The next generation of GR thrifting

Never give up, kids.  Keep on looking.  32 trips - god knows how many records.  There are always new frontiers, you must be patient.  Bethany's was new to me and probably new(er) to GR.  Did they have records.  This, I did not know.  I do now.

I darted in and made for the book section.  No vinyl.  But where were the CDs? I didn't see any.  Well I found those, but nothing doing.  I started to hang my head...then, wait - there! My platters!

This was a pretty slick selection for a thrift store, no matter the kind.  Individually priced records, many were bagged and a solid handful of near rarities.  I left with nothing but enjoyed the perusal.  First up was the old picture sleeve and even better the single to the right.  That one has been on my want list for a while but I wasn't interested in a reissue, and it also has a picture sleeve of it's own.  I can wait.

Next up was the alternate (original) title of Gord's big hit.  I had been aware of this for a while and I do have the other title.  I've never come across one of these and apparently the store knew its value.  It was overpriced at $6 even with the original inner sleeve.  If I splurge on something like this, I'd like the first press.

They also had the debut from BS&T.  I am an Al Kooper fan (the Blues Project LP I grabbed a couple summers ago is still a favorite) but it was a tad worn and again just a dollar or two rich for my blood. And I must admit (don't tell Al), I do prefer DCT on vocals.

I also saw a weird Genesis 12" single and even America's big one which you don't come across in thrift stores very often (or ever).  Neither of those interested me enough to put them in the collection, but they were fun to look at.  But even more fun was that there was another thrift shop just about 1/4 mile down the road, so I left my truck behind and sauntered on over.

This place had just one lonely bin.  The Kenny Loggins up front was somewhat of a good sign perhaps, and the Cat Stevens that followed (replete with it's heavy cardboard lyric insert) was even more so.  But we went downhill quick from there.

The bin itself may have been of more value but as noted above, it was not for sale (ditto the cabinet it sat on).  Oh bother! They did however have what looked like most of the discography from The Heralders Quartet.  Though perhaps all that bible study had the fellas neglecting math because I swore a quartet was four....

Revolve Records [Grand Rapids MI]

I've carefully dug through Grand Rapids many times over the years.  I've been in too many thrift stores to count and I've been through all the record stores I could find.  So during my 32rd trip to GR after I ran through two new (or at least new to me) thrift stores, I felt unfulfilled.  So I checked the map on the rare chance that a new record store had popped up since my last visit (surely I had already been to all of the existing shops).  When Revolve Records came up, I was confused.  I felt like there was some familiarity there...I must have been there before.  But all the reviews were within the past few months and when I looked at the street view, I knew for certain: it was new.  And with that, I was on my way.

Revolve is on the corner at a main intersection but immersed in a residential neighborhood.  A winding concrete staircase leads you to the front door.  Inside I found just one guy behind the counter and another lounging on a worn leather sofa.  My eyes tuned in like laser beams and I assessed the room.  I saw the lone bins in front of me against the wall and without wasting any time, I got involved in that.

Once I was elbow deep I found mostly R&B, some soul, hiphop, a good dose of jazz and even some gospel.  I found my first platter almost immediately.  I saw one Deniece Williams LP and checked the track list.  No, this was not what I was looking for.  Lucky for me the second one just behind it held the track I needed.  As I struggled to jam my 6'3" frame into the lower bins the clerk was nice enough to bring me the short cube in the foreground to sit on so I didn't have to crawl around on my knees.  Very courteous - he clearly knows the pain of audio archeology.  

"It's Gonna Take A Miracle" is such a great example of proper musicianship from the vocals (of course) to the band which epitomizes 'chops'.  The bass line especially has intrigued me of the last few months that I had to sit down and learn it.  This only furthered my obsession.  I'd like to thank this gent amongst the many who have posted youtube videos for his help in instruction, I found this video to be superior to many others in both technique and the actual transposition of the music from recording to playing it on an instrument.

After that I meticulously looked through every record in the shop.  I found a Blue Note classic late in my hunt and despite the condition, knew this would be a candidate, depending on what the clerk (owner?) thought it might be worth.  But as soon as I picked it up, I found something else inside.  I knew something wasn't right, it was way too heavy.  It was a Riverside oldie but even more beat than the record that DID belong in the jacket.  I wasn't interested in anything that beat (or honestly, even if it was decent) so I was already running through the scenario in my mind: showing my great honesty, the clerk would cut me a deal on the record I wanted.  

