Archive for the ‘Record Shops’ Category
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
I jumped to the West Coast over the last weekend to touch base with the family and hit a couple record stores. Really it was about spending time with my family but I got to a couple shops as well. Caedmon Records put out an entire series of poets reading their own works along with Children’s Records, Foreign Language Records, and kick ass Theatre recordings. Shakespeare plays with Richard Burton, Paul Scofield and John Gielgud to name a few. I found a record of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Awesome. I also have a copy of the first record Caedmon recorded: Dylan Thomas reading “A Child’s Christmas In Wales.” Stupendous.
I hit Music Millennium while in Portland, OR and had to leave with some records and Army Of Shadows. Records, old shit, movies about the French Resistance during WW II. My life is living in the past.
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Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
I’ve identified a problem. I have a vinyl problem. It’s a small problem, but a problem nonetheless. I received a package yesterday resulting from my desperate situation on RSD. I couldn’t locate The Hold Steady, The Beastie Boys or Beach House in my local environs of NYC. All the shops I visited had either never received any copies or were already out of stock. So I dialed up my friends at Music Millennium in Portland, OR and Terry HOOKED me up. I cracked the plastic on The Hold Steady yesterday and spun the platter. Clear vinyl. Nice. It deserves another spin today.
So why, if I was in NYC, was I calling a store three hours behind me? Because the hordes of vinyl fanatics hadn’t yet cracked the doors at what SPIN magazine has ranked as the #9 record store in the country. I was playing the time zones in order to score the fix. Interestingly enough, the image I just loaded above of Heaven Is Whenever is from Vintage Vinyl in New Jersey. Next time I need to look closer to home, I think. And how did Vintage Vinyl not even make the SPIN list? 15 is too short a list. We’ve got enough quality shops to expand to a top 50, easy. Get to work SPIN.
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Friday, April 16th, 2010
The day is upon us. There are any number of special releases to lay your hands and ears upon. Go here to check it all. I’m hitting shops in Manhattan, Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Here’s one I don’t have to hunt down, but I believe you should.
Flaming Lips and Stardeath and White Dwarfs with Henry Rollins and Peaches doing, and I mean DOING, Dark Side Of The Moon. It’s glorious.
Hey, have fun out there.
Posted in Analog, I Like, Listen Up, ROCK, Record Shops, Record Store Day | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010
Record Store Day comes but once a year, and this year it lands April 17, 2010. Here are three reasons why you should shop at an Indie Record Shop:
1) It’s one of the few remaining wild places in America. Seriously. W I L D. If you doubt this comment, check this. I know, you’ve seen this clip a million times but it’s still true. There are crazed, talented knuckleheads out there all across America just dying to expose you to their playlists.
2) It’s the only place where you can find a new record, a used record, a white label promo, a bootleg, a regular promo, the same copy of the record that you sold 10 years ago (even has your initials), and even that strange digital format called a CD, of the same release.
3) It’s fuckin’ cool.
Posted in Analog, Record Shops, Record Store Day | No Comments »
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Sunday it started to rain, but it was a soft, easy mist. Driving with The Avett Brothers along for the ride, the road down to Bruised Apple Books and Music was pretty much clear. This is a relaxed, community bookstore that happens to have a decent used LP section as well as other music related stuff. You know, CD’s, books, t-shirts, DVD’s as well as two boxes of the good stuff behind the counter. One box is Jazz and one box is “popular,” which includes everything from a couple 70’s bootlegs to mono Rolling Stones records. I didn’t find anything in the boxes, but I did pick up four records: Frank Sinatra’s Greatest Hits on Reprise, Bob Marley’s Kaya, The Beatles Blue set on Capitol (which doesn’t match my Beatles Red on Apple, but what the hell) and Aretha Franklin’s Live in Paris. A great way to spend a couple of hours.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
I hopped on the subway last week and ventured out to Greenpoint to visit this shop. Great vibe and selection and a cool neighborhood (I didn’t KNOW this. Had to have someone tip me to it). The official word is that a couple industrious Dutchmen settled the land back in the 17th century. Turned it into a commercial and industrial hub after the farmland was overtaken. Now, it’s the northernmost neighborhood in Brooklyn. These cats talk on it a bit. Permanent Records has a sweet combination of new, used, turntables, 7″ singles, stuff you need to keep your records clean and organized as well as the needed highly sought after collectibles. But don’t take my word for it, listen to Gabriel Roth and Neal Sugerman as they talk it up with Time Out NY.
