Classical Vinyl Records

How to Strike the Right Chord – a Guide to Personalised Music Gifts

It can be so hard to get it right when it comes to presents. Whether it is Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries or just one of those times you want to let them know you care, you always want to choose the perfect gift. Unfortunately it’s often easier said than done, and people aren’t always that great at hiding their disappointment. Rather than dropping a clanger on the next special occasion, why not choose from the wide range of personalised gifts available to find the perfect present for your special someone?

Music to their ears
Pretty much everyone is into music of some sort. Whether it is classical, rock, pop or banging drum and bass, everyone has their own tastes and style to suit them. That’s where personalised gifts really come into their own. It doesn’t matter what they’re into, there will be the perfect musical gift to make them smile.

Mad about music
Music is everywhere and for some people is everything! The music you like can influence your style, all the way down to your clothes, hair and makeup (for boys and girls!). Some might go so far as to say that the music you like influences what you eat and drink. While jazz fans might chill out with a cocktail listening to their favourites from Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday, the hard core techno crowd might be knocking back red bulls to fuel another night of partying! Whatever your music tastes, it is undeniable that the music you listen to defines more than a little bit of you.

Beethoven or Spice Girls?
Do you sometimes worry that you have no idea what your loved one is into? Maybe your son or daughter laughs at you for getting the names wrong and finds it hilarious that you don’t know your Pigeon Detective from your Guillemots? Do you get stuck distinguishing between the Spice and Cheeky Girls? Fear not! Even if you don’t know the latest artists and tunes that they’re into, you can still be “down with the kids” and get them a present they’ll be proud to show to their friends.

For those that are into one particular genre, the matter of personalised music gifts is easy! Choose from CD compilations of their favourite music, all packaged in specially designed gift tins. Why not help them accessorise in the theme of their musical tastes? Jazz fans could enjoy their cocktails with extra cool jazz ice cubes if you buy them a jazz themed ice cube tray. For the more classically minded amongst us, there are bound to be personalised gifts that will appeal to their slightly more classy side: Music journals perhaps – to help them record which symphonies they prefer, or even books to read up on the famous composers. Any personalised gifts that reflect their musical interests are bound to keep them interested.

And for the cool kids…
Some people don’t like to be defined by a genre. Is your special person one of those people who always seems to know about the next big thing and loves finding out about the newest acts before they make it big (so they can say “I told you so”)? There are the perfect personalised gifts even for these tricky customers. Why not make their music hunting a little easier by giving them a Music to Check out Journal? That way they can keep track of new bands and songs they have been meaning to listen to and stop any from slipping through their musical net. You could even help them to organise their no doubt huge music collection. Alphabetical CD or vinyl dividers are a must for any true budding DJ out there. Whatever they are into and whatever you choose, there are bound to be several perfect musically themed personalised gifts out there to make your loved one’s musical day!

Is there that one special song?
Everyone has a favourite song. Some people have songs that they feel define them or their team. Maybe you and your partner have “that song” that means so much to the both of you. For one of the most personalised gifts of all, you could give them a personalised vinyl plaque of their special record. Write a special message on the plaque and make sure they know how much you care.

So, if you’re struggling to find a present for someone you care about, you could do a lot worse than choosing one of the range of personalised gifts on a musical theme. You can rest assured that the gift will not only strike a chord, but resonate with real meaning to that person.

Here’s one for you Classic Rock / Vinyl Fans?

It’s funny how so much talent can land in the same place at the same time. Buffalo Springfield..The Byrds..CSNY etc.

Here’s a prime example. This is The Allman Bros. Not a bad recording at all considering it’s from 1970. No words to this song but they don’t need any.

You got any gems you’d like to share? I’d appreciate it.

