Just arrived: 2,000 Jazz CDs! 

Just a quick note today; we’re hard at work processing many thousands of new arrivals. However, because it’s been a while since we’ve had a large jazz CD collection, we thought we’d take a moment to let you folks know that we’ve just purchased around 2,000 bop and post-bop era titles.  

This collection is comprised of classic recordings from the late 50’s through the 70’s (virtually no Big-Band titles).  It contains hundreds of great titles, many out-of-print, on Prestige, Blue Note, Riverside, Impulse, Contemporary, Hat Art, Verve, and many others labels.  Most of the jazz giants, Coltrane, Miles, Mingus, etc. are well-represented. 

Around half of these titles have been priced at $4.99 or less, are already out in our cheap/budget bins, and are selling briskly.  The rest are priced in the $5.99 to $9.99 range, and are being processed as you read this.  Hundreds are in-stock already (most in the new arrival bins, some filed), and the rest should be out by tomorrow.
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 Also, as always, please keep in mind that we are interested in buying your music and movies.  If you have any unwanted CDs, DVDs, or LPs gathering dust in your home, bring them in for cash or store credit.  No appointment needed for collections less than two hundred pieces.  For some basic info please see our web pages www.prex.com/sell-cds.html for CDs and DVDs and www.prex.com/sell-records.html for LPs.  Feel free to call us if you have any questions about selling your merchandise or email info@prex.com.

Hope to see you soon.

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Have you ever discovered a feeling and thought, “holy %^&*, I’ve gotta tell EVERYBODY!” Well, I just got that feeling, so I hope you like them too. Give it up for Pomplamoose:

http://www.youtube.com/user/PomplamooseMusic

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In this issue of Music You Should be Listening to:

Welcome to 2010! The Indie music world has been gearing up for these first couple months and MYSBLT is all a buzz for things to come. New Years Eve is one of the best nights for hearing good music, but only if you are willing to spend a little extra. So I will let you in on the secret to dropping less coin without sacrificing good tunes. For those of you who have been on the edge of your seats waiting for the new Vampire Weekend album, I will let you know what I think of my first couple listens. Want a hint? I am not happy. On the side of recent news, the Coachella 2010 lineup has been announced and we finally have news from the guys at Brand New who have been tormenting their fans with the possible release of God and the Devil on vinyl. And finally, MYSBLT will pay its last respects to indie garage rock mastermind Jay Reatard who tragically passed away on January 13^th at the age of 29.

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The great debate over digital versus analogue audio has been raging since a joint venture between SONY and Philips brought the (literally) logical successor the the vinyl record to market over a quarter-century ago. It came up again in the course of a review in Goldmine magazine, the New York Times of the music-collecting community. It was for the vinyl reissue of a long-sought-after 1973 album by the seminal German progressive (or “kraut-rock”) band, Faust,. whom I had the privilege of seeing live in concert at Philadelphia’s International House last fall. The Goldmine review lauded EMI’s 180-gram audiophile edition of Faust IV. I recommend this album or any other by this act without hesitation, whatever form you choose to buy it in.

I’m always glad to see great vintage music back in print. I do take issue however with the reviewer’s apparent assertion that vinyl always sounds better than digital audio. As I’ve pointed out from time to time elsewhere, the technology used to make a recording, analogue or digital, takes a back seat to the technique and skills of the engineer and the amount of care he or she takes in making the recording. The mastering process, as any producer can tell you, can make or break the sound of a recording. And the efforts of everyone else in the chain, from the performers on down, don’t mean a thing if similar care isn’t taken in manufacturing the final product. Read the rest of this entry »

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Hello from Princeton Record Exchange,

Recently arrived: two collections totaling over 2,000 LPs and 3,000 CDs comprised mostly of Oldies, Blues, Soul and Country.
We have just purchased a great assortment of less common titles.  The two collections were remarkably similar in that they both contain a large amount of very clean, mostly reissued LPs and very thorough assortments of CDs; the first predominantly Oldies and 60’s soul, the second Blues, Country and some Folk. 

Continuing our visual experiment, we have uploaded a short video about them.  You can watch this video by clicking on the  image above. 

The records are mostly reissues pressed in the 70’s and 80’s with very few originals.  They are, almost without exception, in excellent shape; the covers are crisp and clean and the vinyl is pristine.  Some of the labels featured are Ace, Charley, Krazy Kat, Bear Family, Relic, Official, Crystal Ball, and many others.  While mainly domestic, there is a healthy dose of British and Japanese imports as well. 

Most are priced from $1.99 to $4.99 with a few higher.  We have sorted out the bulk of the Oldies, Soul, and Blues and created separate new arrival sections for them in the back of the store; the Country and Folk is mixed in with the regular new arrivals.

