Folk Song Prince" Albert Au's Vinyl Treasure Trove: Your Old Records Are Worth More Than You Imagine!

Albert Au's vinyl records are not just discs carrying beautiful melodies; they are also a microcosm of one of the most brilliant eras in Hong Kong's music scene,embodying rich historical significance and potential collection value. At "9Box Music",we deeply understand the importance of these treasures. Today,we'll explore with you why Albert Au's vinyl records are so worthy of being cherished and rediscovered.

Albert Au: An Eternal Mark in Hong Kong Folk Music

Albert Au (Au Sui-keung) is an iconic figure in Hong Kong's music scene,known as the "Prince of Folk Music" and the "Father of Hong Kong Folk Music." With his warm,mellow voice and elegant,simple musical style,he has accompanied generations of Hong Kong people as they grew up. His musical philosophy seeks to rediscover deeper values through emotional resonance. Since his debut in the 1970s,Albert Au has been singing for over 50 years.

Albert Au's musical journey began in a building materials shop family on Portland Street in Mong Kok. As a youth,he attended a boarding school in Sai Kung. He almost became a dentist,even going to the Philippines to study dentistry and paying the tuition,but ultimately gave it up due to his passion for music. He rose to fame with his guitar,starting to sing full-time in steakhouse restaurants after graduating from secondary school,primarily singing English songs. In 1973,he sang for the first time as a solo artist on TVB's "Enjoy Yourself Tonight," which marked the beginning of his broadcasting and recording career.

From Dentist to Guitar Instructor,Then to Legendary DJ

Before recording any albums,Albert Au was already a very popular performer and guitar instructor. He taught many students,sometimes dozens or even over a hundred at a time. His passion and skill for the guitar laid a solid musical foundation for him.

Not only a singer,Albert Au is also a legendary radio DJ. His radio career began with a serendipitous opportunity. While doing narration for TVB's variety show "Good Times," his excellent impromptu performance caught the attention of Ng Sik-fai,who invited him to join RTHK as a DJ. His folk music program "Tu Lao Ge Ji" (Folk Song Collection) was very popular,and he later hosted the morning show "Albert Au" for ten years. Currently,he remains an important member of RTHK Radio 2,hosting "2000 Golden Oldies Reunion" and "Albert Au." In these programs,he sings and chats,collaborating with top Hong Kong singers on nostalgic Chinese and English golden oldies,making him very popular among Chinese listeners worldwide.

"Homecoming": A Milestone in Album Sales and the Folk Music Craze

In 1977,Albert Au released his first English album,"This is Albert Au," successfully entering the English market. However,what truly brought him fame and made him a household name was his first Cantonese album,"Homecoming" (A Returnee on the Road),released in 1979. With its simple melodies,sincere and natural beautiful vocals,and lyrics custom-written by the famous lyricist Cheng Kwok-kong for RTHK's radio drama "Homecoming," the album became an instant hit upon release. Its sales exceeded 200,000,even reaching an astonishing 300,000 copies! This sales figure made him the top-selling artist in Hong Kong that year and also sparked a strong folk music craze.

Besides "Homecoming," Albert Au has many other well-known classic hits,such as "Fishing Lights Twinkling","Love in Sunshine and Air","Mist of the Water","Thousands of Peaks Beyond the Clouds","Met in Childhood",and "Reunion That Day". His singing is full of emotion and easily resonates with people. For decades,Albert Au has been dedicated to promoting the development of Hong Kong folk music,adhering to a simple and elegant musical style,with refined and sophisticated singing techniques.

"Audiophile Disc" Choice: The Unique Charm of Albert Au's Vinyl Records

In the Hi-Fi audiophile community,Albert Au is also a highly respected male singer,known as a representative of "male vocal audiophile discs." His records are particularly suitable for testing audio systems,and this unique status further enhances the collectible value of his vinyl records.

Albert Au released the "Folk Music Flavor" series of albums,specifically produced for audiophiles. They feature simple guitar strumming,re-recording familiar old Mandarin and Cantonese songs,creating a lingering nostalgic atmosphere while also serving as a test for audio equipment. This extreme pursuit of sound quality makes his vinyl records sought-after treasures for audiophiles.

