40 Days of Enough ... Day 33 - "Holst's The Planets" by Concertgebouworkest, Amsterdam & Neville Marriner

Olly bought me this LP in late November, 2013. She picked it up in East Kilbride for 50p, knowing it was one of my fave Classical pieces.

Holst's "The Planets" is an exceptional piece of atmospheric music ... it moves from the raucous and moving ... to the gentle and pastoral.

It is possibly the best 50p my Olly has spent on me and I cherish it.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 32 - "Abort" by Tribe

I have "Abort" by Tribe on LP, CD AND cassette ... oh and I have it on MP3 too. It is a fascinating album from 1991 that both Olly and I really enjoy.

I picked the LP up for £3 from the Oxfam in Royal Exchange Square in Glasgow late last year when I started collecting records again. I couldn't quite believe my luck when I spotted it.

As for whether vinyl is best ... I guess that's down to personal choice ... but it works for me.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 31 - "Songs in the Key of Life" by Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is my Elvis. He is a creative genius who never stops giving through his music. I am particularly taken with the five LPs he recorded in the early to mid 70s.

"Songs in the Key of Life" is simply breathtaking ... it is future soul that must have sounded other-worldly when it was released because, quite simply, it sounds other-worldly today.

I think it is the only album I have that has been preserved into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress ... they called it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

I picked up the LP and accompanying EP on vinyl at a record fair in Glasgow for £7. I then was given a copy by my colleague and friend Carol. I gave this copy away to a fellow vinyl-loving colleague.

It doesn't get much better than this ... and while I intend on getting the other four LPs from Wonder's truly great period ... this will remain my favourite.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 30 - "Abbey Road" by The Beatles

I love The Beatles.

It's as simple as that. I love them. I discovered them later in life ... sometime after 2000 when I picked up their "1" CD in a charityshop in Gourock (near the awesome Flava coffeeshop).

Late last year I got given some records by my dear friend and colleague Carol. She had cleared her loft and wanted me to have her hubby's record collection. I was instantly drawn to The Beatles LPs ... of which Abbey Road was my fave (it was a toss-up with the White Album).

I love this record ... it puts a smile on my face each and every time I play it. It is utter genius.

I also love this record because it came from Carol. She's an awesome lass and I have many fond memories of working with her. I was grateful that she thought of me rather than putting the LPs on eBay or something.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 29 - "Abraxas" by Santana

I love progressive music. I use this term because I believe it encompasses more than just 'prog rock'. Progressive music includes the Kraut Rock, Berlin-school Electronic music, and even Tropicália as well as the psychedelic soulful sounds of Santana's "Abraxas".

"Abraxas" is air-guitar heaven. It mixes Latin rhythms with bluesy, soulful guitar to makes something so very special. I have had this album on CD for nearly 20 years ... it was a gift from a friend who is no longer in my life ... but only recently picked it up on vinyl.

It was on my list of most wanted albums. I never thought I'd find it when I went hunting in Edinburgh with my friend Robert ... but I was delighted when I found it for £5 in 'Unknown Pleasures' on the Royal Mile.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 28 - "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield

I was given this copy of "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield by my ex-colleague and dear friend Laura van Weegan. Just like Shaun Blezard, Laura sent me through a parcel of seven LPs ... music therapy to get me back on my feet.

I love "Tubular Bells" to be able to associate it with such warmth, generosity of spirit and kindness blows me away. It is a remarkable piece of music ... and probably my first introduction to the world of progressive music when I heard it many, many years ago.

It still sounds fresh to this day ... well, maybe not 'fresh' but 'timeless'.

Thanks Laura!

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 27 - Leonard Rosenman's soundtrack to "The Lord of the Rings"

I love Leonard Rosenman's soundtrack to "The Lord of the Rings". It is deeply emotive and rather dissonant in places. I can trace back my love of orchestral and 'out there' music to this album.

I had it as a teenager on vinyl. Sadly I can't find said copy nowadays ... but back in the late 80s it was a treasured piece of music from an equally treasured film.

I bought it on CD with Christmas money after I decided to cancel my Rdio subscription. It was in my Rdio collection and one of about a half-dozen albums that I genuinely missed. I don't think I paid more than a few pounds for it on Amazon ... it was from a charity seller, if my memory holds true.

I still want it on vinyl but can wait.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 26 - "Yes" by Yes

I received "Yes" by Yes as a gift from Shaun Blezard ... he sent it with 4 other LPs as a wee 'pick me up' while I was off my work.

This album a belter of an album ... it features the original Yes line-up of Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Peter Banks, Tony Kaye, and Bill Bruford ... and while this isn't my favourite line up, it is still a coming-together of some exceptional players.

The LP means more than the music, however ... as a gift it is priceless. I will always be in Shaun's debt ... and hope, one day, to buy him a pint to say thanks!

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 25 "Fauré Requiem" by Paris Conservatoire Orchestra

This record was purchase on the same hunt as "2001 a space odyssey" ... I picked it up fro £1 from the Oxfam charityshop in East Kilbride.

I bought Fauré Requiem because of my love of 'sacred choral music'. I'm not an opera fan ... but I love sacred choral music and this is one piece that I am deeply fond of. There is something deeply spiritual about it and while this piece isn't as overtly Christian as some of the other Requiems ... it still moves me as a work of exquisite beauty.

Not bad for £1.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 24 - the soundtrack to "2001 a space odyssey"

My obsessive hunting does pay ... and this belter, in MONO may I add, was found in a charity shop in East Kilbride in-between Christmas 2013 & New Year 2014 ... while I was ill with whooping cough. I don't think I knew how ill I was as I walked about the mall in EK obsessively hunting for vinyl with my new record bag over my arm. It cost me 50p.

