JAMES LAST IS FIRST

This poem is a rewrite. You can read the last version here. I was never satisfied with the poem and recently rewrote it. 

Soundtrack for a Charity Shop

James Last is first

because you can usually find

one of his long players

in the record rack

alongside a Johnny Mathis,

both sold millions back in the day.

They front the line of budget classics

Beethoven’s greatest hits etc.

[capitalism camouflaged as culture].

I think I’d rather go to the

Fifty Top Tune Banjo Party

than listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem

every last copy is in mint condition

because nobody could face listening

to it more than once.

And all the prices have gone up

ever since the staff started googling Discogs,

just because a mint first pressing is worth real money

this scratched and battered reprint

has not the same value

but they never listen when you try to tell them. 

It is now longer than it previously was and I think the more conversational style works better. It also struck me that the opening line was reasonably funny. In the six years since I first had the idea to write about LPs in charity shops the times have changed. Vinyl is once more hip. I read in a survey of young people's music habits that having a record player was indicative being an authentic fan and apparently 80% of those interviewed owned decks. Just like when I was young. 

Speaking of those days I was listening to Smith, Perkins and Smith recently. They released one album on Island in 1972.

Until next time.