Record Store Day 2020, Drop #1

It is Record Store Day!!

Usually this wonderful day takes place in April, but because of the pandemic, it was split up amongst 3 different drop days. I normally will wake up at the crack of dawn, drive to the local shop, and wait in line for a few hours. I did this hoping to get first pick at the exclusive titles, many of which sell for big money on the secondary market (which is another issue I may discuss at a later date).

Today, not even wanting to go, I disregarded the releases. It was the first RSD that I had no intention participating in. I then remembered I desperately needed a certain title, Gene Russell's "New Direction". I then walked to Iowa City's premier record shop, Record Collector. The scene was different. It was much later in the day, so the madness had subsided. 5 people were allowed in the shop, and all were required to wear masks and gloves. This is an example of why I love this record shop so much. They don't mess around.

When I got in I immediately started the search for the record I wanted. I found it, luckily, and browsed the shop a little more. It was the most pleasant RSD I have been participated in. No stress, no worries, no expectations. Despite all the changes, RSD was still a success.

I will create a write up on the record I got at another time, it requires a little history lesson, and will be the subject of an upcoming and ongoing element to this blog. It deserves that much.