Arthur Orford winds up a vintage gramophone to listen to sounds of the Big Band era and says: “They don’t make music like they used to.”

The 75-year-old retired painter and decorator loves listening to music of the 30s, 40s and 50s on his portable Columbia Viva-Tonal Grafonola which is housed in a mahogany case.

Arthur and wife, Joyce, of Halesowen, contacted the Express & Star after reading about music memories of fellow readers, including Staffordshire grandmother Joyce Molineux with her record collection from the 40s to 70s.

Arthur says he can go further back with 78rpm tracks from the 1930s – although admits he has not had them for all that time.“My wife bought me this portable gramophone for my 60th birthday,” he said. “She got it from a local antiques shop along with a handful of records, one of which dates back to 1934,” said the grandfather.

“I love playing records on it. It has a great sound. When I read about the music memories in the Express & Star I couldn’t help but get out the old records and start playing them. I’ve got the likes of Al Jolson, Glen Miller, Billy Cotton and Joe Loss – a lot of music from the Big Band and swing era from the 40s. And the records are in sleeves featuring either details of the record label and the artists or with details of various music stores in Birmingham.

“I’ve always liked this sort of music and was delighted when Joyce bought the gramophone and records for me 15 years ago. It’s fantastic and the sound really is good quality.”

The couple think the Grafonola may date back to the 1920s or 30s. “I think I paid £90 for the gramophone and the records were 25p each,” said retired homehelp Joyce. “I do like all the Big Band sounds myself but I also like the look of the gramophone – it’s actually a nice piece of furniture in itself.”