Dallas, TX | How Dallas’ Good Records became the Alice Cooper capital of the world: Fans can relive a reunion for the ages with a new documentary. One of the most unlikely and unique nights in recent Dallas music history, and especially in the life of Good Records co-owner Chris Penn, didn’t exactly start with all engines running. In fact, it was an engine that stopped running 24 hours prior that nearly ruined the night Penn had dreamed of. After months of planning and hoping and waiting, Penn had helped reunite the original Alice Cooper Group, his favorite band, and on top of that, the band was going to perform its first show together in decades on the tiny stage inside of Good Records on Lower Greenville Avenue on Oct. 6, 2015. But in order to play a gig, the band has to make it to the gig.
St. Louis, MO | Best Record Store: Circa: Now! Records: Circa: Now! Records is by far the coziest record store in St. Louis. It’s also the best. Operating out of a small storefront on South Grand, the store can comfortably fit about six people browsing its impressive inventory at any one time. But into that small space owner Brad Sadl has packed a trove of finds, often at unbeatable prices. Bargain crates with records priced from $3 to $5 dot the shop’s nooks and crannies. The crates are replete with great finds — a $3 After the Gold Rush, anyone? Sadl has a vast knowledge of music history, and rather than use that knowledge to make you feel like a noob, he uses it to ensure you go home with a record you’ll love. In addition to the bargain crates, the store has a well-curated inventory that would impress any collector. Punk, garage and new wave genres are very well represented, but so are rock, pop, hip-hop, obscure blues, jazz, soundtracks … the list goes on. You’ll definitely leave with some new tunes and, given the tight quarters, maybe even a new pal.
Farmers Branch, TX | The Tex Factor: The Texas Music Mecca: What’s your favorite music? Jazz? Rock? Pop? Soul? Polka? Whatever you like, no matter how unusual–you’ll probably find it at Josey Records in Dallas. It’s the largest Independent record store in Texas and one of the largest in America. Josey Records is leading a vinyl revolution, and new generations are discovering the art of the album cover and the romance of the record experience. The store owners credit their love of records to their former employer and mentor, the late Bill Wisener. In fact, part of the store is a shrine to Bill’s Records.
George Robertson, organiser of the Dundee Record Fair, is retiring. He’s holding his last fair on Sunday and is looking for someone to take over the mantle
St. Louis, MO | Swap meet offers musical playground for ‘record nerds and hip-hop hoarders’ Trackstar the DJ was wandering around the basement of his St. Louis home a few years ago looking at all his hip-hop albums, posters and assorted memorabilia collected over the years, and one thing came to mind. He needed to downsize or face the fact he’d become a hip-hop hoarder. Rather than go through the busy work of putting items on eBay and listing them individually, he held his first hip-hop swap meet, Give Up the Goods. Named after an old Mobb Deep song, it took place in May at the Golden Record, 2720 Cherokee Street. Give Up the Goods returns to the Golden Record Oct. 1. “I wanted to give these things to somebody who’ll take care of them. Handing them to someone is more personal,” says Trackstar the DJ, whose 9-to-5 is touring and recording with Run the Jewels, the current support act on the Rage Against the Machine tour, which will play Enterprise Center in March.
David Bowie’s Hunky Dory songs to be revisited on A Divine Symmetry box set: he songs on David Bowie‘s landmark 1971 album Hunky Dory are being revisited in an expansive box set. A Divine Symmetry will be released as a 4xCD/1 Blu-ray box on November 22. The newly expanded release will feature 48 previously unreleased songs, including demo versions, BBC live recordings, alternate mixes and more. The box will also feature a 100-page hardback book showcasing memorabilia and photos, as well as a 60-page replica composite of Bowie’s notebooks from the era with handwritten lyrics, costume drawings, recording notes and set lists. A vinyl compilation of tracks from A Divine Symmetry will also be released in early 2023. Take a look at the complete box set tracklist below, and hear a BBC recording of “Kooks,” presented by Bob Harris, below. Two Bowie albums are featured on our list of the 150 Best Albums of the 1980s.
Nottingham, UK | Nottingham radio legend teams up with Castle Rock to launch monthly record club: He’s certainly got some stories. BBC broadcaster John Holmes has teamed up with Castle Rock Brewery to create a monthly record club – A Pint and A Half of Vinyl. Having spent 50 years in the industry John has built up an impressive collection of vinyl that holds a lifetime of memories, from when he met Stevie Wonder to when he missed Jimi Hendrix because of a promise with a girl. John, a BBC Radio Nottingham stalwart, said: “The idea of the record club happened when I started to write about these stories through my autobiography and social media – people began to share their love of vinyl with me, and what each album meant to them – the good and the bad – so I decided to create a monthly record club – similar to a book club – where people could meet up – bring their vinyl, share their stories and have a listen. And of course have a pint and a half or two.
