The quote above is from my daughter, and is a description of my record player.

We have all these old records sitting on a shelf. Like many of us, I have not been able to bring myself to get rid of it, although until recently we had nothing to play them on. I bought a second hand Pro-Ject debut turntable from Ebay, which is perhaps the best quality turntable I have ever owned, and have fallen in love with the sound of vinyl again.

All those blokes (and they are always blokes) who get all dewy eyed about the analogue qualities of vinyl as opposed to the mass produced bland sound of digital music- well perhaps they have something right after all!

I love the way that the playing of a record is an EVENT- full of drama and edgyness- as you unsleeve the LP, blow the dust, carefully place it on the deck, and align the needle. Then comes the crackle and spit of the dust, before the music kicks into bright airy life. And there IS a different quality to the sound- a warmth and vitality that is noticeable. Or am I just becoming one of those blokes?

I have rediscovered some old favourites.

U2’s Rattle and Hum.

Old Christian cheesey music that I grew up with- early Graham Kendrick stuff like Fighter, and Cresta Run.

Joni Mitchell.

Crosby Stills and Nash.

Bruce Cockburn’s ‘Big Circumstance’

Aztec Camera, China Crisis… etc.

Come on round. Wear a tank top and let’s get all retro.