Idle in Iowa

This is my 4th trip through Iowa in the past 6 months or so, and my second time in Des Moines.  This time I was here for 3 nights and had some downtime.  I checked and while I had perused vinyl in Iowa before, it was a long time ago and not very thorough.  So I knew I'd make time to find something else on this trip.  I started with Marv's.

Marv's unfortunately had about 95% of their inventory as new, sealed vinyl.  Not my bag at all, largely because I don't like that many contemporary artists and I don't want to pay $15-20 for every record.  They did have a small amount of used stuff, but much of it was valuable and priced accordingly.  One of the guys in there gave me a flyer for another shop called 'Vinyl Cup Records' not far away and recommended them, but unfortunately they are only open in the evening so I knew I wouldn't be going.

I ran across a St. V's and swerved to check it out.  Looks like it's been over a year since I checked one out, and that was in Idaho! This is also the 30th time I've documented a visit, I'd guess at least 20 of those posts were for unique locations so nice to hit a good even number.  Not quite as nice to have junk records, but they were all in such good shape that I could just read the spines really quickly and disqualify them as anything I'd be bringing home.

I had great disappointment that I wasted time going to Marv's when Red Rooster was not only closer but clearly was going to be a proper record store where I would actually have something to dig.  I called a little after noon and got no answer, I called again a bit later to make sure they were open and indeed they were.  So I ran out to get a bite to eat and then headed over.  Parking in the area is slim, you can't park on Euclid but I spied a sign showing there was parking out back.  It was a little tight in a big truck but I made it work.  Conveniently there is even a back door so you don't have to walk around front.

The shop keeper was busy going through some vinyl when I walked in, but no other customers were currently in the shop.  I instinctively said 'hey how are you' or something casual of that nature.  He said 'good' but nothing else.  That felt a little terse but I tried to brush it off.  Unfortunately it got worse from there.

I wandered around for a bit as I always do, getting the lay of the land but could not locate the jazz section (if there was one).  He asked what I was looking for and I said 'jazz'.  He replied that he would have to clear that section off, apparently it is sufficiently unpopular so as to cover it with stacks of other random records and even some shopping bags and other stuff.  An awkward moment transpired when I had to ask him to repeat himself as I genuinely did not understand what he said.  I felt like he seemed put out that he had to do this and again my spidey sense was screaming but I brushed it off and thought maybe I'm misunderstanding things.  Turns out if you get this feeling twice in a few minutes, it is probably genuine.  I looked through the new releases in the meantime but didn't find anything.  

Once the jazz records were open, I got up in there.  It is a tight area and the bins were pretty packed, so it was hard to see what I was looking at without bending the jackets to peer down inside.  Luckily, every record is labeled in the upper right hand corner with the artist name and some other notes.  The bins in the back were very hard to see even with the labels, as they were so recessed and so packed with records.

But before long, I found a handful of good vinyl.  I have all the Pat Metheny group albums (plus some on CD and tape) but the only solo album I have is his debut.  Lately I had been streaming New Chautauqua and thought of all the times I came across a copy and let it go.  I was hoping I'd find one and promised myself I'd scoop if it I did.  My wish was granted and for only $6!  Next I found a 5000 series release by Lalo Schifrin I didn't know existed.  It was a few bucks more than I wanted to pay but I was going to grab it anyway.  That was until a few moments later (Apparently the 'S' bin was a lucky one for me) that I found the Shadowfax album just after the one I already own and love.  This was half the price of the Lalo album, so I did a catch and release on that.

At this point I was really satisfied that I came out of there with two good records and prices I definitely liked.  And I had yet to look at the tapes and CDs!  I quickly found a great Jeff Beck album on tape (mint condition, looks like) for $2 and I can't wait to put it on when I get home.  Shortly after that I specifically went on a hunt for PMB CDs (strictly for my truck) and was delighted to find one.  What a score!  But here is where things between me and the gentleman in the store really reached a head.

When I was looking at the tapes I saw a nice stash of 80s and 90s metal bootlegs.  There were a bunch of Slayer live recordings, some of them from the mid 80s.  I must admit, I was almost enticed to grab one.  In an effort to patch things up with this guy who I did not know, but who clearly didn't seem to like me, I said aloud "You've got a nice selection of metal bootlegs over here".

