Montreal vs Toronto for Vinyl shopping

Montreal is one of my favorite destinations for vinyl shopping, Aux 33 tours being my favorite shop.

Agree, I love Aux 33 tours.

When I covered the Montreal High End show Aux 33 had a nice shop set up on one floor. I bought so many LPs I had issues getting them on board my return flight to USA.

I’d be in trouble if they were local. Well informed folks about all kinds of music and an excellent selection.

The Montreal Show had a lot of interesting music for demo compared to most US shows. Some of the songs I heard at that show are now an important part of my library.

Yes Albert- I have had some nice finds there. Most recently a nice copy of The Beach Boys: Sunflower. It's an Orange label, and appears to be an early pressing. They also specialize in Japanese LP's. I believe Pierre (the owner) has a nice connection for Japanese imports, because there is always plenty of them. I have passed on many titles, because they were Japanese pressings. I'm not sold on them, especially at the 3-4 times the cost of US or Canadian pressings.

They also had a “bootleg” butcher block Beatles LP with alternate cuts. I have the original but had to have that one as well.

At that same show I heard a cut from the LP, “I’m New Here,” by Gil Scott-Heron (2010). It stopped me in my tracks and fortunately AUX 33 tours had it in stock at that show.

I bought two copies and still listen to it frequently. An amazing piece of music as well as being a well recorded LP.

Also picked up a “clear” Classic Records 45 RPM LP box set titled “Reunion,” by Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong. An amazing performance and super pressing.

I also a heard a cut by Felix Laband, ”Dirty Nightgown,” being played in one room. That experience caused me to purchase every LP available by him and I’m currently expecting two copies of his new release, “Deaf Safari,” from his record producer in Germany.

Felix Laband will not appeal to most people, his music is abstract and minimalist electronic and requires some patience to get into.

I can’t remember how many I bought but I was almost refused boarding back to USA due to size and weight of all the LPs.