Record Collectors

Record Collector: Caroline Favorite, aka carolsvinyl

Caroline Favorite hails from the "Magic City," aka Birmingham, Alabama, where she works as a business processor for a life insurance firm. A graduate of Auburn University, she has always been incredibly interested in the history of music. Though she writes a blog, her busy schedule as of late has meant that her main contribution to the vinyl community has been her Instagram page.

Today, I welcome Caroline to the esteemed Record Collector club.

When did you start collecting records?

My obsession with vinyl started about 10 years ago when I came across a pile of records at a family friend’s lake house. The first time I really heard the needle hit the wax, my life forever changed. Listening to vinyl records requires the use of all the senses, if not literally then figuratively. You get to hold the music in your hands (the sleeve(s), the vinyl, the needle when positioning it on your record) and you could even touch the grooves on the vinyl if you wanted to, but it’s really not recommended, so don’t do it! [laughs]. You get to see the history, the album art, the record itself with all of the years of wear and tear. You get to see the needle physically hit each groove where you then hear the sound. You can sometimes even hear the sound come from the needle hitting the groove without a speaker attached, it is a nifty thing.

 

Day 9 of the #seveninchseptember challenge -- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)?" w/ Victim of Circumstance -- this is a phenomenal single and the song is so much fun and angry and passionate! It showcases Joan's raspy unique made for rock n roll voice! She's a true gift to rock n roll! Keep on keeping on Joan ������ . . . #joanjettandtheblackhearts #doyouwannatouchme #victimofcircumstance #vinyl #vinylcollector #vinyligclub #vinylgeek #vinylcollection #vinyladdict #vinyllover #cratedigger #vinylrecords #vinylforever #vinyloftheday #nowspinning #nowplaying #instavinyl#audiotechnica #vinylettes #JBL #vinylart #recordcollection #recordcollector #instarecords #vinylgram #ihaveathingforvinyl

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Now in regards to smell, usually the age of the record will correspond with the smell. The newer ones usually smell like plastic and freshly printed cardboard and the older ones vary depending on where they were stored.  With taste, I consider this both figurative and literal. The sound coming from a vinyl record can be so pure that sometimes you can even taste the sound and with that, it makes things taste better. It is almost as if you get to taste history, but please do not actually try to eat the record [laughs].

 

Day 2 of the #seveninchseptember challenge -- Run DMC's "Walk this Way" Single �� with "Walk this Way" feat Aerosmith (hence my other post) and "King of Rock" �� this single is very important and one of the first successful merges of the rock n roll genre and hip hop and not only did it work, it KILLED IT on the charts!!! This was the greatest fusion since plastic and carpet (velcro lolol ����‍♀️) swipe to hear this beauty and check my previous post for the original "Walk This Way" on Aerosmith's "Toys in the Attic" �� name some other cool rock n roll hip hop fusions! I wanna know y'all's favorites! �������� . . . #rundmc #single #45rpm #aerosmith #walkthisway #vinyl #vinylcollector #vinyligclub #vinylgeek #vinylcollection #vinyladdict #vinyllover #cratedigger #vinylrecords #vinylforever #vinyloftheday #nowspinning #nowplaying #instavinyl#audiotechnica #vinylettes #JBL #vinylart #recordcollection #recordcollector #instarecords #vinylgram #ihaveathingforvinyl

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Where do you usually find your records?

I get my records from a variety of places. There are some very good record stores in my city. Renaissance Records which a sweet man and his precious wife own. They get a lot of '60s, '70s, and '80s records and mainly the genres soft rock, pop, and soul. I love to stop by after work and chat with them about the world and their memories of seeing these amazing artists. I also visit Seasick Records, which I am a record club member. Dan owns this shop and he gets all of the new releases and manages to track down the best copies of '90s, '80s, and '70s rock and roll! He has introduced me to a lot of cool music and I am forever grateful for that! He also introduced me to Bobby who owns Vinyl Conflict in Richmond, VA and I owe it to Bobby for my Master of Puppets OP and my beautiful Iron Maiden records. Sometimes, I buy my records on Amazon, 2nd and Charles, Urban Outfitters (especially lately b/c of the '90s bubble gum pop exclusives they are pressing), oh and Discogs (if the price is right). I am not a member of any record subscription services but I am always interested in joining Vinyl Me Please. In addition, whenever I travel, I love to stop by record shops and vintage stores. Atlanta’s Little Five Points has been a goldmine for records at times; I also love Third Man Records in Nashville.

