Vinyl Collector of the Day, Jim Nieves

Today, we bring you our Vinyl Collector of the day, Jim Nieves. I recently read comments on a recent Collector of the Day post where readers had mentioned that they thought their own stories were not as compelling as that of the current Collector of the Day. I think that what makes these features great is that everyone has such a unique story as to how they found this format. Vinyl has spoken to each of us in a very special way and I really hope everyone gets a chance to share their own experience. Today, we bring you Jim Nieves, and what I love about Jim’s feature is that he comes from a different world of collecting. I think it would be fair to say that most collectors that have found Vinyl Collective come from more of a Punk Rock or Hardcore world. Jim comes from a slightly different world. I highly recommend reading his answers to why he collects vinyl, his first record purchase, records he would love to see pressed, out of print records he would love to own, and how one of his most prized records only cost him 20 cents. I particularly enjoyed reading about Jim’s comments on vinyl retail prices and how they have escalated in recent years. Thanks Jim for answering our questions.

Please click the link to read more. And if you are ready to submit your own Vinyl Collector of the Day, just click here.

VC: Your name and the city you live in.
Jim Nieves, Atlanta, GA

VC: Do you catalog your records online? Where are they? Are you on the VC Message board? What is your username?
Not online but I do catalog them using Collectorz.com Music Collector which can easily be exported to iPhone and the web. This is an awesome application that you MUST own if you have any collection, large or small. A true cataloger’s dream! I’m not on the message board, not a real message board type, sorry.

VC: How many records do you own?
2,400 give or take.

VC: Why do you collect vinyl?
Hard to say really. I guess, first, I love the sound of records. Second, I like being able to handle the records, clean them, care for them, bring one back to life from an old dusty relic. I love all the extra goodies that are sometimes packaged with the records like posters, stickers, tattoos, and even cardboard cutout Love Guns! Third, I love the hunt – and the feeling you get when you discover a one-of-a-kind gem you’ve had on your want list forever. And then the utter astonishment and exhilaration of finding it in the dollar bin of your local record shop. And lastly, the sentimental connection to my adolescence – memories of carefree summer nights, good friends and misspent youth.

VC: What was the first record you remember purchasing with your own money?
Elvis Presley, Hound Dog 7” – as recommended by my Mother who was clueless when it came to music. And, although the year was 1972, she still thought Elvis was what all the kids were listening to. I dug it, though, and played it endlessly on my little portable record player memorizing all the words. Thanks Mom!

VC: What is your most prized record in your collection?
Almost everything I purchased new throughout the late 90’s and early 2000’s when the new vinyl section at my local Tower Records was a paltry 5’ X 6’ wooden display. I scored some really rare vinyl back then – Eels – Electro-shock Blues double 10”, Kings of Leon – Youth and Young Manhood double 10”, Wilco – A.M. on red vinyl, Bob Dylan – Time Out of Mind, and the entire Pearl Jam catalog including Lost Dogs, Rearviewmirror and Live on Two Legs! Back then, most vinyl cost less than the corresponding CD. With all this audiophile, high quality 200gm vinyl and limited edition box sets coming out these days, some bands and labels are putting costs out of reach for a lot of people especially the new and younger generation of vinyl fans. I believe its becoming gratuitous and unnecessary. Do I really have to spend $200 to get the vinyl edition of Beck’s The Information?? Sorry for the rant.

VC: What release would you like to see come out on vinyl that hasn’t yet been released?
White Stripes – Get Behind Me Satan, Morphine – Cure for Pain, Josh Ritter – The Animal Years, and anything by Paul Westerberg that’s not the soundtrack to “Open Season”.

VC: What is the most you have spent for a record?
I’ve spent a lot on some new box sets like the new AC/DC, Backtracks Deluxe Box Set and Eels, Blinking Lights. But when it comes to used vinyl I’m a real miser – I’ll only pay a few bucks for a record unless I really, really want it bad. I paid $37 for Thin Lizzy’s self-titled first album on eBay. Awesome record, awesome cover. Anything more than that and I’ll hold out hoping to find it at a garage sale or something. I just got a VG+ first pressing copy of John Lee Hooker’s Plays and Sings the Blues on Craigslist for 20 cents. No lie.

VC: What out of print record would you kill to own?
Eels – Beautiful Freak, Pink Floyd – Pulse box set, and Tom Waits – Bone Machine.

VC: What are your thoughts on color variants? Do you collect any artists in particular?
I don’t collect color variants – I’ve always been a collector of the music first. Variations, unless original pressings vs. re-issues, don’t really matter to me. I only need one copy, preferably a first pressing. As for artists, I have several favorites that I’m loyal to but none that I’ll go out and devour every little last thing that’s released, like imports, bootlegs, singles and multiple pressings. I try to stick to official U.S. releases, mostly studio LPs and live albums released by the bands label.

VC: Do you sell or trade records?
I will occasionally sell duplicate records on eBay but that’s about it.

VC: Your last 5 records that you purchased?
Dead Weather – Sea of Cowards, Band of Horses – Infinite Arms (BTW I love it, you have to forget the old BOHs, this is not the same band), Black Keys – Brothers, Wilco – Kicking Television, and the aforementioned John Lee Hooker Plays and Sings the Blues.