Monday 21 November 2011

Lost In Music



Nothing like a blast of The Smiths for cheering up a wet & miserable Monday.


We've got such a massive amount of vinyl that we've had to build a garden shed to accommodate it all. Jon and I are the same age with similar musical tastes and a lot of our collection is duplicated but neither of us can bear to get rid of any of it. 


The trouble is that with our collection being in the shed is that when it's cold and wet neither of us can be arsed with trudging up the garden to renew the selection we keep in the house so we just keep buying more and more when we see it going cheaply enough.


We bought Basie's In The Bag (1967) and Long John Baldry & the Hoochie Coochie Men (1965) for 20p each from Friday night's jumble sale. Old skool sounds call for an old skool system and I nearly died of excitement when I spotted this Philips portable record player for £2 at a car boot sale last year.


We've got a retro wireless in almost every room. This one was £3 from a car boot sale years ago.


Cassettes might be a much maligned musical format but our daily ride's a 1969 VW Beetle so it's the only option if we want an alternative to Kerrang. Our cassette collection's huge but we regularly change our 1970s revolving (rock the) Cass-bar to keep our road trips interesting.


A car boot seller gave us this for free. I think he thought we were mad for being so enamoured of it.

1960s red suede suit (£4.20, eBay), 1960s suede & patent knee high boots (Kerrang K-Boot), Strangeways, Here We Come (bought in 1987)

I don't just listen to retro sounds, I love anything sung with a passion from heavy metal to hip hop. I might wear old clothes but I'm not stuck in a time warp.

I was thrilled to be featured on Jill's blog yesterday, thanks babe.

58 comments:

  1. I love music from the 80s, as you know. Great Smiths vinyls there! :)

    And I love your outfit!
    Oh and even though I don't have a cassette player now I can bear to throw out my 90s dance cassette!!!!

    Jules
    Suddenly I See

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  2. I think we might be after a record player soon - for the price of the original vinyls it's worth getting one I think. Sometimes today's music sounds all the same so it's good to have that music history to fall back too.

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  3. I love you!!!!!!! Look at how friggin HOT you look in this burgundy mini and forest green tights. Those boots make me swoon over your feet too. Two, you have the best attitude, you are open and kind and have great taste! We are both having wet yukky days thank goodness we have our blogs to add a lil sunshine. I love your bedroom especially your dressing table.

    I'm so happy you think you might have found a nice place for Dad. Anyplace with a resident cat sounds pretty awesome if you ask me.
    Loveyoumoreeachday~
    Krista

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  4. I can't bear to throw my vinyl out, though we don't have anything to play it on. All those LPs represent my past! And all the pocket money and Saturday job wages that paid for them - I can't chuck that investment, financial and emotional, in the bin.
    My kids are highly amused by our huge box of cassettes too - nope, haven't chucked them either...
    Love all your retro kit, especially loving that Long John Baldry album cover - groovy!!
    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  5. My dad's friend lent me his entire selection of Smiths LPs when I was 14, I copied them all to cassette and listened to them non stop for 4 years. I bought the entire back catalogue of Smiths CDs, and left them on a train, I was devastated. Got them all on the computer now.
    I'm completely gutted that my mum gave all my father's old vinyl away during a brief minamilist phase, there were some crackers there.
    Cassettes may have had their limitations, but nothing was sweeter than getting a homemade compilation from a friend.
    A shared music taste united Rob and I, but I don't share his CD collection enthusiasm, they are out of control - thousands of them. The shed idea appeals greatly.
    I used music to get me through a drab, wet Monday too. Can't say I dressed as well as you though, or that I have such a fine selection of listening devices.

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  6. OOOO! Those boots again! Every time I see them my heart skips a beat! Love today outfit! Very Vixen!

    Pyf has lots of records, mostly metal mind you but there are a few gems from his childhood.. embarrassing gems!

    I remember when I was younger I had chitty chitty bang bang and bed knobs and broom sticks which I would listen to all the time! I don't know what happened to them..

    I love getting glimpses of your home, it's so gorgeous! xxx

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  7. You're a QUEEN!! Love your long plays collection!
    Always so amazing!!!
    Hugs from Buenos Aires :)

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  8. Wow you look gorgeous today and im loving the photo's you just look in the right place with the right clothes etc on ;-)) I love that philips record player that is a beauty there is nothing like playing the vinyls last Friday night John an i were playing them and we danced for nearly 2 hours the funny thing was some of it was 1920's OMG i haven't laughed so much in ages. Have a great week, dee xxx

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  9. I adore this color on you. And that necklace is perfect. <3 Cold and wet eh? Sounds like here...19 degrees today. Yuck. You look beautiful!

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  10. Adoring your maroon (sude?) boots, Vix, and how thoey match your sleeveless top. ANother great outfit. :)

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  11. I had a couple of those spinny cassette things with all my 'cassingles' (remember them?) in when I was about 14. Luce is right though, a mixtape is the best, and the days of hovering over a pause button, taping hits off Atlantic 252! Most of my vinyl is mouldering in the attic, along with Ben's decks...no room at the moment.

