Music Sensations

According to a recent report from eBay, the on-line auction giant, they sell more than three million vinyl records each year. It is also noted that eBay users purchase and market six vinyl records every minute (or an average of 1 every ten seconds). It seems the vinyl record, just a few years ago an afterthought as an audio format, is alive and well. So what is all of the fuss about?

First and foremost, in the event you inquire any record collector, it is the sound quality they love the most about vinyl. The audio is not compressed into ones and zeros or "binary sound." Then of course, there's the element of "collectibility," individuals might buy vinyl as an investment, in hope that, with time, the records will appreciate in value.

Moreover, people collect vinyl because they might want a bit of their past, so nostalgia is also an essential element for the record collector. People will also be drawn to actually possessing a physical product and might enjoy the ritual that is involved in listening to the records. And a new generation has discovered the unique allure that vinyl records have, the restricted editions, colored vinyl, image discs, "audiophile" data (a 180-220 gram), the album cover artwork and the sound have all lured youngsters in the hobby of collecting vinyl data.

But, you will find much more reasons people gather vinyl. Besides the aforementioned elements, it is also large business. The old vinyl records on the auction websites, in addition to the countless other vinyl related websites, are not promoting their collectible vinyl for rummage sale prices. In fact, at any given moment, there may be more than six thousand collectible Beatles' albums for sale on eBay. Some have sold for thousands of dollars and it is reported that the album that's bought and sold the most in vinyl format is the Beatles' "White Album." But it is not only the Beatles that sell well and are highly collectible. Artists such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley as well as newer artists like Nirvana, Radiohead and many more are all highly sought after. There's also a keen interest in "Northern Soul," Motown records, old blues recordings as well as jazz, punk and indie vinyl records.

Moreover, recording artists on their own are noted to own vast and eclectic record collections. Just as creating audio is their passion, finding rare and collectible vinyl is sometimes just as important. It's reported that John Lennon was an avid collector of all the Beatles' bootlegs he could find. Peter Buck, of the rock band R.E.M. is an avid collector as well and there is an extended checklist of musicians who get exactly the same thrill as all collectors get once they find a particular vinyl record at an estate sale that may have eluded them for a long time.

Nevertheless, it isn't just the garage sales, rummage sales, estate sales, record conventions that carry collectible vinyl. The online community has responded as well, and apart from the auction websites, there are literally countless web sites that sell vinyl exclusively, in any musical genre that a person may have an interest in.

Individuals also gather vinyl for the album cover artwork or even the 45-rpm record sleeve and some might be more valuable compared to vinyl record that they hold. There are lots of businesses that frame these marvelous items of artwork and audio history for display and preservation.

So just as there continues to be a resurgence within the sale and visibility of vinyl records, along with this is an increase in the hobby of vinyl record collecting and album cover artwork. This pastime is as old as the format itself, and a fantastic pastime which will continue to thrill its participants for decades to come.