No response.  For the third time, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and thought 'he didn't hear me', though not speaking loud enough isn't something I've ever dealt with in my life.  At this point I was satisfied with my pile of music so I went up to the cluttered counter to check out.  After considering it for a moment, I decided to repeat myself.  Bear in mind, at this point we are about 18" apart.  He actually kind of shrugged his shoulders and said 'So?'.  I didn't even know what to make of this.  I replied 'I didn't mean it in a critical way, just trying to make conversation'.  There was yet another awkward silence so I added 'Did I rub you the wrong way or something?' and he just said 'not at all'.  

At that point I considered just walking out.  I can get the records elsewhere, don't really need them and it would please me NOT to give money to a person who clearly is independently wealthy (or more likely, prideful) enough to shoo customers out of his tiny store with a bad attitude.  Not only was this probably the most awkward situation I've ever had in a record store, but also maybe the most awkward situation in any retail scenario, ever.  This blog is filled with numerous stories or having great discussions about music and life in record stores, so I don't know what this person's problem is. Was he sensitive to the fact that he was selling media of a questionable legality? That was NOT my point. Not a bad place, but not worth that kind of response.

First Baptist Church Thrift Store [Oakdale LA]

I write this while I sip a cold Abita after one of the longest, hardest days of work in my life.  I got into town yesterday (flew to Alexandria) and desperately wanted to check Louisiana off my list.  I sped to a Goodwill and they had no vinyl! I knew that I wouldn't have much time today to look around but I was banking on that possibility.

Well I was right as I did not get to my hotel until 10pm! But I snuck away for lunch and had one shot at a small church based thrift store and I struck gold! Well not exactly, as it was all junk, but I hardly care about that.  One more state done!

I took each stack out and dug through them all.  The lady at the counter not only answered my question regarding the presence of vinyl, but insisted on walking me the 10' to them.  Really nice small town vibes.  But man was it hot out there! I don't know how people live in this day after day.

There were a couple albums from Mr. Gray.  It looks like he passed away back in 2005.  I figured he must be a Louisiana since I saw more than one record.  Funny thing is, it doesn't look like he was.  Looks like he was a Dallas based musician but when I dug a bit deeper, it said he grew up in Little Rock, but was born in New Orleans! 

STATE #32 COMPLETED!

St. Vincent [Billings MT]

As already described, I stepped out of a Billings breakfast and stumbled into a record store.  Just before that, I came across a St. Vincent.  Alas, it was permanently closed but they left a forwarding address.  So I started to walking across Billings to my destination. 

It was a 1/2 mile or so I think and the neighborhood got quieter, less traffic, no pedestrians, I was all alone.  I finally arrived and saw the clear distinction between the floors, evidenced by the crowd that had formed outside (which included the fellow I later saw chilling under the sign with his coffee and rucksack).

Alas, it was nothing doing as they had nothing of any interest, save for a book of sheet music for a Neil Sedaka album I've had for a while.  As alluring as it sounds to try and learn 'Laughter in the Rain', I left it behind for another hunter deep in Montana, as I was on that morning.

Cocoa Beach Community Church Thrift Shop [Cocoa Beach FL]

There is nothing better than being out in the middle of nowhere on vacation, with your loved ones.  Better yet, stop at a quiet abondonded beach and run around in the ocean for an hour, then stop into a tiny church thrift store and look at some records!

This makes (I think) the 14th year consecutive I have spent in Orlando in the fall.  Coincidentally, I was just in Tampa for a week just a bit before, but that was for work.  I used to come out to Cocoa every year when I'd be in O-Town but I stopped years ago since I gave up on renting a car.  Well this year I did and it was well worth it, our dip in the ocean alone was rewarding enough and this little thrift store was everything such a place is supposed to be.

What an odd record, especially way down here in Florida.

Located at 133 S Orlando Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 - I did my dig, a total of three nice bins.  I did come out with something believe it or not! I have always loved the track since I was a kid and it was current.  Nice to have the 12" with the remixes.  This lady (below) was super loud and bordered on obnoxious but she meant well.  She did not know I took this photo but you'd swear she did.  Her personality shines through.

My biggest regret of all is not being able to attend the below.  A party - WITH SPAGETTI?!?! - at a church, a week before Halloween, with live music??? And not 1/4th mile from the ocean? This was of course the day we were leaving, by 5pm we were long since home.  I'll forever regret missing the Dave Counts Band but I'm certain a great time was had by all.

