tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post6626420534254590030..comments2024-03-28T07:27:42.810-07:00Comments on Burning Wood: Making Peace With A Record StoreUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-39639421138559239012012-02-11T19:12:56.289-08:002012-02-11T19:12:56.289-08:00@oldkdawg and belatedly, William Repsher
I have c...@oldkdawg and belatedly, William Repsher<br /><br />I have certainly voiced my opinions during my retail run. But in my defense, and only my defense, the same policies I try to stand by here at Burning Wood, were the same policies I tried to stand by at NYCD.<br /><br />I don't like music snobbery. NYCD carried XTC, Britney Spears, Ornette Coleman and the B'way cast recording of "Follies." Most of the ruckus came about when I tried to defend it all.<br /><br />Sure, I'd smirk, as Jeff K mentioned, at the taste of some customers, but it usually came after some lunkhead insulted the Bee Gees while purchasing Sisters Of Mercy.<br /><br />And Oldkdawg...been to MPLS and Fetus. Great city and great store. Still have my t-shirt.Sal Nunziatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09221629293545204260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-80307255418021112792012-02-11T18:59:37.338-08:002012-02-11T18:59:37.338-08:00Worked in a record store back in the early 80'...Worked in a record store back in the early 80's (just wondering, how many of your readers worked in record stores) and I had the same opinion as William, about treating the customers. However, when talking with other employees or friends about some of the customers, well . . . Never having been to New York the closest metropolis to me was Minneapolis. They still have a great record store called The Electric Fetus. Well worth checking them out if you are ever in this neck of the wilderness.oldkdawghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03913699068656761592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-33322216078322834132012-01-31T18:28:35.724-08:002012-01-31T18:28:35.724-08:00Never had a hard time with Bob, then again, rarely...Never had a hard time with Bob, then again, rarely shopped there, as I moved to NYC as vinyl was in the process of being killed by cassette, and CDs were just starting to appear in long boxes. Let's face it, shopping any record store in the Village in the 80s was a dice roll in terms of owner/clerk etiquette, and you could always go to Tower if you felt like being treated like an asshole by a fashion victim. (Then again, I got to know a few of the buyers and managers at Tower and was humbled by their musical breadth and knowledge.)<br /><br />Only place I ever recall actively disliking but still shopping there was Midnight Records on 23rd and 8th ... either felt like I was invisible there, or being a annoying prick for wanting to give them my money. Generally speaking, back then, you got treated poorly in any record store you could scratch if off your list and still have a few dozen choices around town.<br /><br />And I'll never understand the concept of record store owners/clerks having contempt for product they're selling or the customers buying said product. Even if you think it's dogshit, it's still putting roof over head and food on the table. I would never make a customer feel like an asshole for buying anything. A comparatively small but nonetheless important issue in the long downward spiral of the recording industry.<br /><br />Hats off to Bob for lasting as long as he did!William Repsherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16690181505790748431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-31906435998894362292012-01-31T14:34:13.011-08:002012-01-31T14:34:13.011-08:00Bleecker Bob stocked my crappy 70s band's indi...Bleecker Bob stocked my crappy 70s band's indie 45 and actually paid us. Something. If memory serves.<br /><br />So I will brook no criticism.steve simelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13247393763004076992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-33550168849595188552012-01-31T10:52:19.592-08:002012-01-31T10:52:19.592-08:00I made a one disc version of Nuggets 2 not long af...I made a one disc version of Nuggets 2 not long after purchase, and haven't revisited. <br />Guess I'll need to. Thanks for the reminder.buzzbabyjesushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375127662096374324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-41603072797651142272012-01-31T08:18:15.164-08:002012-01-31T08:18:15.164-08:00buzzbabyjesus, this song (Midsummer) is on that sa...buzzbabyjesus, this song (Midsummer) is on that same Nuggets 2 box set. I hadn't realized it until last night when I read this post and checked to verify it's on there! :) (I have it but had never noticed this song)Leonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-21853848074604824912012-01-30T23:13:23.959-08:002012-01-30T23:13:23.959-08:00You always write at least one line, (more often se...You always write at least one line, (more often several), that makes me laugh out loud. This post was no exception. Loved it as always, Sal.