The plan was to listen and catch up over a few vinyl records. I would bring a few of my favorite and we would alternate with some of his collections. I was informed that even Jazz was on the acceptable list, although not every one! As I considered my options, relatively not many, I ended up with one from Elton John’s early years, another early Elvis compilation, and my favorite, The Quintet at Massey Hall.
As we enjoyed the first album, the questions turned technical. When was the album released? Did I know anything about the pressing? Was made from the the original master or a master that had been reconstructed?
I had no idea. Not only did I not know, I had no idea how anyone would know. What followed was a two step process in the secrets everyone can see but few understand on a vinyl record. And, with one’s new data points, how the internet can be a source of revealing everything you might want to know and a bit more!
As we examined the record, the early awareness and insights became more and more tangible. This particular vinyl was an early but midstream pressing from an original master, in very good plus (VG+) condition, and clean. The label was perfect. It also had the same color scheme of the first release.
With this in hand, we got to the final point; listening.
I was reminded of all the reasons this was one of my favorite albums. The story behind the recording. The history of the journey this album had been on before I acquired it. The way it had been recorded and the good fortune that the specific players had been part of the process given everything else going on. Everything went together to enrich the experience of listening, hearing, and letting the music do what it does on one’s heart, mind, and spirit.
Details enriched my experience! “Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn’t make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.” (Psalm 100.3)
