How many grooves in a 33 rpm vinyl record?
The answer is one. This is a little more insight into me, making it easier to follow my words. My love for music and the business of music is well-known and makes me smarter than I really am, because I can spout any useless information on the topic but can’t tell you why I walked into the kitchen. That’s me.
In this edition, I will introduce you to an interesting blend of style with wine and music. Sit back, relax and open your mind.
Since the beginning of time as much as we have loved the convenience of speed, we turn to relish the classics that took a bit of time. Whether or not it is actually better, that is a long debate that I feel depends on what you are debating. But, when you hold some of these items that took more than a keystroke to print and disperse, it does cause you to pause. I think the use of the pause button would save a lot of aggravation today. For example, type a text, press pause, read the text or auto corrected text and correct the auto-correction and then push send. Oh, imagine the possibilities. Now, think of Gutenberg if he printed a typo.
I was at an arcade recently with my daughter and found an old video game, Ga
laxian…like Galaga (but that was being used) and after I put a quarter in the slot, (yes, still a quarter) I had to keep pushing the button to fire. Now, I’m Jane Jetson and “I’ve Got the Push Button Blues.” I actually got tired and I am thinking to myself, damn I’m old. Actually, I am just thinking that I just proved my point remembering a song sung by Jane Jetson. There was also the episode where…I’ll leave it for later.
Maybe this is one of the reasons I enjoy wine so much. It cannot be made well if it is rushed. It cannot mature and become robust if made in a hurry. It can’t go back and bring forth centuries of flavors if the older vines are destroyed so that we can consume a history of the region. You should know, that although I am a slow runner, mid-paced hiker, strong but not speedy cyclist I like fast cars, fast wit and do not like to linger when shopping. But, drinking wine and enjoying the outdoors, I will say should be savored slowly. It is my attempt at controlling time and although I never truly succeed at it, I do create great memories and that works for me.
Enter the Slow Press Cabernet Sauvignon. I automatically think of vinyl records but this even echoes my sentiments on the bottle when it prints “never rush a great wine”. This 2014 wine out of Paso Robles, CA is oak barrel aged. Like a vintage recording such as Sammy Davis Jr and Buddy Rich on the album Sounds of ’66, the intro to “Come Back to Me” is a genuineness and beauty that can only be augmented by the tracks on the record such as “What Now My Love”. Now, due to tempus fugit, vintage means more the artists of my youth like the Rolling Stones, Beatles, Journey, and much more. Back to the wine, this Cabernet is dark and the process has been slowed down to be more concentrated, which proves sometimes, slowing down demonstrates the
well-intentioned effort and show the true amalgamation of when art meets craft. Delicious!
Enter perhaps the purest of methods to record an album. It was not done by many but was used most often in the 60’s and 70’s. It is when an album was recorded direct to disc, not first to the tape and then transferred. Thus it removed some of the hissing (a well-loved memory of vinyl) but created a truly honest reproduction and if you pause well enough to listen, you can hear a breath taken. See for yourselves a great article on the process here.
Although, Sammy eludes to the live recording being pressed to wax during the performance, there is no guarantee but here is an example for you by the great Harry James, and “Sweet Georgia Brown” recorded direct to disc by Sheffield Lab.
So endeth the lesson on this process. Friends, listen to what brings a smile to your face and drink what you like and makes your taste buds happy. Cheers!
The Blonde Grape 