As we grow older, we begin to look at our many personal possessions and wonder where they will go when we’re gone. Some things can go to the dump quickly while others are difficult to let go.
A few days ago, I decided to open and tackle a long undisturbed closet full of music memorabilia, including my record collection from my childhood to today.
Music has always been a powerful sound memory to my soul but has also left an indelible imprint on my life. As I opened that closet door, I realized that I had a collection of 78 RPMs, some 8-tracks, about 63 cassette tapes, over 130 CDs and over 100 33 RPM vinyl records. Now, where to start?
Growing up, my family only had a small radio until one day my father announced he had purchased a used record player that only played 78s. The family was thrilled and each of us was allowed to pick a record of our choice. I was about 8 years old and picked Juan Tizol’s “Caravan” played by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which I recalled hearing incessantly on that radio every day.
Ultimately, many of my 78 records got dropped and broke easily. Twelve-inch vinyls appeared by the mid-’50s along with 7-inch 45s.
The rock ‘n’ roll era was upon us with a choice of two top hits: Bill Haley’s “Rock Around The Clock” or Prez Prado’s popular “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White.” I was a Bill Haley guy! But the technology also changed to newer turntables to accommodate 33 and 45 RPM records. So we had to buy a new turntable and said goodbye to that old 78 record player.
I secured a great collection of mostly 33 RPM records in the ‘60s while I was in college working on my bachelor’s and master’s in music. In those days, I heard many of my jazz mentors live in NYC and never forgot those special club sounds. Live stage performances by such talent reminded me of my first frightened stage “paid saxophone gig” at the age of 14 in Connecticut.
As I proceeded to empty that closet and thumb through my prized possessions, many thoughts went through my mind. I realized that my record collection was outdated and had endured at least five different playback options from 78s, 33s, 8-tracks, cassettes and CDs.
Now, it’s mostly iPhone driven by YouTube, rendering my precious collection almost useless. I had entertained giving away part of my collection to someone who could recognize and appreciate the music from names like Miles, Sonny, Dizzy, Monk, Horace, Bird, Ella, Duke or Basie.
Luckily, my daughter loves jazz. She helped me relieve all those memories as we thumbed through each album. She took many albums home and promised to come back soon with a hand truck … closet still full!
What it boils down to is this: reading record jackets and listening brought me back in time to where I was when they were purchased, hearing that special cut, never forgetting that intoxicating melody and assimilating my life to all of those moments.
Those records, even though not played, define indelible memories in my life I shall never forget … that’s the power of music! Once you experience it, you’re hooked forever. It’s a special feeling like no other.
And as the great Duke Ellington has often spoken “Music Is My Mistress” … couldn’t agree with you more, Duke!
Ray Tiezzi lives in West Newbury.