As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, vinyl without end. Amen.
My first post on stereos and music, “Sanctuary For The Restless Male Mind,” was a brief heads-up for a series of posts on a topic that will be of interest to many people: music, and especially the stereos that most of us reproduce that music with. With that in mind, here we go:
My first encounter with stereos was with Mom’s Philco console stereo, which looked something like this:
Mom had come from a humble French-Canadian background, and becoming an administration Flying Officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) back in the 60’s saw her receive a meaningful pay check for the first time in her life. Quite reasonably, she treated herself to the Philco—turntable, AM/FM, amplifier, and speakers, all in one convenient and handsome cabinet.
Dad was (and remains) a Johnny Cash fan—how many of you have a parent who’s seen both Cash and Buddy Holly, live? Mom had Elvis and Edith Piaf albums. So I have fond recollections of hearing albums like these:
It takes so little spirits for Nav to “Walk The Line.” This tends to lead to a “Burning Ring of Fire” the ensuing day.
When I was around 10, I received a plastic Sears turntable as a Christmas gift. I haven’t been able to find any photos of it, but this will give you an idea of the sort of thing that I had:
Close enough
I remember listening to my Elton John’s Greatest Hits album on it. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” and “Benny & The Jets” were part of my cultural upbringing. I also had a fantastic used Guess Who album that an Uncle had given me. “No Sugar Tonight” and “American Woman” were also staples. Yes, there was a time before Lenny Kravitz, way, way back in the distant past.
10 year old Nav didn’t know that “greatest hits” albums were gauche. He just loved the music.
“No Sugar Tonight” Trumps “American Woman,” IMO. Feel free to disagree.
My broader exposure to music, though, really began as a kid of just 13. Remember this made-for-TV movie?:
So unbelievably cool to a 13 year old boy living in at C.F.B. Nowhere.
Yes, Kiss Meets The Phantom of the Park was an incredible experience for a young 13 year old lad in the not-cosmopolitan locale of Canadian Forces Base Summerside, Prince Edward Island, back in ’78. And, sure enough, didn’t one awesome S. Claus leave this album for me under the tree that Christmas morning?:
Japanese audiophile re-issue. WARNING: Do not play under the influence of alcohol. May result in Nav spandex-clad karaoke episodes. Listen to with caution.
I was into skateboarding, back in the late 70’s. After Summerside, Dad was posted for a year to the even more not-cosmopolitan U.S. Navy Facility in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada. It was actually a great place for a kid my age, and with my subscription to Skateboarder Magazine, I was introduced to aspects of skateboarder culture, which included picking up Blondie and Nazareth albums after reading reviews of them.
Ah, the joys of exploring music.
1980 saw us move to the outskirts of broader metropolitan Halifax, Nova Scotia, at Canadian Forces Base Shearwater. By working a few part-time jobs, I saved enough to buy a Lloyd’s all-in-one stereo, just like this:
Better than a plastic kids’ stereo, but still a long way away from true hi-fi
Not only did it have an automatic turntable (which would shut itself off after playing an album) and AM/FM receiver, it also had an 8-track player. You haven’t heard music until it’s been interrupted by the massive KA-CHUNK of a mid-song track change. As I began working at a variety of jobs in my spare time, I could afford to explore music a little more. I was also going to concerts with high school friends, when major acts would condescend to play Halifax: Ted Nugent, Van Halen, etc. I’d normally go to bed after throwing a final album on, and fall asleep listening to Led Zeppelin or Queen.
Any of these seem familiar?
British rock import albums!
Biting social commentary.
LOVE early Purple.
Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here were great. The Wall was monumental.
Everything up to The Game was genius. Freddie and Brian May…
Violin bow and double-neck electric guitar, courtesy of the amazing Jimmy Page.
Little did I know that these formative music-stereo years were to stay with me for the rest of my life, as my tastes and experience and knowledge grew. It wasn’t until around 2000, however, with the discovery of one unselfish and dedicated audiophile’s website that I learned what true high-fidelity audio was really about. Forget all about the fancy magazine adds and the “amazing” 1,000 watt amplifiers at your local electronics shop. You’d be amazed at just how much musical information and emotion are actually hidden in those mysterious vinyl grooves. You just have to know how to coax those delicate little musical bits out.
