symphony Orchestra
World Record Club (EMI) STZ1320 SQ Quadraphonic. 1973 (nz). Format vinyl Lp
Original recordings made between 1960 and 1963 but this copy is an EMI (NZ) Record Club issue of 1973. Released in the SQ Quadraphonic format.
LEONARD BERNSTEIN - HOLST : The Planets
Conducts The New York Philharmonic Orchestra
CBS Quadraphonic SQ. SBRQ 475320. 1973 (nz). Format vinyl Lp
Tracks: Mars The Bringer Of War, Venus The bringer Of Peace, Mercury The Winged Messenger, Jupiter The Bringer Of Jollity, Saturn The Bringer Of Old Age, Uranus The Magician, Neptune The Mystic.
Released in the SQ format of Quadraphonics. Produced by John McClure & Richard Killough.
KINGS COLLEGE CHOIR - Anthems From Kings
From Cambridge. Conductor David Willcocks, Organist James Lancelot.
World Record Club (EMI) 1439E Quadraphonic. 1974 (nz). Format vinyl Lp
Tracks: I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, Give Us The Wings Of Faith, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, A Prayer Of King Henry VI, Vox Dicentis (Clama), Evening Hymn, O How Glorious, Beati Quorum Via, And I Saw A New Heaven, Hail Gladdening Light, O Gladsome Light, My Beloved Spake, Faire Is The Heaven.
Issued in the SQ Quadraphonic format, the material featured ranges from the 3rd Century till 1956. Religious recordings / material.
