41 yrs old and still collecting like a crazed loon

[visuals]

This may not be of interest to many but today is my 41st birthday and also the start of my 2-week vacation which I plan to spend at home relaxing and coolin' out in the A.C. (It's hot here in GA). As I sit in my listening room looking at all the cd's, vinyl, cassettes & reels that I have laying around I wonder.....Is there an end to this collecting addiction or should I say craze? I have been doing this ever since I was in elementary school. I did lots of crazy things just to get my hands on some fresh tunes. As I have mentioned here before on the forum, I remember saving my school lunch money to buy albums & 45's and also the lil' devil :icon_twisted: in me & my cousin...(forgive us for we hath sinned) made us wear Levi jeans with big back pockets so we could go to Sears and stuff two 8-tracks in each one on the way to McDonalds. When we got our food, we always asked for 2 extra bags. The 8-tracks that we lifted on the way went inside those bags and on the way back, We dropped back in the store to pick up 2 more. Fortunately we never got caught as we did this a helluva lot back in the 70's when you could get away with it.

My youth is long gone now but this insatiable appetite lives on...Must have a tape worm or something. Anyways, last night I just started opening some of the cd's that I ordered a few weeks ago and have been saving for this time and I must say that so far, I came across some pretty good stuff. Here's what I have been/will be spinning during my vacation:

The Quantic Soul Orchestra - Pushing On ( : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
Damn...The drum work on this is incredible. The way this guy lays on the hi-hat is simply nasty) I must say that although these guys can sound quite repetive at times, It still is a great addition to my collection and if you are a fan of drummers like Billy Cobham, Matthew (Phatback) Watson or other greats, You will like too.


The Bamboos - Step It Up : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
(Another drum-heavy monster and label mates of Quantic Soul Orchestra with a very Meter-ish sound. Neville,Modeliste,Porter & Nocentelli would be proud. Very high points are the tracks "Eel Oil" & "Tobago Strut")


The Impressions - Keep On Pushing/People Get Ready{64-65}(2-on-1 cd) : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Bernard Purdie - Lialeh Original Music Soundtrack : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Booniay : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
A Compilation Of West African Funk


Danque : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
A Compilation Of West African Funk


After Hours 2 : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
More Northern Soul Masters (This one surprised me with some very good obscure Northern Soul dance tracks. I really like Linda Jones's "Just Cant Live My Life". Quite a few good moments on this one.


Major Harris - My Way : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Blue Magic - Magic Of The Blue : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Gil Scott Heron - From South Africa To South Carolina : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Gil Scott Heron - It's Your World : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Jimi Hendrix - Live At The Fillmore East : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


Jimi Hendrix - First Rays Of The New Rising Sun : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France


The Soul Toronados - The Complete Recordings ( : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
this has to be the shortest full lenth cd that I own to date as it's total runtime of 7 songs clocks in @ 24:14)...Still good stuff in a funky 45 mode (these cats wound up on the tissue when James Brown wiped his ass back in the day) The influence is evident.


Nico Gomez & His Orchestra - Ritual : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
(I've read so much about this rare collectable that I just had to buy it. Thanks DiscoFunk for prompting me to dig on those samples.


Billy Preston - Soul Derby:The Complete Vee Jay Sessions : Amazon-U.S. | Amazon-U.K. | Amazon-Germany | Amazon-France
(This "Vampi Soul" reissue compiles 2 of The Late Billy Preston's albums for Vee-Jay {"The Most Exciting Organ Ever" & 'Early Hits Of 1965"}

Thanks if you have read this far about my crazy & risky youthful addiction that is still practically controlling my life at 41 yrs old with no end in sight. I shelled out almost $300 putting these orders together and am expecting a few more to arrive later this week. Peace 2 all & happy B-Day 2 me:lol:

[eddie]

Happy Birthday man!!! I didn't know you were that old. I thought you were half that age just by the way you say things in your post and the fact that your 'collecting spirit' is fresh.

I'm 10 years younger than you at 31 and I've been collecting since I was 19. I did have some cassettes from when I was a child but they've all been replaced by Cds. I got that collector's bug too (7,000 and counting)and I easily shell out about $500 per month on discs. I'm not into exactly the kind of thing that you are. I see you like a lot of obscure funk, roots, African music, and Jimi Hendrix who you never would catch me listening to. A few weeks ago, I ordered about 30 discs online and 28 arrived on a monday and darn near killed my postmaster. I joked and told her the entire mailtruck would be mine tomorrow. The discs that I ordered were soul/R&B/New Jack but from a later era. I listen to obscure Quiet Storm from all eras but this most recent spending spree is for one album wonders from the very late 80's and early 90's. Some I bought for a penny plus shipping; other like Vesta Williams cost me $125 and Bert Robinson was $70.

