Rock Music Menu: Record Store Day 2020 finally kicks off this weekend – Daily Local News
Like just about every event set to take place around the world in recent months, plans for Record Store Day 2020 came to a screeching halt when the coronavirus pandemic hit. Now, four months after it was originally scheduled, the vinyl-centric holiday is finally happening this Saturday.
Typically occurring the third Saturday in April each year, organizers hit pause due to Covid-19, initially electing to postpone until late June. When it became clear things were going to get worse before they got better, the decision was made not just hold to off a bit longer but spread the event across three weekends in the name of social distancing, retooled with the name Record Store Day Drops and concurrent hashtag #RSDDrops.
“In 2020, that world is different, so Record Store Day will be too,” organizers said in a statement. “RSD is now scheduled to be celebrated with special, properly distanced release dates on Saturdays in August, September and October.”
Depending on which independent record store you frequent and where you’re located, it could be in-store shopping, curbside pickup or placing an order online and having it shipped out. As the RSD developers have noted, some areas across the country are facing the threat of wildfires and hurricanes, many stores are handcuffed by available staff and the space to properly social distance and, of course, there’s the local mandates surrounding the pandemic.
Locally, rules vary too. Goodies Disc Exchange in Holmes, for instance, has in-store shopping. Repo Records on South Street does too but will limit the amount of customers allowed inside at once. Vinyl Revival in Lansdowne will let in a certain number of patrons into the theater space and give them 10 minutes to shop the RSD releases first, then they will be moved into the store area to shop for another 10 minutes. As the theater space gets cleared, workers will move the next person or group into the theater and so forth.
The full list of participating record stores can be found at recordstoreday.com, along with a handy chart detailing the restrictions each spot will be instituting. All will require masks and ask customers to adhere to the CDC instructions to keep a distance of six feet apart.
Record Store Day 2020 obviously won’t look much like all the ones that have happened since the celebration began in 2008. There isn’t going to be a mad scramble to get ahold of the limited releases. No bands are going to play at the shops. It will have less of a celebratory feel for sure, but it will lend support to the independent record store owners who have never needed it more.
RECORD STORE DAY VINYL HIGHLIGHTS
Had this year’s Record Store Day been on one Saturday, dozens and dozens of releases would’ve been made available. Now, like the distancing of a month between each of the three days, the product will be staggered as well. Below are some of the best ones for rock and roll fans to keep and eye out for on RSD 2020 part one.
THE WHO: ODDS AND SODS – DELUXE EDITION
One of the very first “rarities” collections, released to try and defeat the bootleggers, the original 11-track ‘Odds and Sods’ was released in 1974. Compiled by bassist John Entwistle, the set features the single “Long Live Rock”, the unedited, unreleased version of “The Seeker”, the studio version of “Young Man Blues” and many other gems. This reissue includes the original album on one album and adds 14 bonus tracks of B-sides, rarities and extras on the second to create a definitive, 25-track double LP limited to 7000 copies. Pressed on red (LP1) and yellow (LP2) vinyl, the artwork and design restore the original die-cut front sleeve.
U2: 11 O’CLOCK TICK TOCK
Recorded with legendary Joy Division producer Martin Hannett in Dublin’s Windmill Lane Studios and originally released in May, 1980, “11 O’Clock Tick Tock” was U2’s first single on Island Records. This 40th anniversary limited edition LP includes the original track and the 7” B-side version of “Touch,” plus two previously unreleased live recordings from the band’s September 1980 show at the London Marquee. Pressed on 180-gram, transparent blue vinyl and limited to 7000 copies, it features gatefold sleeve packaging with a photo gallery on inner gatefold.
DAVID BOWIE: CHANGESNOWBOWIE
This nine-track mostly acoustic session which was recorded in 1996 in New York during rehearsals for Bowie’s 50th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden. The BBC broadcast the session the following year on the singer’s actual 50th birthday, January 8, 1997. The stripped back affair features some of his favorites of his own compositions like “Aladdin Sane” and the Tin Machine cut “Shopping for Girls”
JUDAS PRIEST: BRITISH STEEL – LIMITED 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
One of Judas Priest’s most iconic and recognizable albums is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. To mark the momentous occasion, the album – along with bonus tracks “Red, White & Blue” and a live take on “Grinder” – is being pressed on double vinyl with the album artwork printed on each side. It’s limited to 3500 copies.
DEF LEPPARD: ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
Limited to 4,000 copies, this LP contains the complete five-song performance from Def Leppard’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony last year. Along with mega-hits like “Rock of Ages” and Photograph,” guest stars Brian May and Ian Hunter join in on a cover of “All the Young Dudes”.
ACE FREHLEY: TROUBLE WALKIN’
This two-LP set marks the first time the ex-Kiss guitarist’s fourth solo album has been available on vinyl since it was originally released in 1989. The record features guest performances by fellow Kiss co-founder and drummer Peter Criss, as well as Skid Row members Sebastian Bach, Rachel Bolan and Dave Sabo. Limited to 2400 copies, the 180-gram set will be on orange and yellow vinyl.
Vinyl of the Week will return next week.
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an email to rockmusicmenu@gmail.com. Also, check out his blog at www.thechroniclesofmc.com