 

Day 16 of the #augustvinylchallenge - My Current Favorite Record - "Master of Puppets" by Metallica (aka bassist Cliff Burton's last album with the band ��) this album arrived in the mail from my dude Bobby @vinylconflict, yesterday and I literally listened to it five times last night. It's the most perfect album. I don't understand how Metallica was able to create so many perfect albums at the beginning and kind of stray so bad in the early nineties and pretty much up until their last album ����‍♀️ what I'm thinking is because they just put so much into it that they got tired ����‍♀️ idk but I'm so lucky to own the first pressing of this beauty in very good condition. It pops and cracks at exactly the right spots, to kind of add more to the songs �� I got it for the best price, and it was cared for and loved so much and will continue to be cared for and loved until eternity!! I have really widened my musical tastes in the past couple of years and I have found that I have a huge obsession with 80s thrash metal (swipe to see my small but growing collection with my three Iron Maiden's that I received from Bobby and the Seventh Son ... that I received from Dan at @seasickrecords ���� -- thank you guys for supporting my obsession) Swipe to hear some of the beauty that this record offers! In my opinion every second is beautiful �� . . . #vinyl #vinyligclub #vinylcommunity #vinylcollection #vinylart #thrashmetal #metallica #seasickrecords #vinylconflict #ironmaiden #80smetal #masterofpuppets #battery #orion #jameshetfield #kirkhammett #cliffburton #larsulrich #vinylettes #vinyllover #vinyljunkie #vinylpost #vinyladdict #photogrid #recordcollection #killers #numberofthebeast #ridethelightning #recordcollection #80smetalhaul

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What is the most you've ever spent on a single record, what is it, and how did you obtain it?

My most expensive record I own, is Watch the Throne by Kanye West and Jay Z. I bought it for 90+ dollars… in addition, the reason why I took the plunge was because it is my favorite hip-hop album of all time and it was my most played record in college. I believe this pressing is worth every penny. The vinyl sounds amazing, the packaging is flawless, and the material on the album is the best of the best. I bought this for myself after I reached 1000 followers on Instagram/started my blog/birthday! I listen to it a lot when I am doing my ab workouts at my house, but I always listen to the album on my Apple Music when I am at the gym. Other contenders: …And Justice for All, the Elektra original press. I paid 70 bucks for it. Ride the Lightning, the Elektra, technically repress b/c Megaforce first released the record but in November of that same year Elektra took over the band, I paid 50 bucks on eBay for it. 30 bucks for original press of Eat a PeachSticky Fingers (with the zipper), and Master of Puppets.

 

Well you guys as lame as this sounds I don't have day 19 of the #mayvinylchallenge but I did get this beaut the other day �� --- Jay Z and Kanye West "Watch the Throne" ������ --- this album is the "tits" and I could literally listen to it every second of everyday. I have been saving up for this for a while and I finally did it and purchased it. It was extremely pricey but I mean so damn worth it! The packaging, the picture disks, the artwork ��! ����✌����✨����❤️ how could you get any better than the two kings of hip hop?! If I could go back in time I'd be at the album release party they had at Griffith Observatory ��#youarenowwatchingthethrone . . . #vinyl #vinylporn #vinyljunkie #vinyladdict #watchthethrone #jayzandkanyewest #thethrone #recordplayer #recordcollector #hiphop #hiphopkings #liftoff #nochurchinthewild #icantstop #gottahaveit

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What is your most prized record in your collection?

My most prized record collections are as follows:

  • My Metallica Collection – I own the Remastered 2015 pressing of Kill ‘Em All, the Elektra 1984 November re-release of Ride the Lightning, the Elektra original press of Master of Puppets. I consider MoP the greatest thrash metal album of all time with Slayer’s Reign In Blood a close second. I also own the original 1987 pressing of …And Justice for All and the repress of “The Black Album” which I was extremely skeptical of but it turned out to be perfect.  
 