Albert Au's musical dream has never stopped; he holds individual concerts almost every year. In 2023,he held the "50‧50 Classic Concert" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his first appearance on TVB's "Enjoy Yourself Tonight." In 2025,he will celebrate his 70th birthday with the "70 Grand Show" concert. He has always shared his songs and stories with fans who grew up with him,not only in Hong Kong but also in the Greater Bay Area and wherever Chinese people live around the world.

Decoding the Collectible Value of Albert Au's Vinyl Records: Edition,Rarity,and Condition

At our establishment,we deeply understand that evaluating the value of vinyl records is an art. For iconic Hong Kong singers like Albert Au,the potential value of their vinyl records should not be underestimated. Three main factors influence the value of vinyl: edition,rarity,and condition.

1. Edition: The Soul of the Record

"Edition" is the primary key to determining vinyl value; the same album can have multiple different release versions,and their values can differ by tens or even hundreds of times.

• First Pressing: Refers to the version of an album first pressed and released. First pressings usually offer sound quality closest to the master tape and are relatively scarce,holding irreplaceable historical significance,making them the ultimate pursuit for collectors. For Albert Au's vinyl,especially his classic Cantonese albums like the first pressing of "Homecoming," the value will be particularly high.
• Reissue: Subsequent release versions. Although generally lower in value than first pressings,some early reissues or high-quality audiophile reissues from well-known labels (such as PolyGram back then) also hold significant collectible value.
• Regional Versions: Versions released in different regions also have different values. Generally,Albert Au's first pressings released locally in Hong Kong are the most valuable. Japanese pressings are often highly sought after due to their high-quality pressing technology and exquisite printing.

2. Rarity: Scarce Items are Precious

Rarity directly affects the market price of records. Some special release versions gain significant value due to their scarcity.

• Limited and Special Editions: For example,colored vinyl,picture discs,and "white label promos" used for radio promotion are typically more valuable than regular black vinyl versions due to their limited circulation. Albert Au's "white label promos" would be considered treasures by collectors.
• Iconic Artists and Classic Albums: As the "Prince of Folk Music," Albert Au's classic albums are in high demand in the market,and their prices remain consistently high.
• Banned or Special Background Versions: Records banned or recalled at specific times due to controversial lyrical content,cover designs,etc.,become rare finds in the market due to their backstory and scarcity.

3. Condition: The Ultimate Verdict on Value

The condition (preservation status) of a record is crucial in determining its final selling price. Internationally,the Goldmine grading standard (M,NM,VG+,VG,G,P) is commonly used to assess condition.

• Sleeve Condition: The cover is the record's first impression. We carefully check for wear (Ring Wear),whether the corners are intact,and for any tears,graffiti,or water stains. A near-mint cover (NM) can significantly increase the record's value.
• Record Condition: The record itself is the core. We check if there are any scratches on the surface. Are they light hairline scratches,or deep scratches that cause skipping. Is the record flat and free of warping. These factors directly affect playback quality and collectible value.
• Original Inserts: A complete record should include all original inserts,such as lyric sheets,posters,and photo cards. For Japanese pressings,the paper strip known as the "obi strip" is also vital,and the price difference with or without an obi strip can be significant. Albert Au's "Homecoming" often came with lyric sheets,and some even included posters.
  

Overview of Albert Au's Vinyl Record Market Prices

Albert Au's vinyl records remain active in the second-hand market,and many rare gems can be found. Through actual market transaction examples,we can see the value of his records:

• "Homecoming" (A Returnee on the Road) (1979): The price of this classic album's vinyl record varies greatly depending on its condition and completeness.

  • A copy of "Homecoming" described as "90% new,well-preserved,sleeve replaced with new plastic cover,with lyric sheet" was sold for HK$300.
  • Another copy of "Homecoming" vinyl,"lightly used,plays normally," was priced at HK$135.
  • There was also an older edition of "Homecoming" LP,"good condition,slight scratches,90% new,slightly worn sleeve,with lyrics and poster," priced at HK$100.
  • Even "second-hand" condition copies of "Homecoming" can be found,priced at HK$130.

