Building your vinyl record collection: interview of Franck, co-founder of maPlatine.com
Franck, co-founder of maPlatine.com, a great music and high-fidelity enthusiast, tells us about his vinyl record collection, from his very first up to his latest purchase.
– Do you have a large vinyl record collection?
I think I have more than 4,000 LPs. It covers every musical style, but there is mainly soul, rock and rhythm’n’blues in there. I also own 1,000 CDs and 1,000 singles (45 RPM of course), also mainly rock and soul. Anyway, it’s a large record collection, but I don’t plan to end it there!
– When did you buy your first vinyl record? Which one was it?
I remember it very well, it was in 1980 and it was The Police’s ‘Reggatta de blanc’ with the tracks ‘Message in a Bottle’ and ‘Walking on the moon’. And a few weeks later, I bought another vinyl record: U2’s ‘October’. This particular track, with mostly piano, is just SU-PERB.
– Which is your all-time favourite LP?
It’s difficult to say, because my record collection is quite extensive. If I had to pick one, it would probably have to be the first self-titled album by The Stooges, released in 1969. I think I could take that one with me on a desert island.
– Why that one in particular?
Because of the way the guitars sound… I think this album changed my entire perception of rock. Also, it influenced my musical choices and even my life in a way…
– Which record in your collection was the hardest to find?
I have a lot, so it’s difficult to tell. I have a lot of rare records. Unfortunately, contrary to belief, the value of a record is not based on its rarity. The hardest to come by were those of Johnny Cash, who I particularly like, especially from the Sun Records and early Columbia label eras. All mono of course!
– Is there a specific record that you haven’t found yet and that you would like to own?
There are several! I couldn’t name one in particular off the top of my head. This can be explained by the fact that many records I would like to have in vinyl have not been released in this format. I’m referring to productions that were released between the 80’s and 2000’s for example.
– What was your latest find?
I was in the Netherlands not long ago and I bought ‘Crocodiles’, Echo and the Bunnymen’s first LP, released in 1980 by the label Korova. It’s not worth much but I didn’t have it… actually, I no longer had it, I think I gave it away at some point. This band influenced many of the current post New Wave bands.