Turns out, there would be no need.  He ended up telling me to keep the bonus record and that he'd take $12 for both.  Sounded fair to me! I commented that this was my first legit Blue Note release but I later realized that wasn't true.  How could I forget the record I earned through my speaking engagement at the record fair/flea market so long ago? I guess when you jet set around Illinois these things slip your mind.  Ironic that both vinyls are from the same artist.

The clerk offered to let me peruse his 45s and brought them up the counter.  All cleanly arranged in fresh white paper sleeves - nothing worse than naked 7"s.    I glanced through but didn't find anything so I got the checkout process going.  Very pleased to see the trademarked paper bags (it's still sitting at home, I always have trouble throwing these things away when I get them....should have taken a pic to add to this post).  A small and possibly inexpensive touch that I always find adds value to the shopping experience.  I asked if this was his place and indeed it was.  Daniel aka TUD was not the clerk - he was the owner!  We chatted briefly and I started to think about how similar this place was to Funk Trunk, another shop where I had a really pleasant look around.  Similar selection of vinyl, similar quantity of inventory, just about the same size room, both times got to chat with the owner.  Nothing delights me more than these one-on-one experiences, except maybe being able to put some money in the coffers of a small, independent, old school record store.  I will definitely be back next time I am in town.

TUD gave me a bunch of business cards, I added one to my collection (need to scan that sometime soon) and then I set out in my remaining time in town to do some free advertising for Revolve.  First up was the coffee basket in my hotel room.

The next morning I had my ritualistic breakfast at Russ Restaurant on 28th, I buried one in the bottom of the jelly caddy (is that what this thing is called?)

St. Vincent [Grand Rapids MI]

Headed up to Grand Rapids yet again late in 2016 and was able to pull off one more (successful!) dig before the clock strikes midnight.  I have thoroughly hunted the entire city and documented it well...so much so, that I haven't bothered to look at much of anything for a while.  This time I decided I'd stop at just one store, and I'd do St. V's as I've only been in there once and it's been a good long while.

First things first, they moved the rack and kind of rearranged the whole area.  I was specifically on the lookout for a record I left behind, but like everything you leave behind, it will be gone when you return.  Just to teach you a lesson.  I checked everything in that rack and found all junk except for a weird Engelbert comp I've never seen before, and have since come to find is only half of a two record set.  No matter to me, I'll take it.  I was a little disappointed and started poking around corners looking for more vinyl when I spotted an overloaded bookshelf just 10' away!

                                       

In here I pulled out a major score, yet another Bob James record to add to my collection! And this just after I walked away from a trove of his stuff I needed in Buffalo, under the pretense that I ought to be buying this stuff slowly but surely from a thrift store and not conveniently all at once in a record store.  The fact that my arms were already loaded with scores out east did help with the patience to walk away.

I did some research and figured out where I've gotten all the vinyl I have so far.  Just two left!

                       

Back to Battle Creek (and GR) + three year anniversary!

Before I begin today's tale, just wanted to acknowledge that just a couple weeks ago is the three year anniversary of my first post on this blog, which now totals nearly 300 posts.  This post is the 150th tagged 'thrift store' so just to do some very, very rough math at 25 records each, that is nearly 4000 records.  In the thousands of records I have tossed through over the years, I never thought I'd have such a big project like this blog, of which I am extremely proud.  My work is far from done.  So on that note......

Had a wild journey scheduled to drive up to Battle Creek on a Wednesday afternoon, spend some time there, then drive another hour to GR, spent the night, work all day (430am wake up call), then stay again in GR and drive home Friday.  I had hunted very briefly in BC a few years ago.

I pulled it off without a hitch - sort of.  I forgot some negligible work supplies for starters.  I attribute this to having come home from NH for only about 24 hours and heading out again.  But worse yet, I did not have my own bag with clothes and a toothbrush.  I had already planned to get into town early (appointment was at 1:30pm) so I could eat lunch - so I also stopped to get a new shirt at - where else - Goodwill.

As always, I walked in with my head on a swivel looking for the bookshelves.  It is always impossible to find the records from a distance, but the books are more obvious and the two always share a proximity.  That is until now - never saw a 'Media Center' in a Goodwill before!

Found three big totes of vinyl with nothing but junk, save for a mono version of Engelbert's first, replete with promotional sticker on the actual jacket.  Mono versions are rare, and the sticker even more so.  This might have interested me if I didn't already have four copies of the album, two of which are mono, and one of which is sealed with the same sticker.  In fact, it is easy to remember where I got it - ironically in the same state, long ago! It does seem odd that the label would put the sticker directly on the jacket - I wonder if someone carefully peeled it off the shrink when they purchased it way back when, then quickly reapplied it to the jacket to save it.

