Tuesday 14 December 2010

Lady Gaga 7inch Picture Discs

I came across all of these rcently at HMV in Oxford Street London














Its great to be able to buy picture discs even if they often don't play very well on a turntable! Who cares they're super cool! You can always download themusic for free.

Thursday 4 November 2010

Some new vinyl records I've bought recently


This is a great new 12inch picture disc of the Hurts single



This is a mint copy of John Martyn's Piece by Piece on vinyl. Its absoluetly perfect, totallty mint condition, even the cover looks like it was printed yesterday.


I just had to track down the Journey vinyl album with the Glee song 'Don't Stop Believing'!
At last I've found a copy of the John Foxx album The Garden with the free books still inside (which isn't really a book, more like an extended inner-sleeve). Brilliant!
Rolf Harris, Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport, in great condition on EPIC Records from 1963, for 1 euro!!
Can't remeber what you call this type of record, where they have something sort of printed onto one of the sides. Anyway, I've never seen this before. 12inch of I don't want your love, with etched side (I think its called etched).
A Thin Lizzy (bootleg) on which vinyl.


A real find! I think. Its an original issue of the Shakin Stevens & the Sunsets 1974 album, dutch issue on Novola records, in mint condition (some slight creases on the cover but otherwise perfect, never played)  To top it off, its a promotional disc as you can see in the photo below (disco promocional - prohibida su venta). I have no idea where this has been burried for nearly 40 years but I found it at the record fair in Barcelona (Fira del Disc) in October. I paid 30 euros which I think is a very good deal. Anyone know anything else about this record?


Wednesday 3 November 2010

Vinyl Record Culture in Barcelona (en Español, / in Spanish)

Here's a couple of links to a documentary video on vinyl record culture in Barcelona. By the way its in Spanish.



Making Art from Vinyl Records

I can't belive I missed this. This is an exhibition, which took place from Ocober 7 to 30th 2010, based in art galleries around Barcelona. Check out their website for some examples of this wonderful art. The following video is an interview with one of the organisers in Spanish.






below is a second report on the exhibition, in Catalan language.


Shopping for Music in Barcelona


Record Shops, Music Stores in Barcelona


One of the things I generally do when I’m abroad is to visit the local independent music stores in search of vinyl records. It’s not always easy finding them though, or once you’ve identified a few of them it can be complicated working out the best route to take to visit as many as possible in a day or so.

Anyway here’s short guide to record shops in Barcelona. I’ll try to add to this over time and add a suggested itinerary but for the moment I’ll give you a list of where I go to and how to find them.

I've added some videos, some are in Spanish, others in English, but at least if you don't speak the language you'll get an idea of what to expect from the images of the interior of the shops.

Barcelona is still a great place to find small independent record stores and long may it stay that way!


For other review of record shops in Barcelona see:

Rate your Music
Record Junkie
Discogs
Barcelona Unlike
Spinning Wax



First Stop: Carrer Tallers


The best place to start is Carrer (or ‘calle’ if your map is in Spanish) Tallers as its right in the centre just of the very touristy Les Rambles. If you’re at Plaça Catalunya at the top of the Rambles, standing in front of say Café Zurich, then head down the right hand side of the rambles, past Burger King and take your first right onto Carrer Tallers. You’ll find at least seven or eight record stores on Tallers or on adjacent streets, although like elsewhere a few shops have closed in recent years, particularly OverStocks which had a decent buy overpriced vinyl collection.



Here's s short video on the famous Carrer Tallers


Discos Castellò (their other store Overstocks, which used to be right next door, is now closed).


Discos Castelló

Overstocks was part of the Discos Castellò chain which originally had four shops on the street, one classical music specialist store right at the end of Tallers just off the Rambles. That’s still there but I have no idea how good it is. Then they had Overstocks (CD, vinyl and merchandise) which they closed down in 2009 and amalgamated it with their shop next-door, Discos Castellò.



This video gives you a good idea of what you'll find in Discos Castellò. Its a short interview in Spanish about the current state of the music industry.


