Category Archives: film

“Summer of Soul” Hits all the Right Notes

I’ve wanted to see “Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” ever since I heard about its premiere at Sundance earlier this year. So when I saw that it was playing in the area, I decided to make my first movie theater visit in over a year.  I am so happy that I did!

For those unfamiliar with the film, “Summer of Soul” is a feature documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African American music and culture, and promoted Black pride and unity.

The directorial debut of Questlove from The Roots, the never-before-seen performance footage was fantastic and I loved how it was weaved into the overall historical and cultural context along with present-day interviews with attendees and performers.

The series of shows, directed and emceed by singer and DJ Tony Lawrence, took place over six weeks in the summer of 1969 at Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park) in Harlem and attracted a combined audience of over 300,000.  The shows were filmed. TV wasn’t interested.  The footage sat for 50 years…until now.

The archived footage was restored and it looks and sounds amazing! Some of the footage featured in the film includes performances by: Stevie Wonder who even played the drums at one point, B.B. King, Sly and the Family Stone, David Ruffin, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Nina Simone, The Staple Singers, Mahalia Jackson, The 5th Dimension, Hugh Masekela, Herbie Mann, Mongo Santamaria, and more!

There was a variety of musical styles and artists but the two performances that stood out for me were The 5th Dimension singing “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In” and Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples sharing singing duties on one of Martin Luther King Jr.’s favorite songs – “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.”

An interview with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. about their performance was particularly touching. McCoo spoke about how some people thought that The 5th Dimension was not Black enough. She said that playing to the predominantly Black crowd who embraced them made her happy.

And the vocals in the performance of “Precious Lord” will give you goosebumps.  In an interview for the film, Mavis spoke of her great love for Mahalia and that sharing the mic with her that day in Harlem was one of the best moments of her life.

I find it so disappointing that I never heard about this incredible festival before but I am so glad that Questlove and the documentary team decided to share the music, history, joy, pride, and culture of the Harlem community with us now!

I can’t say enough good things about this film.  I loved it and if you love music, you will too!

A Look Back at 2019

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 6 years since we opened!  We’re so grateful for the support of our customers and because of you, we had a great 2019. We thank you for allowing us to bring music into your homes and hearts!

As 2019 comes to a close, we look back at some of the in-store events we planned for YOU this past year.  As we continue to cultivate a community of music and movie lovers, we look forward to hosting up-and-coming bands, indie filmmakers and artists in 2020 too!

Music

Georgia-based singer/songwriter and troubadour, Adam Klein

Record Store Day celebration in association with WPHL-dB URock Radio Philadelphia featuring live performances by Three Fourteen, Eddie Everett & Kevin Tarzanin

Open Mic Events with host Peter Kardas

Band Fan Nights on the Big Screen

Movies

Remember the 27 Crusaders – Produced by Character Driven Productions and Thistle Dew Studio

Show Us Ur Shorts in Association with FirstGlance Films

More

Colors of Life and Love Book Signing

2018 in Review

2018 in Review

Thanks to all of our customers for a great 2018!

In addition to selling new and vintage vinyl, we’re trying to create a community where customers can have conversations centered on music, movies and more.

Here’s a look back at some of the in-store events we planned for YOU this past year. Hope to see you talking music at one of our special events soon!

Music

Just Roses

Record Store Day celebration in association with WPHL-dB URock Radio Philadelphia featuring live performances by Fred Masherino, Anthony Caserta and The Transmission NOW

The Transmission NOW

Jon Shain

Peter Kardas

Peter Kardas

Open Mic Events

Movies

The History of Philadelphia’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Show Us Ur Shorts

DEATH by MetaL

DEATH by MetaL

More

FirstGlance Film Festival Preview Party

Jimi Hendrix Celebration

Thanks for supporting our indie record store!

2017 in Review

Thanks to all of our customers, 2017 was another great year!

Not your ordinary record store, Vinyl Revival offers music, movies and more!  Here’s a look back at some of last year’s events.

Music

Record Store Day celebration with live performances by The Wiretappers, The Sean Taylor Experience, Danny Varughese, Feenix, MLC, Big Terrible

Third Man In Concert

Bobby Messano Concert

Three Fourteen Concert

Movies

After Dark Japan Night Japanese Cinema

The Cut:  The Journey of the Men and Women of Duffy’s Cut

Art-Centric Documentary Screening Series

Beside Bowie:  The Mick Ronson Story

Duffy’s Cut Documentary

More

La Giara Book Signing with Minas

Direct-to-Vinyl Field Recordings

Confessions of a Teenage Disc Jockey – T. Morgan Book Signing

Thanks for supporting our indie record store!

We look forward to offering a wider variety of new and vintage vinyl and becoming Delco’s go-to spot for alternative music and movie experiences.

Rent the Vault

2016 in Review

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!

