Record Theatre [Buffalo NY]

I visited Buffalo on the same work related issue almost exactly two months prior.  This time I came back not for a high pressure meeting (October's work) but a high pressure session of service work for which I predicted many people would look over my shoulder and nit pick me half to death.  But before the misery always comes pleasure, when possible.  So I departed from the airport directly to Record Theatre and not my hotel as so many others might have considered.

$30 later (what a rip off, can't wait until Uber's powerful lobbyists defeat the taxi unions in NY state) I arrived in a quiet part of town across the street from a college.  I made my entrance with a deep sigh as I hate shopping in record stores, as ridiculous as such a view might seem from someone who has a blog about record collecting.  The answer is of course that I revel in garage sales, basements, thrift stores and other hell holes but you know that by now, faithful readers.



As usual, I walked around like a scared child, lost in the mall, their parents disappeared off in the food court or wandering the parking lot looking for the minivan with (most of) the kids in tow.  I gravitated to the 7"s as I saw they were alphabetized and in sleeves.  I found a couple Tom Jones Parrot singles and saw that one I did not have.  So I started clutching that as I blindly pretended to know what I was looking for, casually pretending to look for things carrying on.

I came across a very mildly interesting bossa nova record that I didn't need and almost didn't even want.  But it was only a couple bucks and 'I guess I might as well buy something.'

Then the flood gates opened.  I don't remember what I found first because it was a blur.  Somewhere in here I put the Sergio record back because my scores were so vast.  I looked at the Bob Gates stuff and not only was everything I need there but it was all under $5.  I had to hold back so I returned the copy of Three and tried to compose myself as I clutched my existing scores tighter, ever vigilant against non-existent thieves who knew what I had and determined I was not worthy.  Was this my own inner collector's self-worth speaking, channeled by the good fortune I was living and refusing to accept it?

SCORES:
K.* & J.J.* - Israel
Already one of my favorite (or at least most played) 3000 series CTI cuts, I was pleased to find the promo version (now have four promos from that series) and for only $5.  Too good to be true.

Tom Jones - Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings
They had a nice stash of mixed Parrot era Tom, was glad to find this one in mono as I already have the stereo version.  Only his first six came in both formats, of the 18 he produced for that label.  I put some serious work into a nice spreadsheet that I have made in varying degrees of completion over the years, this one melted my brain and made me want to take a nap, badly.  Glad it's done and gladder to share it wit you.

Flora Purim - Carry On
I have seven of eight of her Milestone Records catalog and while I still want the last one (though it looks like it might have been released by that label only in the UK?), it is not difficult for me to pass on post-Milestone work (of which this would be the first).  That is of course, unless it is a 'label copy' with generic sleeve, internal memo attached, generic center labels and all for a fiver.  Are you kidding???

Max Webster - High Class In Borrowed Shoes
A little disappointed that it isn't the Canadian version but I've enjoyed the other I grabbed so much (also USA version) this was an easy decision, especially for only $2 and still in its shrink.

I securely my stash close against my chest and darted to the counter to square up and head out.  But the fun wasn't over - they urged me to enter a raffle for one of many prizes and of course I did.

                          

They were all for various 'prize packs': vinyl, maybe a T-shirt or poster thrown in, that kind of thing.  Only one really appealed to me.



I have been faithfully listening to 'Nothings Shocking' since about 7th grade...I wasn't even aware of this box set but this definitely appeals to me and I'd love to own it.  Fingers crossed...

                          

I walked about a block back to the train, which I rode south into downtown and my hotel.  I checked in and had a few beers with lunch which was followed by a nice nap.  My perfect day continued with an awesome dinner and even more beer as our start the next day got pushed back to 9:30am (ended up not starting until almost 11am).  So all in all, a damn near perfect trip!

Not to forget: my colleague from Buffalo who met with me for dinner eagerly listened to my wondrous tales in his city and when he heard I was a vinyl collector, he offered to let me peruse a box of singles he had.  He brought them in the next morning and I had a look while I ate my breakfast.

