Turntables I Have Known Part 1 (And How You Can Win a New One from Me)

Given how long I've been collecting records, I've own astonishingly few turntables.  

The first one I can remember using was a portable suitcase-type Silvertone model from Sears which looked a lot like this, except that mine was green and covered cheap leatherette.

Notice the speed lever on the left-hand side.  These units spun records at 45 and 33 1/3 but could also play older 78s and the obscure 16 2/3 RPM singles.  The plastic tone arm featured a dual-sided cartridge. One side featured a stylus fine enough to get into the microgrooves of LPs and 45s.  If you wanted to play 78s, you need to switch to the bigger needle on the other.  If you tried to use the 78 needle on LPs, it wouldn't fit into the grooves and just skate helplessly over the surface of the record.

Click to read more ...

Beck's Amazing Interactive 360 Orchestral Performance

Beck recently teamed up with 170 other musicians to shoot an amazing performance, all underwritten by the people at Ford, specifically, their Lincoln division.  The final product--this interactive video--has to be seen and heard to be appreciated.  

If you have time and a good Internet connection, load the HD version.  If not, you'll still I'm-right-freakin'-there get the effect from the SD version.  And you get a chance to listen on headphones, do it.  Amazing.  

Click on the image to get started.

House Where Springsteen Wrote "Born to Run" for Sale

It's a modest little cottage on West End Court in Long Branch, New Jersey.  It's not big--828 square feet--and doesn't much of a yard, but it's a genuine piece of rock history.  

It features two bedrooms, one bath and is one block from the beach.  New hardwood floors, ceiling fans and some structural repairs have all been installed or implemented over the last couple of years.  And it's on the market for $349,000.  More at NBC News.

Man Turns Vegetables into Musical Instruments

No, I don't know why.  Then again, I did work in a produce department many, many years ago and all those fruits and vegetables can do something terrible to your mind...

(Via Mashable)

Everything is Connected 21 February 2013

While doing research for a Top Ten list (every Friday on this site!), I stumbled upon possibly my favourite Oscar award winner ever. Did you know Isaac Hayes won an Oscar for Best Original Song for The Theme to Shaft? Isn’t that awesome?

Hayes was quite the song writer back in the day. Shaft, Hold On I’m Coming, Soul Man but what is less remembered (beyond his role as Chef in South Park) is Isaac Hayes, the actor. Hayes appeared in a number of films including Escape from New York (a personal favourite) and a starring role as the title character in Truck Turner.

Click to read more ...