Name your fav local independent record shops!

Bloody hell, I need to make a retraction. I have mercilessly hammered HMV for being utter crap and deserving to go out of business, and what do I see in the Basingstoke branch today? 12 new full vertical racks of vinyl!! Fantastic!

I had a good chat with the staff, who seemed genuinely thrilled at having vinyl back in stock again. Classics such as Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Uriah Heep - Demons and Wizards and Tangerine Dream - Ricochet on new vinyl release. Did you ever think you'd see those titles on fresh vinyl again?

So I bought:

- Nils Lofgren - Old School
- Muddy Waters & Rolling Stones - Live Chicago 1981 [LP/CD/DVD set]
- Spiritualized - Lazer Guided Melodies

I could have bought so much more, but I'd already done a charity shop haul.

A mention for the Basingstoke branch of the British Heart Foundation, the best charity shop in the area for vinyl. I bought:

- Spirit - Future Games
- Herbie Hancock - V.S.O.P.
- Justin Hayward - Night Flight
- Dr Hook - A Little Bit More
- Bruce Hornsby and the Range - The Way It Is [12" single]

All minty good. A most pleasing day.

Nice one, Martin. The same thing's happened in the Chester branch. I bought a few things myself there recently, including the Nils Lofgren. What do you think of it? :)

It's excellent news though for vinyl fans, and a sure sign that, in recent times, the black shiny stuff is now more popular than ever, if somewhere as mainstream-focussed as HMV are reviving it in their stores! :yay:

Marco.

Bloody typical, walked past the HMV in the Westfield centre yesterday because, in the back of my mind, a little voice was saying "nothing to see here, move on" when in fact there could have been quite a bit. I might have time tomorrow for a recce as Martin and I have a London Raid planned very soon!

I just got both of these at the same time in Rise in Worcester ...

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/w...86EBAF86B1.jpg

I suppose that makes it my favorite local independent ... But being as it is the only local independant I don't have a choice anyway :)

From todays visit i would say HMV in Worcester remains pants

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Originally Posted by Marco

including the Nils Lofgren. What do you think of it? :)

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The jury's out, Marco. Nothing struck me in the first play-through, but it might be one of those slow burners.

Exactly my view.

I like it, and am glad I bought it, but it's rather different (heavier and less acoustic in style) than I expected, and the recording quality is merely decent, but nothing special.

Still, worth having, as I do like Nils Lofgren :)

Marco.

There's a record shop in the market called 'Spin It Records' i was wondering if anyone had visited this shop & also anymore Record shops in Hull i must know about? I'm off there next Friday :)

This place might be worth a visit, they say they organise record fairs locally http://www.gjm-music.co.uk/.

In the mid-90's there were 3 shops worth a visit, two within walking distance of the town centre. My favourite was nearly opposite the train station on the corner of Carr Lane, it's been many years since I last visited and I have no idea if it's still there - be nice to know if it survived.

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Originally Posted by littlest hobo

In the mid-90's there were 3 shops worth a visit, two within walking distance of the town centre. My favourite was nearly opposite the train station on the corner of Carr Lane, it's been many years since I last visited and I have no idea if it's still there - be nice to know if it survived.

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Thanks Claire is it called 'Book and Record Exchange' by any chance?

The one in the market Andre - if it's the same one I know from about five years back - a big selection of interesting stuff and not just the usual stuff you see.
BUT
Despite looking in really good condition, most of those I bought there were unplayable in terms of noise. I reckon they'd been cleaned with something abrasive to make them shine and look good. Totally buggered the sound though - I don't mean a few crackles and pops.
Treat that place with extreme caution, mate.