Stay tuned for the true story behind what are probably the greatest turntables to have ever existed.
Musical genius. Words escape me.
TO BE CONTINUED…
P.S. I listened to an audiophile re-issue of The Wall last night, for the first time since high school. Wow. It was spiritual in a cerebral sort of way. For those of you who’ve had an advance read of my book The Mirror, I think you’ll see some of the lyrics from The Wall in a whole new light, especially the parts dealing with “mother.” I’ll have to write a post about this, someday. Fascinating.
P.P.S. Look what I’ve just found on 180g vinyl and ordered! Eva Cassidy on vinyl! Her singing is so beautiful, it can bring tears to my eyes, may God rest her gentle soul.
The voice of an angel
The Mirror 
Great post as gave me a lot of good memories 🙂
Thanks, Irene. That’s of the things that I love about audio and vinyl–all of those fond memories. Just hearing those songs can bring us back to an earlier time.
What’s also interesting is hearing a favourite album again for the first time in many years, but on a good stereo. You realize just how good those musicians really were, and how much of the music was “missing in action” when you originally heard it.
I’m going to have to check my WordPress settings. I seem to have been not receiving some email alerts on people’s posts.
I am very new to English music but have been aware of turntables in my times. Your post is sort of slowly solidifying a small idea that I had long time back to own one of my own.
I’ll get into this in a future post, but you might start looking for a used Lenco L75 or L78 idler-wheel-drive in good working condition. That is the basis for a world-class turntable which will be superior to new ones costing well in excess of $10,000. You might be able to find a Lenco for very little at a used electronics store, garage sale, flea market, etc.
Here’s a letter that might be of interest regarding this: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html#April. Go to the section starting at “An Unique Idler-Drive Experience.”
Also, to see the pinnacle of all turntables, have a look at Jean Nantais’ re-built Lencos: http://www.idler-wheel-drive.com. While Jean is the master, there are instructions on the internet for do-it-yourself (DIY, or have a friend do it) Lenco projects. Jean is also supportive of nice DIY Lenco people, someone can’t afford one of his.
Thank you Nav. Will check it out 🙂
Also see http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Lenco.html for more detail and history. I will be doing a future post or two on this, but thought you should have access to it in case you decide to go Lenco hunting.
John and I saw “The Wall” in concert in Toronto a couple of summers ago. …wasn’t as good as Pink Floyd concert though. Dave Gilmour was, of course, missing from “The Wall.”
My parents traded in one of those pieces of furniture for another piece of furniture with an eight-track. State of the art! And yeah, I had a turntable in a box. They’re selling them again at Sam’s in the mall.
Had a Lloyd’s of my own. Bought this Pioneer system in 1990 I think- give or take a year. Been listening to it ever since.
Interesting how our histories haven’t strayed that far apart. My brother from another mother. haha
We do have this as a common interest, don’t we? If the book’s sales ever digs me out of divorce debt (wouldn’t that be nice!), I just may have to assemble a rather nice stereo system.
There are some fantastic high-end boutique audio manufacturers in and around Ottawa, but I am saving them for future posts. TOP SECRET for the moment.
It all spells frustration at the moment…
The divorced-nuked finances? Yes, that has been a bit frustrating. The system has been engineered to be financially as brutal as possible on support payers (i.e., men), which I will explain in my special way in Book Two.
There’s a reason for it.
Funny, my own ex isn’t too terribly taxed on that account. 😛
I suppose it depends.
That is delightful, Navigator. I think you and I are the same age, so we share some of the same taste in music. I happen to love Johnny Cash, I think I got that my father. I also love Ritchie Valens. Music is good stuff, it soothes the savage beast or so they say. I still have the Beatles white album and I listen to Queen quite a bit. Also, AC/DC.
Hi, ib. Glad you liked it. I think this is going to be a fun series of posts for more than a few people.
I had the white album and Abbey Road. So much of the great rock albums have been / are being remastered and re-issued. Some great sound is available. “A Night At The Opera” is a super example. Also, “Back in Black” is now out again.
