Have you ever heard of soundboard recordings? In simple terms, they are collectible recordings that many serious music fans love to deal with. These are not bought and sold in stores. In fact, they are usually traded and for the most part, the sale of these are considered taboo. They are recordings done at concerts where the audio from the sound system is recorded, generally before all the processing. Music fans love to collect and trade these worldwide, and generally straight from the stage to the recorder. These are generally done one of two ways: with the band's or sound people's permission or by them, or to simply be in the audience and record it on a tape recorder. The quality of those recordings is usually less than an actual "soundboard" recording.

I once attended in 1984 a show called Monsters of Rock, a series of huge rock festivals held often in Europe. It featured Van Halen, AC/ DC and many others. I wished so much I'd had a way of preserving that show. Well, it took me more than 20 years, but I found that someone did! Now I have it all on CDs from some thinking music fan who had the foresight to bring a cassette recorder along. That is a real treasured addition to my collection.

Soundboard recordings are sometimes very raw and basic. One of my favorites is The Rolling Stones, recorded in Seattle in 1981. It clearly demonstrates their simple yet great work. Another is Steve Earle and The Bluegrass Dukes, recorded live at The Station Inn in Nashville in November of 1999.

Some bands sell their "live" recordings online these days, where you can simply download them. Government Mule is one. A few years back one of my favorites, The Black Crowes, did an odd thing that I enjoyed. They sold a huge series of "instant live" albums on Napster. That is, they recorded it and offered it for sale without first going to record stores and usual outlets. These were nothing more than recordings of their concerts, and they were very raw and good.

So, for the music fan that has everything, this is a great niche of the hobby to get into. And, with money as tight as it is right now, the soundboard niche and it's related trading game, is one way of adding really great stuff to your collection without a lot of cash outlay. Just type in the word soundboard in the search engine and you will be on your way. But download carefully to avoid viruses. It's not limited to rock either. I added two great Johnny Cash albums this year. See, I still call them "albums". But they are, in fact, cds. It's like calling all roads highways….a two-lane is a whole different thing than just a "highway", it's a way of life. Have a great Thanksgiving.