The Vinyl Question 

Michael Sedano

A teenager sits cross-legged browsing her grandfather’s vinyl collection. Headphones cover ears, face bends to read album liner notes. A Tablet on her lap displays the oldie lyrics that she reads while the singer sings the song. On the floor next her knee, an iPhone scrolls texts from friends across the city, who YouTube the same songs on their tablets. 

Grampa walks happily into the girl’s space. 

She looks up quizzically. “Grampa, I can’t find any records newer than 1968.” 

 “Mi’ja, I was drafted in 1969. I lost interest in records while I was overseas.”

“Electric Flag was really good, wasn’t it? It’s really scratched up.” 

 “Everybody hated LBJ, so ‘Killing Floor’ with LBJ doing a cameo was an instant classic. We played that intro over and over.” 

“LBJ was that voice?  I never heard his voice before.‘I speak tonight for the dignity of Man’ and they laugh at him. Why are they laughing?” 

“We thought LBJ had mucked up the war, but we hadn’t seen shit yet. Nixon drafted me. He brings in Kissinger, Westmoreland, Calley. Spiro T. “Ted” Agnew."

“Mi’ja, Do you know what I’m talking about?” 

“Kinda, Grampa. I’m writing a paper on the sixties for U.S. history. All the top groups in the textbook are in your collection. Like the book says, such variety back then. The sappiness of the Byrds and complexities of Simon and Garfunkle. The depravity of Velvet Underground and aural complexity of Suzie Creamcheese. And grampa, this unopened Doors album still has a price sticker. $1.99! Ebay lists one for thirty dollars.”

 “Some were ninety-nine cent specials in those days.” 

 “Grampa, I’m listening and listening and wondering where is the heart and soul of your times? All this music, your music, this expresses your mind, your soul, your hearts. You were young and eager to change things. You grew up and took over, grampa.” 

“It’s true, mi’ja, you have to know the past to make a better future, mi’ja.” 

“So I’m listening hard, Grampa. I have to figure out what made your generation fuck us over so badly?”