The successor to shellac - VINYL
The vinyl record, also known as a long-playing record (LP) or single, is an analog sound recording medium developed in the 1940s that gradually replaced the shellac record.
Material
Vinyl records are mainly made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a more flexible and durable material than shellac.
Formats and speeds
LP (Long Play): Typically 12 inches (approx. 30 cm) in diameter, plays at 33⅓ revolutions per minute (rpm). Offers a longer playing time (often 20-30 minutes per side), which made it possible to release entire albums.
Single
Usually 7 inches (approx. 17.78 cm) in diameter, plays at 45 rpm. Ideal for releasing individual songs (A and B sides).
Groove technology
Vinyl records use finer grooves ("microgrooves") than shellac records, which allows for a higher information density and thus longer playing times.
Sound quality
Compared to shellac, vinyl offers an extended frequency range and better dynamics. The "analog sound" of vinyl is appreciated by many audiophiles and music lovers, often described as "warmer" or "more organic."
Durability
Vinyl is significantly more resistant to breakage and wear than shellac, although it is susceptible to scratches, dust, and static electricity. Stereo sound: The introduction of the vinyl record also paved the way for the development and spread of stereo sound (from the late 1950s), in which two independent channels are stored in a single groove.
Vinyl und Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson began her career in the shellac era, but her most productive and internationally successful period coincided with the emergence and dominance of the vinyl record.
Mahalia Jackson moved to Columbia Records in 1954. At that time, vinyl records were already the leading medium for albums. Her first recordings for Columbia were released directly as vinyl LPs and singles.
First vinyl albums
Her debut album with Columbia, "The World's Greatest Gospel Singer," was released in March 1955 and was a vinyl LP. This album contained re-recorded versions of her hits and new songs.
Other important vinyl albums from this period include "Bless This House" (1955), "I Believe" (1956), and her famous live album "Live at Newport 1958."
The vinyl record enabled Mahalia Jackson to make her music available to a much wider audience in album form. The longer playing time allowed her to create themed albums and showcase her full artistic range, which was not possible on the short shellac singles.
In summary, it can be said that vinyl records were the medium that cemented Mahalia Jackson's international career and enabled her to present her music in a more comprehensive format and distribute it worldwide.
A selection from my collection