Actually funk and disco are secondary for me.

[all*that*glitters*]

[quote=visuals]Is there an end to this collecting addiction or should I say craze? I have been doing this ever since I was in elementary school. I did lots of crazy things just to get my hands on some fresh tunes. [quote=visuals]

Would you pay, let's say US$ 300 for the original Dutch vinyl LP pressing of

Nico Gomez & His Orchestra
I would! if only the LP was original and in excellent condition. The CD has a different cover and surely is appealing but nothing beats the original.


and why should collecting something you enjoy end?? I hope to be buried under my collection of vinyl really...now that would make a great pyramid!!


long live crazy collectors!!:icon_mrgreen: and music lovers too:p :p
all*that*glitters*

[eddie]

For some reason I don't value original pressings. I just desire the albums on Cd with decent informative liner notes and some original pictures.

[remicks]

*****





Have a great vacation visuals !!!8):-D

......You won't ever get tired of collecting . It's called a "passion" ....and passion is one of those elements of life that makes it so rewarding ....8-)

I've been playing this Major Harris lp 8-)8-)8-) a lot lately .....really love that MY WAY version ..the way it slowly builds and picks up speed and finally transforms into disco ...........
ah..... IF ONLY Tom Moulton had been called in on this one :(......


****

[qdearl]

Thanks if you have read this far about my crazy & risky youthful addiction that is still practically controlling my life at 41 yrs old with no end in sight. I shelled out almost $300 putting these orders together and am expecting a few more to arrive later this week. Peace 2 all & happy B-Day 2 me:lol:

Happy Birthday V man!8) You've got nothing to be ashamed of, it's people with passion, like yourself, that help keep the "flame" going. How else will future generations learn what came before them & appreciate it. Like you, I've been collecting a long time, since I was 10, and in a few months I'll be joining you at the ripe, ahem..."young" age of 41,:-D Today's world is a tough place, and if something like music is your biggest vice, then you're way ahead of the game!8)

[visuals]

Thanks to all whom acknowledged me with a shout out on my birthday...That was a much appreciated gesture.

Happy Birthday man!!! I didn't know you were that old. I thought you were half that age just by the way you say things in your post and the fact that your 'collecting spirit' is fresh.

Eddie:very well put. I think my enthusiasm for the whole music thing comes directly from a fresh collecting spirit...Always on the look out for stuff I may have slept on along the way and getting turned on/turning others on to stuff that I never even knew existed. At the age of 41, I am now considered "Old School" by the younger heads out there but I still try to keep up and stay aware of the rules and ways of the game that's changed so much. There's a strange thing that has followed me all throughout my yrs as a collector....I won't actually get into what may come out today until a long time after it's gone & forgotten. The sad part is, With much of what is being made today, I don't think that in another 10 to 20 yrs I'll be among those reaching back into the crates of today's so-called artists....even if I was 21 instead of 41.

I see you like a lot of obscure funk, roots, African music, and Jimi Hendrix who you never would catch me listening to

I tend to bounce all over the map so although I do get into almost anything, My primary interest is FUNK. I own more funk than any other genre of music with soul/r&b running a very close second. These are my roots. I also tend to dabble in a little Afro-Beat,Reggae,Classic Hip-Hop,World Music,Rock,Blues,Classical,Psychedelic,Broken Beat,Acid Jazz,Progressive, some House & Techno and occasionally but not often, some of these "Nu-Soul" artists

Would you pay, let's say US$ 300 for the original Dutch vinyl LP pressing of
Nico Gomez & His Orchestra
I would! if only the LP was original and in excellent condition. The CD has a different cover and surely is appealing but nothing beats the original.

all*that*glitters: I somehow made a mistake as the Nico Gomez CD that I meant to post was "Ritual".

This is the one that I have and meant to post. As for the price that you mention, I have seen some of Nico's LP's (namely Ritual) go for $600 in VG condition on e-bay. "Disco Funk" put me on to this stuff and I definately see why it's so highly regarded among collectors,dj's and enthusiasts. I don't really know about the other ones but "Ritual" is a very tasty chunk of afro funk with a latin twist. To answer your question, While about 75% of my collection is CD's,10% cassettes,10% albums & 5% on Reels, 300 bucks is very steep even for a collector of my caliber. However, If I wanted it bad enough I wouldn't give it a second thought.

Have a great vacation visuals !!!
......You won't ever get tired of collecting . It's called a "passion" ....and passion is one of those elements of life that makes it so rewarding ....
I've been playing this Major Harris lp a lot lately .....really love that MY WAY version

remicks: thanks again as I am definately enjoying myself (although time is flying...this week flew by!) I guess you and the others brothers are right in regards of getting tired of collecting...I never really will. I haven't gotten the chance to break the seal on my "Major Harris" yet but I remember "My Way" from back in the day. Most people in my small circle of associates can only come up with one song when you mention his name and we all know what that is I'm sure.

