Mr. Tepper's Threatened List of Los Angeles Area Classical Record Stores
Matthew B. Tepper
--
As threatened, here is my list of places for the serious classical music
shopper in Los Angeles. I should note a few things first:
1) These are, after all, very personal choices.
2) I live in West Los Angeles, and prefer not to drive much farther
than Van Nuys (to the North), Hollywood (to the East), or Torrance (to
the South). Thus you might find a geographical bias.
3) I buy both used and new classical music recordings, chiefly on CD.
I am not an audiophile, so if there are any stores which specialize in
that material, I may not know (nor care) about them.
4) I receive no consideration for any of the below recommendations. It
so happens that the staff at my favorite stores treat me very nicely,
but if they do so it is not on account of my remarks here. And in the
case of the one store which has banned me (!), I nevertheless feel that
my negative impression as stated here is fair and honest.
5) As Dr. Liu (of fond memory) enjoyed saying, YMMV, etc.
The Good Places -- Don't Miss!:
Record Surplus, 11609 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90064-2908, (310)
478-4217
This is simply the best place to shop for used classical LPs and CDs in
the Los Angeles area! Lots of stock, reasonably priced, and they put
out more of it just about every day. Good prices especially on operas
and other boxed sets. I shop here at least two or three times a week!
Tower Classical Annex, 8840 West Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90069-2105,
(310) 657-3910
Here's where I do my "serious" shopping for new releases. Very good
with imports, small labels, and opera/vocal recordings. The one
drawback is the quick staff turnover, and depending on when you stop in,
the clerks may not be classical specialists. But at least they try!
Tower Records, 1028 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90024-2903, (310)
208-3061
The clerks here *are* classical specialists, very knowledgeable indeed,
and Eric, the buyer, does what he can with the small budget they give
him. And, hey, Arthur's back, so they have a Berlioz expert again!
Tower Records, 14570 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks CA 91403, (818)
789-0500
Maybe even a slightly better selection of imports than Sunset, and they
will often put out their new releases a couple of days early (don't tell
Ray Edwards). Helpful staff, when they are there. Note that the Tower
Outlet store across the street has closed for good. Sigh.
Eastside Records, 1813 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles CA 90027-4407, (213)
913-7461
Good used store. Product selection varies from visit to visit, as you
would expect, but I've sometimes been able to find choice imports
(especially some of the pricier Harmonia Mundi product) quite cheap.
There once was a good selection of LPs, including many interesting vocal
recitals, but this has now thinned out to practically nothing.
Counterpoint Records & Books, 5911 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles CA
90028-5515, (323) 957-7965
Not only a fine varied selection of used CDs, but *thousands* of LPs
lining the high shelves on the walls practically all the way around the
store! This is also a first-rate used bookstore, so be prepared to drop
lots of green.
Wherehouse Music, 3015 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica CA 90403-2395,
(310)394-1060
As you can see from my listing for the chain (below), there's not a
whole lot of reason for a classical music specialist to shop here.
However, this one somehow managed to get maybe a thousand quality used
classical CDs last year, though they didn't bother to shelve them and
just left them in boxes sitting on the floor. The best stuff has been
picked out, what's left has been put on the racks, and their source
(whatever it was) seems to have mostly dried up, but you still might
find something good here.
Heavy Rotation, 12354 Ventura Blvd, Studio City CA 91604, (818) 769-8882
Just a few miles down the street from the three Sherman Oaks stores
listed here is this ordinary-looking shop. Nevertheless, the classical
section here is bursting with goodies, including domestic promos and
hard-to-find imports at decent prices. I found some rarities here that
I hadn't seen used at any other store. Thanks to Lawrence Kasimow for
telling me.
Could-Be Places -- Worth a Try:
Aron's Record Shop, 1150 North Highland Ave, Los Angeles CA 90038-1205,
(323) 469-4700
Was the happenin' place back in the 1970s, and even into the late 1980s,
but fell on hard times for a while. Recent visits have found a better
selection of used CDs than previously, though most of the LPs are
beat-up old crap. And the "music" the staff plays is questionable, to
say the least, while there seems to be a store standard of minimum
number of piercings and/or tattoos for its employees. Try it out if
you're willing to put up with a certain amount of funkiness.
Virgin Megastore, 8000 West Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90046-2439,
(213) 650-8666
Another store that has made a miracle comeback into acceptability. They
once more get a wide variety of imports, especially instrumental and
vocal collections, including a few items (EMI and Polygram imports) you
could never find at Tower! Now if only headquarters would let them run
more label sales....
