Carpe Weekend: Record breaker

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The vinyl record — that seemingly forgotten audio format that used to treat listeners to snaps, crackles and pops alongside the music — is still a big part of people's lives. | AP file photo

Updated: February 13, 2012 8:08AM

Nearly two years and 100 columns have passed since I wrote the very first Carpe Weekend feature.

That piece was titled “A box full o’ vinyl” and dealt with my lifelong fascination with music.

A lot has changed since then, but one thing hasn’t: Vinyl records still are the bee’s knees, at least for some of us.

Modern technology is great, and there’s no debating the practicality of MP3s.

If most of us had our entire digital music collection converted to record form, it probably would fill a decent-size warehouse. I know mine would fill several.

But the vinyl record — that seemingly forgotten audio format that used to treat listeners to snaps, crackles and pops alongside the music — is still a big part of people’s lives.

And it’s not just because of the nostalgia associated with slipping a disc from its cardboard cover and placing it gently onto the turntable.

The sound quality of vinyl records is arguably much richer and, for lack of a better term, thicker than digital recordings.

There seems to be more going on, more sonic layers to uncover and enjoy.

While we conveniently can pack as many MP3s into our digital devices as the hard drive will allow, there seemingly is no room for the plethora of photos, liner notes and beautifully rendered art that comes standard inside most vinyl records.

If one were to look at my personal music collection, they might get the urge to call me a hypocrite — I have about 6,000 MP3s and only one vinyl record, Led Zeppelin’s untitled fourth album.

I blame it on the 1980s version of myself, who systematically and without regard for their worth destroyed or lost all of his old records.

I’m an adult now and much more cognizant of the value of vinyl. Someday, I hope to restore my record collection to its once-abundant status.

If you’re also looking to rebuild a lost or diminished record collection, here are a few local places to begin your search.

Perhaps I’ll see you there.

Record Collectors Show

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago — Alsip, 5000 W. 127th St., will host a Record Collectors Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 14.

The 40-table event will feature thousands of original vinyl releases from the past 60 years.

The show also will have phonograph needles, record players, CDs, cassettes, memorabilia, 45s and albums for sale.

The cost is $3 for general admission and free for ages 12 and younger.

Most music categories will be represented, and those with surplus music items are welcome to bring them in for cash or an appraisal.

Pace Bus 383 will bring participants to the front door and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information: Larry O’Connell, (773) 585-6254.

Disc Replay

Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Disc Replay is at 15024 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park. Information: (708) 873-1132.

Beverly Rare Records

Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, Beverly Rare Records is at 11612 S. Western Ave., Chicago. Information: (773) 779-0066.