Windy City Wax, Part II

I was in Chicago the weekend before last, drinking copious amounts of booze, eating too much food, and generally acting like a Roman emperor. Of course, sizable chunks (pun intended) of the weekend were set aside for running around with my buddy Furr to visit some of Chicago’s finest record stores. In addition to our usual stops (Dave’s, Laurie’s, Dusty Groove, and 2nd Hand Tunes), we made a point of checking out a couple of new (to us) record stores. Here’s where we went:

Dead Wax Records

3819 N. Lincoln – Chicago, IL * (773) 529-1932

The skinny: Not the world’s greatest selection, but a very nice space that’s got a fantastic vibe. Record stores like this are the reason I enjoy visiting record stores. Good music on the PA, friendly clerks (thanks Wilbur!) and nearly every format you can think of for sale. Many more records than cds, which is the way it should be, if you ask me. I struck out on the records (Furr found a nice stack), but I foraged for some excellent 8-Tracks in an overlooked bin under one of the record cases.

Of interest: The small book section up front has a comfortable easy chair that seemed like a fine place to sit and read. If we hadn’t been on a schedule I would have done exactly that.

Bonus points: For the big colorful sign (above) in the rear of the store, as well as the general ambience.

Key purchases: Sly & The Family Stone * Fresh (8-Track), Mandrill * We Are One (8-Track), The Bonzo Dog Band * The History Of The Bonzos (8-Track), Pre-School Fact and Fantasies (8-Track), Roy Ayers Ubiquity * Vibrations (8-Track)

*****

Permanent Records

1914 W Chicago Ave – Chicago IL, 60622 * (773) 278-1744 * www.PermanentRecordsChicago.com

The skinny: This store features a great mix of old and new vinyl and compact discs, a fine music mag section, and a handful of books on all topics. The well-lit, modern layout makes it easy to browse, and the employees were outgoing and helpful. I will definitely include this in my regular rotation of Chicago record stores from now on.

Of interest: Of the four places that I priced a particular new release on vinyl, Permanent was the least expensive. Just saying…

Bonus points: Zaireeka the store cat! This was the first record store I’d ever been in that had its own cat, and she was quite a charming ambassador.

Key purchases: August 2008 issue of Mojo, Beck * Modern Guilt (LP), The Rolling Stones * Sticky Fingers (LP – Spanish pressing with the intended original cover art), M. Ward * Transfiguration Of Vincent (LP), The Family Tree * Miss Butters (original LP)

Tags: 2nd Hand Tunes, Chicago, Dave's Records, Dead Wax Records, Dusty Groove America, Laurie's Planet Of Sound, Permanent Records, Record Stores, Zaireeka the Cat!