Last Shop Standing (Whatever happened to record shops?)

[A Lark Ascending]

When in Bath I always pop in here:

It's actually Duck, Son and Pinker (who sound like renegades from Beatrix Potter) and still looks like record/music shops used to look in 1970 (and probably in 1940!) - wooden floorboards, record/cd racks that have never seen the inside of IKEA etc. The jazz selection is a bit random - a lot of Gambit and Lonehill type things but you can hit on some goodies. Good folk and classical section.

I recall a branch in Swindon when I lived there in 1972-3 (confirmed by the Last Shop Standing Book) - you could also get a good selection of LPs in Menzies, Bon Marche (where Andy Partridge of XTC worked around the time I was there) and another big department store (and I recall a new chromey type shop opening next to the Wyvern Theatre in the Autumn of '72).

When I moved to Reading in late '73 there was a big store like the one pictured above...might have been Hickies...that had pianos downstairs and records upstairs. Ainsley's in Leicester was like this well into the late 80s and there was a place in Sheffield that was mainly a piano shop that had the same sort of layout until the mid 90s.

Bath regulars will also worship this place an d hope it stays in business:

[i always chuckle in a superior 'I'm normal' way when I see blokes (only blokes) photographing buses. What do people think of me taking pictures of record shops? Having said that, I wish I'd kep a photographic record of everywhere I'd bought records since 1970!

Favourite shop? One in Dingle on the west coast of Ireland that sold books and records about Ireland and had a nice coffee shop before coffee shops in bookstores became the norm.]

Edited September 21, 2009 by Bev Stapleton

[mjazzg]

On the subject of jazz record shops in London, I'm down in Cornwall and haven't been to London for a shopping trip for a few years. Can anyone enlighten me on which shops still exist and are worth visiting. The ones I know about ( except the megastores ) are Soul Jazz in Broadwick Street, Soul Brother in Putney, Selectadisc in Berwick Street ( some jazz, used to be some bargains ), If Records in Soho ( not sure if its still there ), Rays in Foyles, Honest Jons, Rough Trade off Portobello Road. Is there nothing in Camden nowadays? My tastes go beyond jazz to funk and soul now and again so any current recommendations would be appreciated.

Jazzjet, my recent stroll revealed Soul Jazz still there. Selectadisc too and stocking secondhand/new Jazz vinyl. Also the Record & Tape exchange on Berwick street had a good few racks of Jazz vinyl (found Jackie Mac's Hipnosis after years of hunting). Just opposite R&T Ex is Revival records (phoenix born from Reckless Records) that stocks jazz vinyl and CDs. Spoke to Honest Jon's today so guess they're still alive and kicking - a visit a couple of months ago revealed all stock on one floor with maybe 200 jazz vinyl and as many secondhand and new jazz CDs - still tons of reggae/soul/dance etc. Rough trade still just off portobello and new store in Brick Lane (v little jazz). Rays providing the widest selection still with friendly informative staff. Sorry but can't think of an If Records. Camden? I gave up on there when Rhythm Records disappeared - I wonder if there's still any market stalls selling vinyl on weekends?

[mjazzg]

When I moved to Reading in late '73 there was a big store like the one pictured above...might have been Hickies...that had pianos downstairs and records upstairs.

Bev, Hickies it was - I never expected to come across that name again! Grew up in Reading and occasionally looked in their racks when not searching for AC/DC records in Knights or the independent store on the first floor of the Butts Centre (the name escapes me - probably a good thing)

[sidewinder]

Bath regulars will also worship this place an d hope it stays in business:

I'm a regular worshipper at that shrine...

That 'Duck, Son and Pinker' in Swindon was definitely still there in the early/mid 90s because I bought a Lee Morgan 'Live at the Lighhouse' (aka Both/And) from there. Not sure if it is still in existence in the centre of town.