Check out the voice..this is from Woodstock

Thanks! I’m checking them out now.. just gotta go pour me a shot of JD…
Larry – That video kicks azz! BOOM SHAKKA LAKKA! I like the horns too. That’s just straight energy. What would people do today if you played a 10 minute song on the radio?
Thanx
Bolt – Hendrix is something else. From another planet! Red House is one of my favorites.
Tony – I was just thinking of Red House..havn’t seen that version. You’re right on time bud!
What’s up Spike my friend? Oh yeah.. It’s time for a get-together here in Ga. A good bon-fire and some live music..and some Ga peaches )

How do I clean vinyl? I have a ton of records, but many of them are scratched. Any help?

How do I clean vinyl? I have a ton of records, but many of them are scratched. Any help?

A music download question, If I have bought and paid for music in the past?

Way back in the 60s and 70s I had a large vinyl record collection that I have lost over years of traveling. There are a few classic songs I would love to have again on my MP3 player.

If I have already purchased the right to listen to this music from a record company would it be legal and moral for me to download it from a free internet music site ?

I have purchased the music for personal use in good faith and the artist has received copyright royalties from the sale.

The Music and Music of ABBA

Taking part in 1973 veto solitary might control imagined with the resolve of solitary range from Sweden would single handedly enrapture a approach to of of the strongest melody with the resolve of defined with the resolve of era. Taking part in truth ABBA gave the earth a approach to of of the finest melody of all epoch, and it continues to be celebrated in stage productions, movies and even the special ABBA Tribute Band.

When you hear the melody of ABBA, you with veto effort influence lost in the lyrics, as so many of their songs had a strong emotional quality to them. The tones and bargain seem to stay in place in today’s avant-garde data ranks station. Hits like Dancing Queen and The Winner Takes It All might blend in with the current offerings from Lady GaGa and the other clever stars on Pop data ranks.

Sadly since the 1980′s ABBA has stopped touring and veto longer putting not subsequently to back mother country contemporary melody in support of us to control, but in attendance is a solution if you hunger in support of to hear their melody live and with the resolve of is with an ABBA Tribute Band. These talented citizens such as Abba Cadabra can bring with the resolve of experience to life and dedicate you the probability to disburse attention to all your favorites live.

When the stress of the earth has you complete, think approaching how the fun and emotive lyrics to these classic songs can bring your spirits back up. Taking part in veto epoch you can be singing along with the  ABBA Tribute Band. on stage and getting lost into the songs of prior epoch.

One of the the majority powerful songs recorded by the range was Mama Mia many meeting recognize with the resolve of as the title to a clash with picture, but it was plus the song with the resolve of saved ABBA from talent heartbreak pardon? Did you say? Period it was released. At the epoch they wanted a tremendously generously proportioned clash with overseas and while Waterloo had delivered a #1 clash with in many countries, the singles with the resolve of followed were flops. Upon the promote to release of this weighty single, ABBA became a legend.

If you are old a sufficient amount to remember these songs pardon? Did you say? Period they to start with came not subsequently to back mother country, the live experience will bring you back to a epoch in your life pardon? Did you say? Period the earth was yours in support of the taking. The memories with the resolve of control befall attached to apiece entity be consistent with will promote to investigation them like more live an everlastingly better experience.

Imagine introducing your dynasty piece gadget to the melody of ABBA similar to with the aim of to a live concert they won’t collection not by the side of mother country of your mind. With the melody they are investigation even the youngest members will initiate drumbeat their tones and will hunger in support of to explore the melody of ABBA even more. That’s as this legislative body has a sounds with the resolve of appeals to all generations.

Today we control the probability to keep the powerful and uplifting melody of ABBA alive. There is a probability to allow our children and near-term generations the probability to experience this energetic and weighty melody merit to the pains of an ABBA Tribute Band.So take the epoch to look in support of a tour schedule in support of a terrific range and support them. They help to keep the melody alive and bring back the memories of solitary of the vinyl bands everlastingly.

Utilizing Transition

Embracing Transition

A lot of things have changed since the past decade. Teenagers on the present decade are innocently amused how a Walkman works compared to their high-end music players. But that doesn’t mean that music went out of trend. It never did.

