Run to the Record Dump

Made my annual pilgrimage down to the south side to dig through records.  Almost 6 years since I went down there.  I just created a new tag to combine all my visits into one easy link so click away down below.  I have documented 5 trips but I can think of at least one other one where I drove and didn't post about it.  So this is #5 or 6.

Been having serious problems with anxiety lately and decided that maybe I could distract myself enough by doing an all consuming task.  And guess what - it helped.  Big time.  When I got home I was soaked from the rain, I changed my clothes and took a crazy nap, something I have not been able to do in a while.

It took me about 7 hours to get there and back and that is because the schedule on the way home just worked out.  I don't try to make a schedule on the way home because I am not going to rush my record shopping.  When I am done, and when I eat and I feel like going home, then I check the schedule.  And I only waited about 25 minutes at the station which was great.  But it is for sure a long day.  I did make a schedule on the way down there.

As usual, I kind of wandered around in there, totally overwhelmed and unsure what to get.  I came across two huge boxes of polka 7" that were clearly raided from Bel Aire.  I wrote about this on my last visit - clearly Beverly Records bought up all the remaining inventory when Bel Aire shut down.  I knew this a year ago, but I did not know about the 7".

It was pretty insane because there were a number of 7" and artists in general that I had no idea ever released anything on the label.  I photographed a bunch to add to discogs.  I never get phone reception in there, I wanted to check to see if stuff was documented already or not, but had no way to check.

I ended up with a small stack and when I got to the counter the guy gave me the usual Record Dump price treatment:

"How much were these marked for?"

"They weren't marked"

[pause]

"They are $2 each".

If you were going to just make up arbitrary prices, you just do it to begin with.  The only reason I tolerate it is because I do want to see the place remain in business.

Lorraine And The Sonatones - Making Memories / Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Glad to grab the other 7" (see below).  Still want Making Memories really bad, hope to score that one day somehow.

Paliga Polja Dots* - Oom Pah Pah Oberek / Please Come Back Polka

Paliga Polka Dots* - Polish Picnic Polka

One of the more obscure Bel Aire acts, these guys were from Hammond Indiana and backed up Richie Gomulka on a rare album I hope to find one day.

Eddy Bell And The Versatones - Twinkletoes

It is pretty crazy to think that even if this was repressed, this has to be 50 years old.  But not just that - this was either manufactured prior to Bel Aire existing, or in the very early days (notice it has the same McKinley Park address).  So this then got moved to Bridgeview many years later with the rest of the inventory, and now it sits in Beverly.  And I thought my journey today was a long one! Glad to own this.  The guy behind the counter even knew this was Eddie Blazonczyk which is even more impressive than knowing who that is, period!

Lorraine And The Sonatones - Release Me 

I also bought not one but two copies of this.  Which is especially stupid since I already own it.  I foudn this and the 'Making Memories' 7" I mentioned above.  I thought I had one but I couldn't remember which and had no cell reception to check discogs.  So I figured to hell with it, I'll just buy both.  But then in the wildness of two huge boxes of 7", I got the A and B side mixed up and thought I had two different records.  So in my mind, I found three records and I had one already at home.  So now I have two extra copies.  I'll leave one at work to listen to there, and maybe I'll gift one to someone one day.

Salvation Army, Clearing

I generally will not go out of my way to hit an SA anymore, they are always sad barren places devoid of any good vinyl, and often it seems, don't carry any vinyl at all.

As part of an especially relaxing morning, I got my work done in Marquette Park (where coincidentally I also hit an SA, long ago) in record time.  I saw this place as I approached the intersection and figured what the hell.

The vinyl was junk, save for one semi-interesting (though beat) jazz platter.  I figured I'd glance through the CDs quickly before I left.  I should divulge a short tale regarding CDs.  I have 100s at home in CD books.  Recently at work, we were trying to find information on some storage boxes we bought long ago because we wanted more.  After much internet sleuthery, we found the cases and saw that they must have been purchased at Office Depot.  So my boss ran over to grab another one and he grabbed an extra one for my truck upon my request.  Because as it turns out, these were actually CD/DVD cases (not at all what we were using them for).  So I made a pact with myself to fill that case with some classic albums and then stop there. 

