I Have A Lot Of Records

And by records I mean vinyl L.P.s (and E.P.s, and 12″ singles, and 7″ singles). I guess that’s not so unusual these days. Records have really made a comeback (some claim they even outsell digital downloads!). But I started collecting records when I was a child (my Uncle Buddy gave me a big stack from the massage parlour where he worked in the 1970s) – and I never stopped.

Sure, I bought CDs, too. Still do, if there’s a nice remastered one with bonus tracks.

But I could never pass up the chance to go through a bin of old L.P.s at a thrift store, flea market, or other second hand shop. Over the years, my collection grew and grew. I’d be lying if I said that I could remember everything I had on my carefully alphabetized shelves. And I must confess to having accidentally re-bought a few things over the years.

A while back I decided to undertake a massive project: to digitize my entire collection. I liked the idea of being able to listen to the albums on my computer, or my iPod. But more than that, I thought it would be a good way to find out what might be hiding or forgotten among my more well-loved treasures.

I started at the beginning, with the letter “A”, and the surprises were almost immediate. I discovered an album I had no memory of purchasing; Aarons & Ackley, by Aarons & Ackley (1971).

Apparently they were both born in the USA, but met when they moved to Canada during the Vietnam war. You can read more about them on Canadian Bands.com

Needless to say, when I put the record on the turntable to digitize it, I was hearing it for the first time as far I was concerned. And I’ll be damned if it wasn’t pretty good. I will include a song from my actual record down below. But be warned it is a well worn record, and I have done nothing to hide that. Also, I do not own the rights to this song. I am simply including it here to inspire other collectors to find a copy somewhere and buy it. If the rights owners contact me and tell me to take it down, I will be happy to do so. Until then, enjoy Annalee by Aarons & Ackley

And so my adventure begins. I do not intend to upload a song from every record I digitize. But once in a while, if I find something unusual or interesting, I just may share a sample.

And If Aarons and/or Ackley are out there, thanks for the music! And please don’t send your lawyers to beat me up…