First, There Was "None"... Record Store Day 2017: Looking Back

Confession: As a Record Store Day novice last year, I was not as informed and prepared as I would have liked to have been. My limited understanding was that all independent record stores carried the limited special releases for the day and had other promotions and sales. I desperately wanted a copy of Sting's live at Bataclan lp and since Jupiter Records in Wilmington was giving a $50 gift certificate and free t-shirt to first person in line, I decided this would be where I would line up. Hence, I gave up sleep and arrived early enough to be the first in line. Secure in the knowledge that I would have $50 extra to spend, I sat on the bench on their porch for hours. However, during this time, my glee was erased when I discovered that Jupiter was not offering the Record Store Day's special releases! Oh, no! What to do? I had to make a decision: $50 or go to another store and hope they had the Sting lp? I figured it was too late to go elsewhere, so I stayed at Jupiter. Happily, I collected (and spent) the gift certificate ($25 went towards a still shrink wrapped copy of The Police's "Synchronicity") and decided to get to Berwyn and try my luck at Shady Dog Records. There, I found none. So, I went to lunch with a friend who also collects vinyl and bemoaned the fact that had I done better research on the day, I might have secured the lp. Oh, well. I figured I could find it on ebay.

And Then There Was One...

After lunch, we decided to go to Gold Million Records in Bryn Mawr to see what was left and browse their inventory. Without much hope, I entered Gold Million and half-heartily inquired, " I guess you don't have the Sting at Bataclan lp, do you?" I could not believe my eyes and ears when the response was " You mean that one?" and I was guided to the single copy that remained! There are happy endings in vinyl hunting! But wait..

And Then There Were Three...

Fast Forward to October, 2017...

I had occasion to spend a day in Detroit vinyl hunting and began the hunt at Solo Records. As usual, I began my browsing in the "Sting" and "The Police" sections. Imagine my surprise when I discovered 3 unopened copies of the coveted Sting at Bataclan lp!!!! And, at half the price I paid for my first copy! No, I did not buy all three...I bought 2. I decided to buy them in case some Sting fans I know were unable to get copies. To this day, I can't believe I found those pristine copies! A more than happy ending and why I love the vinyl hunt. Anything can be possible!

This year, I feel better prepared for Record Store Day 2018 which is tomorrow. What am I looking for this year? After studying the list of special releases, I have decided the two I am most interested in are the Steve Earle live lp and, of course, the "Roxanne" picture disc. Wish me luck!

Maybe I'll meet you in line!