I didn't hit anywhere else in BC due to time constraints and I've hunted GR so many times I didn't even care.  But when my long day wound down Thursday, I thought I'd make a trip over to Grandville and probably my favorite record store in the world, Corner Record Shop.

For starters, they got a new sign! I have visited them a couple times and always made out well and had fun.  There were a few other changes in store also since I first stopped by over two years ago. So glad to see that they are obviously quite prosperous.

The coolest part of the store to me is the huge aircraft hanger type space behind the store, which had many thousands of records up on a mezzanine.  Well now they have moved everything downstairs!

Man, would I ever love to see a concert here.  What a cool space! I searched through their Christmas section which held at least 150 albums but did not find my holy grail. I did however find one of the Tom Jones records I've been chasing for a while, and better yet the UK version! A solid score for only $9 in almost mint condition.

I headed back into the main room and glanced at the country section and quickly found something else I've long wanted, Dwight Yoakam's debut. Very happy with both.

They also had new business cards and now have Square with my much beloved Apple Pay.  The fella behind the counter wasn't sure how to get it running but he called one of his colleagues and he got it fixed.  Even with new business cards and a new sign, those paper bags have not changed.  Still the best I've seen and so hard to throw away.  I complimented them and they told me that they stamp them by hand.What a fun visit and a great celebratory dig after my tough day of work in GR.

GR run

Never give up kids; never give up.  I have been to Grand Rapids upwards of 25 times and I've been searching for records for a couple years up there.  Yet I still continue to find places to dig in.  Whether or not I find anything up there to actually buy and hopefully spin on a turntable is another story.

First up I pulled off the highway up in Lansing Illinois, right on the Indiana border.  I found one of the largest Goodwill stores I've ever been in.  And they had a giant stash of vinyl to boot.  First I noticed the standard two tiered (six tiers, technically) rack that I've seen before.

Then a moment later I saw that there was a continuing trail of milk crates and more along the floor to my right!

But alas, it was all junk.  Still fun to dig around in.  As the universe tipped it's hat to the many bins of junk, the trail led to the bathrooms to the right which I desperately needed to use.  

Lansing doesn't have any good records.  But Lansing has Marco and that is almost as good.

I would have sworn that I hadn't been there before but I visited the Wyoming Goodwill just a little over a year ago.  While they had less than 10 records back then, they have marginally expanded the quantity but surely not the quality.  That being said, I did dig up some odd alternative rock and some....well I don't know what it is.  But apparently everybody can afford to press vinyl of late.  But both were left to the denizens of Wyoming to spin at their leisure.

Now I was certain that there was nowhere to go but to my hotel.  But because I have some serious problems with obsession apparently, I checked the map yet again.  And yet again, I found MORE.  Off I went - to Upscale Thrift in Kentwood.

Upscale Thrift's selection was quite limited.  It took me longer to find the vinyl then to peruse all of it, which again to my dismay contained not a damned thing I was interested in.

Final stop: Rustic Market in GR.  No, it isn't a grocery store, its a thrift store.  Here I found a small plastic rack loaded up with children's coloring books and a scant couple handfuls of platters.  Are you seeing a trend here? Can you guess what comes next? Yes...I struck out again.  0 for 4 - but there will be a next time and I am not hardly discouraged! Better yet, I'd rather look through junk records than much else when it comes to just killing time.  So mission accomplished!

New Life Thrift Store [Wyoming MI]

Up in GR for three weeks in a row and I continued my tradition of stopping in a single store before heading to K-Zoo.  First up was SA, next was St. V's and now another new one I had somehow previously missed.

To prevent another bummer, I called in advance to assure they had some platters around.  Indeed they claimed they did so I headed out.  It consisted of a single bin of junk, junk and more junk.  Worthy of note was Enge's debut - I already have 6 copies (mono and stereo combined) so there wasn't much that can cause me to grab a 7th.  But the POS sticker on there was hysterical...'Crazy Larry' (is it this guy?)must really be crazy because I can't figure when in this records lifetime that it was worth that, even new.  When it came out in 1967 it couldn't have cost more than $4 or 5 and despite inflation, it has never really increased in value, even sealed (this one wasn't but maybe the poor sap who bought it from old Lar' and donated it later to New Life got it sealed).

I did get a Pyrex 501 for only 50 cents so it was worthy the trip.