So I've scooped up some interesting stuff at thrift stores and online and I'm a little over half full (I think it holds 20 jewel cases).  Well would you believe I found the first Pat Metheny Group CD here? This is now the 5th PMG album in my little case.  I've had this on vinyl and I shouldn't admit it, but I honestly never listened to it in depth.  Well I have listened to it now extensively, again and again, and realize what a classic it is.  So overall, this was a huge score in a dumpy little store that was, as usual, bereft of good vinyl.

Avenues Thrift Store

I've driven past this place so many damn times and wanted to stop in but never did.  This is largely because traffic on Touhy is a bit scary, there aren't quite 2 lanes in each direction, but there isn't quite a parking lane either.  Traffic moves fast and even if you can park in front, its pretty tight.  But I threw caution to the wind and finally paid them a long deserved visit.

I found one neat rack nestled towards the back of the shop.  I know of Steve Arrington's work with Slave through one of his biggest fans, Dam Funk.  And I as well am a fan of Dam - I actually got his autograph on a piece of vinyl years ago at a street fest in Chicago! I didn't have a smartphone at the time, I wish I had gotten a selfie with him.  But I do value the vinyl, even if the sharpie I brought with was dying at the time.

Also worthy of note was a single Engelbert record with some extensive notes on a post-it (no other vinyl in the bin had such notes).  Glad to see someone celebrating this great album!

Beverly Records SECRET GARAGE!

I don't know what people think that record collecting is all about.  Or being out and about and searching for records.  Probably seems very much 'on the surface', like just sticking my mitts in those crates is all that matters.  But the real peak experiences come when you supersede that stuff and hit into something more, and talk to people and forge relationships.

On a Sunday morning I filled my thermos with coffee and drove down to Hegewisch.  I parked on Baltimore around 134th and just relaxed.  I sat there and drank my coffee in a light rain and watched people go about their business.  A time for reflection.  As I designed my day, I figured I ought to head over to Beverly Records and have a look around.  I knew at minimum I could raid the Tom Jones and Englebert 45 bins for promos, something I've been meaning to do for a while.

I have been to Beverly Records a handful of times.  My first time was way back in '13.  I should start off by saying that I was sad to see the St. Vincent on 99th is closed.  So is the Beverly Woods resturant next door which I had always wanted to check out.  Looks like it has been about three years since my last visit!

Beverly hasn't changed really at all.  Same old record dump.  I had a nice dig.  I dug out a total of five Parrot promos, none of which I had and a few of which I had to add to discogs myself.  So that was nice. [When There's No You, The Young New Mexican Puppeteer, Till, Memories Don't Leave Like People Do, Ain't No Love].

They have things organized by some odd genres, like 'male vocals' (as soon as you walk in) and 'female vocals' (way the hell in the back).  I ventured back there as I have before, the lights were off.  I don't know where the switch is so I just dug around using my phone as a flashlight.  What do I care.

I was looking for Joni Mitchell back there and finally found it.  I found a copy of the live album I paid $20 for (or was it $25?), then again that was a promo and quite mint.  Still for $5 I'm cheap enough to have considered the option, if somehow in another dimension I have the choices side by side.  But that fantasy aside, I found what I was looking for.  There were two copies actually - I grabbed the one that was still shrinked, the original gatefold still never opened.  And yes - the vinyl and even inner sleeve look to never have seen oxygen before.  Well done.

I was back there digging and looking for polka.  I know they stash all their odd genres back here but I couldn't find it even in the dark.  Then I was truly taken aback, even more so as it was in the pitchblack and viewed with a flashlight.  This looked way too familiar, not just the rack but even the individual records.

I knew at a glance I had everything there I wanted.  But odd they had that there.  Why? I'd soon find out.

I kept figuring they would see me back there and turn the lights on.  Or at least come to see what the hell I was doing creeping around in the dark.  I eventually gave up and came to the counter to ask where the polka was.  The old timer told me that (with a laugh) that they don't get many requests for polka.  He said they were 'in the garage'.  I was probably trembling and imagining where the garage might be.  Was it nearby? Far away? How much polka was in there? What else was in there?

The other fella behind the counter said 'come with me' and I followed him outside.  He led me through the 'parking lot' (the empty lot north of the building) and towards the alley.  This was ironic because this was the first time I had ever come from that direction.  We went around back and he unlocked a padlock on the back gate and took me literally to the garage.  He unlocked it and....



The backyard was filled with spare milk crates piled up high and some other junk.  As soon as the door opened I think I gasped when I saw all that vinyl.  We both stepped inside to take a look around for the polka section but it was just inside the door!