The CD portion of these collections includes one of most thorough Oldies/Doo-Wop/Vocal Group selections we have ever seen.  Over 2,000 are out now and priced cheap at $1.99 to $4.99(as always, we need to make room!).  As well as the common artists from that era, there are a LOT of unusual and obscure artists and many long out-of-print, small-run compilations.  The Cheap Blues section has also been very beefed up with over 700 new titles. 

On a completely unrelated note, we have also just put out over 1,000 Laser Discs!  There are tons of great movies here, including some rare Criterion Collection on an archaic, but actually very high-quality medium.  Ok, so there not for everybody, but it does go to show just what a diverse store we are and that you just never know what will come in the door!

Please note if you are not familiar with our store…we are a bricks-and-mortar walk-in store only. We do not ship.

 Hope to see you soon.

Princeton Record Exchange
20 S. Tulane St.
Princeton, NJ, 08542
609-921-0881
www.prex.com

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Formed in 1965, The Doughboys released two singles, “Rhoda Mendelbaum” and “Everybody Knows My Name,” that have since become favorites with record collectors from here to eternity. Steady gigs provided the Plainfield, New Jersey band lots of exposure, making them a local sensation. It was a sad moment for many when The Doughboys called it quits as the sixties bled into the seventies, but thankfully the members of the band continued playing music. Bassist Mike Caruso took the session route, working with Jimi Hendrix, for instance, while lead singer Myke Scavone joined Ram Jam, who netted a top forty hit with “Black Betty,” and drummer Richard X. Heyman launched a solo career that has resulted in a truckload and a half of critically acclaimed power pop discs. Read the rest of this entry »

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Various Artists “Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968” (Rhino Records 519759) 

If there was ever a time in rock and roll when the rock really rocked and the roll really rolled, it was the mid to late sixties. Because the music was still relatively young, there were no preconceived notions to be had, nor was there such an obsessive emphasis on image and marketing as there is today. Enthusiasm and experimentation reigned supreme. Some of the most thrilling sounds spawned during this period stemmed from the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, and here’s a box set, four discs in all, that guides the listener on a mercurial voyage of what was happening then. Christened after Dick Clark’s television show of the same name, “Where The Action Is! Los Angeles Nuggets 1965-1968” contains a whopping one hundred and one tracks, which are split between famous faces and obscure acts. Read the rest of this entry »

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Here at MYSBLT and The Princeton Record Exchange, we cannot tell you how excited we are to bring to you our second issue in the feature: Bands to Watch in 2010. I was lucky enough to sit down with Los Angeles band, The Local Natives, before their show in Boulder, Colorado, on December 1^st. As it so happens, I met with the band the eve after they had announced signing with New York indie rock mega-label Frenchkiss. Going backstage with the band before they opened for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, we discussed their music, signing with Frenchkiss and the upcoming debut release Gorilla Manor. If you have yet to hear their tunes, you can expect to be blown away. The Local Natives are MYSBLT’s second act in our feature: Bands to Watch in 2010, and I thank them for welcoming me and my cameras backstage.

Read the rest of this entry »

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In this issue MYSBLT: Music You Should Be Listening To:

We are proud to bring you the first installment of a double feature: Artists to watch in 2010. I’ve been lucky enough to sit down with two acts that represent the bright and promising future for independent music. Up first is Indiana’s own soul-rocker, Jenn Cristy. She’s been building her musical resume since 2000 and has recently generated quite a buzz as the Jenn Cristy Band has released their third album, Hotel Confessions. I recently met with the front woman whose motto, “Less Diva, More Rock!” sums up her sound perfectly. In a basement coffee bar in Bloomington, Indiana, we discussed her impressive history in music, influences and the new album. MYSBLT is proud to feature her as our first act to watch in 2010 and we can’t wait to see the great things she has in store for us.

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Hello from Princeton Record Exchange,

We have just purchased a great assortment of hard-to-find Beatles vinyl rarities including the controversial “Butcher Cover” version of “Yesterday and Today”, six of the original fan-club-only 7” Xmas flexi’s, and more.

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In this busy time of year, I thought it fitting to open up a discussion about something we’re all probably lacking: sleep. The context here is the Beatles. Read the rest of this entry »

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“The British Invasion” by Barry Miles (Sterling Publishing) 

Clocking in at over three hundred pages in length, “The British Invasion” is the perfect coffee table book. Those familiar with the music, art and fashion of the times probably won’t find any real revelations here, but the photos of the performers and assorted artifacts are drop dead gorgeous. Reprints of articles from vintage magazines are a joy to behold, and the text is superbly written. Read the rest of this entry »

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In this issue of Music You Should Be Listening To:

We’ll take a wondrous musical journey with New York based band, Alberta Cross. I’ll discuss their September release Broken Side of Time, as well as their recent set in the Daytrotter studios.  In one word… Amazing!

