Best & Worst Music Stores?

Mike Schwartz · March-28th-2003, 11:07 PM

Just thought about this as I noticed in the past few days, that all the Wherehouse stores out here are closing.
I never noticed this outfit before moving to the left coast...don't know if they have stores in other parts of the country.

I had to wonder, by the impression I got from the 3 or 4 in this area that I've been in, how did they last this long?

As for jazz, the place was nearly a complete joke, although one place was OK for a while [must have had 1 employee who liked the music]

They can't even seem to do a decent job on the *going out of business sale* the puny jazz section 30% OFF BUST OUT RETAIL

Years ago, I recall there being some pretty decent Sam Goody stores for jazz in NYC.

Every one I've seen since [all in malls, btw]in other parts of the world have been nothing short of HORRIBLE, and as for jazz as close to non-existence as you could imagine.

No online places, please...brick & mortar music stores, the GOOD, the BAD, & the UGLY

moneyp · March-28th-2003, 11:18 PM

I get all my store-bought music at two places, Poobah Records and Canterbury Records in Pasadena, both of whom have bent over backwards to get me something I'm looking for at decent prices. Best of the chains is Borders, who I'll frequent when they're having a sale.

March-28th-2003, 11:57 PM

Ameoba Records in Berkeley, San Fran, and Hollywood.
They can't be beat.

Aquarius Records in San Fran is also terrific.

Finally, Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo.

kc bob · March-29th-2003, 12:23 AM

In KC it would be Music Exchange, a massive rundown almost entirely vinyl warehouse in Westport/midtown. Next door, Streetside Records (CD's only) has a decent jazz room in the dingy basement but the classical room outdoes it in stock. Down the street is Recycled Sounds (vinyl/cd mix) for used (mostly punk but the occasional rare jazz lp/78's that someone inherited from grampa) and formerly Groove Farm the other way. All mentioned make a concerted effort to carry as much locally produced music as possible.

al j · March-29th-2003, 12:30 AM

popped my cherry at Amoeba Hollywood a couple weeks back. Holy mother of fuck. Niiiice selection. Any place you can pick up pristine used Matchless discs at <$8-9 a pop can't be bad. I had to answer to the wife when I rolled back in town.

Can't get with Bud's in Seattle anymore, though I've enjoyed shopping there in the past.

Wall of Sound (same city) has come out of nowhere with a dependable clientele who consistently give up decent vinyl for trade. Nice experimental selection too.

Mike, I hear you about Wherehouse. They're sadly the only gig in town around thse parts.

Jason G · March-29th-2003, 12:39 AM

>>> I had to wonder, by the impression I got from the 3 or 4 in this area that I've been in, how did they last this long? <<<

My thoughts exactly after seeing RVG's priced well above $15.

Tower Records, London, is easily the largest I've seen. Unfortunately, I've heard rumors that it's shutting down soon, if not already. Can anyone confirm?

cloudrecordings · March-29th-2003, 12:55 AM

Best in my neck of the woods:

Wuxtry Records

&

Low Yo Yo Stuff

Al in NYC · March-29th-2003, 01:17 AM

A plug here for the wonderful Downtown Music Gallery -- I'm sure someone else here would've gotten to it soon enough.

Also, NYC's best used, the small, but impeccibly stocked, Academy Records.

Are there ANY good mainstream new stores in NYC??

Mike Schwartz · March-29th-2003, 01:42 AM

Mone' mentioned Borders above, and I would have to agree, that thier 'sales' can be pretty cool, and although some of the jazz sections I've been in are not huge, they have suprizingly decent choices in the bins for the size of the stores.

Now, Barnes & Nobles on the other hand, at least here, have several large stores, always packed with people, reading, sitting, conversing, studying, a pretty good size magazine and newstand; every one with a bustling coffee shop....

On the other hand, I wonder if the powers that be at B&N have ever noticed the lack of action in the "music" department [using that word lightly when it comes to B&N stores]? They SUCK, when it comes to music, a good place for a nap, and you want to talk about price gauging...brutal [except for the Concord back catalogue $3.99 rack]

Salvador Dali Lama · March-29th-2003, 01:55 AM

There are three indie stores here in Atlanta that have pretty much anything I want. Free Jazz abounds in them, and if they dont have it, it can always be ordered and arrive the next day and still be cheap. pretty good.