One (or more) of my posts is going to be about assembling a good-sounding stereo on-the-cheap. It doesn’t have to be expensive to sound really good.
Johnny Cash is fantastic. Love his music.
I love how spiritual music is to you Nav. These are some serious hitters you’ve gathered together here on your blog. Blondie….LOVE! One of the best voices of her time. My girlfriends and I used to dress punk and dance to her album. Kiss we’re so progressive for their time, mainstreaming into pop was genius to be sure. Jethro Tull my older brother used to listen too along with Pink Floyd which is how I was introduced to them. Elton John needed no introduction, as anyone and everyone listened to his incredible music; the man is the best, crossing all genres and slaying the music industry. This post feeds my musical soul, love the turntables. ❤ 😉
It really is spiritual to me. I wonder if the male brain doesn’t process emotions differently than the female brain, as audio appears to be a heavily male-oriented hobby. (Maybe it’s patriarchy!) Perhaps we guys need music as the means by which experience or feel / express emotions that come more easily or naturally to women.
Yes, there were some oldies but goodies in that selection of albums. I intend to keep the focus on how to reproduce the music on such great albums to its fullest, but I certainly won’t ignore the albums themselves. I also intend to keep it non-technical, so hopefully it will a fun series of posts that are informative without being indigestible.
Your dressing punk and dancing to Blondie reminds me of when the Bay City Rollers hit it big around 1975 or ’76. I remember seeing girls wearing their jeans rolled up with multicoloured knee socks.
Thanks for stopping by. Much appreciated.
I knew we had alot in common! Is it odd that I actually indulge in 60-80s music more then today’s junk?
No, it shows that you have excellent taste. There was some incredible music made in that period.
BTW, this guy’s gear is made in the greater GTA, if I am not mistaken: http://coincidentspeaker.com (Thornhill) Once you become THE GREAT REAL ESTATE BARONESS, I’ll come and listen to your killer stereo.
Always a pleasure to have you here, J.R. }:-)>
I grew up between my parents and my grandmother so what I listened to was extremely eclectic. The very first album I ever received was ABBA and the next was for my 13th birthday when I was given Meat Loaf’s Bat out of Hell. I think I still have them somewhere.
We also have a client at work who is obsessed by Johnny Cash so I’m pretty familiar with a lot of his stuff too 😉
I think I still have my Meatloaf BooH album – I’ll have to check. And I do own a re-issued ABBA album, too. My listening repertoire has grown so much since I became genuinely interested in audio, circa 2000.
I admit to sticking to what is on my computer or iPad lol but the mix is extremely eclectic.
Heresy! I’ll have to win a lottery, so I can afford a killer stereo and fly you up (or down) for a listen.
You’re on.
Btw did you read my post on Finnigan’s Stew? You got a mention lol
No. That darn email alert issue again. I have to run out and get some groceries, so I’ll have a look when I get back.
Cheers.
😀
This was such an indulgent post. I must admit, though, my musical lusts stopped during the Tull/Queen era with a few exceptions. My tastes run quite eclectic. I was raised on my parent’s love for Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzerald. Growing up, I had every Beatles LP they made. After Tull/Queen, got into more esoteric types like Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams and Pete Yorn. Now, I can never get enough of Sting, but I admit I listen to a variety of Christian music just to keep my day focused.
I suspect I am much like you, Susan. If it’s good, I generally like to listen to it. I love Louis Armstrong’s music and other giants of jazz. Female vocalists and acoustic music is wonderful, Frank S. is a legend for a reason, etc. You’ve listen some truly talented musicians – e.g., Lovett and Sting (I wonder if I still have my Dream of the Blue Turtles album? I’ll have to check.)
I haven’t gotten into Christian music, but I would like to get some of the Gregorian Chant – choral type.
I hope to make future posts a little more focussed on what makes a good stereo, how to build a stereo that’s affordable for us common folk, how they work (in layman’s language), and what some of the differences are (e.g., horn speakers v. bass reflex speakers v. transmission line speakers v. open baffle speakers, etc.).
Thanks for stopping by.
NOW – I understand why you are JUST too cool in my eyes Sir!
