Archive: Crate Digging with Paul
Original Post Date: 4.20.2014
Comments: This was the last post I made before I lost the “vinylrecordarchitect” blog…
It is the day after Record Store Day. What did you find yesterday? I was down at Jerry's Records where I shared a list of my favorite obscure records everyone should own - all available, by the way, at Jerry's - and even found a few new treasures of my own. Today, I am reflecting on the many hours I have enjoyed crate digging since I got bitten by the vinyl bug. There is no known cure.
Over the last few months I have traveled up and down the East Coast, down to Tennessee, and in and around my own Western Pennsylvania environs. Everywhere I stop, I seek a record store. Some are better known than others, but all offer the possibility of good crate digging and the potential for some great hidden treasures.
Princeton, NJ
I had never been to the legendary Princeton Record Exchange before, so I was excited that we had eaten lunch right around the corner. While the family was otherwise engaged, I snuck in for a peek. Billed as one of the largest independent music stores in the country, I wasn't disappointed by the scale. It is a big store. In addition to many new titles, there are aisles of used vinyl records mixed in. Dollar bins on the floor. Kind of sterile, though. I was looking for some more atmosphere.
Notable Find: "Live at CBGB's," Atlantic, 1976. Liner notes by owner Hilly Kristal. Featuring Tuff Darts, Mink Deville, The Shirts, Manster, Sun, Stuart's hammer, and The Miamis. Tuff Darts's vocals were handled by Robert Gordon.
Baltimore, MD
Our friends Gregg and Laura moved to the Catonsville neighborhood of Baltimore, near a great record store, Trax on Wax. It is a pure record store - no CDs in sight. Just rows of records, nicely organized by genre. The decor is worth the trip all by itself - it looks and feels like a record store should...They even have dollar bins. The manager, Jeff, was very helpful, playing some of my selections and even cleaning a few for me to make them sound as good as new! Well, practically. Nothing like some pop and hiss to remind you its a record.
Notable Find: "Down Home Style," by Brother Jack McDuff, Blue Note, 1969.
Knoxville, TN
While visiting Knoxville for the recent Big Ears music festival, I discovered Hot Horse, a consignment store next door to hipster, indie music club,The Pilot Light, in the Old City. Hot Horse is filled with antiques, used clothes, furniture, musical instruments and records supplied by Raven Records and Lost & Found, two of Knoxville's best known record stores. The selection here was great and the store atmosphere was memorable. Like the best record stores, staff was on hand to play records for customers so they can try before they buy.
Notable Find: "American Pie," by Groove Holmes, Groove Merchant Records, 1972.
Johnstown, PA
Every time I visit Johnstown for my work, I make a point of stopping in to see John George, the owner of George's Song Shop, the oldest record store in the United States. John's dad opened the doors in 1931 and the George family has been selling records ever since. John took it over from his dad in 1961, and has operated the five story emporium himself for more than 50 years. Although they specialize in 45s and also sell CDs - new and used - I visit for the LPs and am rarely disappointed.
Notable Find: "The Oxpetals", Mercury, 1970.