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Paul Mawhinney was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. Over the years he has amassed what has become the world's largest record collection. Due to health issues and a struggling record industry Paul is being forced to sell his collection.

This is the story of a man and his records. I hope you enjoy it.

veryapeproductions.com

Credits

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  • Ed David 1 year ago
    Yea! This really came out nicely.
  • eric stevens plus 1 year ago
    hey ed,

    the film really does look nice. do you mind telling me what you shot it on? thanks@!
  • Ed David 1 year ago
    The Sony EX1 with the Letus Extreme and Nikon Still 35mm Lenses
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  • Blake Whitman staff 1 year ago
    What a great portrait. Thanks for sharing this on Vimeo!
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  • Underground Planet plus 1 year ago
    Loved it, great shots, nice pacing, incredibly well done.

    - Ray
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  • jmharper 1 year ago
    well done, fellas.
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  • Robbie Hubert plus 1 year ago
    Gave me chills. Also made me start listening to the Kinks on my turntable!
  • Cold Hand Murr 1 year ago
    Isn't a turntable something special? And the Kinks to boot! What a graceful and extraordinary way to experience someone's art. Each little experience in life is delicate and precious. Be well, and appreciate the wonderous environment that has been created around your mobile body.
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  • Amenon plus 1 year ago
    Thank you Sean - I did enjoy that. Very well done.

    Hope your video helps Paul Mawhinney find a serious collector prepared to spend resources to give this fabulous collection the home it deserves.
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  • Well done. Wonderful. Thank you for telling the story.
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  • Wow, great mini-docu. Very touching.
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  • Andrew Schrock 1 year ago
    Nice feature. I hope Paul comes down from his asking price, finds a buyer, and soon, and his health improves.

    I hate to say it, but this collection has been passed over for years. There's little priceless or historically relevant in there. What he is sitting on are records that wouldn't sell from his store in the entire time it was open. The statement that since most of it isn't on CD, 83% of the music in his store "cannot be bought at any price, anywhere" is simply untrue and extremely suspect logic.

    What would be more interesting is a feature on labels like Numero or Anthology who are actually making strides to bring music to new ears.
  • Jon Coombs 1 year ago
    Boy, Andrew, have you got it wrong!

    The price is extremely low for what he has. These aren't discs that didn't sell, he kept one of everything to remain true to the definition of "archive". They were never for sale before now.

    Being about the same age as Mr. Mawhinney, I can tell you that there is quite a bit of music from my younger years that is not available on CD or any format except vinyl. The first flat record came out in 1881 and CDs didn't come around until the early eighties. Some of the stuff from that first 100 years has been released on CD and MP3; but MOST of it hasn't been. Without a turntable, you ain't listening to it!

    And if you think the music business is out to "bring music to new ears", you got that wrong. Their in it to make a buck. If Numero Group and Anthology Recordings are really out to spread the message of music, they probably won't be around too long.

    Anthology even professes in their mission statement that they are in existence to provide obsolete and hard-to-find music in a digital format "for a price". Maybe Keith Abrahamsson should purchase Mr. Mawhinney's collection.

    Wise up, Junior. Before the real world eats you alive.
  • Andrew Schrock 1 year ago
    I regret not seeing this hilarious reply until 3 months after it was posted. You sound quite confused.
  • Cold Hand Murr 1 year ago
    Andrew, I think that you have missed your boat. Currently (a pun?), it is wading away off the coast of Jupiter far off from a land where you would have been able to comprehend the message of this documentary and what the person in said documentary has accomplsihed. If by some chance you find it possible to awaken from your spiritual slumber, watch Bladerunner and grasp what you can. Here's the part of the film that you need to understand in order to produce growth within your self: youtube.com/watch?v=ZTzA_xesrL8
  • Andrew Schrock 1 year ago
    Paul Mawhinney is a replicant? That's great Cold Hand. I read Philip K. Dick up and down by the time I was 15, but I guess you know better. This was the missing ending that Ridley Scott just couldn't nail! Please make some sense.
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  • I love collectors who have visions of grandeur and claim to own an "archive"....he's a collector, nothing more...if he took all 2.5 million records to a record convention and tried to sell them, he'd have to bring home 99% of what he has because it's all common crap.
  • Scott Padamonsky 1 year ago
    Sellable records does not an archive make.
  • North Dakota 1 year ago
    boo on you for having to "correct" someone else in order to feel like you yourself are an authority.
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  • Dada Docot 1 year ago
    how sad...
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  • Taylor Gillespie 1 year ago
    Makes me proud to have just ordered a new turntable, and that I still buy vinyl.
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  • Ed David 1 year ago
    Who wants to buy it, Vimeo community? 3 million dollars is chump change, especially U.S. dollars.
  • I like this idea, I'd be willing to contribute
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    Sent
  • Dale McQuaid 5 months ago
    Ed,

    Glad you feel that way about it. Can you give me 1 or 2 million? I'll build a recording studio with it and let you record there for free.
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  • Joe Moya plus 1 year ago
    Well done... believe it or not... this documentary helps make Paul Mawhinney a part of history along with his collection.
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  • Matt 1 year ago
    I'll buy his collection!!!

