Longhair Records [Albuquerque NM]

(Forgive the horrible lighting - while it was not very warm, it was very sunny and despite multiple angles, all were hit by this laser beam from the sun)

I've said it before and I'll say it again: very lucky to knock this state off the list and I doubt I'll ever have another chance.  Very lucky to find some work way out in the SW and had plenty of time to make the rounds.  I'll say off top that I came across a ton of thrift stores but did not investigate them because while I did have time, I was saddled with a huge amount of 'stuff' I was carrying and sans vehicle, it had to remain on me at all times.  More on that below.

Found Longhair in a small strip mall.  Not a huge store but very well organized.  Looked like all used vinyl (my preference) and everything was bagged and priced.  The bags had labels with the release info and often times a quick blurb from the owner.

Speaking of the owner - very nice guy who greeted me and offered more than once to help with anything I was looking for.  I perused the whole store - they even had a prog rock bin! Don't think I've seen that before.  Decent jazz section but nothing turned up that I had to have.

I dug through the cassettes as well, on the wall near the front door.  Some nice titles in there but I decided to take a pass as nothing really tickled my fancy.  Speaking of cassettes, he even had a bunch of VHS tapes for sale.  Back to the owner - he mentioned that everything was play graded and ran through some kind of record washer.  Pretty impressive.  But not as impressive as his awesome rating guide on the wall.  As a cat lover myself, I can appreciate this.

So besides my own luggage I had to carry (a heavy messenger bag), I was forced to tote a 50' 10 gauge extension cable for 480V service.  Logistical issues led to this decision.  As the airport is south of the city, and I was staying north, it only made sense to do my record shopping and bike riding as soon as I got off the plane.  This gave me nowhere to stow my junk - unless you count under a dusty bush across the street from the record shop.  Besides that, it was over my shoulder most of the time (unless it was plugged in at the job site).

STATE #40 VISITED!

I reported in error previously that Nevada was #40 but this was incorrect as I had forgotten to count Washington DC (though I have been to Virginia).  I wonder how many more I'll be able to cross off the list in 2020 - time will tell.  In the meantime I do recommend Longhair Records for their clean, organized space and the friendliness of the staff.  Stop by today!

Steelworker Records [Tampa FL]

It's funny that I might write a negative review of a record store where I buy things, but write a positive review of a store where I walk out empty handed.  For me, this is because once you get a certain amount of records, it no longer matters what you buy (or not), you are only doing it for the enjoyment of the entire experience.

I made my 9th lifetime visit to the wonderful city of Tampa a couple weeks ago (two nights), then my 10th visit last week (6 nights, just got home yesterday).  It looks like this place and Microgroove are just about the only two shops in town.  I visited Microgroove many years ago (over 5 years ago, unbelievably!) and just checked back on visit #9.  Unfortunately it looks like now they are mostly new vinyl.  I desperately tried to make time to get to Steelworker but it never came together.  I'm glad I could get over there last week and see what was going on, because it is just a nice place, plain and simple.  The store is part of a small strip mall that also includes a comic book store and a movie/video store.  I don't know how these three shop keepers came together but I can't think of more intelligent marketing.  I am positive they get a ton of 'cross business'.  Very smart.

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A super clean and organized place with the very unique system that does not organize by genre, only alphabetically.  No doubt for a store of this size that is manageable, but I've been to other similarly sized stores (or smaller) and don't remember anyone doing this.  Without my little jazz corner to hide in I kind of went blank.  I was surprised to find a fair amount of jazz in the bins however, along with a good portion of death metal.  All the while, some live reggae was going on, projected on the wall.

The owner greeted me when I walked in, he was having fun watching YouTube videos with a pretty girl on his knee.  Is there a more enviable position to be in than this? They were giggling and having a blast and I was admittedly jealous.  I glanced at the cassettes and CDs but couldn't find anything.  Eventually I had to ask who was performing on the projection.  He answered quickly, as if it was almost dull to him (clearly a big reggae fan), and I don't mean that in a critical manner at all.  I have tried desperately to figure out who it was, or find the video on YouTube to no avail.  At this point I am confident that it is Ken Boothe (but not 100% sure) but I'm sad that I can't find this performance and relive my afternoon in Tampa, here at home.  Steelworker Records is a nice store and I hope they have a successful business in years to come, I hope to find out that is the case on my inevitable next visit to Tampa.