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  12. Love your suede suit - perfect fit!
    I missed the whole vinyl experience as it was easier for me to use cassettes for various reasons then before I knew it CDs took over.

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  13. Another stunning outfit! And I am adoring the peek at your space; it suits you perfectly!

    My taste in music is as eclectic as my taste in everything else! Right now I am listening most to The Kinks, Talking Heads, The Stones, DMB and Lady Gaga. It's all on CD though; we have some vinyl, but not a functioning turntable. Something that needs to be rectified soon!
    xo

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  14. Those boots are amazing! x

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  15. The bad thing about moving here was realising we'd have to sell the music collection. We'll probably end up building it all up again (hopefully)but it still stung. The cassette holder is amazing. I love your boots! xx

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  16. Lost in music is a great place to be lost!! : )
    Yayyyyyyyyyy the Smiths!!! Great collection : )

    xx
    mirrorandmoon.blogspot.com

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  17. I have a selection of mix tapes people have made for me (girls mostly, sadly I never had a man that woo'ed (how DO you spell that?) with tapes that I keep, but I never listen to them. I love the look of records but have never owned any.

    My Dave is obsessed with vintage radios! The oldest one we have is from the 20s, a gorgeous thing that doesn't work and cost like £80 or something stupid. It just sits in the kitchen looking ace.

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  18. Love the red suede suit. I agree...I like the old tunes but when I am with the yung uns, I can rock out to today's tunes if they are worthy. -T

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  19. I love your Cass Bar too! How fabulous! I fondly remember cartridges as well! Our family car,a 71 Ford Fairmont,had a cartridge player.OOoo,I love all your retro music stuff!And the Smiths!And your red suede number!EEEEEEEEEK! How I would LOVE to be there,spinning vinyl,drinking wine and talking shit with you!Sounds like HEAVEN!!!
    LOVE YOU!!!
    Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  20. You look amazing, these colors are perfect for you, and your boots are to die for!

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  21. Great outfit, perfectly accessorised with the LPs. The Phillips player is a bargain - they go for a small fortune on ebay. Did you say you have a Dansette as well? I don't own any vinyl at the moment as I don't have a turntable but I keep looking. Like you, I love good music regardless of era x

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  22. I'm glad I read this because it proves I'm not the only one hanging on to my rather vast collection of tapes. xx

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  23. really amazing you both have sooo many vinyl records! and I love your suede top and those gorgeous boots that are so similar to the jeffery campbell ones on free people's website!

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  24. I still have a drawer full of cassettes and listen tot hem regularly.

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  25. Wow so very envious! It seems your taste in music is just as fabulous as your taste in clothes Vix xxx

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  26. I miss vinyl discs - CDS and ipods just don't give you that same sense of excitement of the tactile big covers, slipping the record out of it's sleeve and checking it over for dust, and deliberately positioning the needle in the groove. It was a real physical action involved in choosing what you wanted to listen to rather than pushing the "shuffle" button.
    I hear you on not wanting to go into a wet cold shed - spare a thought - I have to rehearse in my garden shed!

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  27. Love the red suit n boots, Have to admit I haven't listened to the Smiths in YEARS, they were my Gods when I was at uni

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  28. Oh we still have all our vinyl - and there's a lot of it! - and a small portable record player to play it on. Love The Smiths, reminds me of my Manchester days.

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  29. I think that it is a very good recap of the wonderful free spirit and soft soul you are:
    I love anything sung with a passion
    You always come out with the best frases.¡¡¡Bang!!! Straight from the heart.
    Love you
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  30. (First) Your dressing table is so gorgeus I had to creep all over it in this post!
    (Second) Hello to Cousin poodle sitting on the mantel.
    (Third) You look so gorgeous (You sort of remind me of a sexy woodland elf *But without the hat of course* in this outfit! *heeh*)

    I have a record player from 1985. I remember my Dad buying it, I was about 4. I remember the purchase.. because it seemed to take so long and I was wondering around this music store for what seemed like hours. *lol*

    I really want to find a old style player like yours. It is so SWWEEET!

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  31. I always drool over your dressing table and bedroom decor.
    I love you in this suede frock and boots are straight up gorgeous.
    I am eyeing your Smiths record,I need to find me a record player to play my old skool Mexi music.I like all kinds of music too.
    besotes

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  32. New to your blog, and really enjoying seeing all your fabulous outfits. My dressing table is similar to yours, even the handles are more or less the same. It's been a few colours over the years but is currently off-white. Love The Smiths too, one of the best ever bands.

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  33. Hi Vix, i am in madly inlove with your Victorian Boots! i am seriously thinking of going on E-Bay to find fantastic vintage!

