Chicago - secondhand classical record and CD shops
Walther von Stolzing
secondhand classical LP and CD shops in Chicago. I imagine there must
be a few, most likely tucked away where I would never find them! Many
thanks!
Prince Myshkin
Walther, it's funny you ask this, as I asked the same question a
couple of months back. I got a few responses, as might you, and I can
give you my own experience. Unfortunately I did not have a whole lot
of time to scour the city. I did manage to make it to Chicago
Digital. It is very conveniently located right off the Oak Park
(IIRC) stop on the blue line. It isn't very big. In order to
maximize his limited space, the shelves are stocked with only the
front booklets, put in plastic sleeves to protect them, and then lined
sideways. You can't just look. You have to go through the shelves a
handful at a time. One side is new release material (not necessarily
recent, mind you, just not used). Then there is the 2nd hand stuff on
the other side. This is in two parts. One is stuff that has been at
least alphabetized; the other is recent acquisitions that are in no
order whatsoever. Even though it was a lot of work, I enjoyed it.
Maximized the potential to have an "ah HA" moment. The selection was
pretty okay. I didn't get floored by anything, but I found a couple
of impulse purchases. Prices were fine. I'm sure much of the stuff
could be acquired over the internet at similar, if not lower, prices.
However, nothing can replace the pleasure of the brick-and-mortar
experience, as you know. I might have found more and been even more
enthusiastic if I had had more time. Maybe next time. If I am in
Chicago again any time, I will make it a point to try to get back
there.
Walther von Stolzing
a look at the archives of RMCR and it seems that there really isn't
much else in the way of secondhand CD or LP shops in Chicago.
Dil
Reckless Records on North Broadway (or is it Clark) is your best bet
for used classical LPs (I have not been there in about a year,
though). Prince mentions Chicago Digital in near west suburb Oak Park
(my home town). I suppose it's okay if you're a beginner-ish
collector, but not really worth the ride out, in my opinion (assuming
you will be staying downtown.)
If you're renting a car and have lots of time to fight traffic, I
think you're best off visiting some of the Half-Price Books & Records
locations in various suburbs (four in Chicago metro area, I think).
There, not only will you find pretty good little selection of used CDs
and LPs but also a very good selection of used books, all in one spot
(assuming you're a reader -perhaps not).
Dil.
Walther von Stolzing
3Bs
> If you're renting a car and have lots of time to fight traffic, I
> think you're best off visiting some of the Half-Price Books & Records
> locations in various suburbs (four in Chicago metro area, I think).
> There, not only will you find pretty good little selection of used CDs
> and LPs but also a very good selection of used books, all in one spot
> (assuming you're a reader -perhaps not).
Chicago Digital should be commended for squeezing so much into such a
small space- to me it is the only jewel in the Chicago metro area
worth visiting (and if you are visiting the city, you can combine a
vist there with a trip to the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Oak Park). I
do step into my local Half Price Books fairly regularly, but their
collection of classical CDs is probably 75% budget garbage (Kegel
Beethoven is probably the cream of the crop) 20% old, unremarkable
releases and 5% discs I might want if I didn't already have. I can't
remember the last time I bought a single CD there, and the last time I
found treasure at a Half Price was in Cleveland. They clearly do not
have a supply of recent A-label cutouts, just new budget items and
what people bring in. This is in contrast to their book supply, which
has plenty of new remaindered books which will likely be in the store
for a limited time.
Chicago has seen some of the better CD sources close- Tower, Crow's
Nest, and others- and nothing take their place. As a resident, I
generally dream about shopping brick and mortar stores on one of the
coasts (hmm, let's give it a try: lunch at Esparza's in Portland, then
on to Music Millennium and Powell's Books. Ahhhhh.) Your time is
generally better spent here hearing live performances (and visiting
our many other museums) and finding your CDs online when you are back
home.
Walther von Stolzing
pianomaven
Surely when Rose Records closed any reason for visiting Chicago in
search of interesting records (and CDs) disappeared.
THAT was a great record store. Like Sam the Record Man in Toronto,
also now gone, gone, gone.
TD
Matthew B. Tepper
typed in news:7b4574bf-12ed-4ca3-8487-ece8b54904a4@
29g2000prb.googlegroups.com:
> I do step into my local Half Price Books fairly regularly, but their
> collection of classical CDs is probably 75% budget garbage (Kegel
> Beethoven is probably the cream of the crop) 20% old, unremarkable
> releases and 5% discs I might want if I didn't already have. I can't
> remember the last time I bought a single CD there....
Sounds just like Second Spin on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, which is
why I rarely go there any more unless I happen to be in the area.
--
Matthew B. Tepper: WWW, science fiction, classical music, ducks!
Read about "Proty" here: http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/proty.html
To write to me, do for my address what Androcles did for the lion
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employers
operafan
\
> Surely when Rose Records closed any reason for visiting Chicago in
> search of interesting records (and CDs) disappeared.
>
> THAT was a great record store. Like Sam the Record Man in Toronto,
> also now gone, gone, gone.
You just named two of my three favorite record stores (I didn't know
Sam was gone). The third is Amoeba Music in San Francisco, which is
still open.
pianomaven
> On Nov 14, 9:09 am, pianomaven <1pianoma...@gmail.com> wrote:
> \
>
> > Surely when Rose Records closed any reason for visiting Chicago in
> > search of interesting records (and CDs) disappeared.
>
> > THAT was a great record store. Like Sam the Record Man in Toronto,
> > also now gone, gone, gone.
>
> You just named two of my three favorite record stores (I didn't know
> Sam was gone).
The store closed a couple of years ago. Bankruptcy. Sam has sold the
building to Ryerson University which is immediately adjacent to it.
The university will not have a "face" right on Yonge Street.
Incidentally, the old A&A Records, two doors up from Sam's, was run by
the Kenner family for years. It disappeared in the 1980s, I think. It
was a truly wonderful emporium of books and records. Mrs. Kenner
manned (or womaned) the cash in the basement where all the books were
kept for decades.
TD
3Bs
in the loop is in the CSO store. But don't stop there- buy a ticket
and the orchestra will even play one of those CDs for you- live!
Kenneth Luurs
the best selection; however, if you've made the trip to Oak Park, you
may also wish to make a brief stop at two other local used-Cd stores.
One is Val's Halla which is about 6-8 blocks from Chicago Digital -
239 Harrison Street in Oak Park. The selection is admittedly weaker
but they do have some records that might interest you. The other is
also on Oak Park Avenue at 179 S. Oak Park Ave.. - Oak Park Records.
Chicago DIgital now is starting to sell some used LPs - so a broader
selection. Chicago Digital is easily accessible by the el - if you
are up for public transport. My recommendation would be to shop at
Chicago Digital during the week if at all possible and meet the ower
Chris - a very cool, artist type. The store is not open on Sundays -
and has virtually no evening hours - except for Thursday when it is
open till 7:00.