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.

Technoir Records [Park Ridge IL]

Upon discovering the unfortunate demise of Raffe's, I simultaneous discovered the birth of Technoir.  As you can see in the store front above, it truly is the spiritual successor.

It was a quick dual bus jaunt to take myself from my door step to Technoir's which was nice on a bit of a blustery day.  I could tell from the outside that this place was well put together.  The inside followed suit, perhaps even upped the ante.

Extremely tidy, clean around every corner, this place is clearly curated carefully.  Brand new bins, simple but effective tables and nice well decor all around.  Again, more Raffe's memorabilia hangs on the west wall which is a very nice touch.

I tore through the jazz section, A to Z.  Everything is bagged, a small sampling of new vinyl was mixed in but mostly old stock (which I prefer).  Next I glanced at the 'new arrivals' bins, three of them nearest the counter.  I was the only customer and it was quite peaceful and the clerk (owner) was spinning an interesting array of genres.  I found three possibilities swiftly in these bins.  I let a Walter Wanderley release go, which I regret pretty shortly after and still do now.  That was dumb.  I grabbed a Shadowfax promo 12" single which I still have not listened to.  I hope I enjoy it but I worry I will not as I see now that it is truly a different era from the one I know best.  I found Lani Hall's 8th - I swore a while ago to a moratorium on her discography as I have the first four already.  For sentimental reasons (her's and my own), it was hard to leave this one behind as it recalls the Chicago neighborhood she hails from in it's title.  In my warped brain I thought I ought to save $3 by getting the Shadowfax over the WW album, but it isn't much savings at all when you consider it is a single vs an LP.  But these are the bizarre rationalizations that record collectors, drug addicts and other obsessives make about their sinful trades.

I've actually been listening to tapes lately, as if I need another type of media to collect.  But before I could explore that I started thinking about how much I've been listening to this Squeeze tape and I wondered if they had it in vinyl.  They did - no brainer, could not resist.  It was only $3.99, probably because it has some water damage to the jacket, but somehow the inner sleeve (original) and vinyl look clean. Next I did indeed dig the wall of cassettes and scooped a Judas Priest album (which I must say has amazing fidelity for it's age, already ran through side B).

Definitely was impressed by this shop and glad to know I can get there easily via Pace.  I shall return!

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.

Record City [Las Vegas NV]

Been planning this trip for a long time.  A week long journey that starts in Phoenix, then ends here.  I was going to take a bus but that didn't work out, so I flew between cities.  Record City was very conveniently placed, as I am staying (and working) near the convention center.  I loved the look of the place from the outside, and knew it would be my bag.

This shack has a hell of a lot of records crammed inside! They had tons of autographed memorabilia also, all over the walls.  They had a ton of used DVDs for sale and they put some empty cases to good use.  I've never seen anyone do anything like this but I've thought about it many times.  People are stupid or lazy and they leaf through the vinyl with one hand and leave the stack leaning forward when they are done.  Or it might tip if they don't leave a gap at the back.  They jammed these in there so it is impossible.  Always drives me nuts when I see stacks leaning forward and I always try to fix them when I see it that way.

Didn't find much in the jazz bins.   At the end of the jazz bins were some unmarked but assorted additional jazz.  Found some interesting stuff in there.  The two below both are relevant to my interests.  The first for the addition of Kenny Burrell on guitar (looks like there have been many reissues of this); the second because it is live.  Decided to pass on both.

I kind of wandered around the store, couldn't find much of interest.  Did see a copy of Ascension (it was $80, don't know if it was Edition I or II) and Interstellar Space, don't know if I've ever held a copy in my hand before, for either.  A lot of Coltrane in general, but mostly live albums and compilations.  I was just about ready to go when I spotted something from a few racks away, in a section I wouldn't have bothered with.  I paid a whopping $3 (cover is kind of beat but vinyl looks mint) for an Italo-House classic I've loved for probably 20 years.  It was in the front of the stack or I wouldn't have seen it, and I certainly wouldn't have looked.  I first discovered this in a Bobby D mix many years ago - I sat down one day to figure out what it was, he only plays a minute or two in the mix.  No brainer on this one.  Glad I scooped it.

