Deep into the era of streaming, vinyl records have made a remarkable comeback.
According to a year-end report by Luminate Data, a music industry data firm, vinyl records have outsold the sale of CDs in the United States for the second year in a row. In fact, the once outdated format has been on a 17-year climb to the top.
People are pulling collections from their basements and digging through crates in antique stores to find old classics and frequenting record shops to buy brand new copies of the classics as well as the hottest new releases. Anyone looking to build a collection can visit any of these eight local boutiques:
SUNDAY RECORDS, Riverhead
Owner Brian Volkman arranged his shop — exclusively open Sundays — by the Long Island radio stations that provided the soundtrack to his life.
For folks in need of a recommendation, Volkman keeps a copy of “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die” on hand for customers to peruse.
THE TIMES VINTAGE, Greenport
Upon entry, look high and low to fully immerse yourself in the ’70s experience that is The Times Vintage’s record room. People of all generations are welcomed into a time machine. In addition to used and new editions of iconic titles, customers can also pick up vintage radios and even long-forgotten Chu-Bops, pink bubble gum housed in 3″ X 3″ album cover replicas.
SMALL HOLDINGS FARM, Aquebogue
A single trip to Sherron Francis’ shop is a quick and inexpensive way to build a used record collection with ’50s, ’60s and ’70s rock and jazz. Elton John’s “Honky Château,” Billy Joel’s “The Stranger,” “Led Zeppelin II” and countless other essentials are found in bins, all for $6 a pop.
ANTIQUES & OLD LACE, Cutchogue
Die-hard jazz-heads need to stop by Gene Mott’s Antiques & Old Lace. Among a wide array of records varying in both genre and format (he carries 45s and 78s), Mott has been known to come by rare early jazz pressings that fetch thousands.
YTQ INC., Greenport
YTQ has a modest record selection on display. But in safe keeping – and for sale – owner John Dinizio Jr. has about 250 live performances from a series dubbed “The Source,” broadcast by NBC Radio’s Young Adult Network. Each multi-LP set boasts a full performance by heavy hitters like AC/DC, Rainbow and Ozzy Osbourne.
EASTERN LONG ISLAND HOSPITAL OPPORTUNITY SHOP, Greenport
Whether buying a collection of Disney singalongs for the young or a copy of “Aladdin Sane” for the hip, a purchase from the Eastern Long Island Hospital Opportunity Shop goes towards a good cause. All the shop’s earnings support Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport.
NATALI KEYES GALLERY, Greenport
If you want good conversation as you flip through bins of used records, head to the Natali Keyes Gallery. While he enjoys talking about all the music he carries — rock, hip hop, punk, metal and more — he’s most excited to discuss the psychedelic sounds that hailed from the San Francisco Bay area in the ’60s, the sound of Santana, New Riders of the Purple Sage and of course, The Grateful Dead.
BARNSTOCK TRADING POST, Wading River
Record collectors on the western end of the North Fork may consider a trip to Barnstock, also known as The Barn of Wading River. The thrift shop offers an array of LPs, 45s and 78s across come and gone styles and eras.
