Toronto Reference Library gets in on vinyl craze, buys 100 records: Who says libraries aren’t hip? The Toronto Reference Library is kicking it old school, buying vinyl records for the first time in three decades. The library is adding 100 titles. It already has more than 15,000 vinyl records on its shelves, but it has not added anything since the 1980s, so there were some notable gaps in its collection. As vinyl enjoys a revival, the library decided to give it another spin. Now Snoop Dogg, Feist, David Bowie and Drake are among the artists you can hear on turntables there. You can’t take the albums home, but there are two record players on the fifth floor, free for anyone to use.
Falling for the vinyl record craze: While walking around Zulu Records in Vancouver with a few friends, we crossed paths with Nardwuar the Human Serviette – a Canadian treasure who is one of the best music journalists out there, for a few reasons. Nardwuar talks to famous musicians and gives them vinyl records during the interview, often striking an emotional chord and revealing information reserved for parents and close friends. Combined with his beaming personality, Nardwuar has the ability to humble any superstar back to an earthly level. He spent nearly an hour talking with us in Vancouver, so I couldn’t leave the record store empty-handed. I picked up Game Theory by The Roots, a great hip-hop album worthy of Nardwuar’s respect.
At Cow Records in Ocean Beach, one man keeps the vinyls spinning: (“Vinyls” is not a word. Would you say “deers?” No. —Ed.) In the heart of Ocean Beach, sandwiched between two pubs along bustling Newport Avenue, lies Cow Records. Pleasant tunes from numerous generations and genres fill the crisp, beachside air permeating the establishment. Some 5,000 records occupy the 1,100-square-foot space, lining the floors, shelves, walls and any other space that will accommodate them. A handful even dangle overhead, suspended by strings mounted to the ceiling above. Something of a hole-in-the-wall storefront, its success has never faltered during the 28 years Greg Hildebrand has owned it. The secret to its success? Hildebrand cites two.
Terry Currier Day proclaimed in Portland, Saturday, August 12 will be formally announced on July 4 at the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival. Mayor Ted Wheeler has issued a Proclamation designating August 12, 2017, as “Terry Currier Day” throughout the City. Official announcement of the Proclamation will be made on July 4th at the Waterfront Blues Festival, prior to a set of music by Duffy Bishop. As the Proclamation notes: “Terry Currier, owner of Portland, Oregon’s long-serving, independent and iconic Music Millennium record store for over thirty years has provided tireless, unrivaled support and assistance to all facets of the renowned and well-established Portland music community, including musicians, venues and events…. Ted Wheeler proclaims August 12th to Terry Currier Day in Portland and encourages all residents to observe this day.”
The Rising Vinyl (Part 2): A couple weeks ago, I wrote an article which centered around the resurgence of vinyl records. As a music fan and novice collector, I wanted to shed light on the topic. See article here. The article seemed to resonate strongly among readers, as a lifelong collector reached out to Julie. When she relayed his message to me, I was excited to establish a meeting. Jerry Papile invited me to his home on the morning of Wednesday, June 21st. Jerry, who is currently retired and enjoys spending time with his family, was generous enough to take the time to speak about his collection and his passion for music.
Black Sabbath announce The Ten Year War box set: Black Sabbath are to release a limited edition box set titled The Ten Year War on September 29 through BMG. The individually numbered package will feature the band’s first eight studio albums which had Ozzy Osbourne on vocals: Black Sabbath, Paranoid, Master Of Reality, Vol.4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Sabotage, Technical Ecstacy and Never Say Die. Each album has been remastered by Andy Pearce from the original tapes and will be pressed on heavyweight 180g splatter-coloured vinyl. Each record will have it’s own colour. In addition, the package will feature two rare 7-inch singles: The Japanese version of Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games With Me)/Black Sabbath, and the Chilean version of Paranoid/The Wizard. Only 100 copies of the latter radio promo were originally pressed.
