I miss walking in to a record store and discuss music recommendations with the owner

Submitted by MaybeTheDoctor t3_11dx04p in Music

What seems like a long time ago, I used to frequently and randomly walking in to record stores and mentioning some music I like and always get a set of great recommendation of what I should go and listen to, usually 30-60 minutes later after listing to a few of the recommendations, I would always walk out with 2-3 new records that I would be excited about to go home and have a listen.

One of those random records I came away with was Keith Jarrett's "My Song" album, and while all of the music on the album is great "My Song" and "Country" are always the ones that stands out, and I always pause and listen if I hear them anywhere I go. I am sure you know the exact songs.

The tempo, perfect balance of Piano, Bass, Drums and Sax is what makes this perfect for me.

After that I went out for some more Keith Jarrett's albums, but I cannot say that I like any of the ones I got, nor have I listen to any of them more than maybe one or twice before deciding that it was not what I wanted.

So, record store does not really exist any more - well there are 2 in my area, but they don't actually have people there that knows anything about the music.... SO

What would you recommend as music I may like if I like Keith Jarrett's "My Song" album ?

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Vainandy t1_jabg40z wrote

I miss just strolling around the record shop and just being mesmerized by the artwork for their album cover. Felt like I was in a museum at times... The artwork always gave you a sense and theme of what the record was about.

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[deleted] t1_jabibri wrote

My decades long love of Godley & Creme started with friends buying an album cover that was plain white with a large red L on it. My brother's name started with L, so they bought it for his birthday without listening to it, or even looking at who the band was.

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Jwishh t1_jadvoju wrote

Then go do it lol

There’s still plenty of local record shops around

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katfromjersey t1_jac7jj6 wrote

Gone are the days of putting an album on and listening to it from start to finish, while looking at the album artwork and liner notes.

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MassLardage t1_jadtz4f wrote

They're not though...? Like just do it?

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Jwishh t1_jadvqqt wrote

That’s what I’m saying, what’s with these people lol

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niteox t1_jadwrsy wrote

I definitely still pick albums and go front to back. Especially a new one from a band that I like. I use Amazon Music mostly for this purpose.

I know it’s not the same as dropping the needle but the 501s rattle the windows and annoy my wife and kids.

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katfromjersey t1_jadwmow wrote

Honestly, most albums aren't really worth listening to all the way through. Streaming changed things.

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MassLardage t1_jadyr3h wrote

Sounds like a different issue altogether but I have a mix of music anywhere from 40s to released this year that I enjoy listening to as full albums. Not here to throw recommendations at you but it seems like you're just kinda making up generalizations based on what you've been exposed to.

Truthfully in my collection the oldest albums are the ones that tend to be the least cohesive. Think old jazz and country that only got released as compilations like greatest hits albums. The concept of a cohesive album has only been more solidified in the past century, at least in the non-classical contemporary music world.

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MaybeTheDoctor OP t1_jabhqdf wrote

Yaeh - the alternatives of discovery is really streaming services, but they don't give you the variety and exploration. I realized that I had been missing out on real recommendation for new music, when it dawned on me that my last 3 new artist I had was from The Late Night shows.

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katfromjersey t1_jac7qcw wrote

Mine are from listening to my local college radio stations. I've found some really great new bands, or older, new-to-me bands, that way. A lot of TV shows have great soundtracks too.

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dandle t1_jachyks wrote

Find a good college / independent radio station. Also, play with Bandcamp. It's harder to find new music these days, but it's not impossible by any means.

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Appropriate_Mine t1_jacf8wt wrote

Then go to a record store?

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bbistheman t1_jacl6df wrote

I was thinking the same thing lol. They still exist

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geo_mallory t1_jactpv9 wrote

And they still talk music with you.

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SatV089 t1_jadmazg wrote

Record store employees are top tier douchebags up their with bike shops and instrument shops. They're all condescending until you put em in their place with some knowledge.

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ryuundo t1_jadtzll wrote

The hell kind of attitude is that? Do you think every record store owner is like the High Fidelity guys?

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Jwishh t1_jadvttr wrote

Have not had that experience with most of the stores I’ve been to

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pimpvader t1_jadlrfw wrote

They do, but they are fewer and farther between as years go by, at least in my location

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WHAMMYPAN t1_jabbppa wrote

My aunt used to run a record store many many years ago in Lex Ky….it was always such a good experience to hear music I would’ve never heard before. Listening to so many different genres has given me a serious appreciation of a lot of great music and I’m lucky to have had that.

