Record Store Day turns 10
The celebration of vinyl and independent record stores seemed like a bizarre, kitschy attempt at going after an extremely niche market when Record Store Day began 10 years ago. In an age where digital downloads and filesharing were the norm, making music accessible at the touch of a button, who would want to bother with a seven, 10 or 12-inch platter requiring a fairly non-portable listening device?
Apparently, a lot of people as 2016 saw the format reach a 25-year high. Late last year, in the UK, vinyl outsold downloads for the first time ever. According to Forbes, record sales are projected to sell 40 million units this year, pulling in more than a billion dollars in revenue. So, what initially started as an idea to draw attention to mom and pop record stores a decade ago, has changed the way many music lovers listen to tunes.
This year”s Record Store Day, which takes place Saturday, is bigger than ever. This year”s ambassador for the event is singer/songwriter St. Vincent, who joins the likes of Metallica, Chuck D, Foo Fighter Dave Grohl and Jack White as artists who have taken on the mantle.
“It is with deep honor and humility that I accept this ambassadorship,” Vincent, also known as Annie Clark, said in a statement. “Rest assured I do not take my duties lightly.”
There are more than 40 participating indie record stores in the region, including Goodies Disc Exchange in Holmes, Vinyl Revival in Lansdowne and Gold Million Records in Bryn Mawr. And since this is the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day, Rock Music Menu has 10 must have limited edition albums to be on the lookout for while perusing the shelves.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND — HAMMERSMITH ODEON, LONDON “76
On November 18, 1975, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band made their first concert appearance outside of America, at London”s Hammersmith Odeon. “Born to Run” had been released three months earlier, and Springsteen had famously appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek three weeks before the Hammersmith gig. Was the rest of the world finally ready for him? More than 40 years later, Hammersmith Odeon London “75 answers with a resounding “yes” − and now, for the first time on record, fans can experience the magic of that unforgettable night. The set is spread across 4 LPs on numbered 12-inch vinyl.
THE DOORS — LIVE AT THE MATRIX “67
“Live at The Matrix” was recorded on March 7, 1967 in San Francisco and is newly mastered by Bruce Botnick, the historic engineer for The Doors, from recently discovered original master tapes. Celebrating 50 years of the band, this show is on vinyl for the very first time, limited to 4,500 copies in the States with a worldwide release of 10,000.
THE BEATLES — “STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER” b/w “PENNY LANE”
This limited edition 7-inch single of the Beatles” “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “Penny Lane,” among the first songs recorded during the “Sgt. Pepper” sessions, which begin in November 1966. Rather than being held for inclusion on the album, the two songs were released as a double A-sided single in February 1967. Amidst intense media speculation about the band”s next move, the single bridged what was then considered a long gap between the “Revolver” album, released in August 1966, and “Sgt. Pepper,” which followed ten months later.
U2 — “RED HILL MINING TOWN”
To coincide with the 30th anniversary of U2”s iconic album “The Joshua Tree,” Island Records will release a 2017 mix of “Red Hill Mining Town” on limited edition 12inch picture disc, limited to 7000 copies. The previously unreleased mix is by Steve Lillywhite, who produced the band”s critically acclaimed debut, “Boy,” “Red Hill Mining Town” is famously “the single that never was,” originally discussed as the second single from The Joshua Tree but then put to one side at the last minute in favor of “I Still Haven”t Found What I”m Looking For.”
ALICE IN CHAINS — “GET BORN AGAIN”/ WHAT THE HELL HAVE I?”
This special Alice in Chains 45 RPM double 7-inch single collects four hard-hitting tracks remastered and available on vinyl for the first time. “What the Hell Have I” and “A Little Bitter,” released on the soundtrack to the Arnold Schwarzenegger film “Last Action Hero” in 1993, were the first to feature new bassist Mike Inez, who’d played with Ozzy Osbourne for five years. “Get Born Again” and “Died,” released on the box set “Music Bank” in 1999, were the band’s final recordings with original vocalist Layne Staley.
THE CURE — GREATEST HITS/ ACOUSTIC HITS
Shiny, happy people they might not be, but the Cure must be delighted to doubledip this year with two collections, both originally released in 2001, but appearing here for the first time on vinyl. Songs like “Lovesong,” “Boys Don”t Cry” and “Just Like Heaven” are presented separately in both their initial studio form, and acoustically, the latter a bonus disc when the collection first came out. Each are on picture discs and limited to 3,250 copies.
JIMMY PAGE & THE BLACK CROWES — LIVE AT JONES BEACH
Back in the late-90s, Jimmy Page hooked up with the Black Crowes for a tour, playing material from the Crowes, Led Zeppelin and old-school blues classics. This 10-inch vinyl features selections from July, 2000 and is limited to 3000 copies. The songs are “Misty Mountain Hop,” “Bring It On Home” and “In the Light.”
PRINCE — “LITTLE RED CORVETTE” b/w “1999”
This 7-inch picture disc is the reissue of the long out of print 1985 release, and features two of the Purple One’s best known hits. It’s limited to just 3000 copies.
ROBERT JOHNSON — THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS: THE CENTENIAL COLLECTION
In 1936 and 1937, Robert Johnson recorded two sessions of Delta blues that would profoundly shape the course of rock music over the 20th century. “The Complete Recordings: The Centennial Collection” is the ultimate document of these groundbreaking sessions. All 42 known recordings are exquisitely remastered on 3 LPs, numbered, packaged in a deluxe trifold jacket including extensive liner notes. This is the first-time Johnson’s complete recorded works are available in one vinyl package. This set also includes an exclusive bonus poster featuring the original labels of Johnson’s 78 RPM singles, released by Vocalion 80 years ago.