BANG! I was deep in the game!  The selection was out of control.  It was a 'polka' section but might have been labeled 'Chicago polka' because 90% was from Chicago.

I saw so many rarities and classics that I began to lose count and my eyes swam.  I started making a pile but knew before long I'd have to return at least a couple to the shelf lest I need a milk crate to cart the stuff home.

Lorraine And The Sonatones- Chicago's Famous Polkas

I picked up a 45 from Bel Aire a while back and I love it.  I know there are two LPs and Bel Aire had one (don't remember which), glad to score this one.  And guess what else??? AUTOGRAPHED!

The Versatile Versatones* - Something New Just For You

There were numerous Versatones records and a few (including doubles!) of some of the really early stuff.  This would be their third.  I saw two copies of their fourth and I was going to grab it until I saw there was a different record inside.  Then I started to play that weird game where you track down that jacket, but there is yet ANOTHER wrong record in there.  After a short time I decided to call it quits.

The Tones (6) - 200 Years Of Polka Music

Positively love The Tones, grabbed their other two LPs at Bel Aire on separate trips.  They never had this one, in fact I've only seen this on ebay one time (they guy wanted $15).  Took me forever just to find photos and a track listing.  Delighted to finally pick this up.

Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones - Award Winning Polkas

This is a real piece of crap but I couldn't resist.  It is a 2xLP compilation that I've never seen before.  It is really low quality jacket and the records themselves inexplicably skip like crazy even though the vinyl looks ok.  It looks like they forgot to put the artist name on the jacket so they applied stickers after the jackets were already printed.  Real professional stuff!

There were a couple full aisles filled with fully stacked shelves.  Mostly classical and other useless genres.  Back to the polka - nearly every Marion Lush album were there, saw a ton of Lenny Gomulka including one I had never seen before, which I photographed for the db.  It was just balls out insane! And all through this I am left alone in this quiet, cold and amazing garage with the keys and the place to myself.  What a privilege!

I locked everything up and made my way back to the store to check out.  As I made that short trek I couldn't believe I was sitting here with a stack of vinyl and the keys to the place all on the honor system.  Again, not something I take lightly or casually.  What a feeling that was!

When I got back to the counter and had a chat with my finds with the guy who had brought me out there, he did divulge that the Bel Aire store in Bridgeview had closed on October 1st.  That really hit me hard.  First thought was that I am really glad I got in there, bought stuff, took pics, chatted with people and saw the history.  But the larger looming thought is that Bel Aire was a place that will never be replaced.  It is kind of like an old relative who has been sick for a long time.  When they pass away you aren't surprised, but you know that void will never be filled.  No one is going to open another polka record store, ever.  That was the last vestige of Eddie's legacy.  Thank god I have crates of old vinyl to really relish the times gone by.  But this explains the familiar rack in the back of the store, he bought the whole damn thing for probably $20 or something crazy.

So I got taken a bit with the price but that is to be expected.  And having just discussed the closing of Bel Aire it makes you realize that while you can buy your vinyl on the internet for super cheap, because the sellers have no overhead, keeping a giant building (and garage!) like this open - taxes, electric bill, etc. - costs some serious coin.  So I'm glad to contribute to keeping a place like this open as long as I can.  I couldn't be happier with the stash I walked out of there with and it is a memorable day I will hang onto for a long time.

Dave

About a year ago, I followed a lead on gsalr.com to a listing that claimed they had piles and piles of records.  It was about a 5 mile ride, and it wasn't very nice out: windy and cold, late fall Chicago.  But I soldiered through it as thoughts of big scores and a library of vinyl danced in my mind.

But when I arrived, I was all alone.  No signs, no flags, no....anything.  I checked the address and double checked it.  I went down the alley - no people, no open doors.  Normally I'd dismiss this instantly but as the sale was described, it was too good to walk away from that easily.

So I decided I wasn't going to leave without some kind of closure, or attempt at it, and I knocked on the front door. A man answered and we spoke awkwardly through the screen door.  He explained that he did have some records but the sale was 'postponed' and that if I wanted to give him my number, he would let me know when it was rescheduled for.  He handed me a paper and pen through a tiny crack in the door and of course I gave him my info.  But I was sure he would never call - I get these kind of BS offers all the time.  It never keeps me from offering to network but I am usually pretty sure that it is a load of nonsense and false promises.  He gave me his number also though I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do with it.  Call him in a few days and beg to see the vinyl? I programmed him into my phone as 'Dave Records' and forgot about it.

