Hey there folks. With Record Store Day just around the corner, it’s getting close to wrap this little series up. Luckily for those of us interested in this sort of thing, there are countless other such documentaries & films that discuss record stores and record collecting and no blogging series could possibly collect them all (or can they? I challenge one of you readers to try, as I would love to visit such a blog!).
So with this post, I’d like to feature a few videos about some New York City record shops. Whenever I get to spend a full day to explore and wander the city, I always try my best to make it to one of the many stores in the area. Being in a real megapolis of culture, some of these shops have some amazing stories and equally amazing selection.
The first of these clips is a truly touching 32 minute documentary entitled “For The Records” which is about the legendary Bleecker Bob’s in Greenwich and it’s just as legendary founder, Bob Plotnik. If a record store doc could make you tear up a bit, it very well might be this one.
The next store that MUST be seen and visited to be believed, is Tropicalia in Furs. My god what a place. The store features many diverse genres, but it obviously focuses on the Brazilian Tropicalia movement. I wish every store had a Tropiicalia specialty record store because every city can be bettered by the fun, beautifully eccentric sounds of Tropicalia (I mean seriously, if you’re mad, slap on some Os Mutantes or Caetano Veloso and you’ll be dancing and having a fun time in seconds).
The store jumped in popularity after the release of the compilation Brazilian Fuzz Bananas, which is as trippy and technicolor as it sounds, which was compiled out of never before re-released Brazilian psych 45s by the store’s owner, Joel “Stones” Oliveira.
Here’s a great clip that can really introduce one to the store:
Here’s a 15 minute short doc about the making of the compilation (which I can tell you, is a fantastic record and has to be played. Perhaps I shall review it here soon!) Look for a short cameo of frequent customer and fellow record geek, Elijah Wood.
One shop that I try my best to frequent is Generation Records. While I couldn’t find a documentary per say, I did find this great performance from their celebration of 2010’s Record Store Day (fitting, yes?) and it wonderfully captures the essence of the store in almost a music video-promo shoot kind of way. Here it is:
Unfortunately I couldn’t find any film clips of my absolute favorite record store in NYC, but now I’m beginning to think that maybe that’s a good thing?
So whenever you find yourself in NYC and you really want to look into finding some great records, I’d highly recommend watching these clips and shopping there yourself!
PS: Sorry that I haven’t posted any real record reviews in a while, but not to worry, several are in the making as I write this (multi-tasking at it’s best!)
Talk to you again very soon record readers.
Record Crates United 