Tag: record stores

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.
I want to hear this.
Subtle.

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.

Just a small portion of their 45’s.

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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