Well, it's been a rough autumn so far, hasn't it? I was talking to a co-worker today, and we both commented on how
we wished our parents were still alive so we could ask them, "Is this really the worst it's been since The Great Depression?"
As I put it in a recent email, the messed-up economy has finally poked its diseased tentacles into my
life. I've watched friends lose their jobs through no fault of their own, and I've had my own job cut back -- all
due to the economy. Scary stuff. I was watching Anderson Cooper on CNN last night. He's been compiling a
"Top Ten Most Wanted" list of the people most responsible for the credit collapse on Wall Street. Amazing, isn't it,
how the greed of a handful of people can damage so many lives.
So where do we go for comfort during tough, uncertain times? I'm very gratified that some folks have found comfort
and a temporary escape through the HANDYMAN books. I'm glad my humble story has helped others, and believe me,
hearing that it has helped helps me as well.
As for me, I've found a wonderful escape this autumn through my old records. I've been completely attached to my
Ipod for the last year or so, but suddenly one day I realized that as much as I love the convenience of it, I was missing
that wonderful sonic friction of a needle on vinyl.
I've been a collector of 45 rpm records my whole life. In the last twenty years or so I began to take it seriously,
going to record shows, vintage vinyl record stores, and most recently online shopping as well. I refer to myself as
the 45 freak. It's funny, though. I don't collect them as a genuine collector would. I buy them and
bring them home so I can listen to them, and enjoy the cozy comfort that the sounds of a bygone era produces for me.
Oh, and I track down the original issues not because they are more valuable, but simply because the original labels are
cooler looking. I'm sorry, but as Rock and Roll aged, record labels got steadily boring. The older ones are
still the best.
So, thanks to a groovy vintage record store in Indianapolis called Missing Links (
http://www.missinglinkrecords.com/ ) on North College, not far from fictional Rick Benton's old neighborhood, and thanks to Thursday's Golden Goodies (
http://www.smartcart.com/thursdays/ ) in eastern Ohio, I'm listening to some great records as I write this tonight. Ah, it's hard to beat the sweet
sounds of The Cascades singing "Rhythm of the Rain" (Valiant Records), and The Righteous Brothers' beautiful duet on "Just
Once In My Life" (on Phil Spector's Philles Records of course). I still can't believe I found a mint condition
copy of "Telstar" by The Tornadoes, and I'm grateful to Thursday's for sending me "Denise" by Randy & The Rainbows today.
My original copy of that was warped by intense sunlight when it was stupidly left on the turntable in my college-years
apartment. It's also great to have Del Shannon's "Stranger In Town" (Amy Records). I was amazed
when a friend of mine who has spent years in Oldies radio told me he wasn't familiar with this minor hit of Del's from
1965. I've always thought it was one of his best, aside from "Runaway," and let me tell you, as I learned tonight it
kicks ass in its original vinyl pressing.
That old music and those old records have pulled me over every one of the rough spots in my life. Every time
things have gotten bad, I've always been grateful to the music for keeping me going. I often joke with my friends that
they might as well throw a few of the 45's in the coffin with me when I croak, 'cause nobody else would want 'em.
I do know this much though: As long as I'm alive and have a turntable and have those classic records, the sweet sounds
of yesteryear will be heard in my home.
Here's a couple of Ed and Rick's favorite 45's from The HANDYMAN books.
