Carefully removing the large black 12” disc from its protective plastic sheeting, with the middle finger finding the hole at the disc’s center and thumb gently holding the rim, without placing fingers directly on the flat playing surface. Then, gently place the disc onto the turntable and, with surgical precision, move the stylus over it and gently lower it to begin the journey.
As with a slight crackle, the first notes of the song play, and slowly one is transported into a different mental space, possibly filled with memories – people, places, events – or new ones begin to form. From one track to the next, until the end, in sequence. Then, finally, it stops. You turn it over and recommence the experience from start to finish as the artist intended.
Some will say the sound from vinyl is superior to digital, and others will argue. However, there is only one vinyl experience. The music plays in the order intended for you to interact with it. CDs, cassettes, and digital playback cannot reproduce the vinyl experience. While some may be simpler, they remain inferior experiential substitutes.
Experiences shape and form our life. The ones requiring care, attention, and some precision are the ones we hold dear. You could purchase fast food, but it will likely not match the experience of creating the meal from scratch. Attention replaces haste, immersion instead of distraction, and passion for ambivalence.
In a competitive world for time, attention, and spending, a focus on creating a complete experience is more valuable than many other gimmicks you may imagine. Typically, they say one thing – you care.