<br />I remember when I was your distributor sales rep, asking you about Bleeker Bob's, because I was trying to acquire them as a new account, and couldn't get Bob on the phone. Your stories dissuaded me, and I eventually gave up, humored, but at the same time, borderline-terrified. <br />Anyway, sad to see yet another of the last hold-outs go, but it must be that time of year. I know of others that are barely hanging in - and one in particular, in Jersey City, which has had everything marked down for weeks, and is finally closing its doors today. :(Marciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07107440201611810202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-65262855133773286722012-01-30T22:13:04.824-08:002012-01-30T22:13:04.824-08:00Oh yeah, the song, band of psychos is right indeed...Oh yeah, the song, band of psychos is right indeed. I vaguely remember listening to this LP long ago, not my cup of tea, too spacey psych for me. If I were freaking out after having some bad/or too strong weed and I listened to this, I'd be in the hospital on a valium drip.<br /><br />It's good that Bolan went on to do more groovy down to earth rock later on.FD13NYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14964671671960423199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-33214875030081990472012-01-30T18:42:45.662-08:002012-01-30T18:42:45.662-08:00Before now the only song I knew by John's Chil...Before now the only song I knew by John's Children was "Desdemona", from Nuggets 2, which I like. This one compares favorably.buzzbabyjesushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375127662096374324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-80670022613984931142012-01-30T18:21:24.274-08:002012-01-30T18:21:24.274-08:00Nice piece here. (and great song by John's Chi...Nice piece here. (and great song by John's Children.) When I'd come up to NYC from ATL, I went to every shop up there. <br /><br />This included my favorite, just for the perverse insanity of its premise - the nutty "Accidental Records" store which was located on Avenue A in East Village, a bit away from the hubbub, but it was open 24 hours god bless it and was the size of a large closet.<br /><br />And of course I visited Bleecker Bob's. But man... overpriced, kinda grimy, a mite bit snobby yes... I never saw much to love.<br /><br />But it made its mark just by hanging around and attracting some big names. Still, I'll lament Subterranean Records (I don't hear people refer to that store much but WOW what a place -- almost every record in the shop with a little note on it by the workers telling why it's great) or even crazy Accidental Records any day over Bleecker Bob's.<br /><br />But still - a salute, and respect for hanging in there. There aren't many left!A walk in the woodsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-20909822815894457362012-01-30T17:30:33.114-08:002012-01-30T17:30:33.114-08:00Bleecker Bob's (in its latter location) was my...Bleecker Bob's (in its latter location) was my local record store for a few decades. I never got into with Bob, but I heard many an outburst over the years. I used to love to look through the $2 records outside and try to find the most beat-up one in the bunch (always a tough feat). <br /><br />Good times! West 3rd won't ever look the same to me without it.stevesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-1634511574939916172012-01-30T15:38:24.147-08:002012-01-30T15:38:24.147-08:00Hey! Did no one like the John's Children tune?...Hey! Did no one like the John's Children tune?Sal Nunziatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09221629293545204260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-22235809465703732302012-01-30T15:26:09.813-08:002012-01-30T15:26:09.813-08:00I half agree with FD13NYC. Nuff said.I half agree with FD13NYC. Nuff said.cmealhahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03201121023050701074noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-28013292985409412602012-01-30T14:54:36.211-08:002012-01-30T14:54:36.211-08:00That Don fellow is going for three in a row.
I...That Don fellow is going for three in a row.<br /><br />I've enjoyed this post because I've been on both sides of the fence as the biter in a notorious Liverpool Record Shop and the bit.<br /><br />I have to say I did enjoy the biting and it was part of the job description, but if you are bit you feel it more.<br /><br />One store in my hometown did it to me, I floored the owner with my knowledge on stuff he specialised in and have never been back since.<br /><br />Brainglo is the verification by the way and I have that so I'm off to bed.Anything Should Happenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05593722184088140203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-18740538074104925532012-01-30T13:48:38.428-08:002012-01-30T13:48:38.428-08:00In word verification terms, I got deringa, which c...In word verification terms, I got deringa, which could very well be the Megaupload replacement.Anything Should Happenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05593722184088140203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-44261085323258880332012-01-30T11:17:35.592-08:002012-01-30T11:17:35.592-08:00Ha ha, great post Sal.