St. Vincent [Grand Rapids MI]

As I did last week when I found myself in the same neck of the woods, I figured I'd hit a single GR thrift store before I headed to K-Zoo.  So I busted out the trusty Google Maps to figure out what was closest or most convienent - I've essentially been to them all already.  Or had I?

The second hit in the list was St. V's right here I town.  That did not kindle a memory so I checked my blog.  And I'll be damned - I hadn't been there before! So I headed over and after some peeking around corners, I found a huge rack of vinyl!

The heat was sweltering in there but I got to work.  Tons of polka - I kept thinking that there had to be at least one Eddie B. record in there and alas there was - grabbed it instantly!  Shortly thereafter, I found a barbershop compilation which seems to be listed on ebay every day but which I do not own.  Better yet, it was the original pressing on Decca, and in mono.  Score!

I found another Bel-Aire record as well and was tempted to buy it but figured I'd better draw the line so I did a catch and release.

I think if your name is Stan, you have to be a polka fan.

GR Trilogy

Made my 14th trip to Grand Rapids and finally was able to hit up all the record stores the city had to offer.  Some new ones and an (not very) old haunt.

After my work was done near Wyoming, I went downtown to have a burger and some chili at Stella's.  I longed to head to my hotel for a shower and a nap but that would come later.  The other two record stores (besides Corner Record Store) I had been wanting to check out were just around the corner so I decided to take care of that straight away.

First up was Dodds Record Store.  A glance online for info on the place reveals an interesting history.  Apparently the place has been around for decades and is recently reopened with new owners after being closed for some length of time.  The Google and Yelp reviews are 'interesting' (Google still shows them as 'permanently closed') if not hilariously bad - not that those things would deter me, especially considering it was 0.3 miles from the table where I was eating lunch.

It is quite small inside and loaded with vinyl - including giant stacks everywhere on the floor. 

 This makes it hard to navigate their inventory and often times difficult even to move around.  

After being totally unable to figure out where any genre was placed or began/ended I asked for help and was steered towards the Engelbert vinyl.  

                                                    

There was a variety of import compilations which bordered on overpriced.  I was staggered to find that many of them appeared to be still new in wrapper but was really puzzled when I found one with clear water damage and warping.  Surely shrink wrap may not always be totally water proof but it still seemed suspect.  The online reviews I mentioned earlier tell the tale - it seems the previous proprietors would actually re-wrap every release that came in! I have never heard of such a thing and in this business it could be honestly considered as fraud.  I am not talking about plastic sleeves - I am talking about heat shrunk wrappers as they come from the manufacturer! I decided against any of them only because I determined I have enough Enge compilations.  I can't imagine how angry I would have been to spend $10 on a crappy import comp I didn't really want anyway, only to find it is not new/sealed as it seems.  

A few feet away, I found a giant mound of copies of 'Release Me' on the floor.  I found one in mono and grabbed it.  A friend recently told me - sage advice - that you ought to buy releases like that whenever you see them (I have three now - but still searching for his sophomore release in same format).  It was also wrapped as new - however in this case I got lucky (I did not know of the previous managements propensity for plastic until I was writing this post!).  

I know now that it is legitimately a sealed copy as it has a giant promo sticker on the outside.                    

I sorted through their small jazz and country sections as well - nothing doing.  I made some small talk with a man who seemed to be the owner regarding the avant garde Coltrane that played on the jazz radio station.  My knowledge (and even interest) of Trane is largely periphery in terms of the actual material but I have the wherewithal to have made myself abreast of such an important icon.  One of my biggest vinyl splurges ever was the boxset of my favorite album of his - and one of my favorites in general.   

I had also grabbed a copy of one of Tom Jones last Parrot LPs - I was convinced it was some kind of special release.  Turns out it is just the album minus the outer sleeve (that album came with an elaborate, heavy card stock INNER sleeve that visually doubles as the actual release's packaging) and he seemed to arbitrarily choose the pricing on my two albums (neither were marked).  His 'partner' - a woman who frantically ran around trying to somehow organize the chaos - commented that "he doesn't let me throw away anything" as she directed me in response to my questions.  I also caught bits of an interesting exchange between them behind the counter, as he reviewed a stack of vinyl and repeatedly made the demand that she 'set that aside' for display behind the counter.  I don't own a record store and never will, and I don't know anything about running a business at all.  But I've spent a lot of time inside record stores and this place is a mess.  Still, I'd be back if I was downtown.

