Robert Millis Lecture Response
I wanted to talk about the love and passions of collecting records that most audiophiles involved with collecting possess.
There was an immediate smile from Rob’s face when he began setting up his gear for our class demonstration. What is it that causes a guy to pursue travels all over the globe for a better understanding of ethno music on vinyl and lacquer? I cant tell you why he does what he does, but if I had to guess, I would imagine it comes down to something reminiscent from early childhood experiences, perhaps even a more human connection then just of the cold feel you receive when picking up a disc.
Looking through his book and coming across all of the amazing shots taken from all over the globe even gave me a flashback to my younger years. Regardless of the time and distance, the mutual connection and admiration is still there for me when looking through his photographs. I can relay this emotion to whomever I share a listen with in my free time at home on my set up. You can close your eyes and open up an LP and smell the stale dusty scent of memories, regardless of the genre of music cut to the record, it always provokes feelings and emotions. Maybe the nostalgia of this alone is what record collectors alike share in common? I can definitely guarantee you that when Robert was flipping through his short stack during the demonstration that he was submersed in emotions of love and happiness. This is a Zen for most record collectors, the thumbing through of records. The pure enjoyment of listening to a record is fantastic, but when you can be left to dig through crates, man a guy could get lost for hours. The human connection I spoke about earlier was in regards to a deep personal connection between a memory or experience that you have had and have possibly shared with another. You can of coarse find this listening to music period, but I truly believe it is enhanced ten fold through the touch of the groove, the smell of the jacket and the sound of the pops. I don’t claim to have the greatest record collection, or even a decent one to most, but within this collection there are some incredibly awesome things to take into consideration. For example if you were to grab any single one off of the shelf, and perhaps you pull out a Tchaikovsky, or a Count Basie Orchestra, or even a Dub Tribe Sound System album. Take this into consideration; all of these artists, whether you find the album interesting or even remotely good or even have any sort of liking whatsoever, the time it took to write, compose, produce, gather musicians, practice. Hours and hours of practice, then record and through this entire process you end up with this final product in your hands. The digital age may have metatags and video links to discography’s, but it will never have anything on holding this record in your hands, dropping the needle on the first track and listening to that warmth of gold while reading about the production and looking through photos inside the album cover. This was every thought I had while watching Robert smile as he played records from his impressive worldly collection. And I asked myself this very same question; what causes us to be so consumed with the need to be surrounded with more experience with records? Not only listening to them, but also gaining a better understanding as to where they come from, how they were and are made today. Different styles of players, head shells and needles. Different stories about why people collect them as well as different HiFi gear to play them all on. Again, if I had to take a guess. It’s the human connection.
For more information on Robert Millis check out his webpage.
http://robertmillis.net