They have a decent slection of cds although a bit pricey and a small little cubby-hole section with vinyl and t-shirts. Its worth a quick look but don’t waste too much time here. They have a fourth store at the very far end of Tallers almost as far as Plaça Universitària. I rarely go there to be honest and I would only go there if you have extra time to kill after visiting the other shops.



Interior of Castelló

 Revolver 
Open from 10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Saturday and they don’t close at lunch time.
Carrer Taller 13, Barcelona
+34 93 302 16 85
+34 93 301 61 78


Revolver is my favourite Barcelona record store. In fact they have two stores almost beside each other, with a traditional old men’s barber shop and a corner street separating them. I’m not sure what they story is because they seem to be two separate independent stores sharing the same name.Lets call then revolver 1 and revolver 2 (the first one you encounter after Castelló we’ll call revolver 1. They often carry similar stock, with the same record in both stores at slightly different prices. I once bought a record in the first store only to find the same record in the second store at a few euros cheaper. When I asked how this could be and whether I could get my four euros back, they made some excuses and basically said that they were two separate stores.

Revolver 1

Anyway, despite this strange arrangement both stores are well worth visiting, especially the first store you’ll encounter if your coming from the Rambles. It’s a small store with mostly cds, dvds and merchandise downstairs and a first floor full of vinyl. They have a good selection of ‘bootlegs’ (dvds and cds) mixed in with the official releases. They turn around their stock quite often so its well worth repeated visits. They shop is well ordered and its very easy to find stuff, especially on the first floor vinyl section where I tend to spend my time. They have a well stocked ‘vinyl new releases’ section and tend to have most of the new stuff, with everything from indie to Kylie. They also have a couple of boxes of new vinyl singles downstairs which is worth looking through. They stock a wide range of vinyl from punk to jazz to symphonic rock to motown. The prices are in general very reasonable. New vinyl releases go for 14 to 22 euros. The second hand stuff is priced according to its condition, from 1 euro to full price.



Revolver

In general I find the staff in record shops in Barcelona quite typically Catalan (which makes sense as most of them are). They’re not particularly friendly and won’t engage you in a conversation about your purchases or anything near this, but they tend to know what they’re selling and if you ask them for help they’re glad to assist, although you won’t make any new friends (except for one or two exceptions which I’ll get to later).

By the way, if you have no Spanish or Catalan language skills you’ll generally get by with English. I don’t know anyone in these shops who speaks good English except maybe in Cd Drome) but they have enough to help you out.


Upstairs at Revolver


Revolver 2

This store has a very different feel, but I also like it a lot and always head there after visiting revolver 1. They seem to have a good heavy metal section as you enter the store but I know very little about this type of music so I shouldn’t say too much about it. The vinyl is hidden away at the very end of the long narrow store, beyond the t-shirts and up a step to a separate room. You’ll also find a couple of boxes of new vinyl releases just beyond the first section of the store.


The other Revolver


They used to have a really well kept electronic music section, between say 2000 and about 2008 but recently they seem to have less new electronic releases (maybe it reflects a downturn in this genre). Nevertheless the do have a decent vinyl section. Check out the eighties section if you’re into synth pop, new romantics, etc. They also have a display unit of vinyl singles which has some interesting stuff. The staff are friendly here too and the prices are very decent. If you have time on your hands you can down on your knees and shuffle through the many bargain bins with old vinyl for a euro or two. Sometimes you’ll find some interesting stuff, although you’ll have to plough your way through a lot of shite too.

Daily Records


Daily Records on Carrer Sitges


At this stage its worth leaving carrer Tallers and taking a short detour down Carrer de les Sitges, which you’ll find between the two stores of Discos Revolver. Just down carrer Sitges you’ll find Daily Records. This is a great little store with a wealth of vinyl in great condition at decent prices. Daily Records is a specialist in punk, post punk and ska. If you’re into the UK music scene from about 1977 to 1981, this is the place for you. The store owner is a good guy with a real passion for what he does. They also have a small selection of t-shirts worth a look.


