Record Store Day 2024?
I don’t know what percentage of AG members participate in RSD, but I figure the topic warrants a thread.
The RSD titles offered this time (April 20th) seemed pretty strong to me, and I was apparently not alone in that opinion: when I arrived at Music Millennium at 6:00 A.M. the line went down Burnside Blvd. from 32nd Avenue to 29th, over one block, and then up the street behind the store all the way back to 32nd, all in attendance waiting for the 8:00 A.M. opening of the store. Over a thousand people I reckon, more than the 6:00 A.M. line at last year’s Black Friday RSD. And when I exited the store at 11:00, the line still stretched from 32nd down to 29th.
This years titles as always included offerings in many genres, my list below merely reflecting my musical tastes. Here are the albums I decided I didn’t want to live without:
- The Bottle Rockets: The Brooklyn Side. Expanded 2-LP set, lacquers cut from analogue master tapes at Masterdisk by Scott Hull. 1500 copies worldwide.
- Gene Clark: The Lost Studio Sessions 1964-1982. 2-LP set containing unreleased studio and live recordings. 1500 copies.
- Lowell George: Thanks I’ll Eat It Here. Expanded 2-LP set, lacquers cut from analogue master tapes by Bernie Grundman. 3500 copies.
- Chris Isaak: Beyond The Sun. Expanded 2-LP set containing every song Chris and his band recorded at Sun Studios. 2000 copies.
- Tommy McLain: Moving To Heaven. Recorded in 2003 and pressed as 500 CD’s, Elvis Costello discovered this album in a used record store down in Louisiana. 1000 copies.
- The Ramones: The 1975 Sire Demos. These recordings led to the boys getting a deal with Sire Records. 6000 copies.
- Mavis Staples: Have A Little Faith. 20th anniversary reissue of the Alligator Records original. 2500 copies.
- Television: Live At the Academy NYC 12.4.92. 2500 copies.
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Live In France/The 1966 Concert In Limoges. Just Rosetta and her white Gibson SG, tearin’ up the joint! 1800 copies.
And my pick-of-the-litter:
- Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman with Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives: Celebrate The 50th Anniversary Of Sweetheart Of The Rodeo. The two living Byrds perform the entire album and other songs live, aided by the best band in the world. Unfortunately also the most expensive of the lot: $79.99 for a 2-LP set?! 2500 copies.
Didn’t make it to a proper record store. But, the chain store in the local mall got a bunch of titles, and I found a copy of Everybody Digs Bill Evans. Was surprised to find it there. Plus, they had 20% discount if you spent more than 100. So, naturally, I picked up so other records - not from their other RSD titles however.
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I haven’t been to every RSD but I’ve been to several. Been to large stores that go all out and a small store that participates grudgingly. One year, at the small store, I was there to get an obscure record I was sure no one would want. There were 9 of us in line before the store opened. The couple that was first in line had a good-sized box with them. When the store opened, they ran in, to the table that had all the releases and basically raked every single one into the box. I was shocked that they got out of there in one piece. Every criticism I hear of this event is valid. I think the best way to handle it would be this: when the list is released, allow customers to order one of each, pay for it, and then select a participating store to have it sent to. Pickup has to be on RSD. This solves the problem of having to show up real early, wait in line, and wondering if you’ll even get what you want. The stores won’t be stuck with unwanted, unsellable stock, and customers will still show up on RSD to pick up their orders (which is the main purpose, to get people into the stores) and at different times of the day (most stores, it’s pretty much over two hours after opening). Thoughts, comments, suggestions….. |
@nicholsr - I think there is much sense in your suggestion. It's not that different from how some ticket sales are handled by certain artists and/or venues who try to minimize scalping... |