Edited September 21, 2009 by sidewinder

[BillF]

On the subject of jazz record shops in London, I'm down in Cornwall and haven't been to London for a shopping trip for a few years. Can anyone enlighten me on which shops still exist and are worth visiting. The ones I know about ( except the megastores ) are Soul Jazz in Broadwick Street, Soul Brother in Putney, Selectadisc in Berwick Street ( some jazz, used to be some bargains ), If Records in Soho ( not sure if its still there ), Rays in Foyles, Honest Jons, Rough Trade off Portobello Road. Is there nothing in Camden nowadays? My tastes go beyond jazz to funk and soul now and again so any current recommendations would be appreciated.

Jazzjet, my recent stroll revealed Soul Jazz still there. Selectadisc too and stocking secondhand/new Jazz vinyl. Also the Record & Tape exchange on Berwick street had a good few racks of Jazz vinyl (found Jackie Mac's Hipnosis after years of hunting). Just opposite R&T Ex is Revival records (phoenix born from Reckless Records) that stocks jazz vinyl and CDs. Spoke to Honest Jon's today so guess they're still alive and kicking - a visit a couple of months ago revealed all stock on one floor with maybe 200 jazz vinyl and as many secondhand and new jazz CDs - still tons of reggae/soul/dance etc. Rough trade still just off portobello and new store in Brick Lane (v little jazz). Rays providing the widest selection still with friendly informative staff. Sorry but can't think of an If Records. Camden? I gave up on there when Rhythm Records disappeared - I wonder if there's still any market stalls selling vinyl on weekends?

Welcome to the board! Your useful knowledge is especially appreciated!

[sidewinder]

Camden?

Just the 'Record and Tape Exchange' there that I know of now. There was a snazzy new Fopp but that closed down I think.

[A Lark Ascending]

When I moved to Reading in late '73 there was a big store like the one pictured above...might have been Hickies...that had pianos downstairs and records upstairs.

Bev, Hickies it was - I never expected to come across that name again! Grew up in Reading and occasionally looked in their racks when not searching for AC/DC records in Knights or the independent store on the first floor of the Butts Centre (the name escapes me - probably a good thing)

Yes, welcome, mjazzg.

I was at university there from 1973-6. I recall a pokey place that was on one of the alleys that ran between the two parallel shopping streets. Though my main haunt, because it tended to have the less mainstream records, was on the main street nearest the railway station at the Butts end of town. Bought my first Keith Jarrett's there in '75 which started the tilt away from rock.

Sorry about the directions - I've only been briefly back to Reading twice since '76. My mental map is probably all wrong.

[Steve Gray]

I actually saw Roland in Dobells just after 10am one morning listening to Omer Simeon! No fans, just me, Roland and the miserable Dobells guy (actually Doug Dobells son in law, can't remember his name)

My god, I saw Roland Kirk in Dobells as well!!!. Can't remember what he was doing, just getting in the way I think.

[Jazzjet]

On the subject of jazz record shops in London, I'm down in Cornwall and haven't been to London for a shopping trip for a few years. Can anyone enlighten me on which shops still exist and are worth visiting. The ones I know about ( except the megastores ) are Soul Jazz in Broadwick Street, Soul Brother in Putney, Selectadisc in Berwick Street ( some jazz, used to be some bargains ), If Records in Soho ( not sure if its still there ), Rays in Foyles, Honest Jons, Rough Trade off Portobello Road. Is there nothing in Camden nowadays? My tastes go beyond jazz to funk and soul now and again so any current recommendations would be appreciated.

Jazzjet, my recent stroll revealed Soul Jazz still there. Selectadisc too and stocking secondhand/new Jazz vinyl. Also the Record & Tape exchange on Berwick street had a good few racks of Jazz vinyl (found Jackie Mac's Hipnosis after years of hunting). Just opposite R&T Ex is Revival records (phoenix born from Reckless Records) that stocks jazz vinyl and CDs. Spoke to Honest Jon's today so guess they're still alive and kicking - a visit a couple of months ago revealed all stock on one floor with maybe 200 jazz vinyl and as many secondhand and new jazz CDs - still tons of reggae/soul/dance etc. Rough trade still just off portobello and new store in Brick Lane (v little jazz). Rays providing the widest selection still with friendly informative staff. Sorry but can't think of an If Records. Camden? I gave up on there when Rhythm Records disappeared - I wonder if there's still any market stalls selling vinyl on weekends?