My eyes were popping reading those names O_o…
Thelonious MONK!….well I never…
Blondie? Of course a South African band (never listened to them much though – oddly)
Went through an Elton phase.
Encountered Led Zep when I was about 19 –
Jethro Tull – around a fire holding a ……oops nevermind …;)
What about Uriah Heep? Quite enjoyed them later on – I bought George their ‘best of’ for his birthday about 8 or so years back 😀
Gees – so many – I cant even remember the names anymore 😦 Guess that is what happens when you don’t have the albums?
When I was a teen it was all changing over to CD – (Which were ridiculously expensive) then a bit older I moved up and down so much I never managed to accumulate much.
Funny – my father still has ALL his albums sitting in SA. (I won’t even go there – WAY too many artists to even attempt – but there was always music in the home – I think he may have actually seen the Beatles and Elvis live? – don’t quote me!)
Oh OH – Neil Young – Cat Stevens – Rodriguouououos (cant be asked to spell it)
Rolling stones.
I mean watched some MTV at mates houses with all the eighties stuff – but then went all ‘The Smiths’ and ‘The Violent Femmes’ ‘Sisters of mercy’ Sex pistols, metalica , Megadeth etcetera…and then I found THAT era…THE era…*sigh*
Have to be quick, as I have to run off to work. Amazing how music can be such a memorable influence in our lives, especially as a young adult. Ah, the memories. I’ve bought Cat Steven’s “Tea for the Tillerman” on re-issue (great music and recording quality) and Neil Young’s greatest hits (“Cinnamon Girl!”).
Never got into Uriah Heap, surprisingly.
See you later and have a good day Nav 😀
Thanks for the memory jog 😉
I find Uriah heap is of the nature where I have to be in the mood – it is more a quirk (the best of album is not THAT great – sadly – but I did not really know what I was buying! I knew I had to find ONE SONG that I KNEW was a favourite of my soldier man – ‘July Morning’ – so I succeeded there atleast 😀 )
My first single was Bambi, Little April Flowers. And the innocence went downhill from there, especially after Police, Suzi Quatro and yes, Blondie. Funny how you can’t run far away enough from parental music choices until nostalgia kicks in…
You’ve nailed it, Susan. The nostalgia…
Nice trip down memory lane. Somewhere we have a stereo system and I still have 33s but never play them. Everything is on my iPod nano, except some recordings of performances I was in, myself, years back. As a completely useless piece of trivia, Debbie Harry lived across the street from me in NYC when I last lived there. She is beautiful and could have done even more, had she not been into “the scene”. I am both a rock and Early Music fan, myself. Always good to be reminded. Oh, and we drove to Prince Edward Island at one time. I am a huge fan of all things Canadian (except treatment of animals). 🙂
Dare I ask if you attended the Anne of Green Gables festival / play in Charlottetown? Did you visit the place with the miniature castles and the old Rolls Royce? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodleigh_Replicas)
Yes, it is nice to look back and reminisce about music. I suspect it plays a greater roll in our lives than we tend to appreciate.
What a coincidence about Debbie Harry. I recall seeing her in a movie or two. Good actress, as well – clearly, she’s a talented performing artist.
If you ask Cole and I, we Canadians are big Beth fans, so it appears to be mutual.
No, I didn’t go to that. But, I am a huge Anne of Green Gables fan, had the whole set of books and read them repeatedly. That was the primary impetus to visit Prince Edward Island – a thirteen hour drive straight. Thank you for the mutual support (and Cole, too). I am a Canadian at heart.
Despite having absolutely no lawful authority to do so, I accept this honour and deem you an unofficial honorary Canadian.
(Although I know do know more than a few wonderful people south of the border.)
I haven’t read the books, but did see the play when I was around 12 years old. It was exceptionally good. All told, I lived there for around six years, as a kid. Early 70’s and then late 70’s.
Had the best snowstorm of my life there. Started snowing one Sunday evening (as a kid, you prayed for snow days off from school), and I don’t think we went to school until Thursday afternoon. Mom initially kept us in for a couple of days, and then got so tired of us (“I’m bored!”) that she kicked us out to play in the snow(storm). Some cars were actually completely buried in snow drifts, by the end.