STATE #40 VISITED!

I can't believe I have come this far - 40 is a good round number, a hell of a milestone.  If I had been able to drive, I was all ready to go way the hell out of my way to St. George Utah and check that state off the list also.  I'll get there eventually!

Ghost of East Side Records/Double Nickels Collective [Tempe AZ]

After a week in Palm Desert I made the four hour drive back to Phoenix for one more night of fun before my flight the next morning.  This would be my opportunity to get out and about, see the city a bit, and of course check out some records.

I left Palm Desert by 7am.  Stopped to get gas and Starbucks then didn't touch the brake until around 11am.  Returned the rental car, took the rental car shuttle back to PHX.  Then I called the hotel, took the hotel shuttle and was able to check in early.  I dumped my bag and headed right back out the door.  I walked about 2.5 miles in the heat, stopped for lunch, just so I could get a bike.  Staying on the east side of the airport, Tempe was more accessible then Phoenix so that is where I searched the map.  

It was about a 4 mile ride south to Double Nickels.  I saw two Google Map places next to one another - I knew that it would be unlikely for two record stores to be so near one another and it turns out they are one in the same, just a shop with an identity problem that can't decide what it should be called.

I almost went to another shop in town but in the video description they immediately stated that they sell 'new vinyl'.  Hearing that as the first part of the description is disturbing and I am glad I listened to that, so I didn't go.  I only bring that up because Double Nickels is a mess - and this makes me feel very at home.  Not because my records are a mess (not even close) but this is the kind of record shop I have been to many times before, all over the country.  There were even not one - but two dogs in there! This cute little guy barked like a pitbull but then rubbed up against my hand like a cat.

When I walked in there was some atrocious noisy jazz playing and 4 different people were all chatting, I couldn't even tell who worked there and who was a customer....or maybe just hanging out! It was a good vibe.  I dug through all the jazz but didn't see anything interesting.  I dug around the shop and was more entertained by listening to the other conversations in there than anything else at that point.

They had some bins devoted to punk and hardcore, I leafed through them but nothing caught my eye. There were some boxes in the back marked 'private press' and would you believe I instantly found this thing - tones from home! (I think I am even more impressed that there are 17 releases for this 'artist' on discogs!)

I also spotted another vinyl of interest in the same box.  I started making a list on discogs a while ago for a particular stock cover.  Since then, I've ever had others contribute my messaging me to let me know about others they find in the database.  Well I found a new one in this box! The artist was in the DB but the release was not.  So I took photos and just added it myself.

I ended up walking away empty handed but that's OK.  When I arrived, I looked at the storefront on Southern Ave but realized I was actually looking at the back of the store (technically there is a door, but the shop wasn't using it, meaning I have to walk around back).  There was a fellow standing outside of the coffee shop next door and I asked how the hell I get inside.  He told me to go around back, but said I could cut through his shop, which I did, and thanked him.  When I left Double Nickels, I went back to make good on the favor he showed me.  I sat in the AC for a while, drank some water and also had a double macchiato and a scone.  After that, I made it up to 10 miles by spinning around Tempe in the heat.  It was hot - but not as hot as the desert further west which I already miss!

STATE #39 COMPLETED!

The Record Collector [Idllywild CA]

On vacation in Palm Desert, I finally had a chance to knock the great state of California off my list.  There were a couple candidates in the area but this place was too good to pass up.  Way up in the mountains, I'd need to drive an hour down treacherous winding roads.  The Google Maps place didn't even have a photo, the street view showed what looked like a shack.  Was this place even real? I called once to confirm and got no answer.  So I called again a bit later and the person that answered did confirm their hours so I planned to set out on a Tuesday afternoon.

The drive was as wild as anything I've ever attempted.  Once I drove through Big Horn National Park in Wyoming and it was similar to that but I daresay even more dangerous.  It required all my mental faculties and somehow I made it.  Oh, did I mention the heat (this is excessive for this area, up in the mountains, but something I've already become accustomed to out in the desert).



