Update: Note that we'll be closed this coming Monday (Aug 2) for the holiday.

First, some store news: Classical is now GONE. All of it. We were going to offer 50 percent off remaining stock for one week and we did it for five, which I think is more than fair. Even at that only about 30 percent of it sold, which says a lot about the remaining inventory. Those upset about this deletion, I feel your pain, but there simply was no other solution. The reason we do no longer carry classical is that none of the staff listens to the genre which makes buying it and pricing it very difficult and a zero sum game. We recommend Second Vinyl (10 Wellesley Street) or Amoroso (4 St. Patrick) for your Classical fix.

We have now moved Jazz into Classical's old home. This may be temporary--we're thinking of some other solutions as that space is not quite big enough for Jazz. Until another solution comes up, it'll be under the window.

New sections are coming as soon as I get a chance to wrangle them together. We're thinking Soul/R&B, Ambient/Experimental/Electronic, and maybe Metal. If you have suggestions for what you'd like added, by all means mention them and we'll see if we can accommodate.

Some new vinyl arrived yesterday (both new and used), including a bunch of jazz (Coltrane, Blakey, Gordon, Moncur III, Pepper). Here's a list of what I can remember:

Tool - 2LP ltd ed. picture disc
Panda Bear 7"
Husker Du - Metal Circus
Beck - Guerro
Eminem - Recovery
Tina Brooks - True Blue
The National - High Violet, s/t, and Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers
Joy Division - Closer
Svarte Greiner - Penpals Forever (Digitalis; in on CD as well; vinyl is ltd to 450 copies and is already sold out from the label)
Soundway's two 3LP sets: The World Ends Part A and Part B
Saigon Rock & Soul: Vietnamese Classic Tracks 1968-1974 (2LP on Sublime Frequencies)

A bunch of you have asked about the new Mississippi Records releases I mentioned a few posts previous. They're on order but have not arrived. Those who have emailed about them will get a heads-up when we've got them in-hand. MR are somewhat notorious for announcing titles early, so we may have these very soon or not for a while--it's impossible for me to say. However, I can say with certainty that there's no doubt we'll get them as soon as they're available. Of course, I'll announce their arrival here on the site as well. We have a different (faster, cheaper) source for MR titles than anyone else in the city so should have them first and a couple bucks cheaper than everyone else, just like we do with all other MR vinyls.

We also received a heap of nice used LPs of some contemporary artists (Cat Power, Paul Weller, Tom Petty, and a few others).

Someone brought in a bunch of Emerson, Lake and Palmer Japanese CDs as well as a complete set of those UK Rolling Stones CDs with the miniature album art repros.

Lastly, we also got stock on the Roll the Dice album on CD (it's out of print on vinyl), as well as stock of the latest CDs by The Gaslight Anthem, National, Great Big Sea, Stars, Nirvana, Dum Dum Girls, Discovery, Black Keys, Tom Petty, Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, Jonsi, Sting, Sun Burned Hand of the Man, Jimmy Webb, New Pornographers, Melissa Etheridge, KD Lang, and a few others I can't recall off the top of my head.

Thanks to all who came out to the Annual Summer Sale. Sorry if you had to wait in line too long. Sorry if you tried to sneak in after 8pm yesterday and were tossed out.

In other news... some new vinyl coming in in the next week or so:

Sonic Youth - Goo
Tracey Thorn - Love and Its Opposite
Jimi Hendrix - Valleys of Neptune
Fennesz - Transition 7"
Doris Duke - I'm a Loser

And two acoustic gems:

Jack Rose - Kensington Blues
"An inventive and self-taught player on acoustic six-string, 12-string, and lap steel guitar, Jack Rose was considered part of the so-called Takoma revivalist movement that echoes the often Eastern-tinged acoustic guitar experiments of John Fahey, Robbie Basho, and others..." -- Allmusic

Glenn Jones - Barbecue Bob in Fishtown
"The third full solo release by Glenn Jones finds the scholarly, carefully elegant performer continuing to stake out his own style on not only acoustic guitar, but banjo... the focus on shorter pieces and immediate, joyful thrills helps situate the release as both a showcase for his abilities and a way to introduce a new listener to possibilities of experimental acoustic performance on the instruments." -- Allmusic (4 stars)

and restocks of:

Bob Dylan - Another Side Of, Bringing It All Back Home, and Highway 61 Revisited
Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted
James Carr - A Man Needs a Woman and You Got My Mind Messed Up
Husker Du - Zen Arcade
Tina Brooks - True Blue
Captain Beefheart - Safe as Milk
Tool - 2LP Picture Disc

Buncha soul CDs in, along with a heap of other stuff from various genres:

Shirley Brown - The Soul of a Woman and Diva of Soul and For the Real Thing
Denise LaSalle - Right Place, Right Time
William Bell - Wow/Bound to Happen
Mad Lads - Complete Early Volt
Anson Funderburge and the Rockets featuring Sam Myers - Live at Grand Emporium
Carla Thomas - Love Means / Memphis Queen
Johnnie Taylor - Raw Blues / Little Bird and There's No Good in Goodbye
Tyrone Davis - Simply
ZZ Hill - s/t
Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers - s/t
Eddie Floyd - Down to Earth / California Girl
King Floyd - Choice Cuts

Speaking of Soul, Kent is releasing Doris Duke's Southern/Deep Soul classic, I'm a Loser on vinyl in June. We have it on order but if it's a title you're keen on, give me a .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) so I make sure I've ordered enough.

Today will be a heavy day for new vinyl stock. A large list of what's expected is below.

In addition, yesterday saw the arrival of the following CD and Blu-Ray box sets:

- Waylon Jennings - The Journey: Destiny's Child (6 CDs; Bear Family)
- Louis Prima, Keely Smith, Sam Butera - The Capital Years (8 CDs; Bear Family)
- Various Artists - A Shot in the Dark: Nashville Jumps: Blues & Rhythm on Nashville Indepedent Labels (8 CDs; Bear Family)
- Various Artists - Motown: The Complete Singles, Vols. 2: 1962 (Limited to 8000 copies), 6: 1966 (Limited to 6000 copies; out of print), and 10: 1970 (Limited to 8000 copies) (5 CDs and 1x7" each; Hip-O Select)
- Miles Davis - Complete In A Silent Way Sessions
- Rolling Stones - Singles, 1963 - 1965, Singles, 1965 - 1967, and Singles, 1968 - 1971

- Star Trek, The Original Series, Season 1 (Blu-ray)
- Star Trek, The Original Series, Season 2 (Blu-ray)

Some interesting used CDs came in as well (you know, in addition to the hundreds of interesting things we see every week):

The Nigeria '70 3 disc set--two CDs and a DVD which has a documentary on the country's music. As far as I can make out, the two disc version is still in print but this 3 disc one is not. It's on Strut, so is a UK import as well.

Three volumes of the Verve France: Free America series came in. Here's an article on the series in Jazz Times and another in All About Jazz. The titles we received were Art Ensemble of Chicago's Certain Blacks, and one title each from Clifford Thornton and Frank Wright. These CDs were obviously released in France and are numbered, limited to 3500 numbered copies. We've put a premium price on these; they're in perfect shape.

As for the vinyl, I think the following will be in boxes that arrive today:

- Devendra Banhart - Oh Me Oh My The Day Goes By
- Vashti Bunyan - Just Another Diamond Day (LP + 7")
- Serge Gainsbourg - Histoire de Melody Nelson (180g)
- Girl Talk - Night Ripper (2LP, limited ed)
- Simon Joyner - Songs for the New Year
- The Knife - Silent Shout
- Lady Gaga - The Fame
- Pelican - March Into the Sea
- Set Fire to Flames - Telegraphs In Negative / Mouths Trapped in Static (2LP)
- Velvet Underground - Loaded (180g), VU and Nico (180g), VU and Nico (Mono)
- Scott Walker - Scott, Scott 2, Scott 3, and Scott 4
- Mazzy Star - She Hangs Brightly
- Deep Listening Band - Then & Now Now & Then (2LP, Ltd to 500)
- Tim Buckley - Greetings From L.A.
- Budos Band - s/t
- Elmore James - The Sky is Crying
- Johnny Cash - The Sun Singles (6 x 7" box set)
- Boris - Japanese Heavy Rock Hits (Ltd. ed. 7")

As well as restocks of:

- Them Crooked Vultures - s/t
- Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
- Husker Du - Zen Arcade
- Soundgarden - Badmotofinger
- Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of The Decline (2LP), Avec Laudenum, The Tired Sounds Of... (2LP)
- Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted (180g)
- Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced (2LP), Band of Gypsies (140g), and Axis: Bold As Love
- John Coltrane - A Love Supreme

We also managed to find one more copy of Nadja's out of print 2LP 180g Radiance of Shadows. Limited to 750 copies.

These are also in the wind and may arrive today but could be as late as next week:

- Cinematic Orchestra - Everyday
- Red Hot Chili Peppers - Freakey Styley and Uplift Mojo...
- Radiohead - The Bends
- Radiohead - Kid A

Some nice blues:

- Mississippi Fred McDowell - Mama Said I'm Crazy
- Joe Callicott - Ain't A Gonna Lie to You
- Scott Dunbar - From Lake Mary
- Heartless Bastards - Stairs and Elevators
- Sweet Tea - s/t
- Elmo Williams - Takes One to Know One

And restocks of:

- MF Doom - MM Food
- Dinosaur Jr. - Beyond
- Kraftwerk - Autobhan
- Kraftwerk - Radio Activity
- Kraftwerk - Man Machine
- Kraftwerk - Tour De France
- Kraftwerk - Europe Express

Some of you may have noticed that the Blues, Gospel, and Reggae sections are now organized horizontally instead of vertically. This makes it easier for us to keep things in alphabetical order (and we'd appreciate your help regarding this when you put stuff back). I've gotten mixed responses from people, with the vast majority of it being positive. If you've thoughts on it, please mention them to whoever's working and we'll keep them in mind while trying to sort out the rest of the shop.

Here's a list of new vinyl that should be out by the weekend:

Jimmy Reed - Rockin' With Reed and I'm Jimmy Reed
Otis Redding - Pain in My Heart
Radiohead - Pablo Honey (180g)
My Morning Jacket - Z (2LP)
Jimi Hendrix - Band of Gypsies (140g)
Dirtbombs - Ultraglide in Black
Miles Davis - Workin'
Ornette Coleman - Free Jazz (180g)
John Coltrane - Blue Train
Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss
MF Doom and Madlib - Madvillian (2LP)
Slayer - World Painted Blood
Bonny Billy and The Picket Line - Funtown

As well as the following restocks:

James Carr - A Man Needs a Woman and You Got My Mind Messed Up
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (180g)
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing (2LP)
Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus

And... some updates on past entries:

We only have one copy of Light: On the South Side left. It's been opened to show off the book but is otherwise new (records unplayed). We've got the best price in town on this one. We're sold out of the other Numero Group box sets that we brought in (Twinight, and Tap), but still have stock on some of the 2LP Eccentric Soul sets and Guitar Stoli. Again, cheapest in town.

The new Tom Waits releases went on the floor on Tuesday--we have a few of Glitter and Doom left but only two of the Orphans 7LP sets remain of the six we brought in. $22.99 and $138.99 respectively.

Only two of the William S. Burroughs Grey Room LPs remain. It's a limited pressing of 800 copies and is one we probably won't bring in again as it's an import. Just $18.99.

The Mingus - Live at Antibes sold out before I even had a chance to price them. Literally. More will be coming.

One copy of Ocean's 2LP Here Where Nothing Grows is also on its way.

A few more things coming from Mississippi, probably late next week:

Rev. Louis Overstreet - An Evening With His Guitar, His four Sons, And the Congregation at St. Luke's Powerhouse Church of God in Christ
Reissue of the Arhoolie LP recorded in 1962 at Overstreet's church in Phoenix, Arizona with a slightly altered track listing. Includes two tracks previously unissued on vinyl. Recorded very live during a church service. Rev. Overstreet plays electric guitar and bass drum in his own driving & intense style while his four sons and the congregation take care of tambourine, backup singing and hand claps. A powerful record of gospel energy and testament.

Clara Rockmore - The Art of the Theremin
This LP, originally recorded and released by Delos International in 1977, features the eerily beautiful theremin accompanied by piano. A record of stark simplicity & emotional intensity. We are proud to present the first ever vinyl reissue of this material. Gatefold tip on cover with extensive liner notes detailing the history & inner workings of the theremin & Clara Rockmore.

The Breeders - Fate to Fatal EP 12"
Limited edition of 1,000. The four songs on the Fate to Fatal EP were recorded in a variety of places. The band booked time at the Fortress in London to record the title track. Track two, "The Last Time," was written by Kim and recorded in her Ohio basement with guest vocalist Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age). For "Chances Are," a cover of the Bob Marley and the Wailers song, Kim and Kelley went to Steve Albini's Chicago studio where they recorded it live. The EP's closing song, "Pinnacle Hollow," was also recorded in Kim's Ohio basement on a four-track, tape hiss and all.

All this and restock of the Cecil Barfield, the Joseph Spence, and the Mortika box set to boot.

I think that most people who like the respective genres of the above artists will be familiar with these albums. The one exception is probably the little-known UK band Yndi Halda. Though I'm loathe to pigeon-hole them, they're probably considered a post-rock band with a splash of 20C classical. I'd guess that anyone who enjoys GY!BE, Explosions in the Sky, Mono, Do Make Say Think, or Mogwai would appreciate them.

The shortest song on their Enjoy Eternal Bliss LP is almost 12 minutes long. The other three hover around 17 minutes and "A Song for Starlit Beaches" clocks in at almost 20. Because the tracks are so long, they're not very Youtube friendly. However, here's the second half of "Illuminate My Heart, My Darling":