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Not what they used to be. They're not even "record shops" any more in the strictest sense.

I recall the old Virgin stores as being proper dingy dives but packed to the rafters with all manner of rare imports and colour vinyl special editions. Then in the mid '80s they got revamped and went all chrome, neon and "corporate", and things just weren't the same any more. The obscure stuff pretty much all went and it was mainly just your chart stuff.

A mate of mine used to work in an old Virgin store and used to get all sorts of amazing stuff. I used to love going down there on a Saturday for a rummage through the record aisles (I was never into cassettes).

Of course no Amazon or anything back then either - it was just your shops.

Any other record shop memories? Either working in one or spending your hard-earned 3.99 on the latest eagerly awaited new release?

- Eric

I remember the good old independent store in town, at a time before ticket master, when you could buy concert tickets too. I recall the funny look I got when buying a Motorhead ticket and a Bucks Fizz single (the latter was for my mates sister, honest!)

Unfortunately, the chains, combined with the record companies greed, got the better of the indie store, and it soon vanished.

3.99 for a single and 16.99 for an album was just ridiculous, thank god itunes came along and sorted them out.

Can't remember the last time I went into a record shop, certainly it hasn't happened since itunes has been available to me.

Yes, I remember a similar independent record shop with a ticket booth down in the basement and a fat old jovial bloke flogging the tickets.

All well pre-Internet and all sadly gone now.

- Eric

There are still a few small ones I sometimes pop in to in Sheffield. Lots of memorabilia stuff so pretty expensive but it's always interesting to have a browse.

I mostly by records online from places like . Bought 30 or so LPs and singles so far and only had one bad experience: Wild Thing 7" single by The Troggs was supposed to be near mint but slight distortion on the right channel and too many pops and clicks. Playable, though.

Are you a vinyl collector then Sam?

I got rid of most of my vinyl over the years. I still have a few (a couple of dozen mainly 'gatefold' LPs plus a handful of singles) but wish I'd kept more.

- Eric

No, not a collector. Some of that stuff goes for crazy money. When I've time I just like to sit down and play a few records. I'm not an audiophile by any means but even an ignoramus like me can tell the difference between the smooth, warm sounds of vinyl compared to an .mp3s harsh tones.

Nothing like settling down with a glass of Woodford Reserve and listening to a few records.

Agreed Eric. Most so called record shops are "technology" shops with tablets, phones, games and a few CDs dotted around.

In London I used to go regularly to Rays Jazz Shop in Charing Cross Road. It was a treat to see musicians who I'd seen earlier in the week at Ronnie Scott's club browsing the collection. I think it is still going.

There were also a number of really good shops in Berwick Street in Soho which although many of them have changed owners are still plugging along. I remember you had to queue on a Saturday to get through the door sometimes.

Out in the sticks it is really hard to come across an independent record store. All gone the way of Amazon.

Sad.

David Johnson wrote:

> In London I used to go regularly to Rays Jazz Shop in Charing
> Cross Road. It was a treat to see musicians who I'd seen
> earlier in the week at Ronnie Scott's club browsing the
> collection. I think it is still going.


Would that be this guy?



Looks like he sold up in the early '00s but as you say, maybe the shop is still going under different management.

- Eric

Yeah that is the guy I think. I haven't been there for years but think it is still operating in Charing Cross.

I just loved the way the people that worked in these specialist shops were so knowledgeable. They went to loads of gigs themselves and if you needed a bit of advice they were right on the spot to give it.

Further back I can remember going to gawk at Bill Lewington's musical instrument shop in Shaftesbury Avenue. I think it was. THey had new Selmer saxophones in the window which looked like works of art. So the whole of the area with places like Ray's Jazz Shop, Lewington's and Ronnie Scotts was a mecca for jazz musicians and lovers alike.

Ray's shop was in Neal Street but relocated to become a dept in Foyles book shop if I rememver correctly.