Well I'll be damned if my phone didn't ring a few weeks ago and it was him! He said that he was ready to show me the goods and we exchanged email addresses.  I threw together a small want list but assured him I wanted to see whatever he had regardless, at whatever time and place he chose.  But I was leaving for vacation in just a few days and he said he was planning to go out of town soon as well. 

So finally after a few weeks he offered me a date and I took it.  I had a murderous hangover for no good reason on a chilly Saturday morning and I dragged myself onto the bike and off I went.  He let me into his back porch and offered me a coffee which I gladly accepted while I looked through his stash.  I grabbed six records:

Little River Band - Diamantina Cocktail - I swore that I had enough of the LRB discography already but I couldn't resist adding to the trilogy.  This album came out just before they hit their stride with a long string of giant hits but there are some decent singles on this one as well.  I tried to leave it behind but as I dug through the crates I kept finding more and more of their stuff which only reminded me.

Poco (3) - Legend - a pleasure to add this to my Yacht Rock collection, everyone knows the two big hits but the whole thing just feels nice.  I swore Jim Messina was always in the band but it looks like his involvement was short and limited.  You learn something new everyday!

Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66 - Equinox - I already have this of course, but not the mono version.  I actually have the stereo and TWO mono versions of the debut which came out just before this one.  Really clean condition too.

Elvis Costello - My Aim Is True - my girlfriend's mom has a big framed posted of this album hanging in the spare bedroom I sleep in when I visit.  I also have a obsession with the book 'Less Than Zero' which leads me to be further interested in Elvis Costello.  Something just called out to me to have this and I am already very happy I grabbed it.  It has such a similar feel as another new wave classic I have studied and played to death (and own in a couple formats as well).  The idea of NOT having bought this is disturbing to me.

Dire Straits - Brothers In Arms - I actually found copies of this one, I grabbed one which was still in its (opened) shrink.  I came straight to my girlfriend's after this escapade and we listened to this a few times.  She immediately expressed her jealousy and I told her to just have it.  I can live without it, I have 600 records as it is (many of which I cannot humanly listen to) and I'm always looking to show some self control and scale back where I can.  

Gerry Rafferty - Night Owl - this one I bought specifically for her.  There was one other LP as well but I left it behind as it was further along in the chronology and largely irrelevant, I decided.  She is a fan of Gerry and I'm realizing that I have bought every release she has for her.  I got her a picture sleeve 7" in Oak Park and I got the LP with the same hit at a garage sale in Franklin Park.  I remember that sale well but it seems it was in the time before I began to blog about garage sales.  I know I picked up an Eng record then which while not valuable I have never come across again (it sucks, actually).

So he had the two crates you see above plus another stack which he said were his "step son's ex-girlfriend's".  That makes my head hurt a bit to think about but they are not depicted and were of no interest to me.  So I had 6 records and I offered him $10.  He said he was looking for $2 each but I did not have exact change.  So I offered him all the money I had on me - $23 - and said to just give me back a $10 which would be simple and we would call it even at $13.  This seemed to please him and we said our goodbyes. He promised to stay in touch and said he would have more vinyl - but it might not be until the spring.  That seemed like a long way away (well...it is!) but I thanked him and we both promised to stay in touch.  So I am sure I will be blogging about my friend Dave again!

He told me he sells records on ebay and gave me the coolest business card I have ever seen.  Click here to be taken to his eBay store!

Funk Trunk, Rogers Park

I booked out of AA (no not the meeting) to make it to Funk Trunk before they closed at 7.  A light rain had been falling for hours but I stayed dry and warm enough to feel pleasant.  As I approached I couldn't figure out where the store would be as it was nothing but huge condos then there it was - Funk Trunk!

Easily one of (if not the) smallest store I have ever been to but loaded with scores and some of the most unique record racks I've ever seen.  I've built my own so I know a thing about construction but these I could not figure out - I love them.  The owner Quinn was more than happy to chat about his bins, music, records...anything! Being one-on-one with the clerk in a quiet record store can be awkward but I wanted to get some brews and crank tunes in here all night long! But alas, I did have some hunting to do.

