Warwick, RI | Black Lodge Collectibles has lots for fans of comics, music, video games & more: On the outskirts of Pawtuxet Village, there’s a shop that’s a true outlier when it comes to collectibles, vintage objects and underground culture. When you walk in, you’ll see a vast array of records, comics, old school video games and one of a kind items that you won’t be able to find anywhere else. It’s a place that’s truly unique and if you’re an enthusiast of anything pertaining to what I just mentioned, then you should most definitely stop by. It’s called Black Lodge Collectibles and it’s located on 1986 Broad Street in Cranston. The shop has been in business for a little over a month with co-owners Derek Wood, Josh Marsie and Ian Fitzpatrick got together to start it up on August 19. I recently had a talk with Wood and Marsie at Black Lodge Collectibles about what gave them the idea to start the establishment, how they’ve amassed their huge collection and what makes the place stand out from the competition.
Dungannon, IE | Unlocking vinyl treasure at Tyrone record fair: Vinyl lovers, young and old, are in for a musical treat as Stewart’s Music Shop in Dungannon, one of the oldest independent music stores in Ireland, opens its doors for its first record fair. Featuring thousands of titles from rare and vintage records to the latest releases on vinyl, the fair will bring together traders, collectors and music enthusiasts from across Ireland and further afield. Knowledgeable record dealers will be setting up stalls on Saturday October 7, bringing their diverse collections with them; everything from rock and pop, country and jazz to hidden gems from local artists. Owner Raymond Stewart is delighted by the current revival of vinyl and welcomes seasoned collectors and the next generation of vinyl lovers to the event. “When our shop opened in 1975, my brothers and I sold almost every person in this town their first single. In the years since, how and when people listen to their favorite artists has changed many times and we’ve loved being a part of the scene through it all.
San Antonio, TX | San Antonio singer-songwriter Jerry David DeCicca playing free album-release show: DeCicca’s latest album, New Shadows, guest appearances by Los Lobos guitarist David Hidalgo, rising indie-rock singer Rosali and Tortose guitarist Jeff Parker. Bulverde-based singer-songwriter Jerry David DeCicca will perform a release show at San Antonio’s Crazy Rhythms Records on Wednesday night for his latest album, New Shadows. The show is the kickoff for a multi-city “record store tour” that includes stops in Lockhart, Dallas, Austin and Houston. DeCicca has released music for more than 20 years under his own name and that of his previous group, the Black Swans. His carefully observed songs have earned praise from sources ranging from venerated music magazine The Fader to cult lo-fi singer-songwriter Bill Callahan. DeCicca’s New Shadows features synthesizers and drum machines in a deconstructed, experimental approach to Americana. He describes the release as “a literary-goth, avant-Americana meditation.”
Pet Shop Boys announce reissue of hard-to-find album ‘Relentless’ for 30th anniversary: The LP was previously released as three 12″ records and were limited to only 500 copies. Pet Shop Boys have announced a reissue of their hard-to-find LP ‘Relentless’ in honour of its 30th anniversary. The synth-pop duo – comprised of Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe – released their fifth studio album ‘Very’ back in 1993. The record reached the Number One spot in the UK charts and includes the band’s singles ‘Can You Forgive Her?’ and ‘Go West’, which remain two of their most popular tracks. …‘Relentless’ was also released as a rare standalone vinyl that was limited to 500 copies. It featured six dance tracks spread across three 12″ records and became a highly sought-after Pet Shop Boys artefact. Speaking of the LP in a press release, the Pet Shop Boys said: “This album was an experiment for us 30 years ago with its six new extended dance tracks. We’re very proud of it and delighted it’s now getting the stand-alone release it deserves.”
Frankie Valli & Four Seasons set a new standard in comprehensive box sets: With 44 CDs and a bonus vinyl LP, the box set ‘Working Our Way Back To You’ is going take a while to effectively digest. Buyer take note: This may well be the most complete and comprehensive box set ever offered. Naturally, then, it will certainly take its drain on your wallet, so best to start looking for those coins between the sofa cushions right away. It’s also best to set aside some time to really dive in. With 44 CDs and a bonus vinyl LP, it’s going take a while to effectively digest it all. Happily, though, the investments in both time and coin are well worth the expense. While there are those who only know Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons from the hits they spawned throughout the ’60s and ’70s — among them “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Sherry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” — this collection offers an opportunity to dig in deep and rediscover a band that made their name courtesy of their high harmonies, the efforts of their producer and arranger Bob Gaudio, songwriter Bob Crewe, and the remarkable falsetto of Frankie Valli. This Ultimate Collection lives up to its name.
‘The Sound of Music’ Soundtrack Due for Deluxe Expanded Reissue: New expanded, remixed and remastered editions of the album are on the way, including a Super Deluxe version with over 40 previously-unreleased tracks. The chart-topping film soundtrack to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music will be reissued on Dec. 1 in an array of new expanded, remixed and remastered formats. Among them: a lavish Super Deluxe Edition boasting over 40 previously-unreleased tracks – 11 of which are never-before-heard alternate takes from the 1965 blockbuster movie. One of those alternate takes is an unreleased rendition of the film’s opening number “Prelude / The Sound of Music,” by the film’s star Julie Andrews, and cast. The song is now available to stream and download. And, for the first time, all of the Academy Award-winning film’s music – including every musical element from the movie – will be included on the Super Deluxe Edition of the album. Among those classic songs: “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.”
The Rolling Stones team up with Major League Baseball for limited vinyl editions of Hackney Diamonds: To celebrate the band’s incredible legacy and their iconic shows in baseball stadiums across the country, The Rolling Stones and Major League Baseball are teaming up to release limited vinyl editions of Hackney Diamonds, with designs unique to each of the MLB’s 30 clubs. These extremely limited collectors’ items will feature custom art for each of the teams, in pocket jackets housing single disc baseball white vinyl. Collect your favorite teams! The Rolling Stones and Major League Baseball have had a long history together. In 1989, the Steel Wheels Tour came through North America playing half of the dates at homes or previous homes to Major League Baseball teams including Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium, Toronto’s CNE Stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and more. The Bridges to Babylon Tour in 1997 saw The Stones perform at Los Angeles’ Dodgers Stadium, while A Bigger Band tour kicked off in August 2005 with two shows at Boston’s Fenway Park.
Pangea Audio Debuts Black Chrome Record Doctor Low Profile Record Clamp: Pangea Audio, developer and manufacturer of high performance, high value audio accessories, today announced it now offers its low-profile Record Doctor Record Clamp with a black chrome knob, adding a new color option for listeners who prefer to use a dust cover when listening to vinyl records. With the same design as the original satin-silver model, which is currently available, the new black chrome low profile clamp stands 1 1/8” high x 3 1/8” diameter, which is nearly 40% shorter than the original version. The clamp is useful when playing all genres of music, especially where bass vibrations or high frequency resonances are an issue, and when playing slightly warped records, or recording vinyl to a digital computer file. Also, due to increased LP stability, a record clamp helps reduce both stylus and record wear, extending the life of both.