    But seriously....as a music producer, that video broke my heart.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    VISIT MY NEW SITE (recordrama.com) AND GET AN INVITATION...............PCM
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  • Marcia Weiss 1 year ago
    The ludicrous price being asked for this "archive" is the only reason this nice man has not been able to sell... truly, this giant warehouse of vinyl, though impressive in size is less than 5% "rare" records by most collectors standards. The other 95% is not worth moving to another location.
  • threespeed 7 months ago
    what's ludicrous is your totally unremarkable knowledge of music or it's worth, not to mention a mans amazing life's work. which is priceless by the way.
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  • Cody Jensen 1 year ago
    Great documentary! The images are beautiful.
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  • Ed David 1 year ago
    Here's his website in case you decide to buy his collection: thegreatestmusiccollection.com/
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  • Adam Cohen 1 year ago
    Wonderful!!! This is very moving and the whole image is beautiful!!!
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  • Clan McCloud plus 1 year ago
    Well done. What a touching piece of documentary. Thank you for posting this on Vimeo for us appreciate.
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  • I honestly can't judge the collection on it's merits, but the video was awesome. While watching it I find myself forgetting to judge it, and being taken over by the story,
    Bravo!
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  • Ryan Lightbourn 1 year ago
    I could immediately tell that was the EX1. What an awesome camera. I hate you for having one. Nice work.
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  • kahve 1 year ago
    good job.
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  • Craig McCreath 1 year ago
    Wonderful, sad and moving all at the same time. You did a great job of this - and for a second I thought of putting a vinyl on...

    Brilliant work!
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  • psmith 1 year ago
    I have that Stones record
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  • Mischa de Wilt 1 year ago
    I love how you build up the portrait, giving away interesting facts along the way, instead of throwing it all in your face at the beginning.

    Great stuff!
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  • tnc 1 year ago
    me like
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  • Laszlo Vasquez 1 year ago
    nice portrait, but sad story,
    Mr.itunes himself - steve jobs - should see
    this, maybe he would willing to save this
    collection !!!
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  • Greg Wallis 1 year ago
    A very worthwhile film; interesting and sobering.
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  • Claijon da Silva 1 year ago
    Nice work and undoubtedly priceless but sorry, vinyl was never better in many senses and that's why its gone. That's what makes it priceless as well.
  • threespeed 7 months ago
    what? i mean really..your senses must be broken.
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  • Murf 1 year ago
    Nice Work!
    It's sad that he's going to loose his records.
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  • Milk Products plus 1 year ago
    Wonderful. It is great to see someone so dedicated to what they love.
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  • Michael Paul Young plus 1 year ago
    Very nice work on the story telling. I wish him the best of luck with everything, he gets my respect!
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  • Wow. Well captured story.
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  • Martijn Doornenbal 1 year ago
    Sad story but wonderful documentary. The 'john miles part' was heart breaking.
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  • 4BF 1 year ago
    quote "I hope you enjoy it."
    and I did
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  • 4BF 1 year ago
    verry heart breaking and nice litle video that is well been constructured.
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  • Wenzel Massag 1 year ago
    the thing about our audio quality is truly a sad thing... mp3 has been one of the best but also most cruel inventions.

    Just like war: you can die from it or make money out of it...
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  • Adrian B 1 year ago
    Pretty interesting piece.
    You instantly sympathize with the guy for valuing something that has little to no market value. I like vinyl as much as the next guy, but I don't kid myself about what it is worth.
    I especially like the use of the 35mm film adapter here. There are so many garish, over-the-top uses of it (music video style), but this is subtle and restrained.
    Excellent work!
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  • jsd 1 year ago
    Beautifully shot and edited.

    I feel for the guy, although his comments about digital music compression are way off base.
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  • islebehere plus 1 year ago
    i give a damn, i just don't have 3 mil laying around. this breaks my heart.
  • Pan JinJou 5 months ago
    Had to wonder whether someone would've already said it, and you did...

    Broke my heart.
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  • Take my money, take my heart, take it all.
  • Pan JinJou 5 months ago
    and you did as well... Thanks.
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  • Brad Stabio plus 1 year ago
    This is an amazing portrait of a dying American Dream. Your cinematography, editing, & simple interview style are engaging and allow the story to come through. Fantastic!
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  • Yann 1 year ago
    If I had the money I'd buy it all in a second, there must be some unheard gems in that collection.
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  • sole and body 1 year ago
    Someone will surely buy this collection..sooner or later!!
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    Let's hope sooner...............pcm
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  • JaeHyeok Choi 1 year ago
    that is truly amazing!
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  • jrheatwarp 1 year ago
    Tremendous work.