Kebra Discs

Carrer Tallers 3


A common sight, Kebra closed.

Kebra is a strange but interesting shop, which you could also say about its owner. In fact, he one of few of the record shop owners who you can strike up a conversation with in Barcelona. He’d talk the hind legs off you , but he’s also selling records to you and I always leave this place having spent more than I had planned! The only thing is the opening hours are limited and tend to vary, so half the time I find the place closed. He has a good collection of vinyl in good condition at fair prices. You might even find a hidden gem in here somewhere. He’s got everything in the shop on his PC so if you can’t find something then just ask and he’ll be glad to help out.


A selection of music in Kebras window.




Pentagram Music Store
5 Carrer de les Sitges
pedido@pentagrammusicstore.com




There’s a new record shop open on Carrer Sitges, just between Daily Records and Kebra, called Pentagram Music Store. It’s a specialist  shop in everything heavy metal (which I know nothing about), so if you’re into heavy then is well worth a visit. I think the owner used to work in Overstocks.

Along Carrer Sitges you’ll find a few more shops, which although not record shops, they do carry some vinyl, but mostly specialise in t-shirts and other clothing.

Head back to carrer tallers and turn left to go past Revolver. Walk for about 3 to 4 minutes and you’ll find our next stop Discos Impacto.


Discos Impacto

Carrer Tallers 61 + Carrer Sant Pau 12 (round the corner from the Lliceu Opera House)



Discos Impacto
  
 Discos Impacto have two stores one in Carrer Tallers and the other in carrer Sant Pau just round the corner from the opera house. Impacto in carrer Tallers has a large vinyl collection. In the other room you’ll find an A to Z of all musical styles, pop-rock, 70s’, 80s and 90’s, all second hand vinyl but in good condition. The have a large selection of bootleg vinyl albums and some very very rare stuff indeed. In the back room they have a wonderful selection of mowtown, soul, funk and rap on vinyl.


Discos Impacto



This shop is well worth a visit. However there are two factors which I don’t like about this shop and its why I rarely go in there. Firstly the staff are very unfriendly. Secondly the prices are a bit crazy, especially for the bootleg vinyl. Its just really silly expensive prices.

Someof the merchandise available at Discos Impacto


Cd Drome
C/ Valldoncella, 3
08001 Barcelona
+34933174646
 info@cddrome.com
 Mon-Sat, 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00

Cddrome, despite its name has a great selection of vinyl, as well as a well cosen cd selection. This is a shop owned and run by young people who know their dance and electronic music, yet there is absolutely no snobbery here. The staff are friendly and more than willing to help you out. This was one of the first shops in Barcelona to install record players for you to listen to the records. Its because of this shop that I got back into electronic music in the early 2000. This is where I learned about Miss Kittin, the Hacker, Kisune Maison, Tiga, Ladytron and a ton of other electro, electro-clash, and electronic music. And the prices are generally very competitive. They have a weekly newsletter which updates you on their new arrivals, which is very useful.

This is the place to go for indie and electronic music in Barcelona.

If you go back towards Carrer taller and continue you’ll come to the other Discos Castelló just before Plaça Universitària, although I’m not sure iuts really worth the time as they have nothing you can’t buy in the other shops.



...to be continued, updated and improved....

Other stores

Music Ages

C/ Torrent de L'Olla, 31
08012 Barcelona
+34935019317
Mon-Sat, 10:00-14:30, 17:30-21:30



Discos Juandó
C/ Giralt el Pellisser, 2B
08003 Barcelona
+34678549257
juando.vox.com
discosjuando@hotmail.com
Tue-Fri, 11:00-18:00; Sat, 10:30-15:00
Metro Jaume I
Blog http://discosjuando.wordpress.com/


Discos Paradiso
Ferlandina, 39
08001 Barcelona
+34933296440
discosparadiso.blogspot.com/
discosparadiso@hotmail.com
Mon-Sat, 11:00-21:00

