Second edition of Record Store Day 2020 is taking place during this weekend
Most people are aware by now that Record Store Day, the vinyl-centric holiday that traditionally takes place the third Saturday in April each year, has been split into three separate days over the course of as many months to encourage social distancing during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Reconfigured as “Record Store Day Drops,” the second one takes place this Saturday at independent outlets. Like the inaugural edition last month, depending on where you go, be it Goodies Disc Exchange in Holmes, Repo Records on South Street, Lansdowne’s Vinyl Revival or a dozen other regional locations taking part, the event will vary between in-store shopping, curbside pickup or placing an order online and having it shipped out.
The full list of participating record stores can be found at recordstoreday.com, along with a handy chart detailing the restrictions each spot will be instituting. All will require masks and ask customers to adhere to the CDC instructions to keep a minimum distance of six feet apart from one another. And if you can’t make this one, there will be one more opportunity to experience RSD Drops next month.
RECORD STORE DAY VINYL HIGHLIGHTS
Even though the bounty of rare and unique vinyl has been staggered to prevent an overabundance of crowding at brick and mortar stores, there are still quite a few releases of note to keep an eye out for if you’re a music lover venturing out this weekend. Below are some of the best ones for rock and roll fans to keep and eye out for on Record Store Day 2020 part two, be they exclusives for the event or ones made available for the first time.
PAUL MCCARTNEY: ‘MCCARTNEY – 50TH ANNIVERSARY’
Originally released in April 1970, one month before The Beatles’ swan song ‘Let It Be,’ Paul McCartney’s solo debut saw him getting back to basics. Writing every song and playing every instrument, the eponymous album represented a creative rebirth, bursting with new ideas, experiments, playfulness and freedom. The 50th anniversary Record Store Day limited edition of McCartney was pressed from a master cut at half speed using the original 1970 master tapes at Abbey Road Studios. It was made as a vinyl specific transfer in high resolution and without digital peak limiting for the best possible reproduction. The LP is limited to 7,000 copies.
THE DOORS: ‘THE SOFT PARADE – STRIPPED’
Previously only available on CD for the first time on last year’s ‘ The Soft Parade 50th Deluxe Edition,’ this set of stripped-down mixes from The Doors fourth album is a limited and numbered edition of 12,000 copies worldwide. It’s pressed on 180gram clear vinyl.
THE ROLLING STONES: “ROCK AND A HARD PLACE (LIVE)” / “ALMOSTY HEAR YOU SIGH (LIVE)”
This double A-sided 10” picture disc of “Rock and a Hard Place” (Live from Atlantic City)” and “Almost Hear You Sigh” (Live from Tokyo Dome)” are pulled from the Stones Steel Wheels Tour, which kicked off in Philly in the summer of 1989. Limited to 2,500 copies.
THE BLACK CROWES: “JEALOUS AGAIN” – 12– INCH
This re-issue of the Crowe’s “Jealous Again” 12-inch vinyl single celebrates the 30th anniversary of their iconic debut LP ‘Shake Your Money Maker.’ The hit title track is on Side A, backed with “Waitin’ Guilty” and “Thick N’ Thin” on Side B. It’s limited to 7,500 copies.
JIMI HENDRIX: “MESSAGE TO LOVE (LIVE)” / “CHANGES (LIVE)” – 7– INCH
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys album, this 7-inch is the first official U.S. single from the group. Featuring new artwork by Experience Hendrix, it’s pressed on red and yellow splattered vinyl and is limited to 10,000 copies worldwide.
RAMONES: ‘IT’S ALIVE II – 40TH ANNIVERSARY’
The special edition 40th Anniversary release of ‘It’s Alive II’ includes a live Ramones show recorded in the UK at Victoria Hall, StokeOn-Trent, Staffordshire, on December 29, 1977 – just prior to the New Years’ Eve live performance recorded at the Rainbow Theatre that same year. Mixed by original Ramones engineer and producer Ed Stasium, the Record Store Day exclusive comes on double heavyweight, numbered vinyl with a “Gabba Gabba Hey” etching on Side Four. It’s limited to 8,000 units worldwide.
‘NATIVITY IN BLACK – A TRIBUTE TO BLACK SABBATH’
It’s hard to believe in this day and age, but this 1994 Black Sabbath tribute compilation featuring some of the biggest names in heavy metal and hard rock was never released on vinyl in the United States. It features the one and only performance by the Bullring Brummies, a metal supergroup with Rob Halford from Judas Priest joined by a cadre of musicians, including Geezer Butler and Bill Ward from Black Sabbath themselves on “The Wizard.” Not to be undone, Ozzy Osbourne sings with Irish outfit Therapy? on “Iron Man,” while Megadeth got a Grammy nomination for their cover of “Paranoid.” The colored vinyl release limited to 2000 copies in the U.S. and Canada is exclusive to Record Store Day and also features White Zombie, Type O Negative and Corrosion of Conformity among others.
ROGER WATERS: ‘THE WALL – LIVE IN BERLIN’
For the 30th anniversary of one of the most symbolic concerts of all time, this release features the 1990 Berlin performance of ‘The Wall,’ Roger Waters’ landmark Pink Floyd concept album. Recorded in former no-man’s land between the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz just months after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the live spectacular was watched by more than 500,000 fans. It features a string of special guest talent like Van Morrison, The Band, Cyndi Lauper and more. The double LP was cut at Abbey Road, is pressed on 180-gram clear colored vinyl and limited to 8,000 copies.
Vinyl of the Week will return next week.