That Jazz - Monkey Max Music and File Download

Chapter 19: Ten Tips for Building and Enjoying a Jazz Collection
Google or entering a name on eBay may turn up titles you never knew
about. For instance, Barney Kessel is one of my favorite guitarists, and
I constantly discover more recordings he plays on.
� Many albums include lengthy liner notes about an artist. Read this fine
print and you may discover other artists and albums.
Appendix C is full of jazz resources like books, magazines, and Web sites.
Edit and Upgrade Your
Collection with Care
A collection is only as good as your ability to edit and upgrade. Build a collection
that is as finely tuned from top to bottom as an expensive sports car. The
only way to do this is to constantly edit and upgrade.
� Go through a section of your music every few weeks and find the stuff you
don’t listen to at all. Trade it in at your local record store or sell it online,
and use the money to buy new music that suits your evolving tastes.
� Acquire some famous recordings for each musician as well as rarities
and albums by other musicians that feature your musician. Include some
live recordings too. There’s no vibe like the live vibe, and these can capture
an artist at his or her best. (See Appendix A for more than 100 titles
that I recommend.)
� Use your growing knowledge of jazz to expand your collection at lower
cost. For instance, you might score a prized CD or record at a bargain
price, and resell it at a profit or trade it for something else you want.
� Keep your eyes open. A lot of recordings are out of print; sometimes you
can get a collector to make a recording for you, or you can find the
album if you keep a lookout for weeks or months.
� Keep a wish list of titles. Some Web sites allow you to keep a wish list,
and then they notify you if a title comes in.
Protect Your Stuff
I confess: I’m a chronic CD abuser. I say this with a smile, but the truth is I’ve
ruined dozens of CDs by letting them slide around in my car or shoulder bag.
You need a system for organizing and transporting your collection, and for
keeping it safe from the elements. Try out these suggestions:
325