Taylor Swift Top Selling Artist

[darlene]

Taylor Swift ws 2008's top selling artist with over 4 million albums sold. Strangely enough, even though digital downloads rose, vinyl album sales were higher in 2008 than any other year since 1991.

Taylor evidently connects personally to her fans and that makes the difference.

--Darlene

[Daisy McLintock]

I agree Darlene. She seems to connect in some way which is important, but equally important is showing emotion of some kind. People don't want to watch zombies.

Mind you I just want to add that the emotion HAS to come from deep within. If it doesn't, it will not connect with the audience. Me, I know when a singer is trying too hard or faking the emotion. That doesn't work for me. I realize that artists perform their songs over and over, but they are paid to perform. Somehow it seems to me they have to FIND that emotion for each performance -- I would imagine that's got to take work at times.

Saw some beautiful oak turntables yesterday in a Target Superstore. I thought oh my gosh the past is back. What's the purpose. We already have CD's.

[darlene]

I love listening to vinyls, though, Daisy. And 2008 was the highest sales in vinyls for some reason in many years. I love the artwork, the covers, the feel of it in my hands. I love the look of vinyl. Just can't help it.

Maybe it's also because they bring back such great memories. I still have my KLH turntable and use it more often than one would think.

I have some magnificent Oscar Levant records, 33 1/3 LPs and even some 78s! There are just times when they sound great. Hearing Oscar play Anton Rubenstein's D Minor Concerto on vinyl is just a sublime experience.

--Darlene