Happy Birthday V man! You've got nothing to be ashamed of, it's people with passion, like yourself, that help keep the "flame" going. How else will future generations learn what came before them & appreciate it. Like you, I've been collecting a long time, since I was 10, and in a few months I'll be joining you at the ripe, ahem..."young" age of 41, Today's world is a tough place, and if something like music is your biggest vice, then you're way ahead of the game!

qdearl: Again,Thanks for the acknowledgement! Just as you & remicks put it...it's the PASSION for collecting that makes it so worthwhile. I truly & thouroghly enjoy picking up on lost gems & rarities along with other well-knowns that I simply slept on or forgot about. You are also absolutely correct as music IS my biggest vice. Nothing else in my life right now requires as much time,energy, and not to mention MONEY as me and my collecting.
BTW, Keep coming up with those great falsetto singers....You have been reaching back with some of the good ones I see.;)

[soulsta]

you are not by yourself. I AM AN ADDICT TOO:razz: I am almost 39 and a lady (hope that is not too much info)who has collected since I was sixteen. I used to stay in record stores from the time they opened til they closed. I met new friends, talked about music a lot which amazed many to know so much when I was so young like that and a lady, and got lots of discounts from staying in them so much. I wonder that myself sometimes especially for hard to find lp's. this thread is visually awsome. good you found those gil scott heron lp's too:p I don't know a lot of the disco from this forum but it is sure interesting to see the lp's that you folks on here come up with.

HAPPY B DAY
soulsta

[Giovanni]

I'm 44.......
collecting since 16...............
have about 15000 vinyls.........................
and yesterday canceled all my scheduled work when I heard of an old basement full of vinyls coming from an ald disco club closed from 86.......................................
I drove for about 100 kms, spent one day in the dust and came back home with about 500 plastics that I paid 300 euros............................................. ......................
and their collecting value is about 3000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

what a wonderful day

!Viva la musica!

[soulsta]

dang the addiction is deep Giovanni. I feel you

[K-Bee]

I guess we're all collectors around here, it sort of comes natural when being on a forum like this.
I got my first ever LP back in 1983 (ewf's "Powerlight") at the tender age of 10. After that I never looked back, and I keep buying both vinyl and cd's to this day. :D Nowadays, I mainly buy stuff at 2nd hand shops, flea markets and record fairs.

Vesta Williams cost me $125

Eddie, I'm a bit curious here. What Vesta release made you part with that much money?

[eddie]

Her 1986 debut when she was still going by the name "Vesta Williams." It was the disc with "Don't blow a good thing" which is nowhere to be found on CD. A&M/Universal did release 2 other tracks from this Lp on a 'split artist' best of with CeCe Peinston. It's probably common on vinyl but ultra mega rare on CD. I'm going for the original Lps on Cd for sound quality and space management. The hard limits on 80's vinyl is quite high and thus the ending tracks are always muffled. For about 3 years, I checked monthly on Half, Amazon, and Ebay and no US seller with decent scores ever had it INSTOCK. There was someone else selling it for $90 but he had only 93% positive scores as compared to the other seller with 99%. If something's that rare or that costly, I don't play games with mediocre sellers and I'm not fond of auctions which could yield shill bidding.

This Vesta disc arrived in absolute mint condition but the black plastic disc holder was shattered to bits yet the case was mint. What seller in their right mind would mail a disc of this value with a broken holder? I have plenty to replace it but again some sellers have poor judgement since the disc could be easily damaged.

[K-Bee]

yeah, come to think of it, I don't think I've even seen Vesta's debut on cd at all. I bought the LP a long time ago and back then it wasn't rare at all. It may be now though, depending on territories and all.

Good to hear the disc wasn't broke. :razz: Any bonus tracks on the CD edition I should know of?

[eddie]

No bonus tracks on the CD version. The vinyl isn't extremely uncommon but is about $5 in VG condition yet sealed copies are tough to come by. At the time, CDs were only made for popular rock artists or major artists. She's one of the artists I'd go all the way for especially since I have all of her other discs. "Special" was always the cut by her that I dug.

[buckaroo]

I have managed to beat my addiction, and have not bought any hard stuff since January last year...I dunno how long this is gonna last though

[soulsta]

hey eddie what a good find. I have that lp as well. good to know it came out on disc. I will just do mine myself. what a shame that the seller couldn't treat you better than that for that price.

buckaroo I got hold of my addiction because I ran out of space. :-o :icon_surprised:
plus the gas prices. but I also slowed down because technology has really taken over.