Found quite a few worthy of note and walked away with a single I already own the 12" of, but am a giant fan of.  I do still consider this to be a great song for checking your sound system, learned that while testing a PA in a friend's bar many moons ago.  A moment I'll remember for a long time to come - much like my idyllic repose in Buffalo!

Buffalo City Mission Thrift Store [Depew NY]

If there was ever a better example of 'no rest for the wicked', it was that I got called to go to Buffalo while I was on vacation in Orlando.  I rushed back having booked my trip before I even got home and made my way back out east for 'fall guy' type of political situation which was high pressure and....fun (in retrospect).

I embarked on a long walk for food and booze (what else is new) and of course a thrift store when one is on the way.  New York is still not on board with Uber (learned this in Albany long ago) and expected it this time.  Tried the 'Curb' app and got the same old cabbie BA.  So I hoofed a few miles to get things done.

I purposefully denied myself the right to call and find out if this place had vinyl, because if they hadn't, I'd just about be out of options.  Luckily, they have a bevy of the stuff.  And I just kept finding more.  I think that when I go into a place like this, I am relieved just to find any records at all.  So as soon as I spot them from a distance, I zero in and get to work.  There was another rack not 5' away and I did not initially notice it.  And then yet another...and another!

The only vinyl of even minimum interest, none of which I purchased:
Something New Just For You and an Eddie Wojcik/Joe Jarosz collab (not in db), both on Chicago Polkas, always nice to see these far outside of Chicago or the midwest

Never heard of Morris Treat but this promotional-liquor country album was too hard to ignore

A slightly rare Engelbert album you don't see everyday

A weird disco platter that I retain some light non-buyer's remorse over for having left behind.

Love to see an old Jimmy Sturr record in his home state.

And old Bert Buhrman....I grabbed this a long time ago, if this had been the stereo version it would have joined me on the flight back to Chicago.

I already had New York checked off the list so no new additions here, still holding at 19 states down....

Albany NY Circuit

If my time in Atlanta was limited, Albany even more so.  Most would have said 'forget it' and given up on digging for records at all.  I didn't even have a car! I was stuck at my hotel but guess what: Goodwill was only about 1.5 miles away! So I headed out.

As I walked down the road I immediately encountered a Habitat For Humanity store.  I am familiar with these but I think they mostly sell furniture and not household items.  But what the hell, it was on the way.

As you can see, they did indeed have a nice stash of records.  But alas - junk! So I moved onward.

I stopped for lunch a little further up the road and I noticed a sign in the road.  I quickly consulted the map; unfortunately this place was close to 5 miles away.  Kind of odd they would advertise so far from home - this one would have to be skipped.

I arrived at Goodwill shortly thereafter.  They had a nice stash of records, around the corner and just inside the door.  I dug and dug and as I always do, I finally redeemed myself.

 
In my lifetime I must have touched or held at least 500 Engelbert records.  According to discogs, I have 80 appearances or credits and a large amount of those are his own releases in LP or single format.  I came upon a small stash in one of the final crates and I just kept on flipping because there is almost nothing left anymore that I want or need.  But my eye caught something....the catalog number on the cover looked odd.

Eng's first two records are the only ones available in both stereo and mono.  The stereo version catalog numbers begin with 'PAS' and the mono versions 'PA'.  Now besides that there are 'XPAS' versions which are also stereo and I am unable to figure out exactly what makes those different.  Well I came across a copy of 'The Last Waltz' and as I have both stereo/mono versions I just kept flipping, then I did a double take.  I went back and saw that the catalog number on the cover (an XPAS in this case) had a black background.  Very odd.  I had never seen anything like that before and I examined the rest of it for evidence to explain this oddity.  I instinctively ran my fingers over it thinking it was painted/drawn on with a pen or marker or was some kind of sticker, it was not.  I could find none but no matter - I was going to buy it for certain.  When I got back I discovered this was indeed the Canadian pressing! I guess I was close enough to the border.  I also had been seeing a number of polka records laced throughout the crates...whenever this happens I think 'I hope I can find some Eddie B. in here'.  So far from home it seemed like a long shot but there it was! I paid 50 cents but you can buy NOS direct from the label for only $2.

I guess the lyrics were free of charge but I left them behind.  Still waiting for Engelbert's rendition.