We had a great 2016 thanks to you, our customers!
Here’s a look back at some of last year’s events. We had a great time at our live shows, indie film screenings, book signings, Record Store Day events, and more. We look forward to offering a wider variety of new and vintage vinyl and programming more unique events that you can enjoy in Lansdowne!
2015 has been a great year and we have our customers to thank!
The popularity of records continues to grow and in addition to our regulars, we also have new customers stop in all the time.
Many of you attended events here or came in to buy the latest releases and special Record Store Day titles. Let’s take a look back at some of the fun we had this year!
We screened great indie films with FirstGlance Film Festival and Film Festival Flix and Italian Cinema with Ciao Bella! Living Italian Style.
We hosted concerts in The Vault featuring original music as well as covers with local musicians Tommy Davis, Third Man In and Electric Fallback.
We had great new, exclusive, limited edition releases for Record Store Day and Record Store Day Black Friday, new releases from Kurt Vile and Jeff Lynne’s ELO plus hard to find vintage MFSL versions of Dark Side of the Moon and Magical Mystery Tour.
We also had books signings with authors Charlie Gracie, Jim Rosin, Wyatt Doyle, Andrew Biscontini and Richard Adelman.
As we look to 2016, we hope to offer a wider variety of new and vintage vinyl and program more unique events that you can enjoy in Lansdowne!
Last night’s Paul McCartney show at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly was a real treat for first-timers and fans like me who catch him every time he’s in town. He played close to 40 songs over an almost three hour set that included Beatles’ songs, some Wings’ numbers, and a few tracks off his new album, New. As someone who regularly goes to see him, I was pleasantly surprised to see him perform a few songs that I’ve never seen him play – “All Together Now,” which was fun for young and old alike, and “Temporary Secretary,” which he had never before performed live. I particularly enjoyed “Being For The Benefit of Mr. Kite” and “Lovely Rita,” both off of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, too. Some other highlights of the night included the fire explosions during “Live and Let Die,” his tributes to John Lennon and George Harrison, and of course, the crowd sing-a-long of “Hey Jude.”
Paul’s voice was in fine form. My daughter commented that he sounded like an angel and I’d have to agree. My friend noticed that he didn’t even take a drink all night which I found hard to believe. I, on the other hand, was constantly popping Tic Tacs in my mouth to moisten it from all my singing and cheering. McCartney is such a huge talent you might think that musicians playing with him might not be able to perform up to par but that’s not the case with his band. Paul Wickens (keyboard), Brian Ray (bass/guitar), Rusty Anderson (guitar), and Abe Laboriel Jr. (drums) did a fabulous job keeping up with the always energetic, playful and entertaining McCartney.
Some people ask how I could go see Paul time after time, and for me the answer is simple. Even though I obviously don’t know him, I feel like he’s an old friend. For 35 years, his music has touched my heart and soul and given me such joy. I think he feels the same way about me, about us, his fans. Sir James Paul McCartney always puts on one hell of a show and I always want to be there to thank him for that. May God bless him and may he keep on rockin!
Small Business Saturday is November 29th
We invite American Express cardholders to Shop Small with us on Small Business Saturday, November 29th. American Express card members can get up to $30 back. Visit ShopSmall.com for information on how to register and how it works.
Someone told me that yesterday’s News of Delaware County says that the film, Leaving Circadia, is playing tonight or tomorrow, forget which day, BUT IT IS NOT. It played last Friday. Also, our Up Nights Concert scheduled for Friday night, November 14th, has been cancelled. Our next evening event is First Friday, December 5th’s Open Mic Night.
lullaby and…THE CEASELESS ROAR
I’ve had a love affair with Robert Plant for as long as I can remember. From the first time I heard his voice on a Led Zeppelin record, I’ve been a devoted fan, following his career post-Zep in each and every re-incarnation, whether he’s playing solo, with Jimmy Page or Alison Krauss, or with one of his talented bands, “Strange Sensation,” “Band of Joy,” or “Sensational Space Shifters.” I’ve seen him play all over Philly: The Spectrum, The Electric Factory, The Tower, The Mann, and at every Philly show since 1983. So it was such a huge thrill for me to see him play last night at a pop up concert at the Brooklyn Bowl, a very cool music venue/bar/restaurant/bowling alley in Brooklyn. With only 850 or so tickets available for sale, this show would put me up close and intimate with Plant like I’d never been before.
