I have watched the interest in Command Records,and similar "percussion" records steadily increase,since roughly the mid 1990s,when I started buying them.As with exotica,which I began collecting in the early 80s,once you get beyond a few common titles,it gets progressively harder to find any thing different.I have all but about three of the known exotica titles,plus a few nobody has ever heard of.the eBay bidding wars for the ultra rarities are just as fierce as they are for Paramount blues 78s.

I have begun picking up high condition duplicates of these "Percussion" albums,and they always sell on eBay in high end shape.I don't know what stores like this will do to online prices.There will always be those who don't want to lower themselves to going to thrift stores.I assume these records are still plentiful at thrift stores all over the country.

The next thing is these twenty somethings who will plunk down hundreds of dollars for old Magnavox Astro-Sonics,and Motorola Drexel consoles,to play their Enoch Light records on.

They're out there...


Roger

 



________________________________
From: Tom Fine <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2011 9:49 AM
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Trending in Brooklyn -- Command Records

This article was in the Metro section last Sunday:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/nyregion/where-hunters-of-vinyl-and-other-treasures-load-up.html

Check out this from the slide show:
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2011/12/04/nyregion/joint-black-gold-records-8.html

The store sounds more trendy than where a collector would flourish, but nice to see used vinyl being associated with hipster kids.

We've had some discussion on the Ampex List about this vinyl niche among young consumers. I think, based on anecdotal evidence only, that there is a now a sustainable niche market among kids (teens and 20's) where they want to buy new releases from their favorite current artists on vinyl with a download code, so they can also listen in their iPod. They have no interest in a CD. They have the vinyl for the cool factor and the artifact, and they probably listen to the music most commonly on their iPod, but do drop the needle when listening with friends. We're also noticing some new Ampex List members well below the typical age of a tape machine owner. This, too, seems to be a trend.

-- Tom Fine