Thanks for the update - and welcome. I found a site for If Records. They've moved apparently.

If Records

[mjazzg]

When I moved to Reading in late '73 there was a big store like the one pictured above...might have been Hickies...that had pianos downstairs and records upstairs.

Bev, Hickies it was - I never expected to come across that name again! Grew up in Reading and occasionally looked in their racks when not searching for AC/DC records in Knights or the independent store on the first floor of the Butts Centre (the name escapes me - probably a good thing)

Yes, welcome, mjazzg.

I was at university there from 1973-6. I recall a pokey place that was on one of the alleys that ran between the two parallel shopping streets. Though my main haunt, because it tended to have the less mainstream records, was on the main street nearest the railway station at the Butts end of town. Bought my first Keith Jarrett's there in '75 which started the tilt away from rock.

Sorry about the directions - I've only been briefly back to Reading twice since '76. My mental map is probably all wrong.

Thanks for the welcome, I'd lurked long enough.

Your memory map is pretty impressive. I was a snotty schoolboy whilst you discovered Jarrett and I can't recall a shop you describe still being there a few years later - a shame, it may have saved me from AC/DC earlier. The alley was/is Union Street as had an Our Price on the Friar street end in my time. Apologies to others this is getting way too specific and we've not even got to the pubs!

How come I never came across RRKirk in any of the shops I shopped in?! not fair

[paul secor]

I wonder how many Yanks are enjoying this thread? I find it fascinating, even tho I've never set foot in any of the stores that have been mentioned.

[bakeostrin]

I wonder how many Yanks are enjoying this thread? I find it fascinating, even tho I've never set foot in any of the stores that have been mentioned.

I also find it a compelling read even though I've never been to the shops.

[gmonahan]

I wonder how many Yanks are enjoying this thread? I find it fascinating, even tho I've never set foot in any of the stores that have been mentioned.

I also find it a compelling read even though I've never been to the shops.

It's envy. There are so few such shops left on this side of the water!

greg mo

[JohnS]

Fascinating stuff! I used to treasure those Dobell's bags - obviously not enough to keep any to this day, though. And that article by Manchester University friend Jack Massarik! Pleased we renewed our acquaintance the other year - if only by phone!

The Dobell's 'spine' bag was a great piece of design. But then the Mole logo was pretty cool. Still have a tee shirt.

[BillF]

It's envy. There are so few such shops left on this side of the water!

greg mo

Well, we're all talking about the past, don't forget!

[Jazzjet]

When in Bath I always pop in here:

It's actually Duck, Son and Pinker (who sound like renegades from Beatrix Potter) and still looks like record/music shops used to look in 1970 (and probably in 1940!) - wooden floorboards, record/cd racks that have never seen the inside of IKEA etc. The jazz selection is a bit random - a lot of Gambit and Lonehill type things but you can hit on some goodies. Good folk and classical section.

I recall a branch in Swindon when I lived there in 1972-3 (confirmed by the Last Shop Standing Book) - you could also get a good selection of LPs in Menzies, Bon Marche (where Andy Partridge of XTC worked around the time I was there) and another big department store (and I recall a new chromey type shop opening next to the Wyvern Theatre in the Autumn of '72).

When I moved to Reading in late '73 there was a big store like the one pictured above...might have been Hickies...that had pianos downstairs and records upstairs. Ainsley's in Leicester was like this well into the late 80s and there was a place in Sheffield that was mainly a piano shop that had the same sort of layout until the mid 90s.

Bath regulars will also worship this place an d hope it stays in business:

[i always chuckle in a superior 'I'm normal' way when I see blokes (only blokes) photographing buses. What do people think of me taking pictures of record shops? Having said that, I wish I'd kep a photographic record of everywhere I'd bought records since 1970!