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Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
So, I was on the phone with the great folks over at Shake It in Cincinnati, OH last week and I bought the new Tom Waits LP packages, Glitter and Doom Live and Orphans. I also picked up the first two volumes in the Dangerous Highway: A Tribute To The Songs Of Eddie Hinton: two 7″ singles, one by Greg Dulli and one by Drive-By Truckers. Get them here. Don’t be fooled by the “sold out,” you’ll just need to buy each one separately.
Now, I know I’m lucky because I can call up some stores all over the states and buy records or whatever and they’ll mail ‘em to me and I’ll send a check back. I sometimes give the ol’ credit card digits as well but they’ll work with me either way. Try that somewhere other than a kick ass Indie record shop. I dare you.
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Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
Nice little record. 45RPM, 180 Gram with a full art euro-style inner sleeve. It’s a snug fit, but all the better to keep the record in good shape. There’s also a CD of the release included, always key for those folks that buy the record and want to hear it before they get to a turntable. I jumped to the Yim Yames site and was a bit miffed that I didn’t get the t-shirt with my purchase as I bought it in a RECORD STORE instead of on the internets. Still like the record, though.
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Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
So, I found myself in Nashville, Tennessee last week and while I was there I stopped by Grimey’s. Here’s a shot, taken by John Brassil, of The Black Keys rockin’ the inside OUT.
One of the many things I love about this shop, and all quality record stores, is the fact that you can ask for any number of records that you know nothing about and the folks that bang the cash register can hook you up with wondrous things that open your mind and make your ass boogie. Case in point. I pick up a couple items I was looking for and ask Doyle for some records I SHOULD be listening to. He hits me with The City Champs-The Safecracker, The Features-Some Kind Of Salvation and Cortney Tidwell-Boys. I’m a happy boy.
Posted in Analog, Holy Crickey, I Like, Listen Up, Record Shops | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
Today is the day in 1877 that Edison invented the phonograph. And what’s a phonograph without a record? Not much. As it’s always been, the music flows in the direction of technology and the first major step was the long playing record. The EL PEE. Wax. The Groove. Dynaflex. Unbreakable. Hi-Fidelity, Full=Spectrum. Living Sound. ffrr. Mono. Stereo.
Take a break today and remember the fully engaged quality of listening to a record. You need be present. You need to listen. And for those with completely manual turntables you need to lift the needle at the end of each side. Sweet. For more info and to support Vinyl Record Day, head on over here and get involved.
Posted in Analog, Listen Up, Read Up, Record Shops, Serious Business | No Comments »
Monday, August 10th, 2009
Blogs, alt-weeklies, local papers, innumerable websites, RSS feeds, national press. And now, finally, national broadcast news. I think the story is old but I realize that most of us don’t pay attention to much of anything. We’re involved and dedicated followers of ourselves. So seeing a two minute piece on vinyl via NBC News seemed like an attempt to get more folks focused on the story. The format is strong. The format continues to grow.
There are three substantial obstacles to achieving long term success. One, we need more new titles (new artists as well as key catalog) in print. Lovingly produced. We’ll fail at this is we make crappy records. We need the best titles manufactured to the highest quality. Two, we need more production capacity close to home. The handful of pressing plants in the US cannot expand to match demand. They can get better at making records, but they have limited ability to put additional presses on line. Three, we need more store fronts committed to the format. And when I say “store fronts” I mean local, independent shops with taste, character and a connection to their local communities. Buying and selling music is best handled by a local, trusted voice.
Posted in Holy Crickey, Record Shops, Serious Business, Watch Up | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
There’s plenty to do and see in the nation’s capitol. Lots of history and majesty and monuments and statuary. Much to remember and much to forget. Crooked Beat has been around 11 years (and counting) and they do it the old fashioned way. Keep it focused, sell what you like and keep the people happy.
They may not have a super fancy flash based web site, but they do have dust in their bins and rock band flyers on their counter. And Yelp likes them too.
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Thursday, June 4th, 2009
That Jack White is a busy cat. He’s making records with an endless parade of creative folks, he’s producing and recording a whole other group of artistic over achievers, he’s opened his own record shop, Third Man Records, and on top of all that he remains a true analog individual. And he’s purty.
And I gotta say, this Allison lady is a vortex of pure paradigm. I’m scared, I’m repelled, I’m intrigued. This is worth the listen. Go here and dial it up.
