Author Archives: Vinyl Revival

Brooklyn Bound for David Bowie is

I finally got a chance to head up to Brooklyn to catch the David Bowie is exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum.  It’s been touring around the world for the past five years and the Brooklyn Museum is the last stop.  There are over 400 items in the exhibit and most of them are from Bowie’s Archive.  There are costumes, handwritten lyrics, photographs, drawings, etc., plus lots of wonderful video clips of performance footage.  The audio tour automatically plays Bowie’s music and voice as you walk through the exhibition, making you feel as if he’s giving you a personal tour of the collection.  You don’t need to be a Bowie super fan to enjoy this exhibit. I recommend it for anyone who enjoys his music or enjoys studying music in a cultural context.

A few of my favorites from the exhibition were:

The Costumes – Bowie had a keen sense of style and his wardrobe gave life to the characters he created. He could easily go from one style to the next; wearing especially artful jumpsuits for Aladdin Sane to tailored, sharp suits in the 80’s.  He worked with many notable fashion designers to constantly reinvent himself.  The exhibition features many of his famous costumes plus video clips of him performing in the costumes which I particularly liked.

Insights on his Creative Process – Having studied art, Bowie was very involved in developing the concepts and artwork for many of his album covers, concert props and imagery, and he would also sketch out images to correspond with his song lyrics. The exhibition features many of his small sketch books and drawings which allowed you to see how his ideas developed.

Stage & Screen Highlights – I also enjoyed the small section that highlighted Bowie’s acting career. In addition to his popular roles in Labyrinth and The Man Who Fell to Earth, he performed mime, starred in the Elephant Man on Broadway and entertained in countless music videos. The exhibition features a Broadway playbill, a handwritten letter to Bowie from Jim Henson, clips of Bowie from various portrayals, and more.

David Bowie is runs through July 15th.  If you plan on going, give yourself plenty of time to navigate the exhibition.  It took me about 3 hours but I read almost everything.  I recommend going during the week if possible as it was very crowded on Sunday when I was there. Photos were not permitted so I don’t have any from inside the exhibit to post except for a couple from inside/outside of the gift shop.  You’ll have to go see all of Bowie’s fantastic collectibles in person!

For more information on the exhibition, visit https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/davidbowieis.

It’s a Party on Record Store Day

Vinyl Revival Parties on Record Store Day with Live Music,

Exclusive Releases, Swag and Snacks

 

Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, is proud to be participating in Record Store Day, an international day to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store, on April 21, 2018.  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 in-store performances in association with WPHL-dB URock Radio Philadelphia.  Participating musicians include The Transmission NOW and Fred Mascherino from Taking Back Sunday/The Color Fred/Terrible Things. Vinyl Revival will give out free Record Store Day promotional materials with purchases and offer complimentary light refreshments and drinks for shoppers during extended store hours from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Vinyl Revival and WPHL-dB URock Radio Philadelphia have programmed a slate of live entertainment for customers’ shopping enjoyment which will be broadcast live to the net during store hours on Record Store Day. Performing is guitarist and singer Fred Mascherino from Taking Back Sunday/The Color Fred/Terrible Things.   Mascherino has played in several popular alternative/indie Philadelphia bands, toured with The Vans Warped Tour and played with The Lemonheads and Josh Eppard from Coheed and Cambria to name a few. Also playing are The Transmission NOW, a powerful Lehigh Valley based edgy punk band made up of members from Vertigo Society, Imidazole, Digger, The Long Morrow and Cordova.  Their latest album, Happy Hour, was released in July 2017.

Music and merchandise by the performing bands will be available for sale at Vinyl Revival. Stay tuned for performance schedule!  More bands TBA.

For a complete list of titles being released for Record Store Day 2018, visit http://recordstoreday.com/.

Vinyl Revival is located at 35-37 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050.  For more information or to sign up for their e-newsletter, visit www.vinylrevivalrecords.com, follow them on Facebook or call 610-284-3537.

Top 5 Requested Record Store Day Releases

We’re just one month away from our biggest party of the year – Record Store Day! It’s  an international day to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store and this year, the official ambassador, Run the Jewels, is helping  us celebrate!