Beyond the Box Communication

The birth of social networking sites paved a way for rapid growth of online users. More people are now inclined in creatively exchanging information across the globe. Even the baby boomers, who still love using their vinyl record, have ventured into the world of online socialization. Facebook, one of the largest social networking sites, tops a population of 300 million users. It’s almost as large as the U.S. population.

People nowadays can be connected whenever and wherever. Whether they maybe traveling around town or simply sitting down at the office, social networking sites allow individuals to communicate and even share information through various forms of media. They may be in status updates, photos, videos, audio, blogs, etc. What percent of the online population are addicted to ‘Facebook-ery?’ or ‘Twitter-ey?’ In an article from SocialNetworkingWatch.com, it reports, “Internet users in August spent 17% of their surfing time on social network and blogging sites, nearly triple the percentage of time spent on such sites a year ago, according to Nielsen”. People are now often checking their mobile phones for updates and information on their social networking site accounts. We just could not get enough of staying connected. Social networking sites seemed to become a web of thread that further expands endlessly.  

Online Key

Radicti.com reported that the number of worldwide email users is projected to increase from over 1.4 billion in 2009 to almost 1.9 billion by 2013. Now that’s a lot of email subscribers. Apart from email being the classic channel for communication, we must admit that email accounts are our passes to engage in the cyber world. It is through our email accounts that we create our profile as an online user.  Our email accounts serve as our identity when we interact online. It’s the key to unlocking optimum internet utilization. A proactive online user could not disregard the importance of acquiring and maintaining email accounts. After all, personal and business communications are done through emails.

Email vs Social Networking

Just recently, an article from Wall Street Journal claimed that email no longer rules, and its rank is replaced by social networking sites. The article garnered attention, and flourished into various and a series of article rebuttals from all over the internet. The topic grabbed attention and totally sparked interest to millions of users. It delved on the subject on whether or not email was still the king of online communication. Although it created different kinds of insights, discussions were able to evaluate how communication was repackaged, and how it affects the way we live. This only proves that the way we communicate is as important as communication.

Online Marketing

For book marketers, it does not have to be debatable. It doesn’t matter on which of the two, email or social networking, actually makes it on top. Social networking and email communications complement each other—both co-exist. “While the global reach, rapid adoption and high engagement found in social media have email marketers salivating at the potential these environments offer to engage with customers and prospects, the real challenge is how best to facilitate meaningful interactions,” quoted from the article Integrating Social Media with Email Marketing by Chris Crum.

Email marketing is a proven efficient tool in promoting books. It boasts in having to target demographically, reaching the right consumers. Social networking sites on the other hand boosts on building and expanding online relationships. It can further cultivate connections that would add competence to any book campaign. However, one would have to properly invest a huge chunk of time in building online social rapport. When properly used, email and social networking is a powerful combination in multiplying the echoes of book campaigns.  

Utilizing Transitions

As the years will pass, we will continue to experience rapid developments in technology that can either have the best or the worst. The evolution on the way we communicate is endless. But developments in technology on the way we communicate can be best utilized when we exert efforts to learn and assess towards effective communication.

Classic Country Fans: What was the first album you ever owned?

Mine was Charlie Rich’s Behind Closed Doors album. I was born in ’69, and that album came out in ’73, so I had to be four years old. It was an orange 8-track my parents bought and I comandeered. Wore it out. Got another one that was brown. Still have it. I later bought a vinyl copy during my early record collecting travels, and now I have it on CD. To this day, it’s always out on top of the player.

Oh, and my first 45 was Marty Robbins, “Some Memories Won’t Die.” I was 14 when it came out and I bought it. Some 3,000 45s have amassed around that one since then!

Technological aids and other points to ponder

Technology today ? Whew it is advancing at break neck speeds. I taught General Knowledge for a time about 9 years ago, the 11 year old children did not know what a “record” (vinyl type) was, they were scheduled to listen to the “Snow Goose” a classic by Paul Gallico, and when I asked the closest child to “please turn the record over’ they all looked at me as if I was nuts. And I realised – so much has been invented since I was born in 1958 – I was impressed once upon a time when I discovered my grandmother was born before the radio. So I went on to cover in my GK lessons Inventions of the 20th Century, and what fun it was. These children were born before Blackberry’s, Digital cameras and MP3 players, Wii – daily it seems something new comes on the scene.