I think we both set up pla...Ha ha, great post Sal.<br /><br />I think we both set up places that allow anyone to say that they like something without it being "uncool" and to debate the choice.<br /><br />However, there's still a Music snob in all of us, much as though we'd like to disagree, be it X Factor or Bon Jovi.<br /><br />I tried to bring my two up to appreciate all tastes and not fawn on some of the stuff that they were listening to.<br /><br />Tried to work on a theory that I wasn't bothered what they were listening to as long as they were listening to something.<br /><br />But it was hard and in some cases still is, boy was it hard.Anything Should Happenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05593722184088140203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-14942519386645616912012-01-30T11:06:57.210-08:002012-01-30T11:06:57.210-08:00don;t go all nostalgic on em.. They were elitist a...don;t go all nostalgic on em.. They were elitist assholes of the worst kind and the only reason they are partially nice now is cause they're on the balls of their collective asses and your older and for some reason they probably are giving you more respect. It was an overpriced, inflated ego trip and if you really wanted something i always found that it was more fun to dig to find it the deal with a bunch of overpriced ego inflated rock nerds. <br />I was much sorrier to see the demise of NYCD where the guys behind the counter may have been assholes sometimes but they were nice assholes and usually had a reason to be assholey and they dealt fair and <br />square.<br />ya think i have an opinion about this<br /><br />and in the ongoing word verification sweepstakes todays' word is flameria a word that may have been invented to describe the guys behind the counter at Bleeker Bob's in spanish.....flameria assholeriassoundsourcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05513218897301902518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-36522520777137430462012-01-30T07:54:42.555-08:002012-01-30T07:54:42.555-08:00I've heard a lot of horror stories about Bob&#...I've heard a lot of horror stories about Bob's so never even went in. If you're not going to be respectful you don't deserve my business no matter how good you are or how much depth and breadth your inventory has. I love the anonymity of the internet to tell the truth, my music taste is sacred to me and I don't need condescension or nastiness, thank you! And honestly someone smirking about someone's else music taste actually says a lot more about the smirker than the taste of the person buying. No offense Sal if you did actually smirk at Jeff! ;)<br /><br />I'm glad you made peace with the place. I used to be really sad when things changed, places closed, now it's like, "well thanks for the memories, can't wait to see what the future brings" even if it is a Starbucks.<br /><br />PS Pugwash has another fan.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12995401767239413515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-64406631512476713182012-01-30T07:50:27.438-08:002012-01-30T07:50:27.438-08:00God, I first started shopping there in the late 60...God, I first started shopping there in the late 60's as a young teen. The place was first on Bleecker St, close to Laguardia Place and a few doors down from the Bitter End. You climbed the long stairs and made a left.<br /><br />Bob was always a quirky condescending wise ass. But if you were lucky, and he kind of liked you a little you were safe. He'd actually talk to you and kid around somewhat.<br /><br />I knew him a long time and bought some neat stuff early on. After his stroke it seemed he didn't know anyone anymore, a shame. One of the first real record stores that made a big name for itself.<br /><br />Oh well, as they say, all things come to an end.FD13NYChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14964671671960423199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-10375252145269721552012-01-30T06:38:38.081-08:002012-01-30T06:38:38.081-08:00I was in and out of there a lot. It was never my f...I was in and out of there a lot. It was never my favorite record store. the worst experience was when a friend told me she wanted a copy of "The Big Chill" soundtrack. In her defense, it's not a bad collection (better than the movie, I thought, but I'm not going to get into politics). It was at night, and places like J and R were closed, so since I was right near by BB's, I went in, and indeed he had a copy. I brought it up to the counter, and in a really loud, nasty voice, he said sarcastically, "Yeah, this is what we're about." <br /><br />With a mixture of humiliation, defiance and contempt, I paid and walked out. <br /><br />At least at Sal's place,he and his partners had the class to silently smirk at my taste and wait until I left the store before expressing their disdain.jeff knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4357001616333664522.post-81428016570680017982012-01-30T06:08:55.122-08:002012-01-30T06:08:55.122-08:00Bleeker Bob's is where Jimmy Page, while still...Bleeker Bob's is where Jimmy Page, while still in the Yardbirds, bought the 1967 album "The Above Ground Sound Of Jake Holmes". The night before he'd seen Jake perform his song "Dazed And Confused". You know the rest.buzzbabyjesushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09375127662096374324noreply@blogger.com