Port of Spain, TT | Saying goodbye to Diana and Rhyner’s Record Shop: For some, Friday evenings were spent standing in line at Rhyner’s Record Shop, Prince Street, Port of Spain, waiting for the latest release. For others, there are memories of the record shop’s street parties featuring popular calypsonians from Machel to Baron. A piece of Trinidad and Tobago’s musical history died with Diana Rhyner, 77, on May 4. She became the face of the popular record shop when her father, Hilton, died in 1981. …In the 20th century, record shops occupied prominent places in their communities, the US National Museum of African American History and Culture’s website said. It added, “They attracted followings of audiophiles who trekked to shops to find new additions to their music collections. Young music listeners frequented shops, even if they didn’t have money. They flocked to shops to experience the glamour and professionalism they saw modelled by shop owners, their staff, and the leading entertainers who visited frequently.”
Montreal, CA | Plateau Record Store Suffers Damage After Recycling Bin Fire: Sound Central, a record store in Montreal’s Plateau-Mont-Royal borough, broke the news earlier this week that a fire caused considerable damage to their business. The fire started at some point Monday into Tuesday in a recycling bin in the alleyway behind the building. It also affected Revolution 514, a skateshop that shares the commercial space with Sound Central, and residential neighbours above the store who lost 2 of their 3 cats. In an online post, the store says they are still assessing the extent of the smoke and water damage and will eventually hold a sale to get back on their feet. Sound Central first opened in 2001 above L’X concert hall (Ste. Catherine at Hôtel-de-Ville) and would go on to move to St. Denis in 2004 before moving to its current location in 2007 at 4486 Coloniale Avenue.
Lisburn, IE | Lisburn man Ray Dennison proves that vinyl really does still matter: The rise of digital music and streaming services saw the rapid decline in the sales of records but now the tide is turning once again as a new generation is discovering the joy of vinyl. Tapping into the resurgence in demand for records, and even CDs, Lisburn man Ray Dennison has opened a new store in Railway Street – Vinyl Matters – proving that everything really does come around again in its own time. A passionate music fan, Ray retired a few years ago and decided that he would turn his record collecting hobby into a new business, and the decision is certainly proving popular with local customers. “I am really into music and have been since I was a kid,” Ray explained. “I have a big record collection of my own and over the last year I have started to buy tons of vinyl from different people. “I had the idea before to open a shop but thought there was no point in doing it. Then over the last months I started to think about getting a wee space.”
Dallas, TX | The 13 Best Record Stores in Greater Dallas: There are many great record stores in DFW, but these might be our favorites. There’s no question that vinyl’s back and it looks like it’s here to stay. But lately, Dallas has seen how difficult hit can be for local shops to share that kind of longevity. From major losses, like the storefront closure of Denton’s Mad World Records in 2020, to miraculous resurrections, like the 2022 revival of Dead Wax Records, vinyl heads have experienced some serious whiplash over the years. Despite these shifts, Dallas remains one of the best places for music media collectors. We recently listed the best offbeat places to buy vinyl records in Dallas, and we have a fair share of gems, such as the woman-owned Red Zeppelin in McKinney, but there are many more places in DFW. Here are 13 of our favorite record stores in the Dallas area.
Cheektowaga, NY | The Buffalo Record Riot! Vinyl Records! The Buffalo Record RIot! It’s a WONDERFUL vinyl record POP-UP sale at the Knights Hall in Cheektowaga! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. The Buffalo Record Riot returns! It’s a WONDERFUL vinyl record POP-UP sale at Knights Hall, 2735 Union Road in Cheektowaga! Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
Dickey Betts live album to be available in “marijuana splatter green” pressing: …Live from the Lone Star Roadhouse was recorded in New York City on November 1, 1988, and originally broadcast by local classic rock radio station WNEW-FM. In addition to Betts, the concert features a stellar band of musicians including Gov’t Mule and Allman Brothers Band guitarist Warren Haynes, keyboardist Johnny Neel, bassist Marty Privette, and drummer Matt Abts. The tracklist includes Allman Brothers Band favorites written by Betts (“Blue Sky,” “Jessica,” “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed”), other ABB standards (“Statesboro Blues,” “One Way Out”), and selections from Betts’ 1988 solo album, Pattern Disruptive, including his tribute to Duane Allman, “Duane’s Tune.” A trio of all-star players also lend their talents: Rick Derringer (“Statesboro Blues,” “One Way Out,” “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” “Southbound”), Jack Bruce and Mick Taylor (“Spoonful,” “Southbound”).
Young Fresh Fellows celebrate 40 years since ‘Fabulous’ vinyl debut: They’re considered one of the most influential bands to emerge from Seattle in the 1980s. And while they may not be as well-known as some of their “grungier” counterparts, the Young Fresh Fellows are still going strong, and this week, they’re marking the 40th anniversary – and new remix reissue – of their debut album “Fabulous Sounds of the Pacific Northwest.” The Fellows predate that whole “grunge” rise by nearly 10 years, and through popularity on college radio stations – the most powerful outside-the-mainstream musical tastemakers of the pre-Internet era – they became beloved around the United States and in other parts of the world, including Spain, for instance. The band and their albums, original songs, and live shows don’t quite fit into any other niche, though the choice covers they play and the friendships they forged with other musicians over the decades elevate the Young Fresh Fellows to a plane (or section of the record bin) that might also include the Velvet Underground, NRBQ and Mott The Hoople.
‘Peaky Blinders’ Soundtrack To Arrive With Blood-Red Vinyl Edition: By order of the Peaky Blinders, Universal Music is issuing a blood-red vinyl edition of the official soundtrack to the popular series, which just tied its own record for viewers in the Season 6 debut. The highly-anticipated Season 6 premiere of the period gangster epic was watched by 3.8 million viewers in the UK on Sunday, according to overnight figures. That ties the record set by the Season 5 finale. The show is expected to return for US viewing via Netflix some time later this year. The soundtrack is available as of May 27, but can be pre-ordered. …The soundtrack features the haunting rendition of the show’s iconic theme song, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ “Red Right Hand,” plus a version recorded specifically for the show by PJ Harvey that’s only available on this soundtrack.