I rather think I preferred it when we had to chug along quietly behind the plough!

Technology is good but unfortunately we are losing a great deal of humanity along the way. People – especially teenagers – don’t communicate anymore – they “twiddle” – their thumbs – all huddled in a group twiddling their thumbs (messaging on cell phones), the art of direct communication is a dying one. Cell phones also interfere with what attempts there are at conversation. There should be an etiquette book on the use of cell phones AND e-mailing. It is shocking how lazy people have got. And to top it all – can anyone under 30 even write properly anymore?

The book I am helping edit was written by a man with impeccble manners, taste, attitude to sport and education – a Master in every sense of the word. For that alone – it will when done be worth reading. And that is why I will re-trpye all the old newsletters and allow the Editor to publish – hopefully – most of it.

As for Advertising – when I went to University back in the late 70′s, my first essay I had to write in English studies was on Advertising – I have never forgotten it. Advertising has become such a money spinner – and along the way lost all credibility – it makes one want what one does not NEED half the time, creating desire where there are no means to match that desire, and very often is misleading. The best adverts are remembered for their entertainment appeal, not the product, and the “worst” – well I bet most people remember the product as the advert was so embarrassing – which was the point exactly – ? The worst kind of “arm twisting” is on kids channels – huge plugs for this and that which the child MUST beg and plead for otherwise they will not be “cool”. Kids channels should advertise health and goodness, and teach not create a desire for THINGS.

Well, this is my first attempt at an article. If anyone happens to read it – yeh. I would love a response.

Nat King Cole Vs. Anita Baker ? Who?s Got the Best Lungs?

When a man loves a woman, he may buy her flowers or he may take her out to dinner. He does something to show his love and devotion. The feeling love was the basis of our conversation in my Uncle’s garage last night. He’s a single man in his mid-fifties and as happy as could be. His classic Chevy trucks are still to this day, his love and devotion. He pours his time, money, and sweat into his trucks.

I’m partial to women, and my Toyota Tacoma, but I definitely understand his passion for his vehicles. I personally feel the same way towards music. There are so many feelings that can come out of any one song, and they have an amazing way of bringing back to a moment of time in your life, connecting songs to actual experiences.

My uncle feels like that with his vehicles. He threw his mechanics gloves on and said “It’s the same thing, I hop in the seat of this thing and it brings me right back to the days of driving through the canyon to Malibu,” said with a smile.

So he started talking about some singers and groups that he used to listen to on his vinyl record player, and most were classic rhythm and blues acts. The Drifters, The Rondelles, later on with the Beach Boys, etc.

I feel like a lot has been lost with music today and there’s a reason that so many of us still fall back on our favorite classic acts. Is it because it’s nostalgic when we listen to them, just like it was for my uncle when he sat down in the seat of his truck? Maybe.

The quality seems so diluted now and recycled like last decade’s fashion. It make me really cherish connections to things and experiences that are original. Nat King Cold and Anita Baker, those are two huge voices in our history, have influenced countless aspiring singers and will continue to do so into the future.

My Uncle reminded me, while under his truck on a creeper fixing his brakes, “new” means “recycled” many times. Even the can of beer that you are drinking has been used before. It’s our connection to our own history that we can’t escape. Think about the many ways that we can travel nowadays. The options used to be far less. So as convenience keeps increasing as well as options, the idea of something original and un-recycled seems like a pretty far-fetched idea.

Creativity has always been the creative flame for any originality. You have to dig pretty deep to find it but it will always exist.

DJ Controllers | Take Control

As a digital DJ you have to grow and evolve constantly. Maybe you started out with vinyl because of the relatively low cost. And vinyl has the classic sound. But using vinyl means lugging around crates of records to every gig. Plus your other gear, like turntables, CD players, a mixer, an MP3 player… you know the drill.

