Why so much????

Why such a painfully obvious question for all of us to opine upon?

A certain level of obsession drives every true audiophile. It's the reason why we restlessly search, research and search again for that magic combination of electronics and accessories that enables us to feel as if the artists have stepped into the listening room with us.

That same obsession to a greater or lesser degree extends to the music we collect. Unless, of course you don't see the connection between hi-fidelity music playback systems and music.

lissen_up

IMHO

People collect lots of things -- some strange (to others), some not-so-strange. Mention of some of these items has already been made. Why do people collect things? To mark the passage of time. Who among us (even non-music collectors) cannot say "wow...I remember when I first heard *insert name of pertinent song here*..."? At the very least, a song can quickly take us back to a point in time that was, for whatever reason, pivotal.

Some of us even purposefully mark time with music. Four years ago, my wife and I had a son that we knew would not survive long. We spent only 6.5 hours with him -- and it was the most terrifying and joyous moment of my life. We spent that time listening to music that was important to us and that we wanted to share with him. To this day, I can no longer listen to those songs, but maybe one day I will be ready to and I will remember fully how precious and precarious life is.

Collect all you want, folks. It's your life. And besides, think of what a blast your kids will have going through it all after you're gone.

About a month ago, I was looking at my shelves of CDs for something to play. I pulled out "Empty Glass" by Pete Townshend, and as I was reveling in the uninhibited rage of "Rough Boys" I realized that I was listening to the first CD I ever bought.

Why so much? I agree. CD's should cost less. I bet I'd have twice as many then.

Tom

Per your questions:

1. “Too much” can be had for not too much if you are not too much in a hurry.

2. The rationale for “so much” is that, “too much” is simply not so much.

3. Yes, I am crazy...but not too much.

better question- why can't i get cd's of record alblums i used to cherish ? so much material will never ever appear on the store shelves again. i suggest someone (an ex-dj perhaps) devote their vast collection of vinyl to those who would pay $25 for them to burn a cd for them. a digital camera could capture the paperwork for another $10. i don't need another hi-rez edition of "cafe blue". anyone out there have a copy of leo wijnkamp jr.- rags to riches-kicking mule records??
great alblum, and just one of hundreds i wish i could get. what about dave brubeck-my favorite things- that's right, out of print. luckily i HAVE the record, and it's as good as anything he's ever done. but it's a worn, used copy. what about louis armstrong and the dukes of dixieland?- yep, out of print. classical music- forgetaboutit- way too much that was never re-issued.