Favourite shop? One in Dingle on the west coast of Ireland that sold books and records about Ireland and had a nice coffee shop before coffee shops in bookstores became the norm.]

I'm afraid I'm old enough to remember when record shops used to be a counter in an electrical goods store, usually staffed by a bloke in a brown coat. I bought many of my earlier singles in such shops - Craig Douglas, Lonnie Donegan etc.

Coffee shops in record stores are always a good idea in my opinion, especially when shopping with your wife.

[Steve Gray]

There is a picture of Horace Silver standing outside Dobells included in the LP version of 'You Gotta Take A Little Love'.

I am not sure but I don't think it was included in the CD version.

Anyone know of any other 'jazz musician standing outside/inside record shop' pictures?

[BillF]

The late Michael Brecker visited Decoy Records in Manchester a few years ago. The proprietor, local DJ Mike Chadwick, probably has some photos!

Actually, Decoy, which was a jazz and folk specialist, was badly battered by the notorious IRA Manchester bomb. Can it claim to be the only jazz record store to be bombed? Is this a record?

Edited September 22, 2009 by BillF

[Jazzjet]

There is a picture of Horace Silver standing outside Dobells included in the LP version of 'You Gotta Take A Little Love'.

I am not sure but I don't think it was included in the CD version.

Anyone know of any other 'jazz musician standing outside/inside record shop' pictures?

I think this is the image you mean ( its the last one on the page )

Horace Silver at Dobells

[Steve Gray]

Yes, that's the one. Thanks

Edited September 22, 2009 by Steve Gray

[A Lark Ascending]

I'm afraid I'm old enough to remember when record shops used to be a counter in an electrical goods store, usually staffed by a bloke in a brown coat. I bought many of my earlier singles in such shops - Craig Douglas, Lonnie Donegan etc.

The main record shop in Newquay in 1970 was just such. I bought my first record player there with money earned from washing dishes. In fact, in those days even a small town like Newquay that three places to buy records - that one, the place I pictured earlier and Woolworths (which had a broad selection in those days...I bought King Crimson's 'Lizard' there).

[A Lark Ascending]

The late Michael Brecker visited Decoy Records in Manchester a few years ago. The proprietor, local DJ Mike Chadwick, probably has some photos!

Actually, Decoy, which was a jazz and folk specialist, was badly battered by the notorious IRA Manchester bomb. Can it claim to be the only jazz record store to be bombed? Is this a record?

Decoy was a great shop. I used to go to teaching conferences at UMIST in the city - they used to let us out as 3.00 and I'd always sprint to Decoy to make a quick set of purchases.

[BillF]

The late Michael Brecker visited Decoy Records in Manchester a few years ago. The proprietor, local DJ Mike Chadwick, probably has some photos!

Actually, Decoy, which was a jazz and folk specialist, was badly battered by the notorious IRA Manchester bomb. Can it claim to be the only jazz record store to be bombed? Is this a record?

Decoy was a great shop. I used to go to teaching conferences at UMIST in the city - they used to let us out as 3.00 and I'd always sprint to Decoy to make a quick set of purchases.

Sounds like my pattern. In the late 90s I used to visit students on work placements in Central London. A quick getaway would find me in the large jazz room of Tower Records in Piccadilly!

[sidewinder]

There is a picture of Horace Silver standing outside Dobells included in the LP version of 'You Gotta Take A Little Love'.

I am not sure but I don't think it was included in the CD version.

Anyone know of any other 'jazz musician standing outside/inside record shop' pictures?

I think this is the image you mean ( its the last one on the page )

Horace Silver at Dobells

Ain't that the height of cool. They've got Tyrone Washington's LP in the window - as well as 'Serenade for a Soul Sister'

[sidewinder]

It's envy. There are so few such shops left on this side of the water!

greg mo

Well, we're all talking about the past, don't forget!

And none of these UK shops can compare in terms of bounty factor with the likes of the old Sam Goody's NYC Broadway, Sam the Record Man Yonge St Toronto and LA Tower Records Sunset Strip (my top 3).

They have more charm though !