I recently discovered a dusty, forgotten section of a seldom-visited music shop downtown. Generally, I only go here if I need something new or rare and can't find it at my preferred music shop. In fact, I dislike it so much that I usually walk in and head straight to the artist I'm looking for, then quickly check the recent arrivals and my trip is over in under ten minutes.
But, this time I dove into the dusty vinyl section. I had always figured it was all unnecessarily overpriced just as everything else in the shop. What caught my eye was a $.50 sticker on a classic John Denver record right in the front of the bargain section. Directly behind that was a copy of Carole King's "Tapestry" also priced at half a dollar.
Though, these were not rare finds or even exciting finds... it was a signal to me that there were at least good titles in there. That said, there were also countless long-haired, open-shirted, earring-clad, boot-wearin' 80s bands. Somehow, I would have been upset if there wasn't!
Anyway, I began digging through the 45's in the bin next to the LP's and discovered a handful of forgotten Tamla singles (which was essentially Motown) including classic Stevie Wonder rarities. I also dug up some Earth, Wind & Fire as well as Ray Charles and others. After about five minutes, I had a pretty big handful. I hadn't even thought to check the price though!
For a second I got nervous as I thought about which ones I would have to put back. I checked out Stevie's records first as I figured they'd be the big ones... $.25! What?! The rest were only five cents each!
Long story short... I have a new obsession. I got fifteen new records for $2.50!
On my return trip (yesterday), I found an absolute classic! Buffy Sainte-Marie's 1964 LP It's My Way on Vanguard Records. This album is by far one of the most powerful, topical folk albums of the 60s! I would have paid real money for it! Instead, at $.50, I just cackled with glee like a child who has just been promised ice cream!
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