Spin me: Edmonton’s used record stores
Kids, before there was streaming, even before those silver plastic discs that played music, there were vinyl records. We old folks liked the big album art, lyric sheets and popping crackle sounds – and you can spend hours flipping through the racks in a record store; you never know what you might find. Here’s where find out what gatefolds and RPMs are – at a used record shop in Edmonton.
Blackbyrd Myoozik
10442 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2A2This cool little indie shop has been a staple on Whyte Avenue since the ‘90s – with mint albums in every genre, including some nice rarities. Take a turn around the record bins, check out the turntables and if you have something specific in mind – they will special order it for you. The shop also sells tickets to gigs around town – follow @myoozik to win a pair.
Freecloud Records
10764 101 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 2S3This old reliable has been in its current location at the north end of downtown, since back in the day when this block was called Record Row and had four record shops on it. This shop carries a ton of stock, so their sale bins are a treasure trove. Find 45s, LPs, 8-tracks, reel-to-reel, cassette tapes and CDs – and stock up on reading material from their hand picked selection of music books and collector magazines.
Listen Records & CDs
A-10443 124 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 1R7Head down to this cozy shop packed full of vinyl in the gallery and shopping district on 124 Street – or before you go, check out their blog to see this week’s new picks and listen online. They’ve dubbed themselves: Edmonton’s eclectic music emporium, which means if you are into exotic, esoteric experimental or avant-garde music, you’ll feel right at home. Imported Spanish prog rock, anyone?
Revolver
154-8330 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4E3Revolver has two stores – one in Londonderry Mall in the city’s northeast and one in southeast Bonnie Doon Mall. Bring your oldies to trade or sell and then pick up a whole new batch. The shops specialize in hard-to-find records, cassettes, CDs and DVDs. You’ll also find band posters and T-shirts, wallets, lunch boxes (kids still need those, right?) and lots of other pop culture collectibles.
The Gramophone Inc
7913 104 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4E1Save your dollars to invest in a turntable and speakers from these purveyors of all things music. Their new larger shop in Old Strathcona carries fine musical instruments and the city’s biggest collection of classical and jazz CDs (those silver disceroonis, remember?). Come have a careful look around their collection of artist-quality horns, flutes and saxes – and indulge that rock-star harpist fantasy awhile.
Junque Cellar
10442 82 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2A2You might be able to snag a turntable here too – a vintage one – and they always have crates of records and a wall-shelf of cassettes. Then, take a spin around this cool basement shop full of rotary phones, film cameras, mugs and dishes, hats, glam costume jewellery, hip-kitsch home decoration and retro pop culture swag from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Throw in a lava lamp and you have yourself a real far out pad there, brother.
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