    Your boudoir is fabulous - my old appartment's decor was like yours...but now Mr. D is more a straight classic type of guys when it comes to decoration but i have things here and there..., he prefers vintage on me:)

    Lots of love - Ariane xxxxx

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  34. Your coolness knows no bounds! I want to get this record player that runs on batteries and hangs on your wall...then I plan to go nutty at a local antique shop that has a butt ton of amazing vinyl! I love you so! Hearts, Janna Lynn

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  35. Granville has only a tape player too, it's fabulous, you can pick up tapes from charity shops for 20p or less and we have a growing collection lol. Retro music is cool, but I'm not averse to a bit of Gaga too. ;-) xx

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  36. I'm envious of your vinyl collection. I've only discovered the joys of vinyl this year, since rescuing my parents' record player and LPs from the loft. Have also found myself increasingly lingering around the boxes of LPs in charity shops, hoping to strike vinyl gold (a Kate Bush say, or Nick Drake or The Clash).
    My, you always look so fabulous in suede. Love this red ensemble.

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  37. can i come live with you please?! your home looks heavenly.

    xoxo.

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  38. You can't beat vinyl for sound as far as I am concerned! I love the red suit and the boots!
    Karlene

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  39. Not at all surprised by your fab music collection!

    The boots go so well with the top/dress :) Lookung super cool!!!

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  40. drooling @ your albums...I love vinyl as well :) ...right before I left Cali I found this neat record set on how to teach yourself blues harmonica LOL!! we are of course still looking for a harmonica hehehe....and the Smiths that was my music of teen years I am sure I could still sing every song I haven't listened to them in ages though I think now after seeing your album I must reconnect with Morrissey soon for sure!! You know what band I always really liked that I found the vinyl for A HA ...Hunting High and Low...I wonder if I am the only one out there that really loves this record?? all right enough rambling :) Love your outfit. You look fabulous! ~Have a Great week

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  41. Nothing wrong with a wide variety. My iPod has all sorts on much to the kids amusement! Loving the dress.

    X x

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  42. I really want a vinyl collection too!

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  43. I can't wait to get all my vinyl up from Sydney (still in storage) but I'm sure I don't have anywhere near as much as you two!! BTW what is that little t.v. looking cream coloured thingy in the middle of the dressing table?? Looks like a musical cig lighter or box I've seen but show me a close-up pls!

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  44. I love a few fine choons. The sad thing is, even as part of the CD generation, or house is STILL full! His Lordship suggested a cull but we can't bear it. The garage solution may have to be taken.

    We recently got Sky and I turn on the Kerrang and Q channels at every opportunity. Lucky neighbours! ;)

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  45. Me and Andy still have all our vinyl, CDs etc upstairs, we need a home for them. I'd like a music wall with floor to floor shelves. We both adore our music.
    Gorgeous dress and even more gorgeous boots!
    xx

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  46. All my music is on my computer and ipod so it doesn't take up any space. It's kind of sad though you don't get to see the cool cover art records have. You look lovely in that red suit but who am I kidding you look good in everything!!!

    xx

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  47. What a fab outfit - and the boots are perfect for it!

    I've still got our vinyl in a cupboard and yes, we still have a stereo to play it on! I showed Sonshine a casette and he had no idea what it was!

    Which is a pity cos we've got bloomin hundreds of them lol!

    Ali x

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  48. The Phoenix and I had a good old drool over your retro hi-fi equipment!! He still has a huge load of similar goodies and mint 8-track players in a garage in Sheffield. You look positively perfect honey in your fecking awesome suede suit - it's lucky I'm thousands of miles away coz I would be stroking it incessantly!!! And oh lord the boots with the patent toes - just shoot me now!!!! xoxoxxoxoxoxooxo

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  49. I used to have a fairly big vinyl collection, but it is all back in Oz and I no longer have a record player, so I don't even know whether to bring it over when I next go home. There is really nothing to match the sound, is there. I particularly love my crackly old 70s folk on vinyl, digital just doesn't sound right xx

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  50. You look gorgeous.love that dress and your boots.Gotta love the smiths.I have loads of records too but no longer have a stereo.Your vanity is very pretty.Great radios.xx

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  51. I love the rock the cass bar reference! And you rock that suit and boots.

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  52. Do you remember The Bay City Rollers? Just listed to the song Saturday Night with my youngest kid the other night.....my husband has rock & heavy metal records & I have my disco & The Cars records too!

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  53. oh red suede all over, there is nothing i would love more ;) burgundy is such a great colour for fall and i love it even more with your green tights!
    oh and the smiths of course, i think i´m of course stuck in a time warp referring to music haha
    love and kiss,mary

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  54. Ive always got some tunes on the go, im still waiting for an original jukebox to land on my door step! I knew you'd have an amazing music collection, also i was totally eyeing up your vanity table - beautiful! Scarlett x

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  55. LOve these photos you look fab as usual xx

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  56. TWO POUNDS for that fab turntable!!! FARK! They are HUNDREDS here. Love all of your fab sound systems... I love the ease of my digital devices but they are pretty soul-less.

    You look gorgeous - LOVE that colour on you - and the FABULOUS suede suit and boots are EXQUISITE!

    Love! Sarah xxx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix