I should have known that lightning never strikes twice in the same spot, although it does, rarely. Even though the balmy mid August weather was great at 7AM, there were slim pickings this week at the spot. There was no absence of people trying to get records though. My worst fears have come true (yes Tommy you called it). It’s getting too crowded, and there are more people than there are records. I can definitely remember when the presence of a portable was a startling thing to sellers. They’re a dime a dozen now, and some sellers even have their own so you can sample. I guess that should have been one of the tip offs. It wouldn’t be so bad if instead of just letting people sample, you didn’t have to hear some inaudible mess while you’re trying to listen to your stack. It holds true for the record shows as well. I do come prepared with headphones, but sometimes that isn’t enough. The crowding is unfortunate, but I guess that happens when a spot gets known for vinyl. With the presence of E Bay, the internet, and things along that line, everybody is a so called digger. I’m sounding like a broken record (which there were no shortages of today), but I never really thought about it when other old time diggers from my area said to me what I am saying now. I actually pushed it aside, and let it be. It kind of hit me today, and it also made me think that there really is no digging etiquette any more. People are just running around with guns blazing everywhere, not caring if anyone else is there or not. For me, I pick a crate, dig through it, sample it, buy it and move on. Since the winter I have seen crazy stuff, more jostling for position than ever, and even rummaging multiple tables at once ( a Stinky Steve patented move, along with spreading records out you’re looking at so no one can get into any crates). On more than one occasion someone has even tried to get into the same crate I was deep into, which seriously, is completely rude. I don’t care if you’re fucking DJ Premier, step the fuck off buddy, I was here first. Everyone has different motives for records; whether it be as a collector, a dealer, a DJ, or someone who’s selling on E Bay. Most of the so called sellers have no idea what they have, and inflate shit way too much. I even saw a cat today with a crate labeled: “Hard to Get Stuff”, which had more Ferrani & Techer records than a Florida thrift shop. But I digress, there were a few pieces to be had today, and Jack the Ripper and I managed to get some leftovers. ( nice come up on the “Purple Haze” cover Jack!) In the words of Guru: “It’s Getting Kinda Hectic” at the spot, which makes me guard my other secret stashes even more.
At least there were a few crazies out early, including the Wine Guy who had on the gnarliest pair of stained sweatpants on and a tight t-shirt that accented his beer belly really well. We were also treated to a girl who used to be a customer of mine when I had a business. Her nickname was Space Girl, because she was always on another planet. She was now about 50 lbs. heavier than she was since the last time I saw her, and selling piles of her underwear on a tarp on the ground. She seemed a little “on edge” when we were walking by, and even got a bit pissed because she thought that I had snubbed her. I was pleasant, but she had that crazy look in her eye. The funny thing about her is that when she was younger, she was a pretty girl. She was the girl in the Sonic Youth video for “Dirty Boots” at age 17. She clings to that story, even going as far as to have a copy of it in the back of her Chevette she used to drive around in. I didn’t bring it up today and spared my digging compadres the long drawn out story. It looks as if she’s come a long way, from videos on MTV to selling her knickers at the flea market. There is no end in sight with these characters people.
These sides I managed to get today will definitely show up for review in the future:
45’s
The Emperor’s - Karate/ Mala
Morse Code Instructional Course
Gizmo and the Gremlins Story/ WB
The Chi-Lites - (For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People/ Brunswick
Eddie Kendricks - Darling Come Back Home/ Tamla (Promo)
The Toys - See How They Run/ dynoVoice
Merrilee Rush & the Turnabouts - Reap What You Sow/ Bell
Sly and the Family Stone - Frisky/ Epic
Kraftwerk - Autobahn/ Vertigo
Shirley Ellis - The Nitty Gritty/ Congress
Major Lance - Sweet Music/ Okeh
Little Carl Carlton - Competition Ain’t Nuthin
El Coco - Heartbeat Part 1 & 2/ AVI
Essence - Black Reflections/ Ronn
The Mirettes - The Real Thing/ Revue
The Five Stair Steps - Playgirl’s Love/ Windy C
Ralph MacDonald - Jam On the Groove/ Marlin
Willie & the Mighty Magnificents - Funky (8) Corners/ All Platinum
Little Beaver - Party Down/ CAt
The Tempress - Love’s MAze/ We Produce
Maurice Rodgers - Coo Coo Ca Choo/ Double Shot
Keep Diggin’!
