record stores – Page 3 – 7th Level Music

Wrecka Stow: Play De Record – Toronto, Ontario

Toronto, Ontario’s Play De Record (411 Spadina Avenue) is a haven for vinyl enthusiasts. The place is packed with records for you to feast your eyes (and wallet) on as soon as you walk in the door.

This is all in the first room, by the way (and only a small sample of what was available there). Once you get done browsing all the new arrivals and reissues, you end up here.

Yes, more records await you. Most of them in this back room are, as the sign says, vintage vinyl.

You also might’ve noticed that sign mentions “studio gear.” They sold a lot of good stuff there. These wonderful toys were along the right wall as soon as you walked into the store.

I could’ve fiddled with that stuff until they closed if they’d let me. This wrecka stow is on the edge of Toronto’s Chinatown, so you can get some good food and then buy a bunch of vinyl. It’s a win-win.

Keep your mind open.

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Wrecka Stow: Paramusic – Toronto, ON

Toronto, Ontario’s Paramusic (68 Dundas Street East) is a nice wrecka stow gem just down the street from a huge shopping center and wroth the stroll from the tourist trap mall to score some fine vinyl, DVDs, and CDs. They pack a lot of stuff into a small space. I mean, you walk in and see this.

The number of Blu-Ray DVDs there is impressive for the size of the place. The CDs are stacked seeming in every corner, and there is vinyl everywhere else. Hardcore record collectors came and went while I was there. One of them was such a frequent customer that he showed up to invite the store’s owner to his wedding.

The loft section had even more sweet vinyl and CDs in it.

A word of warning – The stairs are narrower than you think. I nearly down them coming back to the main floor. I walked out with CDs by the Besnard Lakes and Friendly Fires. I had grabbed a mix CD by Dmitri from Paris, but unfortunately someone had removed the bin label number sticker from it. The owner couldn’t find the disc because he had no idea where to begin looking for it.

Again, don’t miss this store if you’re in the neighborhood. The sight of so many regulars showing up is a good sign for rare finds and good deals.

Keep your mind open.

Wrecka Stow: PDQ Records – Tucson, AZ

Tucson’s PDQ Records (2342 North Dodge) bills itself as a “rock and roll museum,” and that description is accurate. The place is a treasure trove of rare vinyl, tapes, CD’s, 8 tracks, and probably more stuff that I missed. Seriously, look at the size of this place.

I walked in and immediately spotted racks of newly arrived prime vinyl records to my right.
Among them was this gem that I almost snagged, but I had to fly home after all and didn’t want to risk breaking any records in my luggage.

The place was full of cool, obscure records like this. You’ll spend an entire day here if you’re an obsessed collector of vinyl. I mean, look at some of this stuff.

I had no idea Elke Sommer had a singing career.

As I mentioned earlier, they have more than vinyl LP’s. They have a large collection of 78’s and 45’s, cassettes, and even stereo gear.

They even repair equipment.

Yes, those are VHS tapes and 8-tracks covering that wall.

I walked out of there with CD’s by INXS, Bill Withers, Big Audio Dynamite, and Blue Cheer. I could’ve walked out much poorer, but thankfully I don’t have a vinyl obsession (yet). You owe it to yourself to swing by here if you’re ever in Tucson. It really is a museum of music.

Keep your mind open.

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