Official Film of Record Store Day, “The Smart Studios Story,” Screens at Vinyl Revival

The Smart Studios Story, November 16th

The Smart Studios Story, November 16th

The Smart Studios Story,” a documentary about Midwest indie rock that is the official film of Record Store Day, is coming to Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, on Wednesday, November 16th at 7:30 p.m. Director Wendy Schneider will attend the screening. Tickets are $10 and are available online at vinylrevivalrecords.com or at the door. This is a limited seating event so advance ticket purchase is recommended.

Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, L7, Death Cab For Cutie (among many others), have created music at Smart Studios, the legendary recording facility founded by Butch Vig and Steve Marker. Drawing on in-depth-interviews with musicians and producers, never-before-seen archival footage and a powerful soundtrack, “The Smart Studios Story” tells the story of the pivotal Midwest link to the global rise of Alternative Rock in the 1990’s and the unassuming Madison, Wisconsin recording studio at its center. The post-70’s explosion of independent music in America has many traceable roots, each with a compelling story. This is one of the most significant stories that has never been told until now.  Visit www.thesmartstudiosstory.com for more information.

Vinyl Revival Celebrates Three Years in Lansdowne

Vinyl Revival is celebrating their third anniversary Wednesday, August 17th through Saturday, August 20th with special events including a Sexy Scrabble Party, Anime and Pocky Party, a record sale, and complimentary refreshments.  Not your ordinary record store, Vinyl Revival looks forward to providing the community with a great selection of new and used records, funky music accessories, independent and alternative movie screenings and live music from up-and-coming performers, for many years to come.

Vinyl Revival’s anniversary celebration kicks off with a fun mixer event, Sexy Scrabble, on Wednesday, August 17th from 6 – 9 p.m. For all adult ages, singles and couples, attendees will play a wild and crazy word game, mix and mingle, win prizes and flirt for points. Tickets are $12 and advance registration at https://sites.google.com/site/sexyscrabbleparty/ is suggested as space is limited.

On Friday, August 19th and Saturday, August 20th, Vinyl Revival will take 50% off all new and vintage albums and 45’s and serve complimentary light refreshments, drinks and birthday cake in honor of their third year anniversary.

Also on Saturday, August 20th, Vinyl Revival presents an Anime Day and Pocky Party.  From 2 – 6 p.m., attendees can snack on delicious pocky (a popular treat in Japan, pocky are biscuit sticks covered in chocolate and other yummy flavors) and drink tea during a marathon of old and nu skool anime. Tickets are $12 in advance online at vinylrevivalrecords.com and $15 in-person at Vinyl Revival up until show time.  Guests can come anytime during the event and watch as little or as much as they like.

Vinyl Revival will continue to screen independent and classic films in association with FirstGlance Films and Ciao Bella Living Italian Style and as Vinyl Revival enters into its third year of operations, they are proud to present a new Japanese cinema screening series, After Dark Japan Night, in association with Tidepoint Pictures, beginning Friday, August 26th at 7:30 p.m. in their Vault Theater. The first film is TETSUDON: THE ABCs of FOOL JAPAN?, the craziest Japanese SCI-FI/Comedy/Anime anthology of short films.  Film-goers can vote on their favorite short and discuss Japanese pop culture with event host, Alex Strang, and Tetsuki Ijichi from Tidepoint Pictures. The After Dark Japan Night will take place every other month on fourth Fridays and will feature J-Horror, bloody action, anime, martial arts, and more TBA.  Tickets are $10 and are available online at vinylrevivalrecords.com or at the door up until show time.

NEW – After Dark Japan Night, Japanese Cinema August 26th

We’re super excited to present a new Japanese cinema screening series, After Dark Japan Night, in association with Tidepoint Pictures, beginning Friday, August 26th at 7:30 p.m. in the Vault Theater. The first film is TETSUDON: THE ABCs of FOOL JAPAN?, the craziest Japanese SCI-FI/Comedy/Anime anthology of short films.  Film-goers can vote on their favorite short and discuss Japanese pop culture with event host, Alex Strang and Tetsuki Ijichi from Tidepoint Pictures. The After Dark Japan Night will take place every other month on fourth Fridays and will feature J-Horror, bloody action, anime, martial arts, and more TBA.  Tickets are $10 and are available online or at the door up until show time. Screenings are BYOB & snacks.  Hope to see you on the 26th!

Call for Entries: Art-Centric Films

seatsAttention Independent Filmmakers in the Philadelphia Area

In association with FirstGlance Films, we’re calling for entries for a special “art-centric” screening series in our 35 seat black-box theater, The Vault.

Categories include:

Feature Film (over 60 minutes)

Feature Documentary (over 60 minutes)

Short Film (under 60 minutes)

Short documentary (under 60 minutes)

Films should be about visual art, a visual artist, an art form, or have an art theme.

Selected films will have the opportunity to screen for one month (either April 15 – May 15, May 15 – June 15 or June 15 – July 15) as a matinee 1 x day Wednesday through Saturday and on a first Friday evening.  Revenues generated from ticket sales ($5 – $8 per ticket) each month will be split with that month’s filmmaker(s).

To submit a film for consideration, please mail a DVD to Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA 19050 by February 29th. For more information, email info@vinylrevivalrecords.com.