We’ve also got some big news this week including not one but two upcoming releases from New Jerseys own, Real Estate. In the next 30 days the band will release their highly anticipated debut album as well as a brand new EP.  Jack White is also making headlines as he gears up for a new project featuring one very unlikely pairing. He’ll put his producing skills to the test as he once again teams up with a rock and roll icon.

Finally, I’ll let you in on the upcoming schedule for MySBLT. On the docket we have the first in a series of interviews with up-and-coming bands as well as a few concert reviews. Big things, they are a-coming! Read the rest of this entry »

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Hello, and welcome to the first installment of Music You Should Be Listening To. This blog is your one stop shop for all things indie rock including album reviews, concert highlights and the latest news on the bands that no one has heard of… yet.

I had all intentions of using my first entry to review some great new album that is dropping in November, however, I encountered a bit of a problem… I’m still stuck on the early fall releases that are continuing to blow me away. So instead I’ll let you in on what I’ve been digging since September. I’ll also hit you with some news that will definitely help you get through those cold winter months (hint: January is going to be chalk full of new releases from some of the superstars in Indie!) Read the rest of this entry »

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Erika Kapp, our Springsteen CD catalog contest winner!

In honor of  The Boss’  60th birthday and to celebrate his series of shows that closed down the old Meadowlands, Sony/BMG was kind enough to donate almost the entire Bruce Springsteen CD catalog, 15 CDs and 3 DVDs, for us to give away….thanks guys!

Ms. Kapp was one of over 200 entrants who vied to win this prize, and she won in the random drawing.  Congratulations to her!

We had a lot of fun with this and plan to do more in-store contests in the future… keep your eyes peeled for the next!

Hope to see you soon.

Springsteen Entry Box

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Meet The Beat Rats, a four piece band from New York City, who recreate the sound, style and attitude of an early sixties British combo with utter perfection. The best rock and roll has always been built upon a skeletal foundation of a few basic chords, trashy drumming and impassioned vocals, and “A Cellar Full Of Rats!” trembles and shakes on such ground. Energy and enthusiasm are doled out in spades, making for a collection of highly infectious songs.

A happening hybrid of peppy Mersey pop inspired melodies, surf slanted guitar licks and rugged garage rock overtones inhabits each and every corner of the album. Having studied and adopted the finest points of the masters, The Beat Rats are today’s version of The Big Three, The Pretty Things and John, Paul, George and Ringo wrapped in one explosive package. “Only 16,” “She’s Twisted,” Mine All Mine” and “The Beat Rats Theme” are executed so convincingly that you can’t help but be blown away by the band’s undying devotion to the music they play. But “A Cellar Full Of Rats!’ is no cheesy nostalgia type effort, as the delivery is fresh and vital. Scruffy, raw and teeming with danceable grooves, here’s a record guaranteed to warrant repeated listenings.

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Recently arrived: over 200 Classical Audiophile LPs!

It feels like it has been ages since we have had a large quality classical audiophile collection come in, but we are pleased to announce a great one today. For those not in the know, these types of records were mainly produced in the late fifties through the mid-to-late sixties using all-tube recording equipment on high-quality virgin vinyl. They are sought after as much for their sonic qualities as for their performances. Some folks think these are the perfect media to showcase their premium stereo systems.

This collection includes many RCA Shaded Dogs, Mercury SRs, and other miscellaneous audiophiles, but the real highlights are an incredible assortment of British imports. There are dozens of original Columbia SAXs, (blue/silver labels and slightly later red/black), early Deccas (many wide-bands, both edition 1s and edition 2s), and early E.M.I.s (blue/gold labels); its a rare day that we see so many of these rare British pressings at one time.

Because of the scarcity of these records, and because so many of our valued customers are looking for them, we do request that you do not call us to put items on hold. We want to make sure that everyone has an equal opportunity to buy them. First come, first served please!

Also note if you are not familiar with our store…we are a bricks-and-mortar walk-in store only. We do not ship.

Hope to see you soon.

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Death as a subject in rock music (or “nec-rock-philia” as some wags have dubbed it) is nothing new. It showed up in everything from Mark Dinning’s 1959 one-hit wonder Teen Angel, to J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers’ romance-comic-like tear-jerker from 1964, Last Kiss to Bloodrock’s grinding, dirgey, death-metallic 1971 hit, DOA. Nonetheless, when Jim Carroll’s single People Who Died arrived at the radio station I spin for back in 1980, my jaw hit the floor. What was this guy up to? What was this guy on? Read the rest of this entry »

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There have always been two Woodstocks – the event and the myth.

Woodstock the event consisted of lots of rain, little food, bad acid, and sometimes bad music.  Woodstock the myth, according to festival promoter Michael Lang, gave young Americans “a sense of possibility and hope” that “spread around the globe.”

Lang’s long-awaited memoir, The Road to Woodstock, sheds new light on the event even as it offers more undeserved hoke about the importance of those three days at Bethel, NY in August 1969. Read the rest of this entry »

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