Author Archives: Vinyl Revival

Super cool lasers from Kings of Leon's concert at the Wells Fargo Center February 19th.

Rock & Roll: Alive and Well

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?

 

 

 

“Meet Me on South Street: The Story of JC Dobbs” Kicks Off Spring First Friday Flicks Series

Vinyl Revival continues its indie film screening series, First Friday Flicks in association with FirstGlance Film Festival, in its Vault theater with “Meet Me on South Street:  The Story of JC Dobbs” by George Manney on Friday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m.  First Friday Flicks will also screen on Saturdays each month at 2 p.m.  Tickets are $8, $5 for students and seniors. Screening events are BYOB and snacks.

“Meet Me On South Street: The Story of JC Dobbs” documents the evolution of Philly’s fertile music and arts subculture in the 1970’s until the sad closing of JC Dobbs in 1996.  With archival photographs, videos and contemporary interviews, George Manney recreates the rich history of Philadelphia’s premiere rock and roll bar.  “Meet Me On South Street: The JC Dobbs Story” stars Stephen Caldwell from The Orlons, Tommy Conwell, Greg Davis from Beru Revue, Cyndy Drue, Andre Gardner, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Charlie Gracie, Robert Hazard & many more!

The spring First Friday Flicks, Indie Film Screening Series, will also include:

“Sadie,” – a web series, by Nicole Agostino, on April 4th at 7 p.m. and Saturdays in April at 2 p.m. – Sadie’s dad is a rock and roll legend, and her mom a deceased rock photographer. Sadie longs to be a part of the rock and roll circus, so while her dad is on tour, she sneaks into bars to photograph bands. Sadie spotlights the best local Philly area rock bands, and weaves a narrative of a young music  photographer and her journey to the big time!  “Sadie” stars Alyssa Kempinski, Joe Reno, Nikki Bell, Falon Joslyn, Zaire Harris, Nicole Cinaglia, Beverly Rivera and Patrick Raquet (P Diesel) and features the music of En Fuego, Shorty Boy Boy, John & Brittany, Dagny, Cait Black, Ginger Coyle, Collisions, Matthew Caringi, The Colorfield Theory, Gang, Ruby the Hatchet, Sinai, Walt Lafty of Silvertide, Darby Trials, and Mean Street.

Show Us Ur Shorts – Open mic style film screening on May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. – Bring your short film up to 20 minutes in length and Vinyl Revival will show it. Afterwards, filmmakers and attendees can mix, mingle and network while enjoying drinks and light refreshments. Films will be screened on a first come, first serve basis.  The best short, as selected by the audience, will win a pair of ALL ACCESS PASSES to FirstGlance Film Fest 17 Philadelphia (valued at $180.)

 

Nurturing the Angels Within Workshops

Most music lovers can probably tell you that music nourishes their soul so I thought the spiritual workshop and discussion group series, Nurturing the Angels Within, that I’ve scheduled at Vinyl Revival over the next five months, would be another good way to feed the soul. The series asks you to have an open mind, open heart and sense of adventure and let the world of angel energy enrich your life. Who can’t use a little life enrichment?

The first event in the series takes place on Wednesday, February 12th from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. with a movie night featuring the film “No One Dies in Lily Dale.”  The film gives a candid portrayal of Lily Dale, a spiritualist community in upstate New York, where most of the town’s residents are registered Mediums who regularly give spiritual readings to visitors through alleged communication with the deceased.  After the 90 minute video, there will be a discussion on The Village of Spirits hosted by Barbra Ann, Reiki Master & Medium, Emissary with Society of Light and a life long student of Lily Dale in New York. The series runs through June with a number of monthly events and workshops usually on the third Wednesday of the month.  Events will begin with a meet and greet at 6:30 with complimentary light refreshments and drinks and programs run from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Admission for most events is $10. Pre-registration by email to info@vinylrevivalrecords.com is encouraged, but not required.

The Nurturing the Angels Within Series includes these special events:

February 12

Movie Night – “No One Dies in Lily Dale”

90 minute video and discussion on The Village of Spirits

March 19

Topic: Developing a Magical Herb & Flower Garden

*Also includes an Angel Meditation

April 9

Topic:  The Art of Smudging & Creating Sacred Space/ Empower your

Abundance Angels

*Also includes an Angel Meditation

May 21

Topic:  Mix and Mingle – “A Gathering of Angels, Artists and Authors”

June 18

Topic: Angel & Spirit Painting Party – Nurturing the Angels Within

Additional Supply Fee of $10

*Also includes an Angel Meditation

Hope to see you at one or all of the events!