• "Homecoming" LP Record: A copy described as "good condition,cleaned and inner sleeve replaced,record has visible but non-affecting light scratches,only lyric sheet,no poster" was priced at HK$90.

• "Gulangyu" LP Vinyl Record: A "nearly new" copy of "Gulangyu" was sold for HK$300. Another older edition vinyl record,"good condition,with lyrics," was priced at HK$200.

• "Sound of Wind,Sound of Rain" Vinyl Record: This album's vinyl record has a higher asking price,with a "lightly used" copy priced at HK$1,000.

• "Oh Carol" Vinyl Record: An "undamaged,unopened" copy of "Oh Carol" was priced at HK$520.

• "My 12 Favorite Songs" LP Vinyl records: A seller listed these as "private collection,first pressing,nearly new," priced at HK$250.

• "Her Name is SHANGHAI" (12' Single) LP: A "lightly used" 12-inch single vinyl record was priced at HK$400.

• "Boyhood Dream" Vinyl Record: A "lightly used" copy of "Boyhood Dream" vinyl record was priced at HK$650.

• "Connecting Music Wires" (Music Hotline) LP Vinyl Record: A "lightly used" "Albert Au white label vinyl record" was priced at HK$500. This price reflects the rare value of "white label discs."

• Albert Au Vinyl Record Set: A seller offered "five Albert Au vinyl records," "condition fair," with "Clouds Beyond a Thousand Peaks" having shallow scratches on both sides,others unscratched,and sleeves slightly old,priced at HK$800.

• Compilations or Special Editions:

  • An "EMI Hits 1986" vinyl record containing Albert Au's songs was priced at HK$250.
  • "81-82 PolyGram Gold Record Special" vinyl LP,featuring songs by Albert Au and other singers,was priced at HK$200.
  • "City Folk Songs - Michael Kwan,Albert Au,Rowena Cortes,Annabelle Louie,Alan Tam,Bonnie Lai Vinyl Disc," priced at HK$100.
  • "Uncle Ray’s 70th Anniversary in Broadcasting - Always On My Mind (Vinyl Record + CD) (Limited Numbered Edition)," including Albert Au's "Homecoming," brand new,only opened for photos,priced at HK$450.

It's worth noting that there are also comprehensive advertisements for "old CDs from the 80s and 90s,Chinese CDs,vinyl records,cassette tapes" with prices up to tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Such high prices usually refer to lists of large collections,not the price of a single Albert Au vinyl record,but they do reflect the overall market value of 80s and 90s Chinese pop music collectibles.

In summary,Albert Au's vinyl records,especially his classic albums like "Homecoming," limited editions,or collectibles in excellent condition,can range in market value from tens of Hong Kong dollars to over a thousand Hong Kong dollars,or even higher. These vinyl records are not just music carriers; they are precious treasures that carry the collective memories of a generation.

Looking to sell your idle vinyl records.

Welcome to get an expert appraisal service through the Albert Au Vinyl Record Buyback Series.

9Box Music: Your Trusted Vinyl buyback Expert

At 9Box Music,we understand the stories and emotions behind every vinyl record. Albert Au's vinyl records are not only valuable collectibles but also important testimonies to the development of the Hong Kong music scene. Our team is familiar with the pulse of the vinyl market,and whether it's a regular edition or a rare white label disc,we will provide you with the most professional and considerate appraisal service.

Determining the value of a Hong Kong vinyl record requires extensive knowledge and experience. We always adhere to providing honest and transparent buyback services (more buyback cases),ensuring that your musical treasures receive the fairest and most reasonable valuation. If you have any Albert Au or other Hong Kong singer's vinyl records you wish to sell,or want to understand their potential value,"9Box Music" is definitely your trustworthy choice.

Act now and discover the potential value of your vinyl treasures!

The dusty Albert Au vinyl records in your home might just be the "vinyl treasures" you've been looking for! Don't wait any longer,contact our professional team via WhatsApp immediately to get a free appraisal and valuation of your vinyl collection. Let these precious records,full of memories,be reborn in new hands and continue to convey their unique musical charm and stories!

Company Name: 9Box MusicContact: WhatsApp: (852)69043974