House of Records, 3328 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica CA 90405-2116, (310)
450-1222
A mildly funky store located in a part of Santa Monica that's undergoing
a long-needed redevelopment. The selection of used classical CDs is
small, but full of surprises; on one visit I found Reger and Telemann
discs I'd never seen anywhere else! You'll know you are in the right
place when you see the big plastic "Nipper" dog out front. And best of
all, Trader Joe's is just a block away!
Rhino Records, 1720 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90024-5608, (310)
474-8685
Amazingly, the staff at this store finally ended their years of holding
out, and (gasp!) have actually set aside a small section for classical
CDs. Many guide books and newspaper articles have proclaimed this as
one of the best places for used recordings in Southern California, but
for the classical collector it's no great shakes. But at least it's now
better than the zero rating I used to give it.
Moby Disc, 2114 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica CA 90403-5704, (310)
828-2887
14622 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks CA, 91403-3600, (818) 990-2970
(And other locations) The Sherman Oaks store would be the winner in a
used classical CD face-off between these two. The selection varies
greatly, suggesting a fairly quick turnover. I've found individual CDs
broken out of the DGG Vienna Philharmonic 150th Anniversary set here
(and here's the kicker -- from the Japanese edition), as well as some
rare and unusual imports. But you gotta be lucky and be willing to grab
something right away, 'cause chances are it won't be coming back.
Second Spin, 14564 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks CA 91403, (818) 986-6866
Well, maybe they need more than a little effort to be competitive, as
their classical bins are largely populated with crap; but they HAVE had
a few interesting and rare items at times, and they are in the same
two-block stretch of Ventura which houses one of the better Towers and
the best of the Moby Discs. And then when you're through there, you
drive a few miles to visit Heavy Rotation.
Canterbury Records, 805 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91101-2192,
(626)792-7184
The grand old store of Pasadena is commendable mostly for its large,
fine selection of new CDs at competitive prices. The used section is
fairly small, containing lots of good used items, but priced *slightly*
higher than what I would prefer to pay for them. Still, definitely
worth a look if you happen to be in Pasadena Old Town.
Has-Beens Places -- Only If You're Bored:
Wherehouse Music, 5542 West Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90028-8522,
(213) 463-9115
(And many other locations) This chain used to be competitive with Tower
both in price and (in some stores) selection. But money problems in
recent years have caused them to cut back classical budget, and it
shows. Sad. They took over the former Blockbuster Music stores, but
that did not make a whit of difference. The used sections in most
stores are basically junk (with ONE exception, already listed above).
The Record Collector, 7809 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles CA 90046-7209, (213)
467-2875
LPs only, incredible selection (last time I was in, at the old Highland
Avenue location, several years ago -- I was banned from the store for
telling a dealer pressed for time to visit Counterpoint instead!)
Extremely unfriendly proprietor (with an eidetic memory), very high
prices, no browsing. Also jazz.
Never-Were Places -- Don't Bother:
Penny Lane, 1080 Gayley Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90024-3402, (310)
208-5611
(And other locations) Looking for classical music here? It is to
laugh! A shame to find such a poor selection in what is, after all, a
"college town" (UCLA's main campus is located in Westwood), but the used
stock here is pretty ordinary. I can't believe I'm saying this, but
better to cut over to Westwood, drive south a bit, and try Rhino!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I hope this list helps those investigating new and interesting places to
shop in the Los Angeles area. If you have any further suggestions, or
just feel testy and argumentative (<g>), or especially if you want to
produce such a list for your city or town, don't hesitate to post here!
--
Matthew B. Tepper: WWW, science fiction, classical music, ducks!
My personal home page -- http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/index.html
My main music page --- http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/berlioz.html
To write to me, do for my address what Androcles did for the lion
"Compassionate Conservatism?" * "Tight Slacks?" * "Jumbo Shrimp?"
Paul Bodine
Paul Bodine
pbo...@execpc.com
Matthew B. Tepper <o...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:38DAC8EC...@earthlink.net...
Matthew B. Tepper
>
> Thank you, Mr. Tepper--you have done me a great service.
>
> Paul Bodine
> pbo...@execpc.com
[Sentimental, minor-key mandolin theme begins playing in background.]
It's always a pleasure to perform a service, Mr. Bodine. And perhaps
someday I shall call on you to return the favor. I may ask it of you on
the day of your daughter's wedding....
Matthew B. Tepper
>
> Thanks for a most useful list for L.A.; will any of those stores
> accept e-mail inquiries? I have successfully used e-mail with MDT--if
> I send an e-mail late at night I have the answer next day, since this
> U.K. outfit is six or seven hours ahead of me (CST). The only
> drawback is that it seems that you must have the label and number;
> they can't seem to do searches by artist/work even if you have the
> label.
>
> Telephone inquiries to any store are unlikely to be effective because
> chances are that the clerk you reach doesn't know what you are talking
> about.
>
> Any other e-mail sources out there? I hate the on-line catalogues
> with their impossible search engines.
I'm afraid I have no idea if any of them have e-mail. These are all
places where one must apply what I call the "stride factor"; you want to
know what's there, you have to stride confidently through the front
door, go to the bins, and take a look for yourself.
A. Brain
e-mail inquiries? I have successfully used e-mail with MDT--if I send an
e-mail late at night I have the answer next day, since this U.K. outfit is
six or seven hours ahead of me (CST). The only drawback is that it seems
that you must have the label and number; they can't seem to do searches by
artist/work even if you have the label.
Telephone inquiries to any store are unlikely to be effective because
chances are that the clerk you reach doesn't know what you are talking
about.
Any other e-mail sources out there? I hate the on-line catalogues with
their impossible search engines.
Thanks.
--
A. Brain
Remove "nospam" when replying via email
Matthew B. Tepper <o...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:38DAC8EC...@earthlink.net...
Vadim Batitsky
want to repair some omissions in Mathew's otherwise impressive list:
* Rhino Records - Westwood Blvd a few blocks south of Wishire. Variable
selections of used classical stuff, but occassional gems at
unbelievable prices (e.g., Sofronitsky's Japanese Dennon with live
Carnival for 5.99).
*House of Records - Pico Blvd just a few blocks west of Record Surplus
on the south side of Pico. Again, variable selection, but often good
finds at very low prices.
* Moby Disc - Topanga Blvd and Wilshire Blvd (Santa Monica, just a few
blocks west of Wherehouse Records). Amazingly good prices on (not
always big) selection of used classical (e.g., Furtwangle Music and
Arts CD at 2.99!!).
*Aron Records - Highland Ave between Santa Monica Blvd and Fountain
Ave. Again, variable selection, but prices are often rediculously low
(e.g., Russian Compact Disc Neuhaus and Sofronitsky at 4.99).
I don't know which of these "banned" Matthew (if any), but since
some of them are walking distance (not LA concept, of course) from
those he listed, I thought they might provide a convenient alternative
with no additional time investment to the shopper.
Vadim.
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Matthew B. Tepper
>
> As a former Angeleno who still spends his Summers in Topanga Canyon, I
> want to repair some omissions in Mathew's otherwise impressive list:
Not "omissions"; differences of opinion, to which you are welcome.
> I don't know which of these "banned" Matthew (if any),
The Record Collector, as I explained in the text.
Kenny Cross
Thank you thank you thank you! I have of course been to the classicl Tower
on Sunset tons of times - a great selection when I know I can't find the
discs anywhere else. I used to go there almost every week before or after we
went to the L.A. Philharmonic.
Unfortunately driving all the way up there nowadays isn't always convienant
*sigh*. Thanks for all the other places to check out. There are two decent
Tower stores down where I live on the edge of Orange County and L.A. County.
The Tower/WOW store on PCH and 2nd Street in Long Beach has a pretty solid
selection for a regular Tower records. Since it is one of those huge
superstores their classical selection is quite big and varied as well. The
only problem they have is keeping someone on in the classical department who
knows what they are ordering - but so far they have lucked out. If you are
in the area it's definitely a good place to check out.
The other Tower records that has a really good classical selection is the
Tower on Beach Blvd down the street from Knotts Berry Farm. Venus has worked
there for as long as I can remember (at least 10 years) in the classical
department and she knows what she's doing along with the rest of the
classical staff. What's really nice about their classical section is that
it's in the back of the store divided from the noise of the rest of the
store by a glass divider and a door in it's own section - along with the
jazz section. It's kind of fun watching the rest of the store from inside
the classical section - the rats in the maze.
anyway - those two places are good places to look for classical CD's.
Matthew makes mention of the Wherehouse stores. One of the best classical CD
selections I have ever seen was at the Wherehouse on Lakewood Blvd across
the street from the Lakewood mall. My friend who ran the classical section
was working on her Masters in the music department at CSULB and was in the
Long Beach Symphony. For awhile there she even brought in classical chamber
groups on Saturday mornings to play instore!! (No I have not been sniffing
the glue - it was true!) It was amazing the imports they had in there - it
even made every Tower classical section seem amatuerish - except the Tower
Classical on Sunset.
But as soon as she left the store - it went downhill fast. Now of course
it's just as Matt said - Wherehouse and classical? That's a laugh. Oh well.