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OsoRetro t1_jabqt7i wrote

This is why when you ask a Gen Z kid who their favorite musician/bands/group is they never really have an answer. Not bagging on them, I just think they are missing out on something magic. We had to invest time and effort into finding our music. You didn’t pay a flat streaming fee for everything. Your $20 went to ONE thing. It had to be good. Maybe you spent 4 hours in Tower Records listening to all the releases. Or maybe you had been looking forward to a release for months. It was just different.

Now the “record stores” where I live are just head shops that also sell CD’s and shit. Grab a used vinyl or some synthetic pee. Whatever you may fancy

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herpishderpish t1_jacdd9n wrote

It was magic indeed. Though years from now, Spotify may be their magic. "Almost every song ever written was at your fingertips through ONE streaming service! It was magic, you didn't have to pay a separate subscription fee to hear the Shrek soundtrack... It was right there to be had anytime! You didn't even have to buy the entire album!".

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Cuntalicous t1_jacguof wrote

Ah, the sweet sensation of having all the things you enjoy being further corrupted by capitalism

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ScottZilla79 t1_jaeigk7 wrote

Ya communism gave us record shops and the evil capitalism took them away!

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Cuntalicous t1_jaeto92 wrote

It’s almost like you completely missed the point.

Also communism is when no iPhone vuvuzela 1000 gajillion dead

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Jwishh t1_jadw4ri wrote

And even when they do have a favorite they usually don’t have a favorite album. I’ve had so many interactions with Gen Z where they just have never bothered to listen to the full discography of their favorite artists, and that’s just weird to me

Just a different type of industry now maybe

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dandle t1_jachqf2 wrote

The experience that unfortunately is no longer accessible to you is living on strong in other places. I live in a rural town in the exurbs of a large city, and I have two great record stores within 20 minutes where I can go and tap into the knowledge of the owners to discover new music I might like based on what I already do.

I'm not familiar with the album you mentioned. Perhaps try other artists from ECM in its earlier period.

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phibbsy47 t1_jacq1h4 wrote

Same, there's dozens of record stores where I live, at least 4 cater to audiophiles. The closest one to me is bicycle distance and it's the size of a grocery store.

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RZAxlash t1_jacvftm wrote

You’re fortunate in that regard. The closest record store to me is a 35 minute drive. Not bad but would be nice to have something local.

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sofingclever t1_jacf98i wrote

There is certainly a magic to the experience you're describing...but if I had to pick, I think we've got it better now in terms of ways to discover great new music. The entire internet at my disposal is way better than betting on the fact that the three people who work in a record store are going to be on the same page as me. And for every magical record store employee who is great at helping you discover new music, there is another one who is just elitist and gatekeepy.

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xoomax t1_jac48oq wrote

Where I grew up in Louisiana, the place was a head shop and record store. The owner was so cool.

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radarluv t1_jac89jy wrote

As someone that used to own a record store, I miss that too. I opened a record store when I was 27. No business acumen, just a pure desire to show new music to fresh ears. I brought in bands and in-store events. Midnight record release parties and loads of other fun things. It was awesome and I had a great run until downloading killed it all. I didn’t have the smarts to figure out how to keep it alive. It was harder back then anyway as there was no marriage between digital and physical releases. Everything was just free back then. Anyway, rant over. I miss talking about music in person with like minded strangers.

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Zmirzlina t1_jad3f00 wrote

Managed an independent record store from 18 to 22 - miss those days. Turning people on to new music, learning about new music from customers, chilling with bands before in stores. Good times. We have a few still in town and my son loves digging through through the crates with me.

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ChappaQuitIt t1_jabhuxd wrote

I had friends that worked in record stores in the late 80s, and was always turned onto great stuff. That and just wandering around digging through the bins was a delight. I distinctly remember eyeballing Nirvana’s Bleach record many times but not buying it, thinking to not get suckered again by a cool cover. A few years later….

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Sunnysideuppp123 t1_jabkzfc wrote

I’m 34 and my first job was at a music store when I was 16. I felt so lucky to be have landed that. I loved it, I loved getting to talk music with every customer and all my coworkers. I got paid to spend time in a literal music library and it was Heaven. I learned so much. I worked there until its demise as that was when music stores were all going out of business. We sold CD’s. I love going to independent vinyl stores now.

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SpectralHex t1_jacam72 wrote

I don't miss going to music/media stores at all. While I do still collect CDs, it's just nicer that I can listen to the entire album before I decide to buy it. I can't tell you the amount of times I bought bad albums when I was a kid because I was just familiar with the artist and bought them from like...Columbia house, Walmart, best buy, fye, etc.