REALLY ROCK “EM RIGHT: SUN RECORDS CURATED BY RECORD STORE DAY VOL. 4
This limited-edition compilation LP was taken from the classic Sun Record Company catalog by participating RSD stores and marks the fourth installment of the “Sun Records Curated by Record Store Day” series. The track list was carefully curated by the hardworking people in record stores themselves. It”s limited to 4,000 copies worldwide and features songs from artists like Howlin” Wolf, Ma Rainey, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash, among others.
J.T. Brewski’s Pub: 510. S. Oak Ave., Primos, welcomes Ashley Caranci from 6‑9 tonight, followed by DJ Ant. Saturday is country mu‑ sic night with Shot of Southern at 9. Hear Michael Barclay live at 7 on Sunday night.
Tom-N-Jerry’s: 1006 Mac‑ Dade Blvd., Milmont Park, has live music from the Buddy Cash Band today from 4‑8, followed by Tongue‑N‑Groove. Beatles tribute Newspaper Taxis plays Saturday from 4‑8, followed by Iron Maiden tribute band Sanctuary. Shorty Long & The Jersey Horns play Sun‑ day from 4‑8. Come out Tuesday from Juliano Brothers from 7‑10, Wednesday for open mic night from 7:30‑11, and Thursday for Laura Lea from 7‑11.
Maggie O’Neill’s: 1062 Pon‑ tiac Road, Drexel Hill, has live music tonight by Face in the Mirror.
Haggerty’s Café: MacDade Boulevard, Holmes, has Crazy Kara‑ oke Sunday night at 7. Monday it’s open mic and comedy acts at 7. Hear Bobby B at 5 p.m. Friday, April 28,
followed by Newspaper Taxis from 9‑1. Wrecking Ball plays Saturday, April 29, from 9‑1.
The Reef Seafood and Steak Restaurant: in the Carpenter Plaza at the end of Meetinghouse Road on the Pa./Del. border, has live music tonight by the Chaotics at 8:30. 4 Play takes the stage on Saturday at 8:30. Every Wednesday night it’s live blues music with the 4W5Blues Jam from 7‑10. Every Thursday night is karaoke with Kyle 9.
A Taste of Key West: 17 S. Morton Ave., Morton, has live mu‑ sic tonight from rock ‘n’ roll legend Charlie Gracie tonight from 6‑9, fol‑ lowed by the Crybabies at 9. Retro 45 returns Saturday at 9. Open mic night is Wednesday from 7‑11, hosted by George Spicer. Rambo’s Delco Quizzo at 8.
Latitudes Restaurants and Bar: Morton Avenue, 15 S. Morton Ave., Morton, has card readings with Jeanann at 5on Thursdays (reserva‑ tions are recommended).
The Milmont Inn: 300 Bel‑ mont Ave., Milmont Park, wel‑
comes Ridley Park Softball Jen Ke‑ arney and Bessie DiFilippo to guest bartend from 7‑10 Saturday to raise money for the league. Raffle prizes are for sale. Guest bartending spots on open in May; message the bar on Facebook.
Bogarts Bar and Grill: 773W. Sproul Road, Springfield, has Quizzo with Chuck every Tuesday night at 7:30. Come out for 10 rounds with prizes each round.
Copley’s Tavern: Chichester Ave., Boothwyn, has Misty Blue Ka‑ raoke with Patty every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10.
The Turf Club: announces the closure of its Brandywine location. Guests looking for horseracing ac‑ tion can visit their location in Oaks or their two Philadelphia locations in South Philly and “The Great North‑ east.”
Riddle Ale House: 1073West Baltimore Pike, Media, has open mic night every Tuesday, hosted by Rick Penny. Star Hotel: Marcus Hook, has cash prize Bingo every Friday at 7
p.m. to benefit the Marcus Hook Preservation Society. Cost is $10for 10 games. Saturday it’s a Fun Facts trivia game.
Chickies and Pete’s: 5035 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill. Come out Thursdays for an acous‑ tic happy hour series from 5‑8. The event features new musicians ev‑ ery week and promises to be a great time.
Reactors Comedy Club: 1110 Baltimore Pike (located in Wyndham Gardens Hotel). Doors are at 8; show time is at 9. For tickets and infor‑ mation, call 267‑374‑0732 or visit http://www.reactorscomedyclub.com Slowdown Grillpub: 4700 Pennell Road, Aston. Bogart’s Bar and Bistro: 3001 Naamans Creek Road, Booth‑ wyn. Stanley Kup Inn: 209 Balti‑ more Pike, Springfield.
Briarcliffe Bar and Grill: 1061 Cedarwood Road.
Tavola Restaurant + Bar: 400 W. Sproul Road, Springfield.
A.J. Stephen’s Crab House and Bar: 105S. MacDade Blvd., Gle‑ nolden.
The Polish Club: 65‑67 Mar‑ ple Ave., Clifton Heights.
Meetinghouse Tavern: 2601 Market St., Upper Chichester.
Murray’s Bar and Grille: 524 E. Baltimore Ave., Clifton Heights. Red Iron Pub (formerly Central Park): 650 Baltimore Pike, Spring‑ field. For bookings, call 610‑544‑ 1076. JD McGillicuddy’s: 211 Carre Ave., Tinicum. The Burgundy Lounge: 25 E. Hinckley Ave., Ridley Park.
Sundance Saloon: 3531Con‑ cord Road, Aston.
Don’s Eddystone Bar: Ches‑ ter Pike.
Good Time Cholly’s: Balti‑ more Avenue, Clifton Heights.
Pogue’s Irish Bar: Chester Pike, Prospect Park.
The Rusty Nail: 2580 Haver‑ ford Road, Ardmore.
Spada’s: 920 Simpson St., Eddystone.