Yes, you must think I’m insane. In this age of downloading and I-Tunes, and CDs (even these are considered historical items of technology-how the times change).

I have always loved music. I have always loved to collect music: LPs, cassettes, 78s, and now, CDS. But, I have always had a passion for the past. The Music, the literature, the lifestyle, the wardrobe, the films, the theatre. When I moved from Long Beach, four years ago, I donated 99 percent of my LP and 78 rpm collection, due to the fact that I had no space to store these collections of music. O fcourse, I have over a thousand CDS. However, the albums and 78s I saved were stored away in my apartment. I frequent garage sales, antique markets and record shows, and I always browse through the many boxes  of LPS. I have always thought, it would be nice to have a turntable, so that I could just hark back to the days when I listened to vinyl and shellack. Record collectors always comment about the warm sound of listening to a vinyl recording.

Bed Bath and Beyond has been selling different types of turntables, sort of like retro-type items.   A Crossley combo player, which plays CDs, 78s, LPs, 45s, and cassettes, sells for $299. Well, that’s too much for me. At least right now. And I have learned that one part of a combo player goes on the blink, the rest soon follow.

No, I had been looking at a portable turntable which sold for $69.95. I would pick it up, touch the needle, brush my hand across the wood finish of the portable turntable. And then, I would shrug it off and move on. But then, the uge to listen to vinyl and shallack took control. I just had this need, this urge to listen to records. And I had a $5 coupon to Bed Bath and Beyond in my pocket for the longest time.   

Finally, this past Sunday evening, I made the decision to buy the portable turntable from Bed Bath And Beyond. Used my coupon. Was told that if I get my hands on a %20 coupon, I can bring it in to get a further discount.

I removed the turntable from the box. Set it up. And then, I played the first album: The Early Victor Herbert, a three record set released by the Smithsonian, in collaboration with RCA. Songs from The Fortune Teller (Recorded in 1898), Sweethearts, Naughty Marietta, The Red Mill, and others. Wonderful. Then, an LP of Victor recordings from 1928. Beautiful and bouncy!

Recently, a friend who had a garage sale, gave me two crates of albums. I donated most of the LPs to the Goodwill Store, but saved a few albums. One in particular had sentimental value: The Golden Library of Music: Music Of The Great Composers. This was part of a set of LPs which my mother had ordered many years before. My mother thought that she could introduce her sons to the great composers. The only one who found an interest in this set was yours truly. At the age of eight, I listened to this LP, which features short works by Schumann, Dvorak, Beethoven, Mozart, etc.

With this new turntable, I was able to listen to this LP, which I had not heard since those thrilling days of yesteryear when I was eight years old, hearing this music for the first time, and thinking , I want to hear more. Those were the days of visiting my local library, and borrowing those classical LPS encased in their plastic folders.

While listening to The Golden Library: Music of The Great Composers, I felt a sense of calm. I am sure my mother was watching over me, and smiling. If there is one thing I inherited from my mother Irene, is a love for good classical music. Thank you, Mom!