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random_amerikannn t1_jacl0q2 wrote

According to your history, you live in or around San Jose - where there are PLENTY of record stores. Check out Streetlight, Needle to the Groove, and On the Corner.

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Big-Zero-360 t1_jacudgp wrote

There are still record stores. You just have to go out and find them. You're pining for a time that still exists.

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Jwishh t1_jadwbs8 wrote

And even if there are less now than there used to be, we have the internet lol

Just google where they are and you’ll get a dozen results

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[deleted] t1_jabhmy1 wrote

Totally agree. Would spend hours flipping through albums, and often get talking with the store staff about a range of stuff. I have to admit, back then (pre-internet), record stores were how I found new music. Sometimes it was just album cover artwork that got my attention. Other times it was hunting out compilation albums, and listening to them through headphones in store. Those were the days.

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MaybeTheDoctor OP t1_jabjrgf wrote

And how do you find new music today ? Or are we now just getting if from the last late night show we watched ?

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[deleted] t1_jabp1gd wrote

Several ways.

1, YouTube Music. I have a premium account so for any song I play, YouTube creates a playlist of similar music.

2, Radio. I listen to a couple of great radio stations, including The Rock 93fm, which has an annual Rock 2000 countdown. 2000 of the greatest rock songs as voted by their listeners.

3, Gaming. I've discovered many great bands while gaming, including all the GTA games.

4, Social Media. Love reading about what other people are listening to locally and around the world.

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katfromjersey t1_jac7t7g wrote

College radio.

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WearyNeighborhood671 t1_jaca2vk wrote

There’s a few stations on serius Xm that specialize in new and or unique music. There is also online for some public radio stations, like wyep in Pittsburgh.

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ReeveGoesh t1_jad2stb wrote

I know it's not the same as talking to a person, but I use the free desktop version of Spotify and it has a lot more freedom to explore than the free phone app. If there is a band or person you like, click on their profile and it will show you more bands in the same vein. I use this in conjunction with a radio station like KEXP which is in my town but streams online too. So I hear something I like, I note what time it is, I look up online who it was because KEXP publishes their playlist by the minute, then I go to Spotify and look at that band and the bands that are associated with them and suddenly I have 10 new bands to explore.

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FB_is_dead t1_jabm8p4 wrote

There are some good record stores here in Denver. I frequent said record stores a lot

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lloydstenton t1_jabrspq wrote

Oh yeah - hours spent just flicking through albums (and latterly CDs) just looking for something that took my fancy.

Or better still, going in for a specific purchase and then something catching my eye

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Elegant_Spot_3486 t1_jabuerf wrote

Spent a lot of my teen years in record stores. It’s crazy to think of how much time I spent just flipping and asking about artists. Parents used to think I’d say I was going to the record store instead of telling them truth like I was going someplace I shouldn’t. I admit I’ve gotten spoiled to digital music but definitely have fond memories.

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Ztacos t1_jac4zp1 wrote

Have you tried using MusicMap or Gnoosis or one of the other online recommenders? I feel your pain about the loss of record stores with employees that loved music. Finding new stuff organically seems to get incrementally harder the older you get.

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Decent-Reception-212 t1_jac9ll5 wrote

My dad had a record store when I was a kid, I grew up as the store kid greeting the customers lol great memories 🥰

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ktvplumbs t1_jacjca0 wrote

When I was a high school kid in rural Alaska we didn’t have any real record stores but a local church would have a group of volunteers fly in from Seattle a couple times a year and bring an entire plane load of records and posters. They had a setup in the church basement where we could listen to the new music and buy any that we liked. Oddly they never once tried preaching or pushing religious views on us. Since there was no television available and the only radio station we could pick up was old twangy country that basement was always full of teenagers ( and the occasional progressive adult).

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PigHillJimster t1_jacjq0v wrote

I know what you mean. Both my brother and I discovered many bands that we purchased the music for just by going over and asking the assistant "what are you playing at the moment?" as it wasn't main stream chart music for much of the time.

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GenitalWrangler69 t1_jacjyp0 wrote

I live in a city that claims to have the oldest currently operating record store in the country. No idea if that's accurate. Owner is awesome. Walked in there one day and flipped through his new albums in front (normally check out the used section) and stumbled on Lonesome n Blue by the Rolling Stones. It was still a fresh album at the time. Asked him what he thought; I said it seemed like a sort of unique Stones album. He said it's his favorite Stones, "it's all blues, baby."