St. Vincent [Ruskin FL]

I first visited the Gibsonton/Apollo Beach area in April of 2016.  On my last day I wanted to stop here but had trouble finding it.  Well I ended up going back about 1 1/2 years later to work at the same place and this time I went in on my first day when I still had time.  Little did I know just how bad that week would be.  Glad I had a few moments of enjoyment before I descended into Hell.  Even more glad I am done with it.  Ironically, as I type this I am now on vacation in Orlando, barely an hour away.

I don't remember ever being at a St. Vincent's that had so much marking with signs etc.  Even the building is marked THRIFT STORE in huge letters that you just can't miss.  However the record selection was slim, though they did have a classic barbershop album and a really cool homemade record bin.  Reminds me very much of one I built myself long ago (mine is only two levels).

St. Vincent [Livonia MI]

Ah yes, your typical bombed out St. V's, a spot I checked out during my brief stay in lovely Livonia.  This is the 25th post tagged for St. Vincent so I guess I've been to damn near that many.  But yet after all these years, not much has changed.  And that is fine with me.

When in doubt, just find the books or DVDs or old videotapes.  If there are records, they are close at hand.  I didn't find anything here as I dug around in the dirt on my hands and knees.  Due to the weight of vinyl, they often find their way closer to the floor so they don't fight gravity (and an old busted up shelf) so much.  This means you really have to pay for it if you want to dig, because I assure you they don't mop in a place like this very often.

And they pulled the old trick on me of having additional vinyl behind me on another shelf.  Just when I try to leave, they pull me back in! Nothing there either, but that's par for the course.  Still a fun sidetrip on my trip towards eastern Michigan.

St. Vincent [Mississauga Ontario]

I've already outlined how exhausting my day was going to Ric's (albeit very rewarding).  But before I decided to pull the trigger on going way out to Port Credit, as I weighed the pros and cons in that shopping mall, knowing that there was a St. Vincent just down the street definitely helped to influence my decision.

Alas, they did not have anything of value or interest but I did dig through each and everyone one of these.  Afterwards, I walked down to Hiawatha Park and sat on the rocks for a while with my scores (from Ric's), and let the Lake Ontario surf break and mist on me (I carefully turned the plastic sleeves on my vinyl so they didn't get wet).  It was a nice side trip and a good way to take advantage of being in Ontario.

St. John's Lutheran Thrift Shop [La Porte IN]

La Porte is kind of a grimy old town, new customer I never visited before and while I've been all over Indiana (and NW Indiana specifically), never been here before.  My work was pretty pleasant, there is nothing better then hitting the road for a day trip on a Friday, it's like ending your week early.  So afterwards I ducked into this little thrift shop in search of vinyl with low expectations but a good attitude nonetheless.

                               

Well, nothing to see here.  Mostly religious junk with a smattering of useless orchestral tunes to fill out the crate.  But a nice quiet store with a couple other people digging through their collectibles of choice and a lady behind the counter who gave me a friendly, small town smile as I exited the premises empty handed.

The coolest part about the trip was that there was an old abondonded school across the street, here in this residential neighborhood.  Lots of windows were busted out and the date above the door says 1893! It's a shame that in this day and age there surely isn't enough cash to go around in a place like La Porte to turn this place into something useful or maintain it somehow.  I'm sure that the church that ran it still exists but that is a big undertaking to get a place this big functional.  But what a waste, this building was built to last.  I waited about 10 minutes for a couple parked cars to leave so I could get the angle I wanted.  I took many others and none were great, I had some fun processing this one in my truck and I'm happy with it.

Mountain Mission [Charleston WV]

Mountain Mission is a charitable organization with a soup kitchen and such, as well as a thrift store on their clean grounds in Charleston.  Things started off quite auspiciously when we parked and got out, there was a glass of Kool Aid or iced tea, with ice still in the cup, just sitting in the middle of the lot.  And not a soul around...

Can I get you something to drink?

I had called in advance to assure the presence of fine vinyls awaiting a dig and I found them in the rear of the shop on the bottom shelf of a book lined wooden rack.  I found nothing of interest save for one strange foreign platter which hailed from Greece.  With its toilet paper quality jacket, I knew it came from across the big drink.  I left it here, in West Virginia and got onto more pressing matters like a bahn mi at Yen's Sandwiches and moved on, southeast bound....

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!