Long Time Gone

Well, I still think this thing is worth doing so I will continue.  I have not posted in quite a while, as you can see.  Well, all I can say is life just doesn't stop sometimes. So,  without further ado...

Since I last posted, my collection has grown significantly.  Included in my hunting I returned to some old haunts and discovered some new ones.  I have purchased more than a few lps from Rasputin's in San Leandro, Half Price Books in Dublin, and I just recently returned to Cheap Thrills in SLO.  While I was in the SLO area my wife's uncle also let me take the remainder of his collection.  More great guitar stuff to listen to here for sure.
 
Last summer I was able to head up to my old college stomping grounds, Arcata, CA.  While I was there I visited People's Records.  This is a fantastic little shop that provided many an Elvis Costello album to my collection back in the day.  From here I purchased The Clash's London Calling and Frank Zappa and the Mothers - We're Only in it for the Money.

A couple of months ago I went to a store in Folsom (a town I go to frequently where I have family) called Dimple.  Their vinyl selection is limited and pretty low priced.  I got some cool stuff here including Ella Fitzgerald, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones and Stan Kenton.

Over my recent spring break I visited a little hole in the wall store, Needle to The Groove, in a funky little east bay town called Niles.  Great shop, totally laid back atmosphere.  He has some higher priced stuff and TONS of $1 records.  From here I scored Todd Rundgren's Something/ Anything among other gems.  And just a couple weekends ago on Record Store Day I checked out The Groove Yard in Oakland.  This place specializes in jazz but also has a smattering of blues, rock, classical and other genres.  I am on a bit of a jazz kick lately and was really digging this place.  Great atmosphere and the owner knows his stuff.  It is a bit pricey but everything is guaranteed.  From this spot I picked up Eric Dolphy and Ron Carter - Magic and Muddy Waters' London Sessions among others.  Great recordings that I can't stop listening to.

In other news, I discovered a really cool phone app called The Vinyl District that will tell you where any record store is within a 20 (or more) mile radius.  A must have app for any vinyl junky.

I really just wanted to get this out to satisfy my wish to get back on this.  I will come back later to spend more time going over some records of note and will do my best to update recent acquisitions.  I also have some related record collecting obsession ideas to hammer out here.  All for now.