‘Vinyl’ Series Premiere: A Golden Ear and a Silver Tongue

Anyone who thinks this episode captures the feel of of New York City in the early 70's wasn't in NYC in the early 70's. So disappointing.

Kinda terrible. Scorsese's direction (and story) are horrible. Everything and the kitchen sink are in this mess. Why a murder? I can only think that Scorsese couldn't stand up to some awful ideas from his idol, Mick Jagger. How else to explain such a disaster. It's almost bad enough to watch for how bad it is. But not quite.

An uneven show that really dragged in spots, particularly the strolls down 'memory lane'. And Andrew Dice Clay and Bo Dietl? Really? Ugh. Kind of a rock 'n roll/gangster mash-up. Maybe it will come together in future episodes. Love Bobby Cannavale though.

Can anyone explain to me the scene near the end where Finestra is watching TV and the news notes TWO bodies? I assumed one was Buck Rogers (Dice Clay); but was the other one Corso, who somehow was taken down by someone else? Or were those two different people (bodies)?

I don't agree that it's as effective as Mad Men. Mad Men seamlessly incorporated cultural elements into the story. The first episode of Vinyl, while have some positive elements, seemed to lurch somewhat awkwardly from the record company plot and Finestra's life to music videos, that were somewhat clumsily incorporated into the show. Sometimes they were inserted better than other times (and the music was good, although much louder than the rest of the show, requiring constant up and down volume adjustments)

Bobby Cannavale, as expected, was quite good. Ray Romano was impressively good. He also convincingly played younger than I would have expected.

One 'Chekhovian gun' was the 1959 Gretsch. As soon as I saw that beauty, I figured it was a goner, probably by the end of the episode as it happened.

I was irritated by the subway bench anachronism too. Such a little detail but just as glaring as if they were sitting there holding metrocards. And then when the Wonderland murders reference showed up I let out another loud moan, just hope it was Scorsese's paying homage to PTA brilliances. I did throughly enjoy the collapse of the building and the Phantom of the Opera chandelier plunge, that was icing on the cake.

As someone who worked in the record business during those days, I was stunned at the level of violence in the first episode. That's when I realized Vinyl is just another Martin Scorsese project, simply swapping out cards and chips for records but keeping the the beat-downs. And the chronology was completely wrong. I'll call Vinyl a missed opportunity from the man who brought us The Last Waltz.

A summary after one episode - more Johnny from Cincinnati than Deadwood

Seems to be a vanity project for the very long list of executive producers
It's a shame, Juno Temple and Cannavale are terrific character actors

did I miss more? . . . I lived through the sixties and seventies and I do remember it . . . mr. scorcese obivious lack of drug experience screams and who and what was that crap that posed as zeppelin? . . . and i saw them live twice . . . and just what were bennies and goofballs in 1973? the "lingo" . . . not . . . juno temple's wanna be a & r is the only thing rescuing this badly told rock story typical of those trying to tell the tale of something they still do not really get . . . sad . . . that jagger put his name on this is more sad . . . he was there and should know better . . . a few names dropped like geffen . . . . the rest is more myths from that time long gone . . .

I worked in the music business in NYC in the early 80's. The business was still alive and well in NYC, along with the studios (Atlantic, BMG/RCA, Record Plant, Hit Factory, Power Station, Electric Lady, Right Track, Unique, A & R, to name a few.) I worked as a temp for both Atlantic and Geffen Records, who occupied offices in the TW Building in Rockefeller Center. Based on my experience in the 80's, I believe their re-creation is dead on. I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I loved going back to that time. I'm sorry that the music biz in NYC is no longer. BTW, "Cum On Feel the Noize" was first recorded by Slade in 1973. My congratulations to everyone in the show. Great job! I'm looking forward to more!

Could Scorcese have picked a less auspicious year to begin the 'rebirth of the record business?' The Dolls as I recall, were a commercial failure and few outside of Greenwich Village cared. They were never the hot new sound that couldn't be stopped, something that could make up for losing Led Zeppelin. I'm definitely on board for two more episodes, hoping that the voice-overs will be fewer and further between and we can settle down to watch a story instead of having one recited. Love Ray Romano!

Decent show. We will see. Hope it gets better. NYC was a dirty town back then-I mean literally with garbage and trash and broken down buildings everywhere. Colors were muted-interiors were not so well lit. The Brill Building was still around. The company in this show would be a super successful Record Company. Kind of like Atlantic. Most record companies were run by mobsters in suits-some of whom knew music and some who didn't. New York has always been a capital of rock and roll-it's only in the last decade or so that it isn't.

Cannvale = Emmy

Overindulgent and too many plots that are all weak. Not to mention the rock cliches that ran rampant. The minute I saw the blonde hair girl step off the subway, I immediately thought of Nancy Spungeon. I guess the 'Nasty Bits' lead singer will be Sid, since he's already a junkie and all. Scorsese and Jagger could've done soon much better.

The only reason why I'm going to keep watching is the actress Juno Temple (who I loved in Afternoon Delight) and the Lester Grimes character. Bobby just isn't likable or interesting enough for me to keep DVRing this program.

I watched the first few minutes and said that NYC would never name something "Mercer Arts Center." It just seemed boring. Little did I know that there was a real center and it actually did collapse not far from where I grew up. However, I was only around 10 at the time and knew nothing of it.

As a 10 year old in 1973, I listened to Donny Osmond (although he was considered corny by my primarily Black and Puerto Rican classmates -- I am biracial). I suppose the show's using his name over and over, usually with a profanity between his first and last name, was for comic effect. It got tiring after awhile. However, hats off to Andrew Dice Clay because I did not recognize him buried within the role of Buck Rogers.

The scene where a bunch of Blacks were dancing in front of their housing project seemed strange. I grew up in a project and the dancing happened in the parks. I'd be happy to be stood corrected and it did prove for an interesting scene in the show.

The building collapse reminded me of a combination of Carrie, 9/11 and what happened in Paris a few months ago. The only (but flimsy) excuse this show has is that, according to this Times article, a building actually did collapse.

I will keep watching, so HBO will keep rolling in dough.

Did I miss something? How could they have played Quiet Riot's "cum on feel the noize" through American Century's office background music when that song wasn't released until 1983, ten years later than the pilot's scen?

My favorite era in NYC was the seventies. Loved the references and Cannavale was spectacular. Hope the show makes it.

I like it

Snore. In 1973 rock's poles were London and LA. There were these guys named Branson, just getting started, and Geffen, a New Yorker at home in Hollywood. Disco, then David Byrne turned the beat around, but that was still years away.

Nice plot summary. Where is the review??