Squaredancecalling Steve · March-29th-2003, 03:37 AM

The various Rasputin's stores are just as good as the Amoebas!! (But I do dig the free Friday concerts at the Haight Street Amoeba -- caught some great turntablists there last time!)

The North Bay's best are

The Last Record Store in Santa Rosa
Back Door Records in Cotati
Village Music in Mill Valley

all with large used jazz sections that are always worth browsing

Raymond · March-29th-2003, 06:41 AM

[QUOTTower Records, London, is easily the largest I've seen. Unfortunately, I've heard rumors that it's shutting down soon, if not already. Can anyone confirm?E]

That's a definite; they've had a £3,000,000 p.a. rent hike - I was told Virgin are taking the spot over which probably means *shit* loads of mobile phones and computer games

Tanager · March-29th-2003, 07:29 AM

Hereabouts we have a few good record stores (Schoolkids in Chapel Hill, CD Alley in Chapel Hill, Radio Free in Durham, and our locally-owned chain Millenium Music, which has, from what I've seen, the best classical selection locally).

We also have the various chains, and I agree 100% on B&N - absolutely pathetic. I also agree, the sales at Borders can offer up some surprising nuggets to the judicious shopper, and they have easily the best selection of the megastores. There is a chain that just showed up here called FYE (For Your Entertainment), and they are just pathetic.

Rob C · March-29th-2003, 08:04 AM

My favorite local (Chicago) store is the Reckless Records just up the street from me in Wicker Park (there's another Reckless in the Lakeview neighborhood, but it's a shade less hip). Dusty Groove is also nearby, a fun place to visit. (Never seen such a CLEAN independent record store, it's almost weird how clean and neat it is!)

One of the best record stores I've ever been to is Cheap Thrills in Montreal. Went there in December. It's just the happiest place on earth!

Henry Mars · March-29th-2003, 10:11 AM

The Prinston Record Exchange comes to mind. I have to get up there again soon.

Armando · March-29th-2003, 10:13 AM

Sadly, I hardly ever buy records here in Asheville, NC. The local indie shop has a Tzadik section, which I go through every now and then, but that's about it.

When I'm down in Athens, Lo Yo Yo Stuff is the place to go.

In San Francisco, Ameoba is my weakness.

Brian Olewnick · March-29th-2003, 10:36 AM

Al, I haven't gotten over to the new Downtown Music Gallery, but I heard last night that the move (from East 5th St. to about 5 blocks south on the Bowery) has resulted in a large upswing in business, large enough that Bruce is thinking of hiring extra staff! Good news.

I'll also throw in the undeservedly-maligned-by-some Other Music, with a fine selection of ag jazz, eai, oddball rock and a hefty used vinyl section.

March-29th-2003, 11:45 AM

Sqd: thanks for mentioning Last Record Store and Back Door Records (where I ran into Tom Waits once!),
both small, but fun to vist when I get up that way.

Rasputins in Berkeley is great but sadly the one in San Fran is a joke.

To the Athens folks,
RE: Lo Yo Yo Stuff--do they specialize in Captain Beefheart?

michaelr · March-29th-2003, 12:22 PM

In Boston, we are totally spoiled by having Twisted Village for jazz/experimental/etc. and Stereo Jacks for more mainstream jazz. Both are well stocked, have great LP selections, and are run by incredibly knowledgeable folks. Also, Boston has a phenomenal number of used CD stores, which keeps the prices for used stuff quite reasonable.

It is interesting to note that Other Music couldn't make it in Harvard Square while Twisted Village (which is right around the corner from where Other used to be) is thriving. Other has a reasonable selection, but their prices were high and the attitude of their employees sucked.

Dennis Gonzalez · March-29th-2003, 01:13 PM

I don't even know why I mention it, but Virgin Mega here in Dallas blows. CD Source is the closest to a great little jazz stock I've found. And the local Tower is so conservative...they overstock the Burns catalog and play bullshit - as opposed to good - vocal jazz all the time on the speakers.