Here's a video on a trip to Discos Paradiso




Discos Edison
C/ Riera Baixa, 10
08001 Barcelona
+34934419674
www.discos-edisons.com
pedidos@discos-edisons.com
Mon-Sat, 10:45-14:00, 16:45-20:30

Video on edison



Chandal
C/ Valldonzella, 29
08001 Barcelona
+34933017061
www.chandal.tv
chandal@chandal.tv
Mon-Sat, 11:00-22:00

La Ruta Natural
Passatge Elisabets, 6
08001 Barcelona
+34934120767
www.larutanatural.net
info@larutanatural.net
Mon-Sat, 11:00-21:00

Wah Wah
C/ Riera Baixa, 14
08001 Barcelona
+34934423703
www.wah-wahsupersonic.com
info@wah-wahsupersonic.com
Mon-Sat, 11:00-14.00; 17:00-21:00


video on wah wah


Lost in Barcelona 02x05 - "In-Edit. Más que música" from Jolines Producciones on Vimeo.

To be continued, finished, modified, etc...!

Friday 29 October 2010

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is back!!!



My favourite TV music quiz is back! Although the music industry is falling apart and an independent record store seems to close every other day, Never Mind the Buzzcocks is still going strong back for seson 24 (I think!). In fact, to be honest, sometimes I love this program and sometimes, when it gets a bit too ladish I get turned off.. When its great, which it usually is, its brilliant.

Boy George shines on new Mark Ronson single.



Boy George & Mark Ronson new single.

Will someone please give Boy George some more great songs to sing, please! Boy George's new single with Mark Ronson is beautiful. George's voices improves over time. It amazes me that someone who has spent months in prison can produce such a beautiful vocal so soon after getting out. I also love his single with Antony & the Johnsons from a few years back, You are my Sister.

I think George just needs some good material and he absolutely shines. I saw him live a few years back in the Royal Abert Hall, before his reunion with Culture Club and to be quite frank, the sound was shite. He seems to be great when he's surrounded by other great artists and is given quality material.

I love the video to the Boy George/Mark Ronson sible. It really looks like it was filmed in the 80's on one of those crinkly VHS tapes. By the way, it reminds me that recently the BBC showed a film about the origins of Culture Club. Well worth watching.









Boy George talks about Mark Ronson collaboration and the Worried about the Boy movie



Boy George with Antony and the Johnsons



Worried about the Boy

Thursday 28 October 2010

Paul McCartney really is dead - Well if he is, then I really like his replacement!



I'm not sure if I even want to see the whole movie.

I Need That Record- documentary on the Independent Music Store




here's a video-movie-documentary that I came across on the current state of the independent music store. Its well worth investing in a copy.

Wednesday 27 October 2010

The worst record cover ever? EVER!



I missed Paul McCartney on Jools Holland while I was off seeing Hurts in concert, but its already on YouTube this morning! The press release says McCartney's back on Jools Holland to celebrate there-release of Band on the Run. Its great to see McCartney playing something different to the set list of the past few years. I was getting a bit tired of hearing Hey Jude over and over on his many TV appearances over the last few years. What a pleasure to hear Band on the Run and Jet again. Lets see what else he plays on Friday night's show

Hurts, Barcelona - Sala Bikini 26 October 2010



Hurts Set List, Barcelona Sala Bikini October 2010

I'm sick of not finding time to write anything on this blog! Let's see if I can blogging again!

I went to see HURTS in Barcelona last night. The place was packed out. This group have got a lot of mediocre press, the usual typical stuff of music journalists hate anything with an 80's influence. It was agreat show, short, about 60 minutes, but with a very tight sound and a great stage appearance! Great show. I managed to get my hands on the setlist!




Tuesday 22 June 2010

All you ever wanted to know about Roy White


I came across a really great blog entry on Roy White today. You'll find it at http://mikeyten-ripitup.blogspot.com/2010/06/roy-white.html

Roy White has been mentioned on this blog for his part in White & Torch.