    A classic portrait of the misunderstood uber collector. Three cheers for vinyl and best wishes to Mr. Mawhinney.
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  • Shalom 1 year ago
    Awesome work! I hadn't heard about this story until now and I'm completely shocked that no one has come forward with a serious offer yet. Hopefully the collection finds a new home in time for Mr. Mawhinney to see it passed on to the right hands.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    SHALOM,
    NOBODY YET, MY WORLD IS CLICKING AWAY.............PCM
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  • Jon Sands 1 year ago
    That was ridiculously excellent
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  • melka 1 year ago
    If only I had 75 millions... The extra 25 would be for his tremendous work. Thanks Mr Mawhinney for what you have done.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    MELKA,
    THANK YOU FOR GIVING A DAMN.................PCM
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  • Andy Scott 1 year ago
    loved it. well produced and very interesting guy.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    ANDY,
    IF YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IT AGAIN VISIT MY SITE (recordrama.com) THERE IS OTHER THINGS ON SITE, BEST WISHES............PCM
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  • realityphotography plus 1 year ago
    love, love, love this piece.
    an obvious production of the heart & soul.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    My heart and soul.................pcm
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  • Kathy Marcus 1 year ago
    SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL RECORD STORES. It's heartbreaking that Paul had to close his store. Get off your butt and shop locally (and I don't mean Wall-Mart) or order your music locally over the internet. Local record stores have supported you & your music for years and still sell vinyl.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    KATHY,
    I'M STILL ON THE INTERNET (RECORDRAMA.COM) THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT..................PCM
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  • Vormplus plus 1 year ago
    Great movie. If I had the money, I would buy his collection.
    One of my favorite record stores had to close last year because sales were bad. They now opened up again for the summer and I still support them (musicmaniarecords.com/). Nothing beats the experience of putting a needle on a vinyl record and hear that fantastic sound.
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  • Kevin Shiramizu plus 1 year ago
    most of history is full of junk but that doesn't mean it's not worth saving- we save a lot of other stuff from our past, what makes this collection any different. regardless of how much "good" music there is in the archive, isnt the whole worth more than the sum of its parts in a thing like this?
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  • graffiti 1 year ago
    i really want to meet this guy in person
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    THE INVITATION IS ON recordrama.com ..................PCM
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  • Liam Underwood 1 year ago
    hey mate, what do you use to capture your sound? and do you add some FX in post? eg: the record slipping out of it's case.

    good work :)
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  • Jon Rawlinson plus 1 year ago
    a really lovely piece. well done
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  • The Outabodies 1 year ago
    Amazingly shot, and beautifully done. What a fitting tribute to this unsung hero.


    myspace.com/outabodies
    youtube.com/outabodies
    facebook.com/outabodies
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  • joelaz 1 year ago
    I really enjoyed this. I hope he finds a home for all those records.

    Someone should introduce Paul Mawhinney to Paul Allen, the Microsoft co-founder & music philanthropist.
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  • Phase1 1 year ago
    Everyone in Vimeo should donate $1 to this man, so he can keep that collection, nobody would be able to look after it like he can, even if he sells them all, the money wont fix his broken heart when he loses his lifes work and treasure, I can't even imagine what that would feel like to give it away.
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    PLEASE VISIT MY SITE: recordrama.com ...............pcm
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  • truly beautiful documentary -- ive dreamed all my life of having a record collection like this
    beautiful
    raises the question WHAT would be your last record you would ever want to listen to?????
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  • Eva 1 year ago
    Really great!
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  • BBBloch 1 year ago
    Beautifully photographed and a perfect tone for the subject. Really great style for this profile.

    The whole time I kept wondering if someone like DJ Shadow would wanna buy his collection. Hmmm....
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  • justin plus 1 year ago
    Absolutely beautiful. Audio is amazing, visuals are stunning, a work of art. A tragic work of art.
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  • DJBunnyEars 1 year ago
    Thanks for making this and sharing this story.
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  • Nick 1 year ago
    great glasses
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  • jason kibler 1 year ago
    All i can say is this man is very right and logical....well done ...
    i wish i had any millions to buy his collection....so sad man
    He is a true Digger and lover of records like myself...Wow
    All the best my friend and the people who put the video together....
    peace
    DJ LOGIC.com
    Projectlogic@myspace
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  • Mary Matthews 1 year ago
    Beautiful.
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  • Gary C. Clement 1 year ago
    I don't know what to say. This is an amazing piece of work and for sure someone has to want this record collection.
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  • Kevin Mosley plus 1 year ago
    Paul Mawhinney is a Stay True Champion.

    This short had me in tears.
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  • Brian Van Peski plus 1 year ago
    A great piece! This is going in the documentary channel.
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  • Ryan Gladstone 1 year ago
    A touching piece! This is the kind of work I aspire to do some day
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  • bobby dupea 1 year ago
    Fascinating, but the guy's deluded. What he has isn't an archive, or a museum-quality collection, it's the leftovers from a record sales business. No-one has bought it for $3 million, not because no-one cares about vinyl, but because it's not worth close to that. Just because it's old, doesn't mean it's worth a lot of money...
  • PAUL C. MAWHINNEY 1 year ago
    You're wrong! just the word archive defeats your opinion. my archive was valued by the anderson co. in 1999 at $50 million. my computer database alone was valued at $5 million by the library of congress. say ahhhhhhhhh!..................pcm
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