Yesterday, Sarah and I visited two of Seattle’s finest records stores. The first was a small, but really great shop called Jive Time Records. I bought ten records from them. Most of them were 12″ singles. Most of those were only $2 each. Largest collection of good 12″ singles I’ve seen since I was a kid at the Susquehanna Valley Mall standing on tippy toes flipping through the stacks at Listening Booth.

What was odd was that many of the singles were the very same ones that I remember seeing when I was in 4th grade (that’s when I first got into records, specifically remixes and 12″ singles). Listening Booth went under (or whatever) a few years after ditching vinyl in favor of CDs. Good.

Anyway, the next store was probably the biggest vinyl store I’ve seen ever. Bop Street Records. It’s a pretty well-known place, I guess. Their selection was confusing, a little messy and frustrating. But was pretty great. The place had a good feel and friendly folks (which is sometimes odd for Seattle – Jive Time had friendly folks too).

When I brought my selections to the check out at Jive Time, the fellow behind the counter asked if I was having an 80’s night. You know, like if I were having a party with an ironic 80’s theme. I guess it’s a “cool” thing to do. I told him that I wasn’t and that I genuinely liked the music. He seemed to approve or something. It’s always hard to tell here.

At Bop Street, the owner showed us around and showed us a slew of drawings and autographs on the wall from famous patrons like Radio Head, Marshall Crenshaw, Nico and Bill Frisell (who lives a few blocks away). Neat guy and a great shop (if a bit overwhelming). I’m not sure when I’ll get down to this place again. It’s really time consuming. But wow, what a great place to dig for pretty much anything you’re looking for. Pretty much…

Want to know what I bought?
I bet you do!

At Jive Time, I got:
-Duran Duran – s/t 1st LP (Japanese re-release from 1983)
-Duran Duran – DMM Mega Mixes (I think this is German)
-General Public – Tenderness 12″ single
-Ultravox – Dancing with Tears in My Eyes 12″ (the title cut clocks in at just over 10 minutes!)
-Peter Gabriel – Big Time 12″
-XTC – Mayor of Simpleton 12″
-Madness – Our House 12″
-Pet Shop Boys – Left to My Own Devices 12″
-Men Without Hats – Pop Goes the World 12″
-Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair LP
-Huey Lewis & The News – I Want a New Drug 12″ (Dance Version – I can’t wait to hear THIS)
-Huey Lewis & The News – Sports LP

At Bop Street, I got:
-INXS – Listen Like Thieves LP (Gatefold – turns out I already had this, but not in gatefold)
-Violent Femmes – The Blind Leading the Naked LP
-Find Young Cannibals – s/t LP
-Naked Eyes – Fuel for the Fire LP (This was actually Sarah’s selection – she digs Naked Eyes)
-Roman Holliday – Cookin’ on the Roof (That’s right, I found this! For those who know/care, this was Steve Lambert’s band from the early 80’s. Steve became a friend of mine prior to my learning that he was in Roman Holliday – though I don’t think I would have held that against him had I known…hehe).

Not a bad haul for a few hours work.

You can usually find full albums on SoulSeek or other download places, but 12″ remixes aren’t as easy to come by. For instance, on the Big Time 12″, there’s a pretty amazing remix of “In Your Eyes.” Sure, the remix of “Big Time” is good, but I got it for “In Your Eyes.”

I went searching for two albums today and came up empty. I was looking for the original UK, US or Japanese version of Duran Duran’s Rio (most versions you find now are 2nd or 3rd versions that have been remixed – they’re good, but I have it and want the original). I was also trying to hunt down When In Rome’s album. And good luck to that! I’ll have to order them over the nets.

Meanwhile, I got some new music, so I’m pretty thrilled.