 

 

Record Store Day is April 19th.

Record Store Day 2014

It’s official, Record Store Day will be held on April 19, 2014.  We are super-excited to take part in this great event that celebrates the culture of the independent record store!

We’ll keep you posted as we get more details about releases, possible live performances, promotions, etc.

My Top 10 Christmas Songs

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Whether the lyrics are happy or sad, there’s no denying that Christmas music can touch your heart. You can put a Christmas tune on and cry your eyes out or merrily decorate your home to the sounds of the season.  From classical standards by gospel choirs to novelty tunes by popular artists, there are Christmas tunes for every musical taste. There are many, many Christmas songs that I enjoy hearing every year, but here is a list of what I’d consider to be my favorite 10 Christmas songs.

10.  Santa Claus is Coming to Town – The Jackson 5 and Bruce Springsteen versions

9.  The Christmas Song – Johnny Mathis

8.  Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses

7.  Christmas – U2

6.  Happy Xmas (War is Over) – John Lennon

5.  Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney

4.  Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin

3.  The Little Drummer Boy – Bing Crosby and David Bowie

2.  Blue Christmas – Elvis

1.  Silent Night – The Temptations

Since I’m Italian, I have to give honorable mention to Dominick the Donkey by Lou Monte too.

My favorite Christmas song is The Temps’ Silent Night.  What’s yours?

 

 

 

 

Elton John autographed a record purchased from us at his show on November 27th.

Elton Autographs a Vinyl Revival Record

One of the things I enjoy about owning a record store is meeting so many people who I have something in common with – a shared love of music.  I love it when I can find an album that someone has been looking for and was so happy that I was able to fulfill a customer request for Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” album Wednesday night.  Our customer was sitting in the front row for Elton’s show and was hoping to get Elton to autograph the record for him.  I was going to the show too so I meet up with our customer, Joe, at the Wells Fargo Center to give him the record.  Elton was kind enough to autograph the album and Joe shared a picture of the signed record with us. It’s moments like this, being a part of a memorable musical experience, that make me love what I do even more!

Record Store Day Black Friday Releases are In

Shop for exclusive Record Store Day releases on Black Friday.

Shop for exclusive Record Store Day releases on Black Friday.

Black Friday is almost here!

We just priced all of our Exclusive Record Store Day Black Friday releases so they’ll be ready for customers when we open on Friday, November 29th at 11 a.m.  We have a large variety of artists so there’s sure to be something you’ll want to buy for yourself or for a holiday gift.  A few of the titles we will have available on Friday are:

Miles Davis Jazz Track

Jack Johnson Live at Third Man Records

The Jimi Hendrix Experience Fire/Foxy Lady from Miami Pop Festival

U2 Ordinary Love

Red Hot Chili Peppers I’m Beside You

The Hunger Games Catching Fire Picture Disc

Plus much, much more!

We are extending our hours on Black Friday.  We will be open from 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Give the gift of music this year!

 

Black Friday Exclusive Releases

 

Shop for exclusive Record Store Day releases on Black Friday, November 29th.

Shop for exclusive Record Store Day releases on Black Friday, November 29th.

Now that we’re a participating Record Store Day Record Store, we are able to offer our customers some very special and exclusive albums on Black Friday.  Wondering which albums they might be?  Here is a link to all of the available Black Friday releases.

Stop in on Black Friday to see if we ordered any of the records that you’re interested in buying.

 

Charlie Gracie and Bob Charger to Appear at Screenings

"Charlie Gracie Fabulous" and "The Wages of Spin" screen at The Vault at Vinyl Revival in November.“Charlie Grace Fabulous” chronicles the life and career of Rock and Roll Pioneer, Charlie Gracie. His #1 Hit “Butterfly” knocked Elvis from the top of the charts in 1957 and sold over three million copies Worldwide. He continues to be a great ambassador for Rock-N-Roll.

“The Wages of Spin” chronicles The Philadelphia Music Scene from 1952 thru 1963. The film focuses primarily on Dick Clark, Bandstand, The Teen Idols and Payola.

As a special treat, they’ll be a personal appearance by Charlie Gracie at the First Friday show on November 1st at 7 p.m. and WOGL’s Bob Charger makes an appearance at the Saturday, November 2nd show at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $8 or $5 for students and seniors.

This double feature also screens at 2 p.m. on November 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th so don’t miss it!