Let’s start with a little question; what is your definition of beauty?
The one thing you have experienced, or have in your life that, when you view, all you see is beauty. Have a wee think about that one.
Mine? It’s the vinyl record.
But it’s not just the actual vinyl; it’s the whole experience; the smooth cover, the inner sleeve, the audio sensation. I love it!
A few months ago, one Saturday morning, the alarm woke me at 5.30am. You see, it was ‘Record Store Day’ and I was a man on a mission. The Piece Hall in Halifax were opening their doors for ‘lovers of beauty’ and I had to be in that queue to make my selected purchase from the in-house vinyl store.
It was great making small talk with other collectors, although feeling slightly anxious in case they were also in the market for the re-released Marc Almond album, Fantastic Star, from the 90’s (appearing on vinyl for the very first time).
I asked the owner how many copies he had; two was the response. Was there anyone else waiting who was in the market for this thing of beauty?
Whilst Marc is probably the best artist who has ever lived, there will be other artists people were wanting to purchase. And I was thankfully correct, it was just me in the market for Marc.
Purchase complete and homeward bound, I actually skipped through the Piece Hall. I have always had the view that skipping should just be the norm. Some people walk, some run, some should skip. Image the fun.
When I first started collecting vinyl in the 80’s, my trip home would have been by bus. I recall buying ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome’ by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I was 15, paid my bus money and took my seat. And for the 20-minute journey, I took great delight in having this thing of artistic beauty in my hand; the artwork, the lyrics within the inner sleeve, the musical credits.
A wonderful feeling and one that I still really love. Now, let me share something else with you about the aforementioned Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I was so happy to hear they were getting back on stage together, for the first time in 36 years, as part of the Eurovision contest. Hosted in Liverpool, it seemed fitting for Frankie to headline, and headline they did…for one song!
Yes, one song. And did they play ‘Relax’ or ‘Two Tribes’? No.
Whilst I was delighted to see them back on stage again, why bother chaps, for one song. Goodness, one member of the group now lives in New Zealand. He travelled all the way for a five minute performance.
Now, if that was the catalyst for this supergroup to get back together again, then great. But if not, then I feel a strongly worded letter to my local MP is in order. Signed off, ‘Extremely disappointed, from Greetland’.
Anyway, when you have a spare half hour, take a trip up to the loft, find those vinyl, dust them down and give them a read and a listen.
You will thank me for it.
