Thursday, June 18, 2009

Beatles July Record Show Mania!


Blog post via popnylon.blogspot.com-Here we are in mid-June and I'm preparing to attend a London Beatles Record Show in a couple weeks time. I had been so excited to find out about the event that I failed to recognise the difference between the words "June" and "July." Thanks to my husband for handing me the leaflet as I've spent some time trying to figure out what I would like to see and possibly buy.
Along with rock memorabilia, I have been collector of Vinyl for about seventeen years. When I tell people about my hobby, a common question involves not owning my own turntable-"Don't you play the records?" All of a sudden, I answer like John MacEnroe would-"YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!"
Many people collect things for different reasons; an interest in keeping nostalga for oneself or selling to the highest bidder are a couple. I started collecting Vinyl for the interest in album art designs, and then later the rare pressings with hopes it could be worth a goldmine. Unfortunately, I've probably bought more copies of Goldmine magazine(a record sellers trade magazine) than made money, but their have been some financial gains through the years.
As a Beatles collector, I don't have a huge interest in finding the LPs from their 1960s reign. It seems that I would be quite disappointed to be looking forward to attend a "Beatles Only" record show. Do not feel sorry for me, because when those gates open to enter the show, my eyes will light up and I'll be thinking "paulpaulpaulpaul...paul!" I'm there to look at all the Paul McCartney and Wings items and watch the Beatle fans fight over prices for the limited edition "Butcher Cover" LPs. (Hopefully, this will be enough of a distraction to find some great McCartney solo releases).
Paul McCartney is probably one of the world's wealthiest musicians who at least, has had the creativity and promotion sence to release album related materials that just go above and beyond. In the 70s, the vinyl albums would highlight Linda McCartney's photography(most significantly on the celebrity gathering on the "Band on The Run" LP cover). Also, an album sleeve might be stuffed with double-sided posters, several stickers, lyric sheets etc.. for the unsuspecting fan just trying to find "Venus and Mars" somewhere inside. Over the years, I think it is safe to assume that when other artists were releasing "special edition" versions of their same albums, Paul McCartney fans were expecting a safe with a combination lock.
The same effort that was put into full lenght albums also rang true for 12" remixes and 7"
singles. If you also concider international releases with alternating covers for the same songs, there is a huge problem or delight for the consumer. Prices can vary, sellers sometimes have no clue what they've got unless they take out the magnifying glasses. Can you say this about Beatles recordings? Of course, you can. Its not really up for debate which musician pushed for heavy art work. So much so, everyone thinks he's still dead if you have the time to look at all the different issued copies of their catalog. For all the fanfare, McCartney albums are all classics.
Choosing a favorite is difficult, but it has to be the year I spent finding a picture cover of Wings' "Goodnight Tonight" 12" Lp. The band is dressed in 1930s formal wear. Paul's hair is slicked back and he's yawning with the band looking on. The background is blank, plain white. I first saw the picture in a book and then could not find it anywhere. It was located in NYC and I paid way too much for it, but its my favorite.(see above)
I'd actually like to see this LP again and I also wanted to look for other 12" singles. It's always a fun to attend record shows as you never know what will turn up. Maybe even a jumbo jet plane containing a Wings CD in the cockpit...

1 comment:

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