Too bad about the Tower in London. Fine place.

Ray's in London is pretty fab.

As is Gowi in Kraków.

Squaredancecalling Steve · March-29th-2003, 01:27 PM

achilles: the Rasputin's in San Leandro (which I blundered into on the way to a dance) is as almost as good as the Berkeley one!

Give holler the next time you're up here in wine country!

March-29th-2003, 02:39 PM

thanks, sqd steve. Used to go up there a lot as I dated a gal in Cotati.

Now I'm married down here on the central coast, so give a holler should you make it down San Luis Obispo way.

Sergio Zamora · March-29th-2003, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Olewnick
Al, I haven't gotten over to the new Downtown Music Gallery, but I heard last night that the move (from East 5th St. to about 5 blocks south on the Bowery) has resulted in a large upswing in business, large enough that Bruce is thinking of hiring extra staff! Good news.

I'll also throw in the undeservedly-maligned-by-some Other Music, with a fine selection of ag jazz, eai, oddball rock and a hefty used vinyl section.

Good to hear about DMG.

I think Other Music had a good selection, but I don't particularly care for the ambiance there.

Mike Schwartz · March-29th-2003, 06:53 PM

Is the Rasputen San Leandro the one that can be seen from the 880 freeway?

The one in Campbell has taken a step back. They had 3 broad isles of jazz until recently having eliminated one row, essientially reducing jazz by 1/3 unfortunately.

The used jazz CD thing there has far fewer discs available than in the past.

Streetlight San Jose is OK for Cd's, probably the best[not great] around here for used LP's

Of course, there's Phil [Jiveman's] secret hideaway in Streetlight Santa Cruz...pretty damned good for used gems!

Jason G · March-29th-2003, 07:35 PM

Don't get excited when you see the Rasputin's sign just off interstate 80 in Valejo; the jazz section is small enough for you to ask a clerk where the other bins are located.

GANONDORF · March-29th-2003, 07:44 PM

does anyone know any good music stores in PA. i cant seem to find any worth my while

Squaredancecalling Steve · March-29th-2003, 08:42 PM

Regarding Rasputins:

>>Is the Rasputen San Leandro the one that can be seen from the 880 freeway?<<

That's the one, Mike, although I'm unfamiliar enough with that piece of the Bay that it's possible it's another town. (My dance was in San Leandro and that was the exit!) Huge rows of bins of used jazz -- I had to put back half of what I had in my hands and I still spent a lot!

>>Don't get excited when you see the Rasputin's sign just off interstate 80 in Valejo; the jazz section is small enough for you to ask a clerk where the other bins are located.<<

Man, am I glad you told me that, Jason! I've been meaning to stop there on the way to one of my dances in Concord or Walnut Creek, but haven't had the time so far. Now I won't kick myself about it! It's only been there a couple of years, I think, or I'd been missing it before.

jazzfiend · March-29th-2003, 09:26 PM

That particular Rasputin store is actually in San Lorenzo, which is just south of San Leandro. I live near it, but don't shop there much due to the weak jazz section (new cd's). But their USED dept. is another story. (not as strong as Amoeba, but damn good.

Jimmy Cantiello · March-29th-2003, 10:01 PM

Sally's Place (owned by Sally White) in Westport, Connecticut. She's a legend in Fairfield county. Her store is about 10X40 ft. It includes mostly mainstrean Jazz and classical but her passion and enthusiam is what makes the joint what it is. She may not have your most
obscure and/or cutting edge artist in stock but she'll do her best to get it for you. I fondly remember more than once when I deposited my day's "catch" on the counter. She would looked at what I had selected and say, "You can't afford to buy this many records (records, remember them?). This one's for free", whereupon she would extract one of my planned purchases and just give me the damned record/cd. Gotta love her. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Sally for quite some time. My bad...........

Mike Schwartz · March-29th-2003, 10:07 PM

Check out achilles, Jason G., sdcsteve,jazzfriend, David & myself on this thread.
There's SF Bay Area hang potential all over this thread!