Snap Crackle Pop

Okay. For nearly a year I've wanted a turntable/record player. Not to wicky wicky wicky like a DJ, but to actually play records. I told my dad this and he snickered, "Why would you want a record player? They crack and pop and don't sound as good. Get the CD." Since I was born in 1983 CD's have more or less always been available. They're just not a big deal to me. Yeah, it sounds clear, it always has. But there's something unmistakable about listening to a record. Maybe it's knowing that this is how it was originally heard. Maybe the ambient fuzz adds something. I dunno. But I love it.

I've been blessed by a record player recently. Not only can I play records, but I can also plug my PS2 and XBox into the speakers. You see, I've had the same TV since I was 9 or so. I remember laying down one night and turning it on and seeing that Letterman was starting his monologue and thinking to myself, "wow, I'm up really late." That's how long I've had this TV. The speakers buzz pretty bad but it's been several years since I've noticed it.

It bugs everybody else, though.

So the record player/tape deck/receiver remedy that problem. I can play Guitar Hero without the buzzing (which, incidentally, is different from records because that's not how it's intended to sound).

The first record I bought was a Record Book of Night and Day, the Cole Porter Musical. It has several other Cole Porter songs as well. The only problem with this is it's a 78. . . and my player only jives with 33 and 45 rpm. oh well, I'll save it for some rainy day where I acquire a 78 player.

I just returned from an antique store with several more. Here's what I've scored so far:
Elton John Rocket Man 45
Wings With a Little Luck 45
The Romantic Music of Rachmaninoff (unbelievable. . .but the back side is scratched pretty hardcore)
This Is Broadway's Best (stuff from Bye Bye Birdie, My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Kiss Me Kate, etc. But most importantly it has Tonight from West Side Story)
Bing Crosby tells and sings How Lovely Is Christmas (Half spoken story, half Christmas songs... and it's Bing!)
The Jimmy Swaggart Christmas Spirit (I couldn't pass this one up)
The Best of Chuck Mangione
BJ Thomas Raindrops keep falling on my head: from the motion picture Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

I think I'm going to go out again tomorrow and see what I can find.

I really don't have any witty quips tonight. I just want to listen to some Rachmaninoff.

Bratch