"Nothing Can Stop the Vinyl Resurgence"—AnalogPlanet's Making Vinyl Video Opener

Making Vinyl conference founders Bryan Ekus and Larry Jaffee asked AnalogPlanet editor Michael Fremer to prepare a 15 minute video to open this year's "Making Vinyl" conference held "virtually" December 8th and 9th 2020 via ZOOM for the first and hopefully final time.

"Maximum 15 minutes" he was told. It was done in one unscripted take that went well over the proscribed 15 minutes so required numerous edits that are visible and you'll see as the video rolls. Based on feedback from pressing plants, mastering studios and turntable manufacturers, Fremer concluded that "Nothing Can Stop the Vinyl Resurgence".

COMMENTS
RinziRadio's picture

-- way to ring in the New Year!! Thanks so much for this -- and especially for the offensive records! It is so exciting to see a mainstream label like Blue Note fully embrace the all-analog chain for their vinyl reissues, and to see their faith rewarded with epic sales. Quality does indeed sell. Hopefully others will follow. The only downside to the vinyl resurgence is finding bargains in the used record stores, but I'll take the trade-off. Love your videos -- more please!!!!

mroutt's picture

I bought my first lp in 1975 as a six year old but really was a child of the 80s and have loved and been an avid CD collector for over 35 years. In the past 20+ years I have had a regular route in my area of Salvation Armys, Goodwills, Pawn Shops, Consignment Shops and on and on to go bin dive into their CDs and that has been a blast not knowing what may turn up. Then along comes Spotify for me in 2017 and that rocks my world, my cd buying totally drops off and....well you know how revolutionary that app has been for music both good and bad. Now I just replace my clunky Kenwood turntable with another 30 yr old table but this time a much nicer Denon containing a Stanton stylus this past Christmas and the same fun and fervor of record hunting has filled that void I used to have for picking up great cds for a few bucks! However, vinyl is MORE expensive but still fun to collect. My point is check out all sorts of consignment stores, thrift shops and any sort of Media Reload or Disc Replay, they are starting to get into the vinyl scene too and at great prices usually too! My latest discovery was a newer pressing of The Nightfly by Donald Fagen that BLEW ME AWAY with the sonic quality!! I have since learned all about the revolutionary position that recording has in the industry as the first all digital recording and it shows on the quiet run of the needle through the grooves, wow! Happy Hunting!

Ivan Lietaert's picture

I'm not the typical Taylor Swift fan, being almost 52, male, but I bought Folklore too, and even watched the Netflix documentary about this album. I think it is one of the most relevant albums of the year.

What on earth happened when you showed that Nina Simone album? Did the white balance change automatically? Make a mental note, Michael: turn off auto white balance of your camera in the future. It's yet another argument for the BLM being so relevant these days. Even cameras are racist/biased! (note: I actually think the camera reacted to the blue/white color of the album, not to Nina. It's weird though, that auto white balance didn't change when the Nina album was gone).

Intermediate Listener's picture

Recent documentary, definitely worth watching. Available on Netflix.

Jim Tavegia's picture

I wonder about the marketing strategy of being offensive? Do I want to pay money to have someone offend me...like having Don Rickles come after you.

Boomer's picture

Really great video Michael and I've always appreciated your knowledge about everything vinyl. But, I'd like to know where one can purchase some of these records that you give reviews to. Like the Tom Petty box set. All I can find is the seven album box set and I believe that you're holding up the nine record album set.

Michael Fremer's picture
https://store.tompetty.com/collections/music
Bskeane's picture

Just watched you video, this is the second video shot where your Alexx's are in the back room on time-out. What is in there place? Could it be a 370k version?

Michael Fremer's picture
Wilson Chronosonic XVX....
Bskeane's picture

I was hoping that was it. Cant wait to read it. If you decide to keep them I will rob someone and buy the Alex’s.
I listened to the Chronosonic’s quite a bit when Rudy had them in West Palm. Even my wife liked them.

vinyl_lady's picture

Loved the video. I second the request for more. I’m almost 73 and my 37 yr old daughter gave me Taylor Swift’s Folklore for Christmas. I wasn’t excited at first until she told me that Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon co wrote some of the songs and performed on the album. Wow! What a great album.

Thanks also for mentioning Car Seat Headrest. I saw it in my local record store the other day. I’m going back to buy it.

vinyl_lady's picture

Loved the video. I second the request for more. I’m almost 73 and my 37 yr old daughter gave me Taylor Swift’s Folklore for Christmas. I wasn’t excited at first until she told me that Aaron Dessner and Justin Vernon co wrote some of the songs and performed on the album. Wow! What a great album.

Thanks also for mentioning Car Seat Headrest. I saw it in my local record store the other day. I’m going back to buy it.

TommyTunes's picture

It’s great that companies are continuing to support it however I fear that way too many are getting into it simply for the trendiness of records rather than to experience a more involving music medium. I visit many of our local shops and notice that teens and twentysomething’s are buying it because of coolness factor. I’ve seem more than my share of them taking selfie’s holding lp’s. Eventually most will move on to the next big thing after their crosley’s have destroyed most of their purchases, will the companies quickly dump the format?

Paul Boudreau's picture

Possibly but think how long people have been saying that.

Wlap09's picture

Here’s another example of the power of the vinyl resurgence....Bandcamp is now producing vinyl! Get ready for a ton more indie music available on vinyl. Be interesting to see what the quality is going to be like.

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/bandcamp-vinyl-pressing-service

X