                               

I saw not one but two Lenny White albums which tempted me but I declined both.  In fact, I saw so many RTF related albums it was hard to keep up with.  I have the obligatory 'School Days' already but long ago my uncle (who introduced me to RTF in general, via a particular album, one of my all time faves) made me a mix tape with with title cut from a different album on it, showing his good taste by not going to the opener. I think about that song sometimes and I miss it.  I always thought that was Jeff Beck on the solo (as he plays on the next track) but it looks like it isn't.  But who knew about all the other sidemen on this album? Damn - I should have grabbed it: Mahavishnu, Steve Gadd, Chick...wow! Just the opening with those natural harmonics....I must have thought that was a keyboard when I was cranking this one back in the day (maybe I was 16?). Which guitar solo is better? The restrained first or the triumphant second? Maybe I should write a blog just about that song!

I left my records at the counter when I walked in and told Quinn to look through the bag.  We got to talking about Nu Shooz and he said that he too had just picked up the picture sleeve 12"...I came across it a short time later in a bin and he offered to trade me! Whoa!

But besides the stuff I did NOT grab, what did I get?

Pat Metheny - Works - just a compliation of his solo and group work (99% of which I already have) but I couldn't resist

Chick Corea - Friends - Quinn gave this one to me for free from the dollar bin as a new customer (A good policy seen elsewhere.  If this free record is as good, I'll be in good shape).  

Luiz Henrique And Walter Wanderley - Popcorn - I don't walk away from any WW albums, especially if they are from the Verve era.  Never seen this or even heard of it.  Well worth the $10 and I haven't even listened to it yet.

Gary Burton - Chick Corea* - Crystal Silence - This comes up on everyone's best of lists so I couldn't resist.  It's a little beat up but not so bad I can't trip out on the new arrangement on the opener for vibes/piano when I am so used to the ensemble version.

To pull this many good albums out of such a small store is just an impossibility. Funk Trunk makes dreams come true! Thanks Quinn!

more stores need custom brown paper bags....a small but potent touch!

Audio Archeology, Rogers Park

If anyone read this blog, maybe they would meet me face to face and discuss it with me.  And they would probably criticize me for running a blog with 'chicagovinyl' as the subdomain when half of the posts are in other cities or even states.  And I'd tell them to get lost.  But luckily I won't have to be rude to anyone anytime soon as they only exist in my warped mind!

Audio Archaeology is one of those few remaining Chicago spots that I never get to as there is no good means of transportation besides a very long bus ride.  But I like to go see some live music once a year or so and as the show was up in Rogers Park (Red Line Tap) I knew that this was my chance.  They close at 7 so I left work a little early to run home, take a shower and change and head out again.  I took the Pace 331 to the Cumberland Blue line, which I then rode all the way to the Loop.  After that I took the Red Line north to the Loyola stop.

I got up there with some time to spare and started walking south.  I was starved and walked past about 20 restaurants but records come before eating every time.  I already knew that AA was largely a stereo equipment store before a record store but I didn't care - I've gone further out of my way to dig through much, much less.

The small room wasn't so cluttered with stuff that you felt claustrophobic and some attention had been paid to how things were arranged with a clear path to the vinyl racks and bins.  The clerk (presumably John, the owner) greeted me without asking the worst of questions "what are you looking for?".  He got on with whatever he was doing while I did the same, in peace.  I promptly crawled around checking out the cheap stuff (record stores love to demean you in this way....I don't blame them.  At least I didn't have to crawl for a half an hour like I did once at Logan Hardware.  Worse yet that was on a tile floor in winter - nice and wet.)

                             

At just about the last inch of the last vertical rack, I found a 12" single I have probably turned down 20 times.  (I just hunted through my old blog for 10 minutes trying to figure out where I saw it last.  Though that one was the picture sleeve.) Not this time! Long ago I knew a guy who owned a bar and he bought some monster PA speakers on craigslist.  After we got everything put in place and installed we threw that song on just as a random speaker check track.  Well turns out its perfect for that...the verse has such a crisp mix, the interplay between the vocals and rhythm guitar are awesome, and the palm muted riffs in the background are just addictive. I did not get the picture sleeve but I did get the company generic sleeve which makes me happy.

I was in a bit of a hurry to make another stop also before 7 so I kicked it into high gear as I inspected the 7"s.  I quickly found a picture sleeve for a song I already have the LP on - which matters not to me!

