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Faith Current's avatar

There's a pretty fab HMV store in downtown Liverpool as well.

I'm still struggling to figure out how to approach record stores in the age of online shopping and discogs. The joy of discovery of a hard-to-find album is... a bit artificial, when I know I can buy it online anytime I want to. I try to fake it by imposing a ban on buying anything online beyond the essentials that I have (complete Beatles, Rumours, etc.), but it's an artificial construct and I'm always aware of it.

And I'm always aware that whatever "find" I find in a record store, I can probably order a better pressing of it on discogs, so...

Record stores remain a condundrum for me. Doesn't keep me away from them, though.

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Andres's avatar

I hear you. I shop a little bit everywhere (Discogs, independent stores, and chains). I prefer older pressings so I buy second-hand. For me, the key is always the bargains sections of independent stores. For new vinyl I prefer either online or chains, but it depends of course. Clearly the ritual of going to a record store is an experience in and of itself, but I’d say all in all I probably buy more online too.

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Faith Current's avatar

I suppose it's a trade off. Access to anything (at a price) online versus the old days when if you didn't couldn't it at a price point you could afford in a record store, used or otherwise, you did without until you could. (Or made a new friend with someone who already had it!)

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Brad Kyle's avatar

What a beautiful new front HMV's got! Thanks for including the "before" pic, too, Andy...for those of us on the American Candy side of the Atlantic who may never have seen it or visited (like moi)!

I'm also glad you mentioned what HMV stands for....The iconic bow-wow's name is Nipper, and his canine visage has been the adornment, particularly for RCA Records (aka RCA Victor/Victrola) for a century, with "His Master's Voice" being the label's motto, of sorts.

In fact, in that arena (future article collab, anyone?!), Nipper joins the Warner Bros. Records "WB" shield and the CBS/Columbia Records "eye" logo, as well as EMI/Capitol's dome as long-time, iconic major-label logos!

Growing up in the late '50s thru the '60s in Houston, TX, my dad always referred to his phonograph as "the Vic." NEVER did I hear the phrase "record player" or "phonograph" or "record changer"! Whether his "vic" was a true Victrola, I don't know/remember, but that was my early language intro to that imposing machine that played licorice pizzas!

And, I'd be remiss in not applauding your bitchin' leather jacket, Andy Ramone!

And, I'm sure I'm not alone, as an American-based subscriber, in happily clamoring for more and anything you've got about British this or UK that when it comes to anything vinyl related!! Bring it on!

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Andres's avatar

And just to add: glad you dig my leather jacket! I still have it, and should replace it really, because it’s already quite old... but I love it too and don’t seem to be able to let it go! 🤘🎸

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Brad Kyle's avatar

Well, speaking as a fellow momentary Ramone (Brad Ramone on my site's front page), your jacket is now entering the realm of the vintage, nay, classic! Get a new one all you want, but I'd hang onto that OG one, yo!

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Andres's avatar

I’ll follow Brad Ramone’s advice blindly! That’s like... another level of coolness!

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Andres's avatar

Thank you so much, Brad! Impressive you know about Nipper (but then again, it’s no surprise, really... with that music encyclopedia you’ve got in your head!).

Not sure if the image of the new façade is large enough to appreciate the detail, but the graffiti-style font says Nipper’s coming home, and the plaque in the background is a typical London street sign. Particularly, it’s a street sign from the London district known as City of Westminster, where this HMV store is located, and where most of the main London landmarks are (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc.). It’s also the district where I live, so my street sign is in the same style! “W1” is the postcode area of that specific location on Oxford Street (W stands for West). Thinking about it, you may have seen that very same type of street sign as part of the whole Abbey Road memorabiblia, as the studio itself is also within the borders of the Westminster borough! The postcode letters are different, though (NW, if memory serves, which stands for North West).

I had no idea about that Nipper/WB story; thanks a lot for sharing! And I love hearing stories from the golden days, so thank you, and please keep them coming!

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Brad Kyle's avatar

Don't misunderstand me....I only said "joins" to illustrate other long-standing corporate logos i.e. Nipper/RCA, the WB shield, CBS eye, etc. Bugs Bunny would tan my American hide if he thought I was connecting the RCA mascot🐶 with The Label of the Bunny!🐰

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Andres's avatar

Oh, sorry, my bad! I now understand what you meant. For a split second I thought there must have been some sort of joint venture at some point. Also kind of shows how innocent I (still) am! 😅

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Brad Kyle's avatar

I worded it clumsily, and your (alleged) innocence is one of the 8,456 things we love about you and "The Vinyl Room"!😉

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Andres's avatar

Thank you, Brad, but no, I still have lots to learn! You’re too kind, my friend!

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Ian Paul Sharp's avatar

Great the iconic HMV shop is back, even if HMV shops seem to stock as many toys as records these days.

I used to love getting the train to London (from Sussex) to tour record shops for hard to find items, usually ending with a long inspection of HMV Oxford Street.

I’m sure there’s another story behind those American candy stores all over Oxford St (and elsewhere). Some people have theories about front operations, but I couldn’t possibly comment.

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Andres's avatar

Thank you, Ian! Yes, I agree: I would prefer more records and less toys/games, but I guess they want to keep their options open. I like that they also sell turntables and vinyl accesories -- I didn’t remember these from before the closure, so it was a nice surprise.

Your vinyl expeditions sound so cool!

And yes, I’ve also heard stories about those candy stores (money laundering allegations and stuff like that). Who knows...!

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Ian Paul Sharp's avatar

Yes, I meant to add if the toys etc are what makes the rebirth of HMV work, then fair enough. Agreed the move into turntables and other audio items is a good plan.

Of course, there’s also the giant Waterstones in Piccadilly - brilliant music books section - to explore too!

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Andres's avatar

Would be interesting to analyse sales across products and compare!

Yes, that Waterstones is an institution as well. Literally 5 min walk from my office (which is great but also a temptation of sorts!)

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Andrew Farach-Colton's avatar

This is great news. That shop used to be on my itinerary when I’d visit London - along with the Tower Records in Piccadilly and Harold Moore’s, the great classical shop (whose closing I lament whenever I’m in that neck of the woods).

Online shopping is great, of course, but it kind of takes the fun out of the adventure.

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Andres's avatar

Thank you, Andrew! Yes, it was a much-needed comeback. So many record stores have shut down that any new opening or reopening is a breath of fresh air.

Next time you're in London, I would suggest you check out "Sounds of the Universe" in Soho (not far from Piccadilly Circus). They have a wide selection of pretty much everything, and decent stock of classical and jazz.

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Andrew Farach-Colton's avatar

I hadn’t heard of that shop. Thank you! I was just there in October but hope to go back in 2024!

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Andres's avatar

Let me know and we’ll go vinyl shopping 😊

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Andrew Farach-Colton's avatar

You’ve got a deal! Thank you, Andres! 😃

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