Last week the Recording Industry Association of American reported that vinyl sales have continued upward for 19 years running. With sales breaking the $1 billion mark the Association also noted that nearly 50% of global revenue is made in the USA vinyl. While genre-specific figures are not available, I venture to say that roots music plays a notable role in those numbers.
This is an exciting time as major record labels are not only opening their vaults but are taking the time and effort to remaster a treasure trove of our musical heritage, from the original analog tapes, that are also of audiophile quality. Additionally, most of those releases are also available on CD, and the remastered versions can also be heard in high resolution via streaming on Tidal and Qobuz. I mention those two by name as they pay, by far, the highest royalty rates to artists as well as offering better fidelity than the other streaming services.
This time around Craft Recordings have reissued three icons of roots music, John Lee Hooker, Lighnin’ Hopkins, and Willie Nelson. Rhino Hi Fi is represented by DEVO. There are also two of my fav jazz artists, Catherine Russell and John Pizzarelli, both on CD.