Wish I had more time to inspect the rest of the goods and if I ever need a tuner or a new turntable, I know where I'll be checking in!

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Shook my hangover and headed out to greet the day Sunday morning. gsalr.com had only two sales anywhere in the area with records and they were in opposite directions.  Not being ambitious enough to try and hit both, I chose one on the north side and headed out around 10am.

Just a bunch of the usual suspects (Mantovani, etc) save one disco record I almost scooped. 

On the way over, I had seen some signs for an estate sale around Foster and Harlem.  I headed back first to the grocery store at that same intersection.  I ate a chicken salad sandwich and drank a bottle of watermelon/pineapple juice under the shade of a tree.  I thought about the awesome flea market at this same intersection on a very hot day long ago.  Then I found that sign and headed up to the estate sale.

Of course I had no idea if there would be any records at all but alas there were.  Exclusively symphonic/classical stuff - no interest at all.  I leafed through it all anyway and glanced at the other wares then headed out.

At this point I started to head home and when I got to Lawrence Ave I was stricken with inspiration and decided to jaunt all the way over to the other garage sale with records.  I knew it was at least 10 miles away but it was still early and wasn't very hot.  So off I went.

I don't know if '100s' of records was quite accurate and anyway most were really old 78s without any jackets at all.  The LPs were junk too besides one I grabbed for my girlfriend, or myself if she had it (I wasn't sure at the time; she does not have it I have since confirmed so her's it is).  I continued my trek through some really bad roads (potholes) and bad neighboorhoods (Maywood) as I took the Prarie Path back to 1st Ave for my journey home.  Been having some trouble with my GPS logging app so I was only able to successfully log the trip above (10 miles) but I estimate I did over 20.  And when I got home I rested for a moment, then switched bikes and headed out to grab groceries so I could cook/eat/cook/eat/repeat then nap.  An intense morning and a Sunday well spent!

Garage Sale Twenty Miler

With only gsalr.com to guide me, I embarked from my girlfriend's house on a Saturday morn in search of vinyl.  I started out by going a bit out of my way to get to the Prarie Path bike trail which I took a few miles west to Villa Park.  I got off at Villa Ave and took that further south to the first of what would become a number of stops on this very long journey.

I found a scant two boxes filled with vinyl....quickly, I located what I can only presume is near first pressing (based on the age of the rest of the records) of a late 60s psyche jam...but alas the sleeve held nothing, the platter somewhere misplaced.   A Pickwick compilation of dubious sources (I left this behind as I believe it to be orchestral 'pops' versions of the songs listed, not the originals) caught my eye then was quickly forgotten.  The country classic shown below was tantalizing for a moment, but it passed quickly, as it so often does with garage sale fodder of fleeting desirability.  

                                        

Lastly however was a truly odd 'documentary album' of boot camp.  The packaging was very nice and odder still was the stencil someone had used for something....the font harkens military themes and I could not figure out if it was a strange bonus with the album? What were its origins? I will never know - I threw it back and left with nothing.  

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Next I set out on a much longer journey, from Villa Park all the way to Schiller Park.  I arrived only to be told that the approximately '2000 45s' and '1000 LPs' were all purchased at once by someone else.  They did have a very large amount of casettes, CDs and even 8-tracks so I almost believed those wild numbers, but not quite.  Either way, there was nothing there for me so I moved on.

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I stopped at 7-11 to refuel after my 15 miles plus already covered and plot my next move.  Unsatisfied with one bad gar(b)age sale and another devoid of vinyl in general, I went back to gsalr.com.  I found another sale with vinyl in the general vicinity of my home.  It would only add a couple miles to my trip home and would also allow me to stop at the grocery store.  So I headed east on Irving Park with my fingers crossed.

                                 


I was firmly excited to find three large totes of records and motherlode of solid rock records - no 'documentary albums' here.  I grabbed an early VH album for myself, as well as the mate to a fusion album I grabbed at a pawn shop a couple months ago.  (Both albums have proven to be so good....one of my best musical discoveries in the past year or more).  In the last bin I found a huge stash of Engelbert albums - almost all post-Parrot years.  I picked up my favorite of the bunch for my girl (I already have them all).  I chatted briefly with the owner then grabbed some taco makings and went home.  With now twenty miles under my belt, I was exhausted.  I ate some tacos and hydrated before a very brief nap and gloated in the fun of the day.  Don't give up kids - the best bins are just around the corner.