HiThere-
Neat post…Blondie…Oh, my God…you take me back.
I finished reading your book The Mirror and something strange happened when i closed the online version …it disappeared along with your e-mail address. I’d like to give you some feedback so if you can just send me along your e-mail once more so I can give you my thoughts on your book.
Hi Carol, yes Blondie is going back a bit, isn’t it?
themirrorbooks@gmail.com
Thanks for taking the time and effort to read the book. Much appreciated.
Cheers, Nav.
I was raised on blues, big band, and Motown baby! It’s surprising how you connect music to a time or place. I can still see the green apple on the label of the first 45 I purchased with my own money spinning on the cheap little turntable I owned-“Hey Jude” by the Beatles. I was 11. Add in all the the cool 70’s music, what might have been a crush on Jackson Browne, some disco (don’t judge), and singer/songwriter tunes and you get an iPod selection all over the map. It also contains every song I could find performed by Eva Cassidy. 🙂
It’s a lot of fun, re-visiting our musical past. I won’t judge you for the disco thing. iPods are so convenient, but the magic of the music is lost for me when it’s digital, especially in a lossy format.
Eva is beautiful beyond description. Her singing just goes straight to your soul.
fun ost! I look forward to more! I love many types of music and have a few vinyl albums .
Glad you liked it, Elaine. Yes, vinyl and audio it is a fun hobby. People who hung on to their albums had a lot of foresight (or were nostalgic!).
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
This reminds me that I need to get my bum to my parents house so that I can collect the machine that makes these fantastic records spin!
I love vinyl…. I guess I am a bit odd!
You’re going to love it when I get to the post about the man who makes the world’s greatest turntables. Underground cult following amongst the most devoted audiophiles. Here’s an advanced hint: keep you eyes open for a used (they’re all used, at this point) Lenco L75 or L78 turntable in reasonable working condition. It doesn’t matter how beat-up the wooden frame/box (i.e., plinth) is. Even if the tonearm is busted off (which might make it cheaper), that’s okay.
If you’re interested: http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Lenco.html. Post should be out in a week or two. I’ve gotten behind, with the unexpected release of my book.
*goes silent, pushes face against retina screen and goes* Ooooooh!
I’ll wait all quiet in my corner! I promise!!!
I’ll try to get to it as quickly as possible. Will be a few days, though.
No stress… I’m young, I have time.. (Or exams coming up.. Depends on how you see it..)
What are you studying?
Finishing high-school.. Woho.. Fortunately the only subject I have left is Norwegian, 2 exams in writing.
Congratulations. My youngest guy is finishing Grade 12 shortly. He’s been accepted to a fine school for civil engineering.
Norwegian? Military family on an exchange posting, maybe? What gives?
Nope, Norwegian. Born and raised a Viking..
Most of the armed forces that aren’t Norwegian are located in Stavanger (NATO HQ), most of their kids attend the international school. So they don’t learn much Norwegian.
So it was probably about time I did finally get it done – since I’m turning 27 this year.
What type of engineering is he going to do?
Civil engineering. Building bridges that don’t collapse, buildings that don’t collapse, roads that actually move traffic and are safe, sewer systems that actually work and prevent disease, etc.
Or it’s the branch of engineering where they are very polite, depending of which definition of “civil” you use.
You’re English is remarkably native-like. My compliments.
I blame NATO for my English. (Probably helps that we use subtitles instead of dubbing the movies etc.)
So he is going to become a “byggingeniør” as we call it in Norway. (So not useful to know).
Just to make it clear, if you would ever hear me speak English, you would not take me for being the typical Norwegian. I do not have that funny accent. I’ve even been asked if I ever lived in the US, but the answer is I have always lived in Norway and never ever been to the US. (I haven’t gotten that far yet!)
I’ll have to text him with byggingeniør, just for fun. Have to run and do errands – cheers.
Oh, and thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Maggie. Much appreciated.
Thanks .. Loved the evocative pictures. Regards thom
Hi, Thom. Glad you liked it. Appreciate your visit – thank’s for stopping by.