Have you ever loved a song so much that you have to keep listening to it over and over again and you can never get enough? Well, that is the song "Fade to Black" for me. (Call me basic all you want, I don't care). It is one of my top ten favorite songs of all time, mainly due to Kirk Hammett's euphoric guitar solos. This song picks me up and takes me to a "magical music land." I swear during the first fifteen seconds of this song it makes me feel as if all my dreams will come true ����even though the lyrics throughout the rest of the song don't coincide with that feeling✨�� but I guess that's what makes this song so unique. It can make you feel larger than life even when you're at your lowest. this song and album have gotten me through the ups and downs in my life. I thank you @metallica for creating this enchanting album of thrash metal and musical escapes. And thank you @collectiveclothing for having the perfect t-shirt to "twin" with my favorite album ������ Swipe to hear that first minute of "Fade to Black," "For Whom the Bell Tolls" ��, "Fight Fire with Fire" and the title track "Ride the Lightning"⚡️�� I am so sad I missed them in Atlanta last night, but I'll see them soon �� what's your favorite Metallica song(s) and/or favorite song(s)? Please share them below ������ . . . #metallicamonday #mondaze #ridethelightning #metallica #kirkhammett #larsulrich #jameshetfield #cliffburton #vinylcollector #vinyl #vinylart #vintage #thrashmetal #80smetal #vinylporn #vinylalbum #vinyljunkie #vinyladdict #forwhomthebelltolls #1984 #thecallofktulu #creepingdeath #stephenking #thestand #elektrarecords #elektra #megaforcerecords

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  • My Led Zeppelin Collection – I consider Led Zeppelin my favorite band of all time, and all of my Led Zeppelin records have literally found me. I did a post about this a few weeks ago. But I own all of the 1977 pressings of Led Zeppelin I III, the Untitled Album, and Houses of the Holy and the original Swan Song pressings of Physical GraffitiPresence, and In Through the Out Door.
 

Day 17 of the #mayvinylchallenge -- Something found on the sleeve of a Record --- In my copy of Led Zeppelin's "Houses of the Holy" which I found at a record store in Atlanta, GA, the previous owner of the record wrote all over the inner sleeve. Even though this devalues the record in terms of resell value, it made the record more valuable to me. I like to collect first presses of Classic Rock albums mainly because I feel connected to the ppl who have owned the records before me. And this is a real treat to be able to know some information about the person who owned this wonderful album before I did! The fact that Mark & Melinda and John & Debbie have their names written with the words "forever {or f/ever}" inside a Led Zeppelin album, I have no doubt that their love will last forever! ����✌��❤️�� . . . #recordcollection #vinyl #vinylpost #vinyladdict #vinyljunkie #vintage #housesoftheholy #ledzeppelin #markandmelindaforever #johnanddebbief/ever #overthehillsandfaraway #dyermaker #thecrunge #thesongremainsthesame #therainsong #noquarter #theocean

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  • My Grateful Dead Collection - I received about 15 original pressings of a few Grateful Dead early studio albums and live albums. A lot of them are not in the best condition but it is incredibly awesome that I have such valuable records that I got for FREE!  
 

Day 20 of the #mayvinylchallenge - Complete collection of albums from one band- well I don't have a complete collection of albums from one band so I decided to show you my "lot" of Grateful Dead records I do have! {Surprisingly I don't even have the complete Led Zeppelin collection...} The most amazing part about this, is that I got all of these for FREEEEE! They were given to me from a man who's dad was just trying to get rid of his records! Even though most of these are not able to be played, I keep them because the artwork is phenomenal! I love the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia and I'm so thankful to have these in my possession! They are incredible!!! . . . #deadheads #deadfreaksunite #gratefuldead #vinylporn #vinyl #vinyladdict #vinylpost #vinyljunkie #vinylcollector #jerrygarcia #bobweir #60srock #psychedelic #psychedelicrock #psychedelicart #70srock #80sdead

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  • Most Prized Record of All Time - Hmmm…this is a hard one. I am probably going to have to go with my original press of Prince’s Purple Rain record. My cousin’s husband gave it to me after his father passed. I have it framed right by my front door, and it reminds me of the kindness and support that my loved ones have for my record collecting passion and me. In addition, it is a fantastic record and one of my favorite records of all time. The songs are timeless, just like my collection.
 