The same guy I spoke to on the phone was there.  He told me that this is the second location of a larger shop in LA.  He said he has known the owners for over 30 years and worked at both locations.  He said that he watches this shop about half the week and the owners daughter watches it the rest of the time.  He even told me that the owners aunt lived in town and recently died and he goes to check on the cat, presumably in an otherwise empty house.

He told me up front that the store was mostly classical but also had jazz.  And that's it! No other genres.  Luckily for me, jazz is the first section I go to in any store but alienating the vast majority of people who want to look at rock albums doesn't make sense.  The building was beautiful.  The wood work was masterful and the bins were clearly made by a craftsman, probably the nicest I've ever seen.

It was a bit odd because there were no other customers (actually, a couple did come in but upon being told that they only had classical and jazz, they bolted) so it was just me and this bearded old timer.  He sat in a chair in the 'front room' (which was all classical) and I was in the 'back room' where the jazz was.  So we couldn't see each other and he only spoke when spoken to.  Finally I commented that I found it odd that a record would not be playing with all this silence.  He had the best response ever: he wanted to save electricity! He did offer to put something on but I told him it was OK.

I looked through every single jazz album.  12 bins I think, probably 1200 records I'd guess, maybe more.  I pulled out four but only bought one, and of course I have some regrets there:

1. I have a good selection of Kai Winding albums on Verve in the mid 60s.  This stuff isn't very high brow but is very listenable and a lot of fun.  I came across one I've long been aware of but decided to leave it behind.  
2. I dont't buy just any CTI album I find (almost though) but I thought it would be a good idea to check out some Gabor Szabo.  I started to feel like some of his 60s work would be a better buy, so I did a catch and release on that one. (I do own his collaborative album with Paul Desmond which came out in the same era, regrettably I've not spent much time listening to it.)
3. I knew of Lalo Schifrin as the man who wrote the score for Enter the Dragon long before I knew he was a jazz musician.  I picked up one of his older vinyls at a garage sale a long time ago and always enjoyed it.  This one caught my eye because it is on Verve but also of course for the lengthy and ridiculous title.  I carry some serious regret I left this one behind.
4. I have a special affinity for Joe Farrell.  First of all, he is from the Chicago area.  He died young, what a shame.  But he worked with so many of my favorite artists, especially the landmark debut from Return to Forever.  Discogs says I have 14 albums he appears on and I think only one is an album he is actually credited as the main artist (joint credit, with George Benson).  There was no way I was going to let this one go: CTI 6000 series with an all-star cast of side men, of course including the Mahavishnu himself! Little did I know at the time this was also the original 1970 issue (it was reissued by CTI in 1976).

I decided to toss back the Lalo Schifrin and Kai Winding right off the bat.  I brought the remaining two CTI records up to be priced (the old man priced everything on sight, I had already asked).  He wanted $20 each which I knew was a bit bold, even for a place like this so I told him to kick the Gabor Szabo and I made off with the Joe Farrell album.  It is in mint condition with the original inner sleeve (same goes for the Gabor Szabo, though it did have a snipped corner).  So I'm happy that I made out with a souvenir from such a wild day.  I topped it off by attempting to do a 500' climb (over about 1.2 miles) on a really crappy rental bike I stuffed in my car.  I gave up about 75% of the way and took a wild ride which topped 30mph on the way down!

STATE #38 COMPLETED!

Arizona and Nevada are on deck in the next month.  In fact, I'll probably have two shots at Arizona, but the first will be only two days from now and I'll be taking advantage!

OK in OK

Got to make a run through Norman OK through a strange turn of events.  Flew into OKC and hung out in downtown Norman very briefly, to ride a Lime scooter and also check out Guestroom Records.

I must admit I was a bit disappointed to find that the place retailed largely (or better) new vinyl, reissues and the like.  Totally unsure what to do with myself in such an environment, I got out of there and headed for the nearest Goodwill store.  Alas, they too were lacking in all things vinyl.  The lapse in quality I expect from such a place, but their 'selection' was so slim you could counter the available releases on just a few fingers.  No matter - another one receives a check mark! So long, Oklahoma!

STATE #37 COMPLETED!