The artists view

A few months ago I bought a close to broken old record player and speakers for $25.

Since then I’ve bought used and reissues of old classics on vinyl. There is something special to the feeling of dropping the needle on the LP’s first track and listening through to the end, not skipping a song because I don’t like it, but keeping at it because it’s what the artist aimed at. Delivering a story.

I’d never heard David Bowie’s Heroes album before this, just the hits. But those wonky odd tracks in between? They’re what make the whole story work.

Wouldn’t it be interesting if artists themselves could say: you cannot listen to any specific tune until you’ve listened to this complete album.

Think of the kind of stories that would then be able to be told again.

Like going to the Louvre and only seeing the Mona Lisa before leaving. You miss all the context that makes it truly special.