A pal of mine is off to Noo Yawk shortly for a 4-day weekend. He’s there to meet up with a fellow comedian, go to his show, and check out some comic book stores. He’s also kindly asked me if there is any CD I’d like him to pick up for me while he’s there – something not easily available, or only available at extortionate prices over here in Blighty.
Off the top of my head, I couldn’t think of an example, but surely there must be something of that description that I can ask him to get for me?
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a single CD, it could be a double, a triple, a small boxed set even, as long as it fits into his hand luggage, and the genre doesn’t matter all that much. Just the cheeky fun of getting a copy for a regular price in the US rather than a small fortune in the UK, and the avoidance of any import duties would be a small thrill. Sticking it to the man, in a ridiculously tiny way. I guess vinyl is out of the question, but a shiny silver disc or three would be fine.
Any ideas?
Anything by Megan Thee Stallion on CD is difficult/expensive to get here.
Thanks for a suggestion, but I confess that the artist is not familiar to me. I tend to steer away from artists who adopt names that make them sound like a South Korean children’s TV series!
Are they/he/she any good?
With which other artist(s) are they somewhat similar?
Napalm Death? KC and the Sunshine Band? Donovan even?
Donovan. Exactly like him.
At least, that’s what The Don thinks he sounds like.
PS welcome back, Mini
Thanks Mini, I must investigate….
Are there many independent record shops left in New York/ Manhatten?
That was going to be my comment.
When we were in NY four years ago I couldn’t find a record shop.
Admittedly I didn’t have a whole lot of time to look for one, because of other social commitments, but we spent some time with our friend who lives there in Greenwich Village, which is the sort of place you’d hope to find one and I don’t recall seeing a single one.
Used to live in the area. There were (grossly overpriced) record stores in Greenwich Village, but I believe Brooklyn is a better bet these days. There is also a superb place in New Jersey but probably a bit far on a weekend trip
Rough Trade has moved from Brooklyn to Manhattan but is vinyl only.
There are still a couple left in Greenwich Village or was a year ago.
Other Music which was excellent has now gone.
He could get the train out to Princeton.Princeton Record exchange is fabulous.
Oh dear. I hope there are – ‘twould be a shame if all are gone.
Bleecker Street Records and Other Music both gone. I still have a Bleecker Street T Shirt with Keetah the Cat on the decks.
Hopefully he is not going this weekend
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-us-canada-66963276
I remember Tower records on the upper West side 20 years ago. Heaven. Like a FOPP Harrods. (Afterword t-shirt?). The record place in the Dome on sunset Blvd in LA is (was?) tremendous, too.
Tower was the place that first came to my mind – is it still a business? The one at Piccadilly was where I routinely emptied my wallet right after pay day whenever I was in that Lahndahn.
Think Tower is no more. In L.A. Amoeba Records is still going, think it moved location though.
Amoeba is now on Sunset – was there last year , it is superb and was heavily supported with queues at the myriad tills – doesn’t help Foxy though.
There is also a branch of Amoeba in San Francisco.
Again no help to Foxy.
If he’s coming this weekend, I hope he brought his wellies.
There are very few record/cd shops left here. Those that still exist tend to be small and/or expensive.
The biggest range of new stuff will probably be the music department of Barnes and Noble in Union Square. There is a small used place nearby called Academy Records, which is decent. There are a few dotted around the hipstier areas of Brooklyn, but it’s a bit of a lottery as to what they’ll have. Sadly no-one really buys CDs here anymore so it’ll be a struggle.
Thanks, I’ve passed on the valuable local advice.
I don’t know what you should get but this is the store you should send him to once you decide. The Manhattan branch of the Japanese chain Book Off. It’s right near Times Square so could hardly be more central.
I was in nyc for over a week about a month ago and this place and the above mentioned Academy were the only stores I went to twice.
https://www.bookoffusa.com/bookoff-49-w-45th-ny-store/
Thanks, I’ve passed on the valuable local advice.
I was there a year ago. BookOff on W45th Street was fun to walk round, as it covers books, music, comics, figures etc. It’s all second hand so its pot luck.
Beyond this place I didn’t see anything other than Barnes & Noble, and it’s expensive given the exchange rate