The typical progression for a scratch DJ is to learn the tricky craft of scratching on turntables, adding CDs or MP3s and methodically turning yourself into a digital DJ. At the end of that road is a truck packed with gear.

If this sounds like you, it’s time to think about DJ controllers.

DJ controllers are a single piece of hardware integrated with DJ controller software that takes the place of all other DJ components in a single unit. The controls mimic the function of turntables, CD players, MP3 players and all midi equipment. DJ controllers centralize your gear, focus your concentration and improve your DJ skills. The best thing about DJ controllers? Say goodbye to the library you have to lug around. DJ controllers link up to your laptop or PC via software applications and that means you can build your library right into your computer.

Got a Wi-Fi interface at the gig? If you have access to the net at your performance, you can even download new tracks right on the job. Imagine how that will affect requests and staying fresh. DJ controllers will give you real-time access to all the most current tracks, samples and sounds. Talk about exposure… DJ controllers put you in the driver’s seat and elevate your reputation through to the next level.

How Do DJ Controllers work?

DJ controllers work a lot like the DJ equipment you are already using. Just without the records or the CDs. The key factor that makes DJ controllers so economical and desirable is that they can be configured to fit your DJ style. Buttons, knobs, sliders, faders and LED indicators can all be programmed so that all DJs can have a different experience.

The DJ controller base looks like a spiffy turntable, because that’s what it is. Using the digital turntable is a lot like scratching on a vinyl platter. Using turntables and a CD platter in a typical setup wastes time, space and money. Via the DJ controller software, all your music, whether vinyl based or CD based are now open to manipulation through a central point that plays your tracks digitally. Usually DJ controllers have a scratch platter and jog wheels which will digitally copy analog effects. That’s a giant boost to efficiency and adds to showmanship. The best DJs look like they’re playing along when DJ controllers are set up correctly.

The Parts Of DJ Controllers

DJ controllers are usually solidly manufactured of aluminum for stability and durability. The center platter looks like a CD turntable and is used the same way. At least one jog wheel manipulates the digital source to produce any effect you’ve either picked from the DJ controller’s library, or effects you have downloaded yourself. Buttons and sliders work the same way as they do on DJ mixers, but they are usually programmable so you can customize the interface to suit your style. Also, software for DJ controllers is very flexible, allowing the DJ to pick and choose the way they want to show the status information. If you like booming bass, you can have a preset configured to control bass output just the way you like. Lastly, DJ controllers are all Midi programmable so they will interface with any Midi device. That means you can add a musical instrument, like a synthesizer or drum machine, adding another dimension to your performance and sound.

Using DJ Controllers

Because DJ controllers are so versatile, they take some tweaking and getting used to. In the past, analog turntables gained in popularity because of scratching. A DJ could scratch the vinyl manually and get a syncopated result that crowds looked for. Scratching became an art form because of this different sound. DJs were all of a sudden doing more than spinning music.} DJs were actually creating a new sound.

When digital turntables came into vogue, the hardest thing to get the hang of was the simulated feel. And the demands on the processor were too heavy at first. It took awhile for speeds to increase and for the real-time effect to mimic album scratching effectively. DJ controllers can suffer from a similar fate if your PC or laptop is too slow. But generally all that is required is to have a fast enough processor and enough RAM to allow the controller to respond correctly and realistically. PC controllers also usually have the advantage of being fully upgradable by download and already come already capable of matching your drivers. If you can tweak the processor, memory and drivers correctly, DJ controllers will make you sound like you’ve got a lot of DJ equipment in your booth – all in one package.

Cutting back on DJ equipment and source tracks? A Star’s dream come true. If you’re ready to take your DJ performance to the next level, DJ controllers give you the flexibility and sound you’re looking for and that audiences have come to expect.

That’s why DJ controllers give the digital DJ the best chance to stay current, relevant and smoking hot.