The doors opened at 10:30 p.m. and we took our place as close to the stage as possible (3-4 rows of people back.) While we waited for Plant, who was scheduled to come on around midnight, we were treated to an opening dj set by Philly’s own, Questlove, of The Roots. He spins there every Thursday and seemed comfortable and very approachable in the dj booth. He got the growing crowd moving with a mix of funky songs until Robert Plant and the “Sensational Space Shifters” took the stage. The band opened the show with a Howlin’ Wolf cover, “Spoonful,” and they did a killer version of Bukka White’s “Fixin’ to Die.” They played “Rainbow,” “Poor Howard,”” Turn it Up,” (one of my faves) and “Little Maggie,” all off their new album, lullaby and…THE CEASELESS ROAR. I honestly thought they’d play more songs off the new album (which I love) and I was looking forward to hearing some of the other new stuff live, but there were some “folk” songs (Plant jokingly remarked that they were old enough to be considered folk songs) that they performed instead. These songs included “Thank You,” a gorgeous rendition of “Going to California,” “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” ”Nobody’s Fault but Mine,” and a kick ass version of “Whole Lotta Love/Who Do You Love” as the finale. Plant encouraged audience participation and we did not disappoint! I feel bad for the people in front of me who had to listen to my constant singing and super loud yays and whoo hoos.
The show featured about 13 songs in all, and overall, it was really a great mix of blues, African rhythms, Celtic/English traditions, and good old rock and roll. The band was true to their name, sensational, and included Billy Fuller, Dave Smith, Liam “Skin” Tyson, John Baggott, and most notably, Juldeh Camara on a single-string fiddle, and Justin Adams, who co-wrote Mighty Rearranger, and really got the crowd in a frenzy with his dizzying guitar playing.
All in all, it was well worth the ride to Brooklyn. Even though the ride home at 2:30 a.m. this morning didn’t leave me much time for sleep, I would definitely do it all over again if I could. Robert Plant can be my rainbow and bring a song for me anytime!
Queen and Adam Lambert rocked the Wells Fargo Center in Philly on July 16, 2004.
I have seen many, many bands play live over the years but there was always one band that I wished I had seen but hadn’t… until the other night. The band I’m talking about is Queen. Queen’s last American tour was in 1982 and I remember when they played the Spectrum. A friend of mine saw them and loved them. I always said I’d catch them the next time but unfortunately there wasn’t a next time.
When Queen got together with Paul Rodgers around 2006, I just couldn’t bring myself to go. It’s difficult to see a band you really like play without all of the original members, but I think it’s even more difficult when the original front man isn’t there.
When I heard Adam Lambert would be touring with Queen, I actually gave some serious thought to going. I was a big Lambert fan from his days on “American Idol” and thought he certainly had the singing chops to do Queen’s songs justice. Although, once again, it just didn’t seem right to me that they’d have another lead singer, but when I got a last minute invite from a friend who had an extra ticket, I decided to go.
I am so glad I did! Although NO ONE could ever take Freddie Mercury‘s place, Adam’s voice was amazing and he really put on one hell of a show. With costume changes, an audience sing-off, effortless interaction with the band members, and his own unique styling, I think Freddie would’ve been pleased with his performance. It sure seemed like the audience was pleased and happy to hear all of Queen’s wonderful music live again. Queen’s remaining original members were pretty terrific too! Brian May’s guitar playing was sick! I especially loved his trippy guitar solo and his tribute to Freddie. Then there was Roger Taylor who was totally rockin’ out on the drums. He gave the younger drummer playing with them a run for his money! Overall, the entire band sounded great and they looked like they were really having a fun time on stage. They gave the audience a great show over two hours long with just the right mix of hits and lesser known numbers. I would definitely see them again.
If you went to the show, what did you think and would you see them again?
Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Record Store Day with us last Saturday!
Thanks especially to our customers, concert promoters who worked hard to organize the day’s events, Jim Rosin for doing a book signing, and all the bands and performers who generously played at our celebration too!
I hope you found what you were looking for on RSD but if you’re still searching for a title, here’s a list of the RSD releases we still have in stock. These are mostly single copies so if you if’d like one, come in as soon as possible before we sell out.
