Working behind the scenes at Lost Weekend Records. Photo taken by Kyle Siegrist, owner of Lost Weekend Records.
Black Friday Record Store Day has arrived!
If you are a record-collecting enthusiast, you already know what this means. If you have never heard of this special day, where the heck have you been?
Black Friday Record Store Day is a big event to help independent record store to kick off the holiday shopping season. The event is a smaller version of regular Record Store Day which typically happens the third Saturday in April every year.
This years Black Friday Record Store Day has been hampered with production and shipping delays, which means some titles have been delayed.
Never fear though, there are plenty of killer limited-edition titles arriving at your local indie record shop for this event.
The important part of that previous sentence is, you must go to your local indie record shop to get these titles. You will not find them at any big box stores or online retailers.
Luckily Columbus, Ohio is rich with indie record stores and many of them will have the limited exclusive titles. Even if you are not looking for the limited titles, most stores will be having sales.
So what’s on this list of records you gotta have?
There are about 110 titles coming out and here are a few that I think you should seek out…..
1. Mr. Big – Lean Into It
First time on vinyl in 30 years. Lean Into It is the second studio album from Mr. Big and was originally released in 1991. Most people remember it for the mega-hit acoustic ballad “To Be With You” but the real reason you need this is for the song “Green Tinted Sixties Mind”. I’m not gonna bog you down with a lot of video clips in this article but take a minute and listen to this song, it will make your day much better.
2. Aerosmith – 1971: The Road Starts Hear
This release features a historic recording of Aerosmith in their rehearsal room circa 1971. Supposedly captured on guitarist Joe Perry’s tape recorder, this has never been heard by the general public. Aerosmith released a preview clip of “Movin’ Out” and if the rest of the album is this good, we are in for a treat. This title will be available on LP and cassette.
3. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - 40x40: Book & Record Set
This 7” single features two of Joan’s biggest hits, “I Love Rock And Roll” and “Bad Reputation.” It also comes with a comic book. The versions of the songs featured are different from the ones you’ve heard before and feature guest appearances from members of The Sex Pistols and The Germs.
4. Life Aquatic Soundtrack
This soundtrack has been delayed a couple times and is probably one of the most anticipated releases for Black Friday Record Store Day. Features music from David Bowie and Devo.
5. Jimi Hendrix Experience– Paris ‘67
Recorded on October 9, 1967 in Paris at the Olympia Theatre. This raw energetic recording captures the Experience at their best.
6. Fleetwood Mac – Alternate Live
Fleetwood Mac have released a series of “alternate” albums over the years for Record Store Day and that trend continues with Alternate Live. This set captures performances from tours spanning the years 1977 through 1982. A must for any true Fleetwood Mac fan.
7. Jorma Kaukonen – Christmas…..
Not many Christmas releases for this Black Friday, but this is a great one. Featuring Christmas standards and original compositions from Jorma. This is the first time this 1996 recording has been available on vinyl. You can get it in two variations, Candy Cane Vinyl or Christmas Tree Vinyl.
8. Stray Cats - Live At Rockpalast
This set contains two live shows from The Stray Cats recorded in Germany. One show is from 1981 and the other from 1983. Pressed on silver vinyl and limited to 4000 copies worldwide. If 80’s Rockabilly is your bag, I’d suggest grabbing this one quickly. Ok, I’ll give you one more video clip….
9. Blackberry Smoke - Stoned
Blackberry Smoke covers The Rolling Stones. This album was recorded, mixed and mastered live to a vinyl master, in one take! No edits or fixing, everything straight to the vinyl master. Wow!….this should be a fun listen.
10. Nancy Wilson - You and Me
First ever solo album from Nancy Wilson of Heart. Pressed on blue vinyl and featuring previously unreleased bonus tracks.
So those are a few highlights from this year’s list, but you’re probably asking yourself, “Where’s all the metal?”
Not to worry; Record Store Day Black Friday has got you covered.
There are several metal releases this year and many of them come in the form pf picture discs, including…….
Iron Maiden - Self-Titled debut album from 1980.
Dio - Holy Diver and The Last In Line.
Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears.
If picture discs aren’t your thing there are also releases from Judas Priest, Motorhead and King’s X.
Black Friday Record Store Day should have something for everyone. Even if you don’t get any of the special releases, all the stores around town have great inventory and would love to see you.
I will be working all day long at Lost Weekend Records, so stop by and say hello.
Scott Carr is a guitarist who plays in the Columbus, OH bands Radio Tramps and Returning April. Scott is also an avid collector of vinyl records and works at Lost Weekend Records. So, if you are looking for Scott, you'll either find him in a dimly lit bar playing his guitar or in a record store digging for the holy grail.