Shady Times

Team BRP, forgive me for taking a bit of a time out.  I have this thing called a “job” that I occasionally have to deal with.  There is someone there called “The Man” who forces me to “work.”  Last week, he made me work in New York City and put in stupid hours like those who live there do (how is NYC the center of the universe if all you do is work?).  The Man was a beast to me last week, so I apologize for not attending to what is truly important, which is BRP. 

Anyway, I’m back.  And I have a lot of cool stuff to get you in the BRP mood again.  Let’s start with purchasing some great music.  If you’re like me and still buy music in tangible formats, I have a place that you need to check out.  Shady Dog Records is located right on Route 30 in Berwyn.  I’ve been going there off and on since it was located in Wayne, but it’s been in Berwyn for a good long while now.

Record stores are some of my favorite places.  You never know what you are going to find, and the whole point is to dig in and find that treasure that you didn’t even know you wanted when you walked in.  Record stores get you in the groove by always playing great tunes while you shop.  It’s not like shopping at the mall where they have some piped in pop or Muzak going.  I was at Shady Dog last Saturday, and shopped to Dr. John doing songs like “Iko Iko” and “Tipitina.”  How’s that action?

I took a couple pics, one of the sign outside and one of the principle room at the shop.  The dude in the store picture is a customer who just got back from the UK, and had hit the Cavern Club (hence, the t-shirt).  Some local band from that area once made some international noise.  Anyway, the store actually has 2 rooms full of records and CDs, but the one pictured below is the one full of the rock albums and CDs.  I have to admit that I don’t buy vinyl anymore, but if you are looking for it, you can see that the Dog has a lot of it.  They also have a good selection of CDs (a little less so since my visit as I splurged and picked up 15 or so CDs).

Why buy used?  Well, they are less expensive, which appeals to my cheap butt.  And some stuff is out of print (particularly the vinyl), and you can’t get it elsewhere.  You also get things that don’t come with downloads, like great pictures and liner notes.  I picked up a ton of music for about half of what I would have paid iTunes, and I actually own it.  iTunes is merely a life estate – you don’t own the music, and it reverts back to Apple at your death.  It’s true and it’s a ripoff.

I’m sure you’re curious about what I bought.  Too bad, I’m not telling.  Nah, that wouldn’t be any fun, right?  I actually bought two CDs to replace the versions that I already have on vinyl (vinyl is hard to play in the car):  T. Rex’s Electric Warrior and Sly and the Family Stone’s Greatest Hits.  I got ‘em for about $6 each!  I also bought two albums by Rage Against The Machine, and single efforts from the following:  the Jayhawks, Death Cab for Cutie, James Hunter Six, the Hives, the Hoodoo Gurus, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, JJ Grey & Mofro, Citizen Cope, Queens of the Stone Age, and Houndmouth.  All that for about $115. 

Not a bad haul, right?  When I was checking out, I talked to one of the owners (Dave) and gave him my card.  He told me that they will take orders and try to locate exactly what you are looking for.  They are also pretty cool with discounts – everything I bought was 10% off. 

There you have it.  Record stores are a damn fine way to spend some leisure time, and the Dog is no exception.  Check it out when you get the chance.  And tell them you read about it on BRP. 

Check back soon - I plan on posting a few times this week, and you never want to miss a thing here at BRP, haha.  I have some big news about the future of BRP (oh baby, is this gonna be great!), and another live music review.  Plus much more that I'm not going to give away right now, but suffice to say, you are going to be happy.