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.

Idaho Idocy!

A couple years ago I was fortunate enough to head over to Seattle.  I had a great time, and checked out some vinyl, and thus ticked Washington off my list.  On this trip, I had some work in Spokane and plenty of downtime.  I wasn't about to waste time running ragged in Washington - been there, done that.  However when I saw that Coeur D' Alene was only about 35 minutes away, I made breakfast plans for my last day.  I headed out early, got a bite to eat and then hit the track hard on the hunt for platters!

First up was the Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store.  It was raining pretty steadily and I found a spot on Sherman Ave and figured I could walk north from here.  I was blown away to find a copy of a Bob James effort in a place such as this.  Not much else to see however, so I headed out.

Just a couple blocks north was my second stop.  This was a smaller store and it almost felt high end.  Very tidy and a pleasant woman behind the counter.  My eyes caught the CD racks from across the room and I hoped I'd find some platters when I neared.  I did - but alas, nothing doing.  Onward and upward!

So after fumbling around in the rain for a bit, I determined that the 'Coeur D'Alene Thrift Store' did not exist, it's address was in the same building where St. Vincent's main offices were.  So I moved forward a few blocks to a St. V's.  This one was big - real big, and it was jammed with people.  They had a pretty serious music section and a nice double sided rack stuffed with records.

I found a couple decent scores, clearly all from the same collection, but all water damaged severely.  Most painful of all was the Gord album you see below.  It seemed to be the original incarnation with the original title.  I come across this record often, but never this version.  Had to leave it behind as it was literally crumbling in my fingers.  Next to it sat one of my all time favorites - of course, I already own this one.

Last up was a Goodwill.  This one had a weird sign that I've never seen before.  Don't know if this is something new or maybe a regional thing.  They had junk for vinyl but a handful of interesting Christian music.  Turns out the guy with the eye patch is fairly prolific and has put out a huge load of records over the years.  I feel a little bad for highlighting it here, as there is nothing funny about someone losing an eye.  I can't feel quite as sympathetic for the group in the second photo, because those clothes (and that mustache!) are truly, truly bad.

                               

STATE #36 - 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.

St. Peter's Gate (and four year anniversary!)

Had a hell ride down in Hazelwood just outside of STL.  I was staying in St. Peter which is about 10-15 miles away if memory serves.  I spent about 14.5 hours working and driving on day #2 but day #1 was just a 5 hour jaunt down to my destination.  This of course left room for some further exploration of Missouri and plenty of time to dig in St. Peter!

First up was a St. V, one of the nicest I've ever been to.  Spacious and well organized and with a wealth of records....from Brazil! And Panama? Yes indeed!

Videos hosted on blogspot never worked in the past but looks like they've made some upgrades.  Check out this South American gold below.

                                          

Did some kind of copyright legal crap prevent Mr. Ocean from singing his hit as written?
I should have bought this just to confirm, now it's driving me crazy.

I haven't stopped into a Savers in a while but there was one almost spitting distance from St. Vincent.  Found the same old wire wacks of vinyl that I've seen in every other store around the country.  This bin featured some more ethnic music as well as a friend who perused the racks alongside me.  Didn't pull anything out of there but had fun taking a gander at things.

A virtuoso? Whoa...I don't think most people even know what a taragot is (I didn't)

Proud to knock out another year with this blog! Up to almost 350 posts and 1900 photos! It's been hard work but a ton of fun and I have no thoughts of stopping anytime soon.  Upward and onward!

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.