I’ve asked what everyone is looking to get on April 21st and the answers range from The Beau Brummels to Soundgarden.  But out of all the phone calls, emails and Facebook messages we’re receiving, these are our top 5 requested Record Store Day releases:

AC/DC – Back in Black – When this album was released in 1980, many of us listened to it on cassette.   Now you can hear it the same way – perfect for your boom box or car tape deck.

Steve Earle & the Dukes – Live From the Continental Club – If you’ve ever seen these guys live, then you know this will be a stupendous album to add to your collection!  The double LP is limited to 2000 copies and features “Guitar Town”, “Copperhead Road” and more.

Grateful Dead – Fillmore West, San Francisco, CA 2/27/69 – Originally released as part of the limited- edition CD boxed, Fillmore West 1969: The Complete Recordings, the Grateful Dead’s Fillmore West, San Francisco 2/27/69 show will be issued on vinyl for the first time exclusively for Record Store Day 2018.  The limited -edition 4-LP is on 180 gram vinyl, has an 8th side etching and a worldwide run of 9000. If you don’t already have the box set, this is one to get.

Led Zeppelin – “Friends”/”Rock And Roll” – Zep is one of my all-time favorite bands and apparently yours too!  I’ve been getting many requests for the band’s first Record Store Day title featuring two previously unreleased tracks, both produced by Jimmy Page.  This unique single includes a Sunset Sound Mix of Led Zeppelin IV’s “Rock And Roll” and “Friends” from Zeppelin III recorded at Olympic Studios, London. This limited edition yellow 7” single features a large hole and shaped adaptor and is housed in a printed paperboard sleeve.

Pink Floyd – Piper at the Gates of Dawn (mono) – The original mono version was named one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time so of course a lot of our customers want this one!  This psychedelic debut was their only album completed with original vocalist/guitarist Syd Barrett and features the early classic “Interstellar Overdrive”.

In addition to these Record Store Day Exclusive releases, we hope to have hundreds of other titles, some of the Limited Run Regional Releases and RSD “First” Releases.

Check out our Facebook page to get the latest news on our April 21st Record Store Day event.

It’s a fun day so we hope to see you!

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.

Music Lover’s Gift Guide

Have a music lover on your gift list?  With only 10 days left until Christmas, here’s a Gift Guide with 10 picks from us that are sure to make any rock-and-roller happy.

 

  1. Recycled Record Home Décor – Album clocks, bowls, coasters or Christmas ornaments made from recycled records are sure to please any vinyl lover.
  2. Shot Glasses – Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd or AC/DC shot glass sets are a great addition to any bar.
  3. Rock and Roll Games – Band album cover puzzles or Woodstock playing cards make great stocking stuffers.
  4. U2’s Joshua Tree 30th Anniversary Box Set – This box set is a must-have for any U2 fan on your list.
  5. U2’s Songs of Experience LP – Rolling Stone Magazine just gave this new U2 release 4.5 stars.
  6. Record Player – Know someone that doesn’t have a record player but wants to start listening to vinyl?  A portable record player makes a great first turntable.  With built in speakers, 3 speeds and RCA output, you can just plug it in and play.
  7. Record Store Day Black Friday Exclusive Record Releases – Buying for a record collector? Record Store Day Black Friday exclusive, limited edition, picture discs, and colored vinyl records are a welcome addition to any collection.
  8. Art & Books –Have someone who appreciates shopping local? If so, then a handcrafted piece of art by a local artist or a book by a local author is a great gift. 
  9. Rock Wear – Tie-Dye is not just for hippies! Tie-Dye shirts or rock t’s are always a big hit.
  10. Gift Certificate – Give the gift of music simply with a Vinyl Revival gift certificate and let your music loving friends and family shop for their faves.

Rent the Vault

A Lucky Little Lady in the City of Brotherly Love

 

robbykrieger

I don’t know how I missed the news about Robby Krieger playing Ardmore Music Hall on April 23rd but when I heard that he was doing a show for the Doors’ 50th anniversary, I knew that I had to try and get tickets.  I went online, and naturally, it was sold out.  Disappointed, I thought I’d try my luck at the door the night of the show.  Arriving before doors opened, I bypassed the line to ask security if they released any last minute tickets.  They hadn’t but the guard kindly pointed us in the direction of someone who was selling two tickets.  Jackpot!  Gregg and I were able to take the tickets off his hands.

