Vinyl record enthusiasts flock to Nutley Public Library

NUTLEY — The music lives on in one of its purest forms according to vinyl enthusiasts who met at the Nutley Public Library on Tuesday night.

Jon Lambert, owner of Princeton Record Exchange, led a discussion on the vintage music medium before a crowd of around 25 people. 

“There’s a real warmth to vinyl,” Lambert said as he discussed the history of it and his experience running his store.

Lambert became the owner of the Princeton store two years ago but worked there for 28 years. 

“There wasn’t any Internet, there wasn’t any Amazon,” he said of the music business back then.

Vinyl hit its peak from 1975 to 1985 before newer technology took over, according to Lambert. However, it’s started to make a comeback in Lambert’s eyes. The Nutley Public Library recently started carrying vinyl records again with around 100 in stock.

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Librarian Nicholas Van Dorn said he’s a fan and also frequently visits Lambert’s store.

“I never leave disappointed and you are not going to leave disappointed listening to John,” Van Dorn told the audience on Tuesday. “He’s a master of his craft.”

Each member of the audience had the chance to win their own record player through a raffle at the library. Most already had their collections before attending the event. 

John Redstone, a lieutenant on the Nutley Fire Department, said he has a collection of around 4,500 records that he started when he was 8. Now nearly 51 years old, Redstone said there’s still something special about vinyl.

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“It’s not just putting music on in the background, it’s an activity,” he said. 

Carolyn Opanowicz said vinyl has a clearer sound than other mediums. She said she has a large collection of every genre but heavy metal.

“Everybody was waiting until I die because they all want it,” Opanowicz said of her records.

The musically named Maria Del Piano said she likes the artwork on record covers. Some of her favorites include albums from the Moody Blues, The Who and The Beatles.

“To me they’re pretty collectible,” Del Piano said, “and pretty interesting usually.”

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com