Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/w/blogs/marshal-knight/2014/02/21/vinyl-review-walt-disneys-happiest-songs/" target="_blank"><b>2/21/14 Marshal Knight's Blog: Vinyl Review: Walt Disney's Happiest Songs</b></a>
Originally Posted By mawnck A couple of things, from an old-timer to a high school student (aside from "get off my lawn!"). I've been collecting records for decades, starting back when they were the only game in town, so I'm chock full of opinions on the general topic. I'm about to spill some of them at you, so don't take this as an assault on your post. It's more of an alternate viewpoint, with the patina of age and wisdom, har har. (1) They're "records", not vinyls. Always have been. Many of them aren't even made of vinyl. (Styrene, shellac, plastic-coated paper and cardboard, and nitrocellulose-coated metal are the other most popular concoctions.) I don't know when the "vinyls" thing got started, but it's VERY recent and it drives us old farts bananas. (It's also grammatically incorrect, since the plural of "vinyl" is "vinyl" unless you're comparing different plastic formulations.) Just use "records" and nobody gets hurt. They are records. They came from record companies, we bought them at record stores, and we played them on record players. (Also, the big ones are "LPs", I will also accept "albums", the small ones with big holes are "45s", and the really old ones are "78s". Accept no substitutes.) (2) >>The added benefit of the crackle from the LP makes it even better.<< Aaaaack! No, your records are NOT supposed to crackle. That's a bug, not a feature. They're supposed to sound BETTER than digital. (Which is a whole other rant that I will spare you at this time, because while they theoretically CAN, in the real world they usually don't.) If you're getting a lot of crackling, then you need to figure out what's wrong and fix it. If you're buying used, are you cleaning them before you play them? You oughta. That being said, Disneyland Records' masters for the early soundtracks were pretty noisy to start with (as well as doused in reverb), so it may not be your record's fault this time - IF it's only on the soundtracks. If the Mary Martin track is scratchy, then something is amiss. That video you linked to is either a seriously dirty or seriously damaged copy of the record (or else a needle that needed replacing about 10 years ago). It's not supposed to sound fuzzy like that! (3) I suggest that, whenever you review a record, you should list the catalog number and the type of sound (stereo or mono). It helps us to know what you're talking about. To a newcomer, it can be hard to tell if Disney albums are stereo or mono if they don't say something about it on the package, so I'll cut you some slack if you leave that out. "Happiest Songs" is Disneyland DL-3510, and it was only released in mono. (4) For your next review, how about the OTHER Gulf album, "Walt Disney's Merriest Songs"? Louis Armstrong's on that one. Woot! (5) You have besmirched the memory of the great Louis Prima. I would call down a pox on your house if that particular track didn't suck so much. Chipmunk voices? What were they thinking? (6) In case you couldn't tell, this album is compiled from several releases in the Disneyland and Buena Vista records catalogs. (Buena Vista was Disney's "grownup" label, formed because they were having a hard time getting people to take jazz and classical albums on "Disneyland Records" seriously. It took them three years to figure that out.) (7) You NEED the following two books. Buy them ASAP and get reading. (That goes for you too, other interested person that's reading this.) If you had the second book, you'd know that "Happiest Songs" actually came out in 1968, even though the cover does say 1967: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Tracks-Story-Disney-Records/dp/1578068495/">http://www.amazon.com/Mouse-Tr...8068495/</a> <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Walt-Disney-Records-1933-1988/dp/0930625706/">http://www.amazon.com/Golden-W...0625706/</a> Disclaimer: The values listed in the 2nd one are a bit over-inflated, but the other info contained therein is required reading for anyone who collects Disney viny- uh, records.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "I don't know when the "vinyls" thing got started, but it's VERY recent and it drives us old farts bananas. (It's also grammatically incorrect, since the plural of "vinyl" is "vinyl" unless you're comparing different plastic formulations.)" While I also hate the use of "vinyl" like this (could it be any more pretentious?), I would say pluralizing it like this is ok and part of the natural evolution of language.
Originally Posted By magic0214 Well dang, I just got told! Sorry for the use of the the term "vinyls", I will use records from now on. Also, I will include the info you asked for (stereo/mono). I actually enjoy the crackling, even if that's not meant to happen. Let me know if you any more suggestions, since the Merriest Songs one I will have to find!
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Well dang, I just got told!<< I hope I wasn't grouchy about it. It's sort of been my default 'tude lately, and I'm trying to dial it back. Of course you can call them whatever you want and let me fester, but you'll be going against 100 years of usage that's printed on the covers and labels of nearly every one of 'em. Good luck with that Voices of Liberty LP. I understand it's rather tough to score one in decent shape unless you have some cash to spend. There's a sealed one up on ebay right now for $90 (although that strikes me as TOO optimistic). Thrift stores are an excellent cheap source of Disney records, but you have to restrain yourself from buying the ones that aren't in good condition (most aren't). Be patient!
Originally Posted By magic0214 ^^ No, I completely understand! I am a newbie on the subject, so your corrections are very much appriciated. I purchased the book you recommended and it should be coming in the mail (along with a copy of a Bambi record!)