After that debacle, I made the stroll south down Division.  Let me be perfectly open and disclose that I got moderately beaten up a few blocks away a couple years ago in what I presume would have been a mugging had I not 'defended myself' and gotten the hell out of there.  Now temper that statement with the fact that I was born in one of the largest cities in the USA (Chicago) and spent most of my formative years doing things and going places I should not have throughout all geographic areas of said city.  I spent 5 years working for the telephone company where no nook or cranny of the cities north, west or south sides were off limits.  My point is that I am largely immune to the other half and I do not come from the upper crust or some other such nonsense.

That walk down Division caused me to want to rename it 'Skid Row'.  I did not get mugged by homeless people in the aforementioned episode but downtown Grand Rapids leaves much to be desired as when you are not looking over your shoulder (in an area you've been to countless times) you are consistently being solicited by someone(s) looking for donations to their personal finances you are simply surrounded by all types of unsavory characters.  Worse yet was that it was raining/sleeting but I had work to do.  I dodged the bums in my path and made a bee line to the front door.

                  

Vertigo records is a clean, white walled place with a large amount of vinyl.  They lean towards new/sealed/contemporary vinyl but maybe 1/3rd of their inventory is used.  It seems to be sort of scattered in terms of artists/genres....it is well organized but does not seem to well represent common/standard stuff.  

                      

The used jazz section is well sized, behind which sits 4-5 bins of $1 vinyl.  I had trouble finding anything of interest and I went through the entire jazz section.  I glanced through the dollar records but I was ready to go - I decided on a Mary Robbins greatest hits (in mono, again) to go with the Volume III I already have.  There is no compilation released that is clearly labeled as 'Volume II' but I assume this is it - eyes are peeled.

From there I bailed out to take care of the nap/shower previously scheduled.  I woke up feeling beyond refreshed and headed out to Grandville to return to Corner Record store - one of my favorite record stores in the world and obviously one of the best.

My first business upon arrival was to take another look at their massive room of 45s.  While my Parrot Records 45 collecting was once limited to jukebox EPs and picture sleeves, now I have expanded to every Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck single there is.  I am also open to promos when I come across them.  I came away with three new Enge 45s plus a promo.  I also scooped up two more Tom Jones 7" records.  I spent some more time in there looking at this and that when I came upon a real gem - a TJ Brass jukebox EP! It's one of many but I'll take them when I find them!

I darted upstairs to where I spent so much time during my first visit.  The place was barren of humanity and the previously 'under construction' status was now completed.  Besides the giant bin of 'male vocals', there were some more rare Enge and Tom LPs in a seperate area, I almost walked out with a UK copy of 'Body And Soul'.

Back in the main room I walked out with an array of LPs:

Kim Mitchell - Akimbo Alogo - Had my eye on this for a long time.  Wanted the club version for the alternate cover but I'll never find that south of the border.  This is in perfect condition and I'm glad to add it to the collection.  I just paused my writing to put it on while I finish this post.  It reeks of the era even if it was a different country.  Kim is a guy that could not have possibly aged better.  I'd love to hang out with him.

Little River Band - First Under The Wire -  My girlfriend has had this one for a while and I told her she had better be careful before it gets up and walks away one day.  Her nervousness need not last any longer as I have my own copy now.  It's kind of scary but I remember where I got the other two albums in the 'hit triology' (all their big songs are contained on three main albums). I grabbed the last album first, at an estate sale a few blocks from my house.  The middle album showed up at a local bookstore.  Like a steel trap I tell you!

Manhattan Transfer, The - Extensions - I had a late 80s album as a kid (grabbed it last year on my birthday on vinyl).  I'll admit it - I picked this up for 'Birdland' and I've listened to side A on repeat many times since I brought this home.  Very happy with this purchase - track A3 is phenomenal!

Ray Price - Sings Heart Songs - I keep telling myself to stop buying Ray Price records but I have a real 'problem'.  I got this for $1 because it has a couple scratches - I saw the same one in good shape for $10 about 20' away in the country section.  This is actually the first pressing as well, glad I scooped it.

Hubert Laws - Then There Was Light (Volume 1) - A 6000 series epic I have owned the second half to for months.  You can buy the whole thing at once but I've had more trouble finding just this first half, I don't know if I looked for it during my last visit or maybe it's a new addition.

That is about as much record shopping as I figure one person can rightfully do in a half a day and I am thrilled with my scores.  Ironically I'd rather go back to Dobbs because a dump is more fun then an antiseptic laboratory full of new hipster vinyl.  And Corner Records....well I wouldn't miss that for anything.