Cheap Kiss Records, Villa Park

[note: This post was originally listed as 'Cornerstone Used Books'.  I have since come to find that this is actually Cheap Kiss Records - it is a leased (and unmarked, as far as I could tell) space WITHIN the bookstore]

Got a keen tip that this book store had some records.  The intel was accurate but I did not expect this many vinyls in such a place! I did indeed search every bin...was about to leave with a copy of an old Al Kooper album before I came up on two gems.  The prices were generally a bit high, this is typical for retailers not normally 'in the game' as they attempt to cash in.  However, I walked away with mine for under $10 for both, and in excellent shape to boot!

I picked up another Little River Band album.  This one (and the one I got at an estate sale a while back) bookend the last album in the trilogy I am searching for...it won't be long, of that I am sure.

Also grabbed a Peter Gabriel album... you know, the one with the haunting cover.  That cover art used to scare the crap out of me as a kid - still does.  Turns out that 'Shock The Monkey' is the least disturbing track on the album....Peter is one weird dude.  As a kid, I embraced his weirdness so hard, it made me feel so relaxed and better as a person.  Not because of the music, but because someone was so willing to be different.  I still feel the same.

Got a punchcard of outrageous limits....I'll have to make 12 visits, even if I buy more than one record at a time.  Nice gesture, I guess.  Still a fruitful hunt!

Goodwill [Kenosha WI]

During a generally hellish two day trip to Pleasant Prarie I found wonderful restaurant that I ate 3 meals at in 2 days.  The first day I was searching for a place to eat.  The Hillcrest Family Resturant has plenty to offer - not excluding the Goodwill next door!  I picked up another 60s record to add to my growing collection of 'novelty' bossa nova records that came out when the trend was at a fever pitch.  The top seam is ripped pretty badly but I see people selling these for $10 minimum.  Nice score!

This was my view from the restaurant next door.

Two River Forest Garage Sales

After an action packed spring, gsalr.com has failed me so many weekends in a row I began to lose hope.  As I prepared for the weekend outlined here, I was planning to visit the Oak Park Farmers Market...a family tradition of sorts I hope to keep alive.  I have not been able to make it this year so I made it a point to drag my hungover self out of bed early on a Saturday to embark on the 12 mile round trip.

                                      

I picked up leeks and mixed wild mushrooms (and some fresh Michigan cherries as an afterthought).  I stopped at Red Hen bread for a bagel and coffee on the way back.  But the real fun - as provided by the aforementioned website - was yet to come, and conveniently on the way home.

The first sale had a single box (seen below as a young man gets his obsession on track for years to come) which included a copy of the Breakfast at Tiffany's soundtrack which I narrowly passed on.  I decided that outside of Audrey singing 'Moon River' I could live without the score.  I did however pick up a copy of Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson which runs that gamut from a comfortable version of 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' to the epic seven minute version of 'Sunday Morning Coming Down'.  And a great back cover to boot.

The second sale just around the corner had far more vinyl to offer - three big boxes.  Was having trouble finding any serious contenders besides your everyday 'consolation prizes' when I came across a double LP live album to go along with a classic I 'inherited' from my deceased relative years ago.  Good enough for me!

Savers, Lake Zurich

The 99 cent bin was filled with good stuff...Engelbert, lots of classic country, even some Brasil 66.  Walked away with some Ray Price and Marty Robbins to fulfill my current country obsession.  I had picked up the Marty Robbins album more than once recently but put it back for poor condition.  This one is staggeringly nice, I was certain it was a recent rerelease but there seems to be no evidence of that.  I also picked up a Ray Price 2xLP compilation for my girlfriend.  She was very pleased!

Never saw this before....the sign on the bin says that there are more records up front.  There were - $2.99 each.  Nothing good.

Goodwill, Lake Zurich

Had fun hunting with this guy and walked away with another Glen Campbell album.  I was initially annoyed that someone else was trying to get into the rack (space is limited) but we soon struck up pleasant conversation about record collecting and I could tell he was serious.  He pulled out a Dave Brubeck album that I had missed - but only to complain that the vinyl was missing from the jacket! I pointed out that I had already set aside two similarly empty jackets for a CTI 6000 series album by Deodato as well as a very interesting looking old vinyl from Wisconsin (this seems to be the artist, though the release is not present in the discogs.com database).

MorningStar's Treasure Chest, Joilet IL

One of the best thrift store adventures in a while.  Filled with good stuff, besides the three I pulled out, found copies of my favorite Brasil 66 album, not one but TWO Dan Seals solo albums and my favorite Eng record!

All of that aside I did leave to go and get some cash (and stopped by Unique Thrift down the street - don't bother, they don't have any vinyl).  When I got back the wonderful employee who held my platters rang me up and I was on my way.  Crazy to find a store so rich with finds!

Marty Robbins - Marty Robbins' Greatest Hits Vol. III Due to my Ray Price obsession, I found the below video and then was eager to pick up some Marty vinyl.  I was already a periphery fan due to 'El Paso' (recently grabbed a beat to shit copy of the single) and this does not disappoint.

Engelbert Humperdinck - The Ultimate Engelbert Humperdinck picked up a copy of the promo version a few months ago - didn't hesitate to grab another version.

Herbie Mann - Memphis Underground My Herbie Mann fandom has taken me all over.  From Rediscover Records (and back again!) to Val's Halla - glad to add this one for $1.  The rear cover photo alone is priceless!

Goodwill, Elmhurst IL

Picked up a really nice copy of a Glen Campbell classic for a buck.  I got hooked on this song via Engelbert's version and I was curious to hear what the original sounded like.  Now I not only get to hear it once, but hear it forever.  In staggering condition as well!

St. Vincent, Addison IL

Almost bought this Jimmy Webb classic but passed.  I am already aware of some gems that have been pulled out of this tiny shelf but today was nothing doing.  I shall return.

Savers, Franklin Park

Hadn't been in for a while so figured I'd breeze through.  Huge stash of new vinyl, I did pick up the one in the bottom pic for $1.08.