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Nine is the fourth composite number, and the first composite number that is odd. 9 is the highest single-digit number in the decimal system.  By Mihăilescu's theorem, 9 is the only positive perfect power that is one more than another positive perfect power, since the square of 3 is one more than the cube of 2. The Beatles created a sound collage with Revolution 9. For the band, saying number nine in songs was an inside joke. For the Vinyl Ventures crew Essential #9 means light at the end of the essential tunnel. Tune in and drop out, you will dig it.

This time around the turntable, we offer a love letter to vinyl enthusiasts. Okay...maybe not a love letter, but a celebration of love songs and/or non-love songs. This can be music that creates an ambiance, music that makes your little heart go pitter-patter, or music to express those heart-felt emotions we celebrate on the Hallmark-created Valentine's Day. The guys discuss a few records that are out of their typical wheelhouse and come up with some suggestions to celebrate the annual day of love. Happy V.D.!

A 50 year anniversary for some vintage releases. Singer songwriters were starting to make big waves in music, reggae was busting onto the scene and the Beatles 3 years post breakup were still relevant. MASH was a hit show on TV and the Miami Dolphins won the Super Bowl. A new album was under $5 and most concerts were under $10 to see future legends.

The Vinyl Ventures crew wraps up 2022 in our world. Highlighting some notable 2022 releases and paying tribute to some music greats the world lost. Live music came roaring back after the Covid years and vinyl continued its spectacular rebirth, with increased sales again. Most of all, the guys appreciate all the downloads and listens and look forward to a great 2023.

For over a year, the guys have wanted to sit with Keith Toombs for a Beatles-themed show.  Well, it's here!In this episode, Keith discusses the origins of the album (as opposed to singles) and just how much at the forefront of the album the Beatles were.  They broke ground in countless ways, and were one of the first bands to consider the album an art form.  If that weren't enough, they were also one of the first groups to experiment within the art form to introduce the world to the Concept Album.  The world owes a lot of the way we all think of an album to the Fab Four.  So sit back, relax, have a spot of tea and enjoy this fantastic journey through the history of the Beatles and the album.  

As the year winds down, the guys are walking the gravelly confines of the end of the Essential Albums road.  This time, another 20 are revealed according to our fearless Venturers.  Will the dark horses win out?  Will the hits keep on coming?  Tune in now and listen for the beginning...of the conclusion of our Essential Albums list.  Don't Cost Nuthin'.  

The 7th installment of the essential album list is like a James Bond film, change the characters (albums) and keep the same story-line resulting in a brilliant production. Maybe, just maybe, the Vinyl Ventures crew is creating a comparison that is a bit outlandish. But, on the essential show the boys break out some surprises to keep the list  interesting. 

The Urban Dictionary says - New Sh!t is a phrase that indicates a person has made some sort of significant change or has obtained something new. This could be anything from a relationship status change to obtaining something new/fresh or even suddenly bringing in a lot of money. It could pretty much be used to reference the recent purchase of fresh new anything such as weed or drugs. Or even a new job. Well, none of this sh!t applies, the VV guys are talking about releases from the last 20 years...that is the best a couple of old guys can do. Enjoy the show.

How is it not possible in doing 39 shows that the Vinyl Ventures crew had not done a live vinyl show is a crime. We are not sending the guys to jail, well at least not yet, but we are rectifying the crime. Thanks to a suggestion from a listener in Montreal, Canada , Kevin Groulx for the suggestion. “Live music is the most primal form of energy release you can share with other people besides having sex or taking drugs.” ~ Kurt Cobain

At the beginning of this 100 Essential Album shows John and Jason thought - "No problem, we have thousands to choose from, this'll be easy".  While it's not hard picking an album, it gets tougher picking the right album that the guys deem essential.  Along the way by discovering hidden gems in their collections, or picking up that missing wax, this journey has been a treat.  Thanks for joining the Vinyl Ventures gang for the ride.

1971, somehow Vinyl Ventures overlooked an incredible year for new releases from some Monsters of rock. Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to name a few. Never forget 1971 it was a wonderful year for music and classic vinyl.

Essential Albums 5: The Fifth Element. In the twenty-first century, the universe is threatened by evil. The only hope for mankind is the Fifth Element-Vinyl Ventures' 5th installment of their essential albums list. The guys have embarked on a seemingly impossible journey to list 100 essential albums each.  With the fate of mankind hanging in the balance, the journey is only half complete. Music is the only hope and every listener strengthens the cause.  Vinyl Venturers...UNITE!

Speed of lightning, roar of thunder, fighting all who rob or plunder...Underdog, Underdog, Underdog. No, Vinyl Ventures is not doing a cartoon episode.  The guys are talking about records that may not fit into other shows and records the guys don't get a chance to talk about often...the Underdog records.(And, lest we forget Mr. Russell, Jay scratched the hell out of his Mom's Beatles records).  

As the AC/DC song goes - It's a Long Way to the Top if Wanna Rock and Roll.  Vinyl Ventures had a chance to sit down with Nick Light, (a record company executive) and learn how he got to the top.  One day out of High School his career started as a roadie at the Ritz (now Webster's Hall).  With some connections in the industry, Nick moved to California and started working his way through the record business.  It was a circuitous route, but along the way he developed lasting relationships and connections that set him up for future success.  So, buckle up, Vinyl Venturers...this is a fantastic talk.  

You asked for it, you get it; another essential albums show. Listing 100 essential albums each is no small task, and on this 4th installment, the guys right the ship.  After doing only 9 albums each on the last Essential Albums show they take this show to 11!  Tune in and get your groove on.

On the second (long overdue) 3D episode, we dive into an epic (and of course) essential album by the thin white duke.  We re-enlist the assistance of our "Fifth Beatle" Bill Hayse.  Not sure where the other two members are coming from, but you get it.  Bill is our third team member and his research on these 3D episodes is invaluable. Until the release of Ziggy, Bowie's releases had not had tremendous success. David had even explored being a mime, and was influenced, in a way, by Bob Dylan's acid dealer (now that's a tease)!  This album really introduced the world to David Bowie, and propelled him to mega-stardom.  Enjoy this fantastic discussion...it was definitely worth the wait.   

In a their continued quest to name 100 essential albums the Vinyl Ventures crew list another number nine, number nine, albums each. Since the guys are not putting albums in order, each show list will contain some big hitters in the music world. Lists tend to favor the list makers taste, and The Return of the king is no different. The guys have some top notch releases on the show, enjoy.

1972, a 50 year celebration. How many albums do Jay and John have from 1972...a lot. It was a great year for music. America had settled into the 1970s after the decade of change the 1960s. Music changed from pop, Motown sing along songs to Heavy Metal, Progressive, Experimental and Singer Song Writers. 

Tis' the season as the saying goes. Tis' the season to celebrate. To close out the year the guys thought it would be a good time to celebrate vinyl. Not just an ordinary celebration but a celebration of vinyl that puts a smile on our face or celebrates a specific day or event. Like any Vinyl Ventures episode the guys have fun with this list and discuss a bunch of vinyl they have not talked about in previous episodes.  Let's celebrate!

What is essential?  The actual definition is "absolutely necessary; extremely important."   It really means something different to each of us.  Just as each album holds a special meaning to every one of us.    The guys add to the essential albums list with another 10 picks each. This list gets deeper into the collection for the guys and highlights another 20 amazing albums.