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Looking to build your vinyl collection? The CBC puts out a final call for anyone who wants the records they’re throwing out.

Radio-Canada is giving vinyl fans one more chance to take a browse through all the surplus records (and CDs) they need to ditch before they move to a new building next year. Here are some top-line numbers.

  • Total number of records: About 108,000
  • LPs: 49,000
  • 45s: 19,000
  • 78s: 40,000
  • There are also about 57,000 CDs looking for their forever home.

What sorts of music are we talking about?

  • 37% classical recordings
  • 19% French pop vocal
  • 17% English pop vocal
  • 10% instrumental
  • 10% jazz and blues
  • 6% folk
  • 1% other

The catch? You have to be some kind of formal cultural institution. They don’t seem interested in dealing with individuals. Damn.

Still, if you’re interested in any of this, you need to fill out this form by Friday, March 29.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

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5 thoughts on “Looking to build your vinyl collection? The CBC puts out a final call for anyone who wants the records they’re throwing out.

  • Not for anyone.
    Radio-Canada is seeking Canadian institutions that fall into one or more of the following categories: a) secondary or post-secondary educational institutions that offer specialized music instruction recognized by a provincial Department of Education or the equivalent in Canada; b) museums; c) public libraries; d) community radio services; e) non-profit organizations with a social mission (

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  • As Pat states the article is misleading , not just anyone can apply for these !

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  • York has a music faculty, so do others. As long as the school allows the music to be heard keep it together. The collection belongs to the people, we paid for it.

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  • I feel an excellent initiative though would perchance be necessary of volunteers would be to have an online library of high fidelity digital recordings of some of the nearly unknown gems this vast collection inherently contains. Proper fidelity in music allows the true character of these artists to shine and many people can’t afford a record or have no access to outlets of radio in their areas.

    It allows the mind to fully engage the soul of the piece let it be Sleey John Estes and the Jugbusters, Nat King Cole, Harry Horlick and his Gypsy Airs. Charlie Christian just wow, sit back and fully feel that practially smell the dusty smokey rooms they were played in. These being heavily impactful in my tastes allowed for some soul searching and appreciation of the arts that was instilled in my childhood the same way.

    Partially because I could truly hear them for their worth not some mp3 stream losing the meaning.

    Probably would require some funding but considering everything I think people something to fall back on arranged by the governement that appeases the soul doesnt just wrench.

    Thoughts?

    Reply
  • This appears to be only available to educational institutions and the like. Not to the general public, sadly.

    Reply

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