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Monday, May 11th, 2009
I’ve been out. Gone. Incommunicado. I covered some ground. Drove some. Hunkered down and sweated it out. Hit a couple shops in Sacramento. Russ’ new shop, R5, and the new location of Records-that previously located store that graced the cover of DJ Shadow’s first salvo of “What the fuck, but man that’s cool,” entitled “Endtroducing… .”
So, I’m back. The new 45 RPM Slipcase Edition of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” is out and, boy is it beautiful. Sound is sublime. Dropping the needle so quiet you could hear the sweep of a bird’s wing. This one is limited to 2,500 worldwide so find your copy before they’re gone. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Here ’tis.
Posted in Analog, I Like, It's a Classic, JAZZ, Listen Up, Record Shops | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
I guess it’s lame that I’m copping Steven Colbert’s schtick, but isn’t imitation the sincerest form of flattery? By the time I’m done with this I’m sure we’ll still be far below the number of districts in the U.S. and we’ll never be close to the number of lobbyists but we may yet exceed the number of Beatles. I mean, even if you count Pete Best, we’re still only talking about 5 Beatles. Okay, throw in George Martin and you’ve got 6.
The Record Exchange, affectionately called the RX by both staffers and regular customers, is a top to bottom, kick-ass record shop. They’ve got the culture, the esprit de corps, the cajones as well as the creativity to make every visit just like the first time. If you hit Boise, and you’ve only enough time to see the most important attractions you should do it in this order. 1) The Record Exchange, 2) The Warhawk Air Museum, 3) The World Center For Birds Of Prey and 4) The Museum of Mining And Geology. Boise also has a thing for hot air balloons, so if you’re into that I guess you could fit that in as well. But most certainly hit the RX, it’ll cure what ails ya.
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Friday, April 24th, 2009
The news cycle has chewed it up, but why not keep it going? The 15 best Independent Record Stores in the U.S.A. Just because the SPIN blog sez it doesn’t mean it’s true, but it’s a pretty solid list. Happy to see The Record Exchange on the list because I think they’re one of the good’uns.
What makes these stores so important and so valued is the information that can be gleaned within and nowhere else. My yearly best of lists contain titles that I would have missed time and again regardless of the number of music mags or sites digested. Owner/Operators have more at stake and insist on delighted, interested, passionate staff. Am I biased, you bet. Do you occasionally come across the dickie stereotype, but, of course. But that’s a right of passage unto itself, you just can’t take it personally. Suck it up. Don’t be a baby. Walk away with an armful of music that most-certainly-will make your very existence more rewarding.
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Monday, April 20th, 2009
So, I hit Gerosa Records on Record Store Day. It’s a great little shop with a kick ass selection of used vinyl with all the other important pieces a record store should have as well. Just seeing their vintage WB/Reprise promo posters is worth the visit. A great section of 45’s as well as sealed 8-Tracks round out the “found” items you can have for a price. I picked up a few things I’ve been looking for as well as a few things that I didn’t know I needed. Proof’s in the pudding.
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Friday, April 17th, 2009
There just isn’t much to be happy about. I mean, besides being alive, healthy, employed, loved, cherished and appreciated. Other than that there isn’t much to look on with shine in your eyes. What, with the economy doing what it does and the planet doing it’s best to sluff off the virus of humanity and pirates, of all things, grabbing headlines and the Pacific Salmon season being called off…AGAIN and frogs disappearing and people too.
But there are records, and record stores and a National Day of celebration. Check a store near you and visit. Yep. It’s Record Store Day tomorrow so things are looking up.
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Thursday, April 9th, 2009
I like Indie Record Stores. I buy my records from knowledgeable, passionate, crazed proprietors and music-heads. In fact, I’d rather phone a store and have them mail me my records than order through the internets or shop any other type of outlet. Now, I’m not saying I don’t buy records via the tubes and such because I do, but I prefer getting my hands dirty flipping through records. Record Store Day is a celebration of dirtying your hands.
Boxes that sell toilet paper, bikes, lighter fluid, curtain rods and underwear don’t count. If you don’t have an Independent Record Store in your ‘hood, open it yourself. Stock the shelves with everything you love and you’ll become a very special place. You’ll be the center of your universe orbiting your own star creating your own life form. And the travellers will come and visit and commune and prosper. Because nothing beats getting your hands dirty.
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