The soundtrack to "2001 a space odyssey" is an acquired taste ... with moments of genius (Johann Strauss II's best-known waltz, "An der schönen blauen Donau" (On the Beautiful Blue Danube)) interspersed with totally 'out there' tracks (György Ligeti' "Atmosphères").

Delighted to have it in my collection and this record does sound better than the CD version ... for some strange reason consider it is mono.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 23 - "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" by Rick Wakeman

I was given "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" by Rick Wakeman by my Team Lead for Christmas 2013's Secret Santa and ... well ... I was blown away. Not only did my Team Lead really 'get' me ... but he was prepared to go out of his way to get me a gift he knew I'd appreciate. I did and I do!

"The Six Wives of Henry VIII" is a fab record ... abstract at times but in a good way ... filled with my kind of prog - inventive and interesting.

Thanks Neill!

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 22 - "The Hobbit" ... the Jackanory version

I've spoken about the Jackanory version of "The Hobbit" that Olly gave me for my Christmas in 2013. It was a good friend while I was off my work with pertussis.

I listened to it a number of times and consider it faithful to the original novel. Bernard Cribbins, Maurice Denham, Jan Francis & David Wood are all brilliant in it ... and would have loved to have seen it read when it was originally broadcast.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 21 - "The Hobbit" ... a hardback beauty illustrated by Alan Lee

I found this utterly beautiful hardback copy of "The Hobbit" in a charity shop in Bellshill for £2. It is pristine and features truly exceptional artwork from Alan Lee.

I think it was £25 when originally sold ... and was a true steal when I found it. I think I actually squealed when I found it.

My Tolkien collection is an obsession ... and makes no real sense other than as a collection. I mean, why would you want more than one copy of a book?

I guess there isn't any real point to having a collection other than the appreciation of the object itself.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 20 - "The Hobbit"

This copy of "The Hobbit" was given to me by my wife on my 15 year Wedding Anniversary ... instead of a card. It started a new tradition - I'd rather have a book than a card any day of week.

It shows Bag End as I would imagine it ... and looks fabulous on my shelf.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 19 - "The Hobbit" ... my most recent copy

This is my most recent copy of "The Hobbit" ... given to me for my Christmas in 2013 by Olly.

This copy features an image from "The Desolation of Smaug" and I love it.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 18 - "The Lord of the Rings" ... my first copy

Yesterday I showed you my first copy of "The Hobbit". Well ... this is my first copy of "The Lord of the Rings" ... given to me by my wife-to-be about 20 years ago for my Christmas. It is inscribed by Olly and very precious to me ... albeit I really wish I could find it's dust jacket that was removed to keep it in good nick.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 17 - "The Hobbit" ... my first copy

The copy on the left is my first copy of The Hobbit. It has pride of place in my collection ... albeit I have another copy in a far better condition that I found in a charity shop in the West End of Glasgow for £1.

It all started with this copy.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 16 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

I was given The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey on blu-ray by Olly on the 12th December, 2013. It was an early Christmas present, one that came about because I couldn't find my copy on DVD to watch the night before we went to see The Desolation of Smaug (a film I thoroughly enjoyed).

My wife didn't intend for me to receive it 13 days before Christmas but understood my frustration / disappointment at not being able to source the DVD. Olly understood why I wanted to see the film and kindly gave me the film early, worrying as she did that I wouldn't appreciate it as part of my Christmas ... how wrong she was, it means more to me now. I have not only a good film to watch when I want (the extended version is fun) but I have a story of a wife's love and devotion to her husband, a wife I am proud to call mine.

40 Days of Enough is about understanding the connection we have with things and treasuring the sentiment that is wrapped up with them. My most precious things were given to me by my Olly or my we'ans or my parents ... mostly because of the love that is given with the 'thing'.

I might have too much stuff, as might we all ... but we can never have too much love and must not take it for granted when it is given. It is a kingly gift, like the Mithril shirt given to Bilbo, a shirt that could have bought the Shire.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 15 - Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness

I love Star Trek. I'm not a big Trekkie / Trekker ... certainly not as big as my coffee-buddy at work ... but I do love the whole Star Trek narrative, one of friendship and adventure, of interdependence and working together for the common good.

J.J.Abram's reboot of the Star Trek film franchise is unbelievable, everything I could have wanted ... I even love the lens flare!

Part of the reason I love them so much is that they are stories I can and do share with my family, we are all big fans of the reboot albeit I think Chris Pine / Jim Kirk has something to do with the devotion in my wife & girls.

When I look at the films I have in my 'collection' they all fulfil this key element - they are experiences for the whole family. I don't own many films that I wouldn't share with them ... I'm not about that. 40 Days of Enough is about knowing the true value of something, the value that comes from a shared, meaningful experience.

Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness are films I've seen in the cinema with my family, multiple times in the case of Star Trek ... and they made perfect sense to own on blu-ray ... so we can relive our share experience.

Tx

40 Days of Enough ... Day 14 - Batman Begins & The Dark Knight

I am a huge fan of Christopher Nolan's version of Batman and found these blu-rays in a local charity shop for £2 each. When I saw them I promptly bought them, expressing my delight to the shop manager as I did so.

I am proud to support charities through their shops. I consume a lot of media from them, probably too much. I have books that I've 'found' that I've never read, whilst this is unfortunate I know I've done my bit by donating. I don't want these films to suffer a similar fate and intend on watching them with my family  as soon as I can.

I guess one person's rubbish is another person's treasure ... but that doesn't mean I need to overfill my house with stuff I'll never use. The whole 40 Days of Enough thing is about appreciating what I have and not always looking for more, even if it is for a good cause.

Tx