The tickets were general admission so we proceeded to the floor area, parking ourselves about 10 feet from the stage.  Robby and his band, which included his son Waylon on vocals, opened the show with “Break On Through” and proceeded to play a great number of songs off of The Doors’ first album plus not often heard titles like “Spanish Caravan.” They concluded, not surprisingly, with “The End.”

Robby seemed to be in good spirits; he told stories about some of the songs that he wrote including “Light My Fire” and “Twentieth Century Fox”, which he wrote for his wife (they’re married for 45 years now), he talked about Jim and Ray’s favorite songs, and even joked with the crowd after being booed for wearing a Joe Namath jersey, saying, “At least it’s the right color.”  The over two hour show was the last one of the tour so I was thrilled that I was able to see him play live. Absorbing the essence of The Doors, I felt wonderfully connected to the songs and the original band members.

My amazing night got even better after the show when Robby autographed my newly acquired Doors’ Record Store Day album.  I now have a beautiful new treasure in my rock and roll collection!

Record Store Day 2017 – April 22nd

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Vinyl Revival Celebrates Record Store Day with 

Live Music, Exclusive Releases, Swag and Snacks 

Vinyl Revival, 35-37 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, is proud to be participating in Record Store Day, an international day to celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store, on April 22, 2017.  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 in-store performances by Big Terrible, the Funky Rebels, MLC (Mid-Life Crisis), and The Wiretappers, free Record Store Day promotional materials with purchases, plus complimentary light refreshments and drinks during store hours from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

            In celebration of Record Store Day’s 10th anniversary, Vinyl Revival has programmed a slate of live entertainment during store hours for customers’ shopping enjoyment. A wide variety of genres including singer-songwriter, hard rock, alternative and classic rock covers will be performed by several groups throughout the day.  Musicians include The Wiretappers, a mandolin and guitar trio playing both originals and covers, the acoustic duo MLC playing cover songs from the Lumineers to Rod Stewart,  the Funky Rebels, a newly formed band comprised of musicians  who met at World Cafe Live’s weekly Philly Rising open mic night who will blend the rap, pop punk and singer-songwriter genres, and closing out the day’s events will be  blues-soaked heavy rock by Philadelphia power trio, Big Terrible.  Since their formation in 2006, Big Terrible has been a stand out in the local hard rock/indie scene due to their expert technical skills and good ole-fashioned songwriting.  Their most recent album, Monument was released in March 2015 and is an addition to their impressive collection of releases such as Rotten City in 2013 and Face the Stone in 2009.

Music and merchandise by the performing bands will be available for sale at Vinyl Revival. For more information and the performance schedule, visit http://vinylrevivalrecords.com/.

For a complete list of titles being released for Record Store Day 2017, visit http://recordstoreday.com/.

 

 

 

 

Stones’ Exhibitionism a Must See

stones2I FINALLY got to New York City last weekend to see the Rolling Stones’ Exhibitionism show at Industria.  I’m glad I went because it really had a nice mix of memorabilia, instruments, artwork, and personal items from members of the band.  The exhibit is broken down into different sections that take you on a musical journey from the band’s earliest beginnings until now, over 50 years later.  Here’s a quick re-cap from what I remember.

The exhibit opens with a recreation of Mick, Keith and Brian’s apartment in London with piles of dirty dishes, blues records by the turntable and clothes strewn about. There’s a room filled with all types of instruments including some of Mick’s harmonicas, a number of Keith’s guitars and a drum set.  There’s an interactive listening station where you can isolate vocals, drums, etc. on songs and mix them in whatever way you want which was fun to do. There was a cool section that had drawings of their stage sets then pictures of the actual stage and clips of live performances, a GREAT section on album artwork and tour poster art, hand-written song lyrics, and of course, an area dedicated to their iconic lips logo.    One of my favorite sections was the couple of rooms filled with the colorful, sequined, feathered, leather, outrageous stage costumes  that the guys have worn through the years.  There was more than one fabulous jacket that I would’ve loved to get my hands on!  The exhibit ended with a walk through a backstage area followed by a 3-D concert clip of the band.

I LOVED Exhibitionism and if you think you’d like to go see it, you better go soon because it only runs through March 12th. It took me about an hour and half to go through the entire thing so plan on spending up to two hours there.  It’s a must see for Stones’ fans and music fans alike!