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Big haul at local record show

My goodness, I love those shows! Every quarter, Greater NJ record shows has a record show in nearby Springfield, NJ. Although there were some empty tables (fewer venders) this past Sunday, I made out quite well.

One of the best aspects of this show is the emphasis on 50s and 60s rock. I have zero interest in that category. This means that venders, who often buy whole collections, carefully price their 50s and 60s rock, but often toss classical, newer rock, and Jazz titles in a $1 or $2 bin!

I picked up a stereo Julie London "Julie is Her Name" on Liberty, and "All Through the Night", in great shape. Lots of Jazz from Ramsey Lewis, Junior Mance, Perez Prado (in uncommon stereo) the Duke and the Count, all VG+ or NM. Even one Blue Note (the most expensive purchase of the day at $5). Also, Dire Straits "Love Over Gold" and Concrete Blonds "Free". Classical stuff too, and, the biggest bargain, pound-for-pound, was an RCA (black label, maybe Dynagroove era) 6-LP set showcasing RCA Stereo releases. It includes a variety of classical and Jazz excerpts from many of the significant RCA artists of the day, in a NM case, with the records in NM condition, $2 for the whole thing!

Lots of great music, maybe 35-40 LPs, and I spent about $80. Could I get LPs even cheaper at garage sales and estate sales? Sure, but these shows offer two advantages: 1 - lots of vinyl in one place, and 2 - you can pick and choose what you like, rather than having to cart off a whole collection. Now that's a recession-friendly way to buy music!
bondmanp
pdspecl
254 posts
 
I have a Goodwill, and Salvation Thrift Store in my town. I stop in on the way home from work a few times week.
Takes me all of 10 minutes tops. I've acquired hundreds of albums over the past 2 years. I would imagine that some day availability will diminish since 'the younger generation' is more into itunes...... So take advantage of these places, yard sales, craigslist... friends while you can. My best buy was a Moody Blues - Days Future Past MSFL 1/2 speed master for $1 from a co-worker. It has a few pops but is still very playable. As for turn tables I just a acquired a mint used Sony PS-x500 table locally for $130 with cart to play my records. Good hunting and yes it's very satifying to acquire music so cheaply. :)
doon
15 posts
 
Ive been collecting used vinyl for over 30 years. One of my first memorable acquisitions was Julie is Her Name, which I found in a thrift shop. Other notable finds were Their Satanic Majesties Request (mint, English pressing), and J. London's Calendar Girl (mint). I couldn't pass a garage sale or used record shop without stopping in. I found people with record collections they no longer wanted,including a woman whose husband passed away leaving her with nearly a dozen first pressings of Louie Armstrong,none worse than near mint, and an unopened Sergeant Pepper. I finally had to overcome the temptation to add more because my wife complains, rightfully, that my collection takes up too much space. Its an addiction.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,454 posts
 
I've acquired 100s of cheap vinyl titles over the last few years. If someone is selling them and I have the time to look, I generally walk away with as many as I can. The only requirements are they be in decent shape and have teh potential to sound good. The reality is though that I have a way bigger backlog of thing sto listen to these days than I can handle, so that tends to temper things a bit.
bondmanp OP
1,824 posts
 
TheDuke - Yes, I was/am a bit confused on "Julie is Her Name". Recorded in 1955, mono seems to make sense. My LP (and many on ebay), say "Stereo" - but most LPs of that era that were "electronically reprosessed to simulate stereo" were labeled clearly that way. These stereo "Julie is Her Name" LPs don't say that. Just "stereo". Any insight into this?

Mapman: You wanna talk backlogs? I have a few hundred rock LPs, maybe 100-200 each of Jazz and classical. I have them alphabetized. I am recording any LPs that I do not also own in CD form so I can listen in the car on my commute. I do each in real time after a good cleaning, dubbing to my Marantz CDR-632. I have to manually insert track divisions, so it requires my full attention. After a year or so, I am up to Elvis Costello. When I am done with the rock, then I will do the Jazz and then the classical. If I live that long. But it is a lot fun.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,454 posts
 
Bondman,

Yes, I have barely scratched the surface regarding recording lps to digital. Too busy just listening, when I have the time!

I have managed to get most of my CD collection (about 12000 tracks so far) to music server recently, and even that took awhile. I am discovering a lot of new things even there for the first time by cueing tracks up randomly.

Oh, lets not even get into listening to Internet radio stations.

I am literally drowning in music these days, but its a nice way to go!
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