Day 13 #catchup #backtrack of the #junevinylchallenge2017 -- Favorite Record from a Certain Decade-- Well I picked my fave decade, the 80s, and my favorite record from the 80s -- Purple Rain by Prince #ripprince -- this record, movie, and everything about this is spectacular. Prince was an incredible guitarist among many other things and some of his best solos are on this album. How can you get more 80s than this record? The clothes, the flower designs, the font, the sounds, everything. Swipe to hear When Doves Cry ��and see my natural hair �� so 80s !! I hate it that I won't make it to the @seasickrecords Purple Rain party but y'all groove for me pls ☔️☔️☔️ . . . #vinyl #vintage #vinyladdict #vinylalbum #vinylpost #vinylalbumcollection #prince #purplerain #whendovescry #recordplayer #audiotechnica #vinyljunkie

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What frustrates you about the current record collecting scene?

A few things frustrate me about the current record collecting scene. One main concern is people’s lack of understanding of the vinyl record. The upkeep, the storing, and the buying of vinyl records is not a simple task. You must clean the records every few months. They collect dust, particles, and fingerprints. When you clean the record, you must “follow the grooves.” Also, a lot of people don’t realize that you have to store the records upright and side by side. Stacking the records on top of each other will cause warping. In addition, you must store them in a cool and dry environment. The type of needles and record player you use are also incredibly important. Certain record players (due to their mass-producing and lack of precision) can cause the record to not play right and it can cause damage to the record, especially older and more delicate records. When you buy records, you must inspect them completely. You really need to know which surface marks will disrupt play. To some people this process seems exhausting and inconvenient, but to me it makes the art of record collecting even more rewarding! Another frustrating thing about collecting music and being interested in so many different genres is how expensive my hobby is [laughs]. Honestly, if I take care of a record then the price of it increases over time.

 

Day 18 of the #augustvinylchallenge - Favorite Album Cover - for today I let my bffl @stinkalinka pick her favorite cover and of course my girl picked this gem ������ Meco you really kill it on this one, and I'm actually so surprised the sound coming from this record is so good because it is extremely "loved!!" My boss @atrain.15 gave it to me, and he listened to this as much as he could. Lit there are scratches and scuffs all over the record but it sounds perfect!!! ������Swipe to hear it yourself! Have you heard this beautiful gem?! �������������� . . . #vinyl #vinylgeek #vinylettes #vinyligclub #vinylcommunity #vinylcollector #vinylcollection #vinyladdict #starwars #meco #starwarsandothergalacticfunk #funkymusic #1977 #princessLeia #imperialattack #cantinaband #lightsabers #r2d2 #maytheforcebewithyou #vinylalbum #vinylrules #vinyllovers #vinyladdiction #vinyladdict #recordcollection

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What are some records you've had a tough time tracking down?

Since I love to collect the original presses of albums, I have pricier albums on my “want-list.” I would love to own the Australian Albert Production first presses of AC/DC’s Bon Scott-era records (each one probably costs about 100 to 150 a piece). I really want the Limited Edition Across the UniverseAlmost Famous, and Empire Records soundtracks (which all are my favorite movies). I managed to find the Limited Edition Dazed and Confused soundtrack for 30 bucks a few weeks ago! In addition, I want the original UK presses of the first five Led Zeppelin albums. The first Megaforce pressings of Metallica’s Kill 'Em All and Ride the Lightning albums, the first Elektra pressing of “The Black Album.” Oh, and the Master of Puppets box set they just announced on the Metallica website. Last but not least, Original US Geffen pressings of Guns N’ Roses’ first four albums. Some simpler finds: The Wild Heart by Stevie Nicks, 1999 by Prince, and Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison!

 

Alright, here's the post. So a few of you already know this, but this time last year I was admitted into the hospital due to my resting heart rate being a whopping 130 bpm and I couldn't catch my breath (my blood oxygen level had reached 80% no joke). I found out that I wasn't having a panic attack or major anxiety attack, I had just passed TWO massive blood clots that entered my lungs and caused my heart to swell and my body to go into total shock. After 5 days in the icu and the remaining 3 days in the hospital, I was put on blood thinners for life and I have a cardiologist and an oncologist �� ok so why does The Breakfast Club come into account? Well the night before, me thinking this was just all a panic attack/anxiety attack I watched this movie to help calm me. It's my favorite movie of all time. What happened actually is my body did calm down in the sense and I owe this movie to that, honestly if I wouldn't have calmed I probably wouldn't be here. ����‍♀️ swipe to hear this incredible soundtrack! Thank you for listening and for your love and support!!! �������� . . . #happyoneyear #thegirlwholived #thebreakfastclub #dontyouforgetaboutme

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Tagged: record collector