Adventure Club – Calling All Hereoes
Aerosmith – Draw the Line
Aerosmith – Rocks
Allicara 2743
Joan Baez – Blessed Are
Bastille – Of the Night
Beauregarde – Testify
Bleachers – I Want to Get Better
Hollis Brown – Hollis Brown Gets Loaded
Neko Case & Jason Little – Satellite of Love
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis – West of Memphis
Michael Chapman – Playing Guitar the Easy Way
Eric Church – The Outsiders
The Civil Wars – Live at Eddie’s Attic
Dillinger, Trinity, Wayne Wade, Al Campbell, Junior Tamlin – Five Man Army
Disclosure – Apollo
Ramblin Jack Elliott – Jack ElliottIce-T,
Everly Brothers – Roots
Frightened Rabbit – Live From Criminal Records
Mayer Hawthorne – Wine Glass Woman
Heavens to Betsy – Calculated
Ice -T – Greatest Hits
Rick James – You and I
Waylon & Shooter Jennings – Fenixon
Jimi Hendrix – Live at Monterey
Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes – Live at the Greek
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – She’s on It
Stephen John Kalinich – A World of Peace Must Come
Jorma Kaukonen – QUAH
Kings of Leon – Wait for Me
Kodaline – Coming Up
Ray Lamontagne – Supernova
Henry Mancini – Sountdrack to Pink Panther
Dean Martin – Dream with Dean
Jim McCarty – Frontman
Randy Newman
John Oates – Stone Cold Love
The Orwells – Righteous One
Outkast – SOUTHERNPLAYALISTICADILLACMUZIK
Nina Persson – Sometimes
Pussy Galore – PUSSY GOLD 5000
Rodion G.A. – Misuinea Spatiala Delta (Delta Space Mission)
Bobby Rush – Upstairs at United, Vol. 11
Gil Scott-Heron – Nothing New Slipknot – Vol. 3 The Subliminal Verses
Spanish Gold – Out on the Street
Regina Speckor – You’ve Got Time
Sun Ra – Outer Spaceways Incorporated
Tayla Lynn – Coal Dust
Tears For Fears – Ready Boys & Girls
Whirlwind Heat – Do Rabbits Wonder?
James Williamson, Carolyn Wonderland – Open Up And Bleed
Johnny Winter – Live Bootleg Special Edition
Vinyl Revival is proud to be participating in Record Store Day, an international day to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store, on April 19, 2014. Vinyl Revival will stock a selection of titles that are Record Store Day exclusive, limited edition and first releases. As part of the Record Store Day celebration, there will be free entertainment by indie/alternative musicians, a book signing, light refreshments and drinks during store hours from 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Record Store Day Schedule of Events
10 a.m. – Store opens
11 a.m. – Book signing with James Rosin, author of “Philly Pop, Rock, Rhythm & Blues”
11 a.m. – Performance by Aaron Hug
12 p.m. – Performance by Nina Marie
12:45 p.m. – Performance by Traffic Nightmare
1:30 p.m. – performance by Ghost Gum
2:15 p.m. – Performance by Family Vacation
3:00 p.m. – Performance by Tom Curtis Jr.
3:45 p.m. – Performance by The One2s
4:30 p.m. – Performance by Big Tusk
5:15 p.m. – Performance by Wild Rompit
6:00 p.m. Performance by DRGN King.
For a complete list of titles being released for 2014 Record Store Day, visit http://recordstoreday.com/.
I am very optimistic about the future of rock and roll! For a while, there was a lot of dance/pop music dominating the airways, but there currently seems to be a really strong crop of rock and roll bands out there to that I am really excited about.
Attending the Made in America concert the past two years has introduced me to a number of bands that I am listening to and going to see in concert. I saw Gary Clark Jr. there for the fist time and just caught him opening for Kings of Leon the other night. Love him and them! This year at Made in America, I saw Imagine Dragons and The Gaslight Anthem, two more bands I look forward to seeing in concert again. Dr. Dog is another favorite of mine and I finally got to see them live again after missing every one of their local shows the past two years. A couple of bands that I haven’t seen yet but hope to see soon are Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys. There’s so much good stuff out there, it’s hard to name just a few of my faves.
Who’s your favorite “new” band?
