January 31st – The Stranger by Billy Joel, chosen by guest musician Adam Wedd
SPIN THE BLACK CIRCLE is a full album listening experience, with the highest quality, all analogue vinyl pressings.
As the music community slowly came together post-lockdown, I wanted to meet with friends and music lovers whilst retaining some of the slowness and presence I’d learnt to embrace after spending so much time at home.
Through lockdown, life slowed down for me. I suddenly had more time to connect with myself, my loved ones, and my passion for music.
We talked about the music and artists we love, albums we to turn to for inspiration, for comfort, to dance and sing along with. Albums we happily listen all the way through to – from the first track to the last.
Once a week I gifted myself the time to play an album in full. I would fall into a natural, almost meditative listening state. It was sometimes emotional, always joyful and rewarding. The gift of swimming in the sonics, the emotion and lyrical poetry – without interruption, from first to last track.
With a revived passion for records, I also started collecting the best sounding vinyl versions of my favourite albums – tracking down first pressings and out of print editions from all over the world. I wanted to hear my favourite albums with the highest quality sound, which meant no digital flatness, compression, or distortion.
Listening back on vinyl revealed elements of the music I had never heard. New instruments, greater separation, new sonic elements were revealed/refreshed.
I heard a richness and fullness of expression I had been missing when listening on lo-fi digital streaming platforms – something I’ve been doing for years, for the pure ease of it. I realised I had lost a sense of connection with the music I loved and had allowed it to fade into the background.
There’s something about music which transcends both the artist and listener – where it becomes a shared and united experience. But for so long I hadn’t had the space or time in which to fully listen like this, in high quality, fully attentive – even with my favourite albums.
The Green Note allows us the space to reconvene slowly, and to immerse ourselves in the listening experience with connection.
So this night is a space for you, to take a moment to connect. To listen to a stunning album, uninterrupted, and in full.
This is for music lovers, for audiophiles, for anyone who wants to immerse in the pleasure of a deep dive into an album.
Join us, as we Spin The Black Circle.
Russell Swallow x
* you’re welcome to bring a record to spin at the end of the night
Which album would you like to hear next? Tell us at https://www.instagram.com/
Through the lockdown, I stayed connected with friends and old band mates by texting and chatting on video calls, often about music we loved and looking forward to getting back out. One of our conversations was a challenge to name our Top Ten Albums of all time.
Albums that I still turn to for inspiration, for comfort, to dance and sing along to. But most importantly the challenge was to choose albums that I would happily listen to all the way through – from the first track to the last.
Coupled with my new found passion for vinyl, I started to collect the best sounding versions of my favourite albums, and then some…
Join us to immerse in the pleasure of a full album playback.
Listen to highest quality & 1st pressings of classic Folk, Country and Americana albums by Neil Young, John Martyn, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, Bon Iver, Bill Withers, Counting Crows and many more.
Played on a Project 2 record player, via Cambridge Audio phono amplifier through the venue PA system.
The basement venue at the Green Note is a magical setting to listen to music, an intimate space for music listeners – we’ll turn the lights down and step away from the world.
Each show will feature a guest musician playing a live performance of songs by the evening’s chosen vinyl album playback artist.
This is for music lovers and audiophiles alike, for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the music and celebrate albums on vinyl.
Join us to Spin The Black Circle
“Passionate promoters…a real sense of community” – The Telegraph
“An acoustic evangelist” – Tom Robinson BBC6
“Passionate about nurturing new talent” – Run Riot