I bought that album lol

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wakingshadows t1_jack1pm wrote

Good times. But you can still track some physical stores down and they usually have some awesome intimate live shows from great artists trying to support

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hesnothere t1_jacl6gh wrote

You need to look for boutique record stores. My city isn’t big but has several amazing shops in varying sizes. My personal favorite feels like a garage hangout: it has a craft beer bar, moonlights as a head shop, but the focus is always on vinyl and hifi equipment. The beertenders are super conversational and have their own strong tastes for music; I honestly can’t remember the last time I went there and didn’t start up a discussion with them or even someone else browsing.

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MaxxPeck t1_jacta7m wrote

AFK records in Virginia Beach is still that place. The owner is there most days and is really tuned in to all genres of current and old releases. His staff is pretty knowledgeable and even the younger staff will help with some research and leg work if they don’t know. Folks working the shift are in charge of the turntable (as it should be). Also has a really well curated book store attached to it so if you have an SO not into a day of album browsing, there’s books too. It’s a happy place.

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RZAxlash t1_jacv5eo wrote

I worked in a small record/dvd store from 04-05. It paid like shit and I was on my feet all day. I loved it.

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ParticularGoal3221 t1_jaczgf8 wrote

I was just waxing nostalgiac about this the other day with my friend. I miss the impulse buys because of cool cover art, reading the album notes, talking with whoever was working the store that day,finding gems in the "used" section, and most of all, the sense of community. I miss you House of Records in Eugene Oregon. (fyi, they are still a running business if you want to go to an awesome little record store)

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zimzalllabim t1_jad11ib wrote

This was how I was exposed to metal, and especially, Opeth. Changed my life in 2003.

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hilgi t1_jad2gv1 wrote

I was just telling my daughter about how much time I would spend on listening bars at record stores. I found a lot of great music that way.

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SadAcanthocephala521 t1_jadawf0 wrote

I have a few record stores in my area. Crappy if you don't. Though I do tend to buy most of mine online these days.

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ImpendingSenseOfDoom t1_jadluxs wrote

I was in a record shop in NYC a few years ago and had an experience like this. The owner was extremely friendly and saw an album I had picked out and then recommended another artist I had never listened to and showed me his favorite album by him and I bought it. We talked music for twenty minutes or so and I felt like I was transported back in time. Always remembered that guy, and then about a year after that I saw he was featured on Humans Of New York.

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Whitworth t1_jadnvce wrote

Every record store around me has music lovers working there. I don't understand?

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Beachmud t1_jadqi8b wrote

My most random suggestion came from a lady at the Walmart music center. Came in looking for a Metallica album and she said I should try this new band called Crystal Method. I ended up loving the album but still wonder how she came to that conclusion

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MoneySike3000 t1_jae1et8 wrote

When I was young there was a plaza me and my friend loved to go once a week. Store one was a head shop. Store two was a great mom and pop Italian pizza place and store three was a record shop. We called it guy plaza, we would get high, chow some great pizza, then spend an hour digging through CDs. Damn I miss Guy Plaza LOL

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geo_mallory t1_jae6w31 wrote

There was a guy in the classical music room in the Tower Records in El Toro, Orange County, SoCal, his name was Charlie, he was a walking Penguin Guide of classical music recordings. It was so great to chat with him about current releases, warhorse recordings, everything. I miss being able to chat with Charlie about the latest offering from Georg Solti.

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Kopfballer t1_jae90j2 wrote

Same as people miss going to Blockbuster for rental movies+games or meeting friends before everyone had social media or even mobile phones and how generally so many things were better "back in the days".

Sorry, but you probably it's just nostalgia.

And as others said, there are still record shops, just a lot less of them.

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MaxBulla t1_jaegunn wrote

Love Keith Jarrett and can't imagine that anyone exists who doesn't like The Koln Concert.

Re your main point, not sure where you live, but here in London there are still plenty of great record shops where you can get great recommendations.

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SerenaSurf1 t1_jaeke9h wrote

Seriously! Don't get me wrong I love how quickly I can get my tunes from the comfort of my own home, but nothing is better than the connection you make with other music lovers in the shop

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Black_Shabbat92 t1_jabia3g wrote

Now most days I walk into a record store and the workers almost seem bothered to talk about music… people have become more cynical I guess

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Lazy-Lawfulness3472 t1_jaclfpf wrote

There are still some small record store around. Not the same tho. I miss it too. Today you just click on Spotify or pandora and that's it. No reading the album cover or the jacket. No lineup of who played on the album. Nothing. You don't own nothing. You just click...

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Jwishh t1_jadz4c5 wrote

Then don’t and buy cds and records instead. You have the choice

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