Can I drive up for that? I'll spring for apple pie.

I haven't been back there yet since the move - will have to check it out. I guess the Apple floor moved elsewhere. There are escalators going up to those floors, but it still takes a few minutes to get upstairs.

Small update.....(or non-update)

I went to a concert at the Mercury Lounge last night....got there early, so I decided to walk up to St Marks Place. Sounds was there, but closed (at 7:00 PM on a Wednesday evening). The store sign is still over the door. Draw your own conclusions.

I then went to Kim's and bought 5 CDs.

As far as I know, Sounds is still in business but they are not open Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. (Not sure about Thursday.) It's been like this for some time.

How's the J&R re configuration going? Is it the same entrance it's always been?

Here's a look at J&R as we used to know it, that I took earlier this afternoon...



...and here's one of their signs explaining the changes.

Yikes!

I should explain, for the benefit of those who've never been there, that J&R occupies most of the block of Park Row facing New York's City Hall, between Beekman Street and Ann Street. The hardware store in the photo is the only building that J&R doesn't own. The J&R store shown in the photo is the CD and DVD store, 26 Park Row.

Incidentally, for whatever it's worth, I noticed "Store For Rent" signs in the windows of the J&R camera store at the corner of Park Row and Beekman Street.

Jack White will parachute off the roof to help promote the new J&R.

Gallagher has been signed to also throw watermelons off the roof this summer. If you like watermelon.......

Here's a great blog article on record stores in the New York City area that are gone. Read it and weep........

Where the Music Used to Live
http://vassifer.blogs.com/alexinnyc/201 ... -live.html

I remember a majority of these. It's missing a few like Midnight Records on 23rd Street, but it has most of them. Makes me really miss Venus (the original 8th St. location), and Pier Platters (I love the comment on it being only 1 of 2 reasons to go to Hoboken).

That was a trip down memory lane. Thanks for sharing, Charles.

Yeah really, thanks Charles. I know a lot of those stores. Too bad there's not a pic of Revolver there, but still, what a real joy to see those old stores. Great memories.

J&R has taken to stocking several boxes of "closeout" CDs for $2.99 each. If you've got the time and inclination to dig, you can find some worthwhile titles among the dreck--imports, OOP goodies, and a few downright bargains. Recent finds:

Outlaws: Hurry Sundown
Live From the Roxy
Live From the Roxy Vol. 2 (70s Brit punk)
Roxette: Hits! (CD+DVD)
Blue Rodeo: 5 Days in July
A Hollywood Christmas (includes the otherwise impossible-to-find "Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham)
Dead Man Walking (soundtrack)
Super Furry Animals: Hey Venus! (import)
Chris Jagger: Atcha
The Sallyangie: Children of the Sun (2-CD import--pre-fame Mike Oldfield and his sister Sally)

Plus 3 comps from the DCC label, mastered by S. Hoffman.

Boxes displayed on both 3rd and 4th floors. Go try your luck!

P.S. Yes, I know I have some of these already, but whattayagonnado?

I checked it out during lunch hour. Bought the following, which as of now I have yet to actually listen to:

The Monkees - Live Summer Tour (WIN Media)
The Chipmunks - Greatest Hits (Curb)
Canned Heat - Greatest Hits Live (King Biscuit)

Not sure how good any of these are, but at $2.99 a pop it's worth the gamble. I think the Canned Heat might wind up being a duplicate of something I have on another label.

Here's an article in today's New York Times, "J&R Alters the Blocklong Layout It’s Known For":

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/24/nyreg ... n-for.html

They claim to have the same amount of inventory, but in less space (due to efficiencies), than before the consolidation, but even if that's true, the mix has obviously shifted away from music-related product.

P.S. J&R has 20% off all CDs, vinyl, and DVDs through Oct. 29.

J&R has exponentially expanded the number of closeout CDs on sale for $2.99. Searching through bin after bin will test the mettle of even the most serious collectors, but you're almost guaranteed to find some worthwhile titles. I think they must be draining their warehouse.

Today's finds:

Boo Radleys: Wake Up! (3-CD deluxe reissue)
Joan Armatrading: Walk Under Ladders (Cherry Pop reissue w/bonus tracks)
Sherbs: The Skill
Gary Hoey: Ho! Ho! Hoey: The Complete Collection (2 CDs)
Ashton, Gardner & Dyke: Best of (import, Repertoire label)
Blue Christmas (V/A, MOJO magazine exclusive)

J&R has 30% off all recorded music this week.

Something seems to be up at J&R--again. The 4th floor (home to classical/jazz/oldies/country/etc.) is closed for "renovations." They haven't stocked some recent releases (Dido's greatest hits, for one). Overheard salespeople telling two customers they aren't taking special orders at this time. Another contraction, I suspect.

I'm still not sure how they stay in the CD game. Must be still living on the Wall Streeters and tourists but I can't imagine many young Wall Street guys these days who still buy CDs (no one I know that is young out here on the Island is buying CDs).

Remember when there used to be alot of record stores on St. Marks between 2nd and 3rd?

There's now officially none

I used to spend LOTS of time in those stores on St. Marks. I haven't been down that way in years. It's sad, but not surprising that there are none left. There's hardly a place that has a record store anymore.