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.

Goodwill [Livonia MI]

Maybe I was due for some good fortune.  I wasn't off to a good start when I saw all the vinyl stacked bookshelf style but I craned my neck and checked them out as best as I could.  But in the final grouping I spied with my little eye a CTI classic (as my eye was, in turn, spied by the jacket!), who's mate I memorably got in a record store next to a train station.  I never listened to that one much but I put this one on right away, and as far as I can tell anyone would love this.  The jacket is in great condition and the vinyl seems legit as well.  All for the staggering price of 50 cents.  Can't beat that.

Goodwill [Woodhaven MI]

Got to make a trip up to Detroit, an area I have almost never traveled to in my decade plus of jetsetting around the midwest and beyond.  We were working out in the middle of nowhere, about 30 min south of Detroit and we were staying in Woodhaven.  Was able to sneak away and check out some vinyl.

I'll cut to the chase - there was nothing here.  But now it's come to this - timing myself to see how long it takes to go through all these junk records.  As you can see above, there are 6 bins or stacks and let's conservatively say there were 30 records in each.  So minimum 150, again being conservative.  The time required to dig that junk, individually inspecting anything that stood out? You can see below.  Now thats 'chops'.

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!

Goodwill [Kalamazoo MI]

On my way into town after stopping at New Life in Wyoming I just wanted to head to my hotel but I drove right by this place, so I got my swerve on and tore into the parking lot.  This was a unique Goodwill....you could almost see whatever business it used to be before they bought the building and turned it into a thrift store.

I swear on my life I took a pic of the record rack and it mysteriously did not save in my phone (that's never happened before).  So I'll describe it: four tiered metal rack with plastic milk crates, two to a shelf.  I instantly came across yet another mono copy of Roger's debut....still haven't ever seen a stereo copy.  This was a sign of things to come however as shortly thereafter I found another platter from Mr. Miller. I don't need to be buying compilations (I now have 13 Roger Miller records) but it was only 99 cents and I couldn't resist.

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.

Satellite Records [Kalamazoo MI]

I forgot to get a simple exterior shot so I held up traffic on my way out and snapped this one through the van.

I had purposely held out on stopping at Satellite on my previous trips to K-Zoo as I knew I'd soon be back.  A comfortable store; it did not disappoint.

After some digging, I did my shopping on a budget.  I picked up at picture sleeve for a song who'd melody has enraptured me of late (and millions of others, over the years).  I never could understand much of the lyrics but are they ever positive! Who knew? They also make me think of a now destroyed (except for the sign) landmark in a decrepit part of town down in Kississimee where I took a bike ride a couple years ago.

I was having trouble finding anything else of interest and buying just a 7" seemed silly (but not as silly as the idea that you must buy full size records to be a good customer!).  Finally in the dollar bin I found a used copy of yet another Bob James record, this one part of his duets with Earl Klugh.

Otherwise it wasn't exactly a noteworthy visit.  I am bereft of memories to write about but I guess at least I don't remember anything bad.  They did have an expansive 7" bin which was well organized and reminded me of the bins at Corner Record Shop. So stop in today and cop something nice for yourself!

Now this is just weird...I have never seen this in a record store before and obviously I've been to a few.  But now I see that both of the stores in K-Zoo, just a couple miles apart are doing the same system? You can see its actually the same exact card.  (I didn't even spend $5 on my two records so I didn't get any stamps).

I did what I could to make this readable.  Funny when I actually asked for a receipt, I can only imagine what this guy thought I wanted this illegible piece of scrap paper for.

Big bonus points on having stickers (they were free, but I would have paid).  Another to add to my locking record crate (for my prized vinyl)...I'll have to snap a pic soon, I've got some good ones on there.