Paul Fannin
Well-Known Member
In my collection empire, I own at least 5,000 songs. In that accounting I do not number discs, but rather, hit songs (a hit song by my reckoning is any song the made it into the Billboard Top 40). Of that, about a thousand are on vinyl 45's. I seldom buy 45's anymore (although I own an excellent turntable and am searching for a cost-efficient way to burn them into my computer), concentrating on hit compilations by artists or "various artists" on CD. For the stickler who wants songs in their original radio versions, that pursuit is getting harder and 45's are still good for that if you can find them. You may have to content yourself with the extended album versions.
Some things to look for:
"Original hits recordings by the original artists" Very important! If this is not clear on the CD in your hand, Pauly says leave it.
Canadians please take no offense at this...but CD compilations manufactured in Canada deserve a double take. I have learned by sad experience that these are usually cheap re-records and are lousy. In addition, avoid the label Madacy...trust me.
Avoid any label you've never heard of.
Watch out for multiple CD compilations for $7 or $8. Chances are they're phony. Again check the label.
Watch out for compilations where the superstar artist changed labels in mid-career (ie, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Roger Miller). Many times, there's a re-record of the old version from the old label on the new compilation on the new label. I hope that was clear
.
Labels which specialize in compilations that you can trust:
Time-Life
Heartland Music
Razor and Tie
Rhino (the best)
In the event you find a label you've never seen, look and see if they are a subsidiary of a label you do know. For example, if you see EMI, or Sony (CBS), Warner Special Products, and the like, you can rest assured that you've got a winner.
Go to Wal-mart, Best Buy, or Target before you hit Virgin Mega-store, the Wherehouse, Sam Goody, Tower or other chain stores, and do it in the name of price. The chain stores should either be your second or third option. Online services such as Amazon (my favorite), Overstock, eBay are excellent for value and hard-to-find products, but be just as vigilant about checking labels. Specialty stores or "old record shops" should be your last option. While they are wonderful for vinyl products, they are expensive and particularly expensive for CD's, not to mention used (although used CD's at the chain stores can be a good bargain).
I have never downloaded from Napster, Kazaa, and the like, but that is in no way mentioned to discourage it. In the same vein, while companies like Columbia House and BMG are pretty reliable, in this day of computer downloads, buying from clearing houses is paying them $17-$18 extra per disc to do what you can do at home for the cost of a blank CD.
Although I NEVER loan out my original copies of songs, I love ripping them for friends and I have no problem borrowing yours and ripping them for myself.
Collecting hit songs is my obsession!
Some things to look for:
"Original hits recordings by the original artists" Very important! If this is not clear on the CD in your hand, Pauly says leave it.
Canadians please take no offense at this...but CD compilations manufactured in Canada deserve a double take. I have learned by sad experience that these are usually cheap re-records and are lousy. In addition, avoid the label Madacy...trust me.
Avoid any label you've never heard of.
Watch out for multiple CD compilations for $7 or $8. Chances are they're phony. Again check the label.
Watch out for compilations where the superstar artist changed labels in mid-career (ie, Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Roger Miller). Many times, there's a re-record of the old version from the old label on the new compilation on the new label. I hope that was clear
.Labels which specialize in compilations that you can trust:
Time-Life
Heartland Music
Razor and Tie
Rhino (the best)
In the event you find a label you've never seen, look and see if they are a subsidiary of a label you do know. For example, if you see EMI, or Sony (CBS), Warner Special Products, and the like, you can rest assured that you've got a winner.
Go to Wal-mart, Best Buy, or Target before you hit Virgin Mega-store, the Wherehouse, Sam Goody, Tower or other chain stores, and do it in the name of price. The chain stores should either be your second or third option. Online services such as Amazon (my favorite), Overstock, eBay are excellent for value and hard-to-find products, but be just as vigilant about checking labels. Specialty stores or "old record shops" should be your last option. While they are wonderful for vinyl products, they are expensive and particularly expensive for CD's, not to mention used (although used CD's at the chain stores can be a good bargain).
I have never downloaded from Napster, Kazaa, and the like, but that is in no way mentioned to discourage it. In the same vein, while companies like Columbia House and BMG are pretty reliable, in this day of computer downloads, buying from clearing houses is paying them $17-$18 extra per disc to do what you can do at home for the cost of a blank CD.
Although I NEVER loan out my original copies of songs, I love ripping them for friends and I have no problem borrowing yours
and ripping them for myself. Collecting hit songs is my obsession!
