Record Store Day and Black Friday Collide
As I’ve previously shared, I love Record Store Day, it takes me back to when I would visit my favorite record stores about once a week. It’s not something I still do every week, but bi-monthly would be accurate. My son and I enjoy the day together looking for rare finds. He also looks for cheap deals on albums simply for the artwork.
The next Record Store Day has arrived and is happening today, November 29th, and, as always, there are a lot of fabulous artists participating with never-before releases available. They include everything from The Beatles, Teddy Swims, The Rolling Stones, Joni Mitchell, Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks, U2, Grateful Dead, Billie Eilish, and lots more making it worth it to plan a trip to the record shop while you’re out Black Friday shopping.
I love the excitement of getting there early, and at least at my town’s little record shop, getting a number, waiting in line, and anticipating my turn to go in and shop. It has a huge selection, but it’s very small so they limit to how many people can be in the store simultaneously.
Record Store Day Releases From Whitney and Stevie
Along with some re-releases, this year’s Record Store Day offerings also include a Whitney Houston 12” single of an unreleased track called “Love Is.” It’s taken from “The Concert for a New South Africa” movie. It’s from her performance in Durban, South Africa in 1994. The record includes the studio version, a remix version, a live rehearsal recording, one that’s acapella, and three more tracks.
One of the more sought-after record store day releases is Stevie Nicks‘ 7” single “The Lighthouse.” It’s pressed on white vinyl, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
In November of 1969, The Rolling Stones recorded, “Get Your Ya-Ya’s Out” at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The record store day version is on candy cane swirl vinyl like the hat Charlie Watts wears on the album cover.
The Beatles will have a few things available including a 3” vinyl version of All My Loving which comes with a carrying case.
New Jersey Record Store Day Locations
New Jersey record stores participating include Princeton Record Exchange in Princeton, The Record Collector in Bordentown, Blue Raven Records in Frenchtown, and Randy Now’s Man Cave in Hightstown.
I’m checking out the Stevie Nicks, Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix for sure.
For the full list of all the participating stores and unique releases which also includes stuff from The Ramones, The Doors, Olivia Rodrigo, One Republic, and Bebe Rexha go to RecordStoreDay.com